Keel Beach, Achill Island

Keel Beach, Achill Island is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Keel Beach, Achill Island 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.

Keel Beach is a predominately sandy beach with scatterings of shingle. It is an exposed beach open to the south, and can be subject to rip tides/strong currents. To the far west there are rocky outcrops which can be submerged at high tide. Keel Beach consists of area of sand dune and machair. Both habitats support a variety of plant and wildlife species. Keel Beach also forms part of the Achill Head SAC (Site Code 002268) and the Keel Machair/Menaun Cliffs SAC (Site Code 001513). Activities include swimming, surfing, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skis, scuba-diving / snorkelling and fishing. Approximately 1.5km2 in area. The medium and maximum water depth within the designated bathing water is 0.5m and 5.0m respectively depending on tides.