How to Visit Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay Beach
Read our travel guide on Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, parking, where to stay, or when to go.
Situated on the western edge of County Galway, Dog's Bay, together with Gurteen Bay, is one of the hidden gems of Ireland's west coast.
Driving along the Irish coastline is an unforgettable experience, and it's mainly thanks to places like this.
Dog's Bay is a rugged and beautiful strip of sand with crystal-clear water backed by dunes. This description perfectly fits Gurteen Bay Beach as well.
And why do we talk about two beaches? Because that's exactly what this area is about.
The horseshoe-shaped beaches of Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay form one massive sand strip with dunes in the middle and connect a granite island at the seaward end with the mainland.
This feature is known as tombolo, from a Latin word meaning mound, and it really is a sight to behold.
It's arguably the most beautiful beach in County Galway and one of the highlights of this stretch of Wild Atlantic Way.
Despite its relative remoteness, it's fairly easy to reach from Galway or nearby villages such as Roundstone or Clifden.
So here is everything you should know about Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay before you go.
Visiting Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay
If you have a car, your trip to Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay couldn't be more straightforward.
It's a trip to the beach, so you don't have to overthink it this time.
The only thing you need to figure out before you go is whether you want to leave your car at Dog's Bay or Gurteen Bay parking area.
Parking
As we visited this area on a beautiful morning in spring, the parking lot was completely empty. Dog's Bay has a relatively tiny parking area plus an even smaller one at the end of a narrow road.
Finding an empty space here was easy at this time of the year. However, it will be much more problematic during the peak season, especially on weekends.
Here are the exact coordinates for parking at Dog's Bay: 53.382210, -9.963940.
The most surprising thing about this area for us was that there was another beach just across the dunes.
And as it's closer to the settlement, it has a separate and much larger parking lot.
Honestly, it usually makes more sense to leave your car at Gurteen Bay, as it has a larger parking area and is easier to access.
Here are the coordinates for Gurteen Bay parking: 53.380951, -9.954107.
If you want to spend a whole day here, it's better to arrive early during the peak season.
This advice is helpful not just here but in other popular Ireland beaches such as Ballinskelligs or Fanore.
Camping
Even though wild camping is not allowed, you can stay at the Gurteen Bay Caravan and Camping Park, which is just a short walk from the beach.
It has basic facilities, such as a hot shower, bathrooms, a kitchen with a fridge, and a small grocery store.
Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay
Gurteen Bay Beach is larger and more popular. It's sheltered, faces a headland, and it's considered safer for swimming.
Dog's Bay Beach is wilder and arguably even more beautiful, but that's just a matter of taste.
There are two other small beaches on the island that can be explored as well (kayaking must be fun here).
Even though it was still quite cold and windy in the morning, we had a great time just walking along the beach and soaking up the views and the tranquil atmosphere.
We wanted to arrive earlier to catch the sunrise, but as we had spent the day before in Galway, we couldn't force ourselves to hit the road while it was still dark outside.
It seemed the time moved differently here, so I'm not sure how much time we spent here, but it didn't matter.
Compared to places such as Inch Beach, this area still retains its pristine charm in the peak season.
Still, some basic facilities such as a shower, toilets, and a small store at the Caravan Park can be found here.
There are better beaches in Ireland for water activities, but windsurfing and kitesurfing can be done here.
After some time, we were ready to wave goodbye to this spectacular corner of Ireland's coast.
The only thing we could regret is that we didn't visit during the summer so we could swim and sunbathe here.
But the views of two curved white-sand beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters will remain in our memory forever.
Therefore, we believe this area is a fantastic little stop on every Ireland road trip regardless of the time of the year.
By the way, if you're looking at what other destinations you should visit in this area, Sky Road, Connemara National Park, and Kylemore Abbey should be on your radar.
History
The white color of the beach is due to the fragments of seashells that have been forming this beach for millions of years.
It has interesting geology and rare vegetation, but it's also an area of archaeological importance.
According to the evidence, human activity stretches back more than 6.000 years, plus more evidence of early farmers was found here.
Conservation Efforts
Increasing frequency of strong waves and constant winds are, together with human activity, the main sources of erosion here.
The local community tries to protect the dunes from it, so some common sense is required when getting around this area.
You will see 'keep off the dunes' signs accompanied by other instructions, such as no camping permitted, no littering, or dogs must be on a leash.
This strip of sand jutting into the sea is covered with grassland known as machair.
This type of rich soil is unique to Ireland and Scotland and is full of flowers during the early summer.
Opening Hours
Dog's Bay is open 24/7. You can visit Gurteen Bay any time of the day as well.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Dog's Bay, and Gurteen Bay is also free to visit.
If you travel around Ireland on a budget, tons of amazing beaches are scattered along the coast that don't charge any fee.
How Much Time Do I Need
It's not an easy question to answer because it all depends on your preferences, itinerary, and even the time of the year.
In general, you would need about an hour or two to see Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay.
On a beautiful sunny day in summer, it's easy to spend a whole day here.
When to Go
Summer is the best time to visit Dog's Bay though you can't expect to have this beautiful beach just for yourself.
The weather is usually sunny during this period, and the water is relatively warm.
Even though this beach is not very well-known among international visitors, it's been a popular summer destination for many local families for years.
Spring and autumn are ideal for those who prefer quieter and more peaceful experiences, though the water will be too cold for swimming.
Visiting Dog's Bay in winter, which is off-season in Ireland, is great for those seeking solitude and who don't mind traveling in bad weather.
You can check the weather forecast before you go, but the weather along the Irish coastline is very unpredictable. This is very true not just here but across the entire island.
The rule of thumb is to be prepared for every situation, and Dog's Bay is no exception.
If you're still not sure when to visit Ireland, check out this post to find more information on this topic.
What to Pack
In summer, you should pack strong sunscreen, plenty of water, a beach towel, sunglasses, and swimsuit for the beach.
Regardless of the time of year, always remember to pack a waterproof dry bag to keep your valuables safe and dry.
In the off-season, you will need an extra layer or two to stay nice and warm.
A quality windproof rain jacket is one of the essential items on every Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
Hands down, the best way to get to Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay is by car. From Galway or Westport, it takes under 90 minutes to reach this area via N59.
You can get there in less than four hours from Dublin.
R341 connects Clifden with the beach, and the journey takes no more than 30 minutes.
The village of Roundstone is about three kilometers east of Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay.
Driving along R341, which has two lanes, is easy.
Here you will find more tips for driving in Ireland, plus you might find our post on renting a car in Ireland useful as well.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Public Transport
There is no direct bus to Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay, but you can take bus 419 (Bus Eireann) to Roundstone.
From here, you would need to either walk or take a taxi in order to get to the beach. For most visitors, this option is far from convenient.
Where to Stay
Even though there are no large cities near Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay, it's easy to find a hotel room here.
There are some nice and relatively affordable hotels in the area around Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay for all budgets.
If you want to save some money, you might want to stay in one of the family-owned bed and breakfasts along the way.
Here are our tips on the best hotels near Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay.
Cashel Bay | Cashel House Hotel - Set on beautiful grounds about a 20-minute drive from Dog's Bay, this country hotel features a tranquil and secluded location, stylish rooms, amazing service, excellent food, and free private parking.
Clifden | Clifden Station House Hotel - Situated in a peaceful location by a white-sand beach only a 15-minute drive from Dog's Bay, this hotel features modern rooms with ocean views, a great restaurant, a barrel sauna, and free private parking.
Ballyconneely | Connemara Sands Hotel and Spa - Located in the heart of Clifden, less than a 30-minute drive from Gurteen Bay, this hotel has cozy rooms, a nice spa, helpful staff, and free private parking.
Staying Safe
Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay beaches are safe to visit.
We didn't notice any signs warning against swimming in the area, so it seems it's safe to swim here as both beaches are sheltered against currents.
In case it's too windy at Dog's Bay, try Gurteen Bay instead. The latter one is also considered to be more family-friendly.
Don't leave your belongings in your car, or at least keep them out of sight if there is no other way.
Also, don't forget to read our guide on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay Worth Visiting?
Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay are, without any doubt, one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland.
Together they make a great addition to every Ireland road trip itinerary.
If you have your own mode of transport, this area is easy to explore, and places such as Dog's Bay and Gurteen Bay will make the journey even more memorable.
We just wished we could stay longer.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
