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

Ballybunnion South is an exposed sandy beach facing due west onto the Atlantic ocean, thus the beach can be rough at times. There is a narrow strip of vegetation separating the beach from the road and the footpath which connect the beach and Ballybunnion town. The bathing water of Ballybunnion South is located within the Lower River Shannon, site code SAC 002165. Activities include walking, swimming, surfing and angling. The bathing area is approximately 250 m wide.