Drumnatinny is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Drumnatinny has achieved an Excellent Water Quality rating for the four consecutive years 2022 to 2025. Annual water quality ratings are generally calculated using monitoring results over a four-year period and are assessed against stringent bacterial limits to protect bather health.

Drumnatinny beach consists of a long sandy north facing beach; confined by Ballyness Bay to the West and by Crockagarran and a small series of headlands to the East. There is a wide variety plant species especially amongst the vegetated dunes. There are also varied ranges of bird and animal species. Ballyness Bay exposes extensive mud flats and sand flats at low tides. Activities at Drumnatinny beach include swimming, kayaking, boating, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, power boating and other land based activities on the beach with the majority of users walking along the long shore. The designated bathing area is approx. 1.317km2 and the extent along the water is approximately is 4250m. There is an evenly sloped gradient off the beach getting to a depth of 1m approximately 10m out from the water line.