Banna Strand

Overlooking Tralee Bay, Banna Strand is one of Ireland’s most striking beaches. The beach is a top place to visit throughout the year, not only in summer, for anyone seeking a coastal destination for birdwatching or a lovely walk. Spend an hour or two strolling along the coastline or relaxing in the golden sand for an entire day.

A favourite weekend getaway
Banna Beach, also known as Banna Strand, is a 7-mile-long sandy blue-flag beach in Tralee Bay. It is popular with Tralee residents just 7 miles away. Summer days are the most popular time of year at Banna Strand. At this time of year, many international travellers are exploring County Kerry, so visit during the week and early in the morning for the most peaceful experience. Locals come here throughout the year for beach walks, picnics, walking dogs, and more.

Banna Beach has particular historical significance. It is associated with Sir Roger Casement, who was the Irish revolutionary leader. He landed at the beach from a German U-boat at the beginning of the 1916 Easter Rising. Casement was accused of an attempt to land arms for Irish Republicans from the German vessel. Casement was arrested on Good Friday morning. He was caught and taken to London to stand trial. He was found guilty, and the British government sentenced him to death. Casement was hanged at Pentonville Prison on August 3rd 1916, and is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. A monument for Casement and another man, Robert Monteith, stands near the dunes. His failed attempt inspired a rebel song named after the beach.

Whatever the season, you will enjoy a walk here. Layer up against the wind and cold, and let the fresh air clear your head! While walkers will find themselves in paradise in the dunes and along the wide, sandy beach, families will enjoy Banna Strand as it provides a perfect setting for building sand castles. The notoriously wild surroundings of cliffs, rock faces, beaches, dunes, shallow sandbanks, and river mouths appeal to swimmers, surfers, kayakers, and watersports enthusiasts.

Banna Rescue
Surfboarding is popular here, with lessons available during the summer season. The waves from the Atlantic are perfect for this sport. The most favourable conditions reported for surf at Banna Strand occur when a West swell combines with an offshore wind direction from the East. Spring is the best time of year for surfing Banna Strand, with consistent, clean waves (rideable swell with light / offshore winds). Clean surfable waves are typically found in April. Most surfers consider it too small, but it may still be OK for beginners. You can also take a boogie board and have fun catching the waves. Another popular activity here is shore fishing. Several spots are recommended, one being “a Poll Gorm.”

Lifeguards supervise the beach during the summer only. Behind the dune system is the Banna Rescue centre, which is staffed by 30 volunteers. The voluntary inshore and land rescue unit covers one of the busiest beaches of some 200m2 off Ireland’s West Coast. Founded in 1983, Banna Rescue is Ireland’s oldest independent lifeboat association. Established following two tragic drownings, the unit has made a marked impact on the community and further afield. Over the decades, the volunteer rescue team has responded to more than 250 callouts and saved up to a hundred lives. Donations fund volunteer training, crew kits, rescue equipment and maintenance of two lifeboats and a station.

Behind the sand dunes are a number of holiday parks and a Leisure Centre. Close to the beach is the pretty heritage village of Ardfert. Here, you will find a good choice of quality restaurants and pubs. Tralee Golf Club sits at the southern end of the beach.

There is ample free parking available. It includes disabled spaces, and the beach has disabled access down a short slipway. Food and snacks are also available in the parking area during the summer. There are toilets beside the main car park, and they are clean and well-maintained. Dogs required to be on a leash.

Coastal dunes
Banna Strand is one of the most beautiful beaches in Co Kerry. There are several miles of stunning, clean, sandy beach to walk and explore. Grass-covered sand dunes back it with a trail running along them. If the tide is in, but you are still looking for a walk by the seashore, the beach is an outstanding option. It's a fantastic shore to experience, no matter the weather. It offers all the delights of a typical beach, including swimming, rock pooling, sand castle making, shell collecting, and much more. Children will love running along the vast stretches of sand. It is a fabulous family spot and never gets too crowded owing to its vastness. It's also a perfect beach for surfing if the conditions are right. There are surfboard and wetsuit hires available during the summer months.

It is located around twelve kilometres northwest of Tralee and is an ideal beach holiday destination. It stretches for miles and miles with sandy shores. The dunes along the entire length can be up to 12m high. They are a designated conservation area, a natural habitat for many rare plants and animals. They also offer the perfect cover from the winds to enjoy picnics on the beach.

It is a haven for walkers owing to the magnificent views; you can see the mountains of the Dingle Peninsula on the southwest horizon, Kerry Head and Maulin Mountain to the north-west and if you look straight out to sea, you can see Mucklaghmore Rock. After strolling along the waterfront, many tourists continue to its coastal sand dunes. These dunes reach as high as 12 meters, providing a fun place to explore and a scenic backdrop for photographs. Rinse off your feet at the outdoor showers afterwards.

Banna Strand is a wonderfully natural and unspoilt beach, a peaceful and relaxing spot, and is not to be missed. If you stay late enough to catch a sunset, you are in for a treat; they are magnificent.