Swim, splash, surf and relax at Banna Beach, a beloved seaside spot for County Kerry locals. The ocean rolls gently onto a wide stretch of sand and the sea air blows in over the scrub behind. The wide expanse of sand is perfect for long walks along the water and mornings spent peacefully fishing.
Also known as Banna Strand, Banna Beach stretches from Ballyheigue Beach in the north to Barrow Beach in the south. The sand goes on for miles, a pure expanse of sky, sea air and waves, ideal for a classic family day at the beach. Enjoy the seclusion of the seaside with the convenience of having the small township of Tralee nearby, where you’ll find restaurants and essential services.
Banna Beach has a Blue Flag award for quality, which attests to its safety, cleanliness and environmental management. Lifeguards patrol the shore in the summertime, making it perfect for taking a swim or learning to surf. On a warm day, set up an umbrella and towel and spend a day relaxing in the sunshine, catching up on reading. Balance on a paddleboard or enjoy a ball game with the kids. Wander among the sand dunes, which run the entire length of the beach and can be as high as 40 feet (12 meters) as they grow and shrink with the wind and weather. Toward the southwest, see the Dingle Peninsula mountains in the distance.
Close to the dunes near Ballyheigue, look for the monument to Roger Casement, an Irish revolutionary leader. Casement came ashore from a German U-boat in 1916 as part of a plan to obtain weapons. His mission failed and he was found guilty of treason and executed.
Find Banna Beach where County Kerry meets the Atlantic Ocean north of Tralee Bay. Tralee town is around 7 miles (12 kilometers) away. Banna Beach has parking. For maximum time in the sun, stay in a family hotel near the beach or a cottage in the sand dunes.
