Dog’s Bay/Gurteen Bay

Connemara's scalloped coastline is home to some stunning beaches, none more so than the Errisbeg Peninsula's twins, 3km west of Roundstone. The golden sands of Gurteen Bay and Dog's Bay, made of brilliant white sand, are separated by a dog-bone-shaped sand spit and tombolo. Back to back, Gurteen Beach and Dog's Bay form a tombolo extending out into the Atlantic Ocean. Unlike other beaches, the sands are made of broken seashells, giving them a Caribbean flavor.

Dog's Bay is shaped like a horseshoe and features a mile-long stretch of white sand beach. The sand is similar to that at Gurteen Bay in that it is constructed completely of seashell bits, giving it a pure white color. Both beaches are well protected from currents and have crystal clear waters, making them suitable for swimming and other water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. The beach is naturally protected by the headland to the south, and it is a popular summer vacation spot for locals and tourists alike.

Location: Ervallagh, Roundstone, County Galway, Ireland