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Beaches & Water Quality

Beach information, bathing-water quality, coastal conditions, environmental monitoring and practical updates for communities and visitors around Ireland.

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KERRY • IDENTIFIED BEACH

Banna Strand

Kerry County Council

Excellent
SWIMMING STATUS TODAY

No active EPA restriction shown

EPA alert data last synced 24 Aug 2026, 03:20.

NO ACTIVE ALERT SHOWN
Can I swim here?No active EPA restriction shownCurrent EPA alert/restriction status
Current restrictionNone shown in current EPA alertsThis is not a guarantee of swimming conditions. Always check local signs, lifeguard instructions and the latest official advice at the beach.
Latest sampleExcellentIndividual sample result only
Last tested17 Aug 2026Latest sample stored from EPA

Current restrictions and beach signage take priority over annual classifications and individual sample results. Conditions can change between samples.

Annual EPA classification · 2025ExcellentLonger-term annual classification
Latest available sampleExcellent17 Aug 2026
E. coli10Latest sample result
Intestinal enterococci7Latest sample result
Next monitoring24 Aug 2026EPA schedule where available
Short-term pollution riskYesEPA location profile field

EPA annual assessment

Banna Strand is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Banna Strand 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.

Annual water quality history

2025Excellent
2024Excellent
2023Excellent
2022Excellent

Recent water samples

DateSample statusE. coliIntestinal enterococci
17 Aug 2026Excellent107
4 Aug 2026Excellent11166
27 Jul 2026Excellent<10<1
20 Jul 2026Excellent<1045
13 Jul 2026Excellent204
29 Jun 2026Excellent<102
22 Jun 2026Excellent<105
15 Jun 2026Excellent101
8 Jun 2026Excellent<10<1
2 Jun 2026Excellent<10<1
25 May 2026Excellent10<1

Facilities & access

Blue FlagYes
Green CoastNo
LifeguardYes
First aidYes
LifebuoyYes
ToiletsYes
ParkingYes
AccessibleYes
Beach wheelchairNo
Public transportNo
Information boardYes
Litter binYes
RecyclingYes
Natural sensitive areaYes

About this bathing water

Banna bathing water is located in a rural area. There are no buildings located in the sand dune system or on the promenade to the back of the bathing waters. The majority of the Banna Bathing water backs onto an extensive sand-dune system. This sand-dune system is part of an extensive length of sand dunes running from Ballyheigue to Barrow. There is no significant vegetation growing in the waters off the beach. The bathing water of Banna is located within the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour Special Protection Area (site code 004079) and the Akeragh, Banna and Barrow Harbour Special Area of Conservation (site code 000332). Activities include walking and swimming. The bathing area is approximately 445 m wide.