Sandycove
Co. Cork, Cork County Council. Sea bathing water.
Icy.ie is a data aggregator, not a safety assessment.
Swim status: CAUTION
- No routine testing in winter: the latest sample is 47 days old.
- No temperature sensor within 25 km, so the water temperature here is unknown.
- It is dark or close to dark here (sunset 18:36, first light 07:29).
- No lifeguard is listed for this beach.
Conditions can change. Check flags and signs, never swim alone, know how to Float to Live. Float to Live | Cold water checklist
EPA alert details
Before you go in
- Water qualityLast sample 1 September 2026, rated Excellent. No routine testing in winter, and that sample is 47 days old.
- Water temperatureNo nearby sensor within 25 km. Assume it is cold: cold water shock can occur below 15°C.
- LifeguardsNo lifeguard is listed for this beach.
- DaylightSunrise 08:03, sunset 18:36 today. It is dark or close to dark now.
- TideModelled as rising, high water about 22:50. Confirm with local tide tables.
- Waves and windNo nearby sensor. Check the Met Éireann marine forecast.
Read before you swim: cold water safety checklist, cold water shock and Float to Live, bathing water quality, tides and currents, jellyfish and stings.
Latest water quality sample
Excellent
Sampled 1 September 2026 (47 days ago)
- E. coli
- 10 per 100 ml
- Intestinal enterococci
- 8 per 100 ml
Routine monitoring runs from 22 May to 15 September. There is no routine testing in winter, so a sample can be months old. A sample shows one moment, and conditions can change quickly after rain.
Icy.ie checked 18 Oct, 21:48. Sample date 1 September 2026. Source: EPA.
Tide at the beach
Rising
Modelled height now 0.5 m at 21:50
- Next high water
- 22:50, 0.6 m
- Next low water
- 05:30 tomorrow, -0.6 m
Next 24 hours
- High22:500.6 m
- Low05:30-0.6 m, tomorrow
- High11:400.6 m, tomorrow
- Low18:20-0.5 m, tomorrow
Times are Irish local time. These are modelled predictions at the nearest model point, 0.3 km from the beach. They are not a substitute for local tide tables, and do not include weather effects such as surge and wind. Heights are relative to the model's mean level, not chart datum. See tides and currents.
Icy.ie checked 18 Oct, 21:48. Source: Marine Institute model.
Sea temperature
No nearby sensor
No Marine Institute sensor is within 25 km, so we do not give a headline figure that would not describe this beach.
Water near the shore, in shallow bays and in estuaries can be several degrees colder or warmer than a sensor offshore. More at Irish sea temperature today.
Icy.ie checked 18 Oct, 21:48. Source: Marine Institute.
Waves and wind
No nearby sensor
No wave or wind sensor within 80 km. Use the Met Éireann marine forecast.
Offshore sensors differ from your beach. Waves and wind at a buoy far out can be stronger or weaker than at the shore, and a beach sheltered from one direction may be exposed to another.
Icy.ie checked 18 Oct, 21:48. Source: Marine Institute.
Daylight today
After sunset
- First light (civil twilight)
- 07:29
- Sunrise
- 08:03
- Sunset
- 18:36
- Last light (civil twilight)
- 19:10
Plan to be out of the water before sunset. Read dawn, dusk and night swimming safety.
Calculated by Icy.ie for this beach's position. Irish local time. No data feed is used.
Not checked by Icy.ie
These matter for your safety and are not in our data. Check them yourself before you go in.
- Beach flags. Obey lifeguard and red flags. Safety checklist
- Rip currents. Tides and currents
- Met Éireann warnings. Check current weather warnings and the marine forecast. Storms and swell
- Jellyfish and algal bloom. Marine hazards
- Storm overflow and sewage discharge. Bathing water quality
Facilities
- Blue Flag
- No
- Green Coast
- No
- Toilets
- No
- First aid
- No
- Lifebuoy
- Yes
- Lifeguard
- No
- Parking
- Yes
- Dogs
- On a lead
- Accessible
- No
- Beach wheelchair
- No
Icy.ie checked 18 Oct, 21:48. EPA record last updated 13 March 2026.
Water quality class by year
No classification history is listed. Some beaches are not classified yet.
An annual class summarises four years of testing. It does not describe the water today.
Icy.ie checked 18 Oct, 21:48. EPA record last updated 13 March 2026.
About this water
"Sandycove, 5km from Kinsale town centre is one of the towns most beloved coastal gems, drawing stand‑up paddleboarders, kayakers, and sea swimmers to its beautifully sheltered bay. The calm waters, protected by the nearby island, create ideal conditions for relaxed paddling and leisurely swims when tides and weather allow.As the tide recedes, the beach transforms—revealing a charming mix of sandy stretches and rocky outcrops dotted with rock pools, perfect for curious explorers of all ages.Framed by rolling green hills, Sandycoves unspoiled character offers a peaceful natural escape. Sandycove is ideally located close to several popular Kinsale highlights:Charles Fort- One of Ireland’s finest star-shaped forts, offering stunning harbour views and a fascinating look into the area’s military history.James Fort- A beautiful historic fortification opposite Charles Fort, perfect for a scenic walk with panoramic views of Kinsale Harbour."
Icy.ie checked 18 Oct, 21:48. EPA record last updated 13 March 2026.
Where the data comes from
Bathing water details, classifications, samples and alerts: Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland), published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence (EPA bathing water API).
Modelled tide, inshore and offshore buoy readings: Marine Institute (Ireland), published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence via ERDDAP. Readings are provisional and can be missing or delayed. Icy.ie refreshes this page about every 10 minutes.
Sunrise, sunset and twilight are calculated by Icy.ie from the beach position.