Are you ready to dive into an exhilarating experience? Brace yourself for the ultimate wild swimming adventure in beautiful surroundings of Mourne Gullion Strangford. Picture this: crystal-clear waters, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, and a sense of freedom like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or a curious beginner, Mourne, Gullion, & Strangford offers a plethora of stunning spots to explore.
Our resident wild swimmers have shared a few of their favourite locations including:
Lough Shannagh
The stunning Mourne Mountains are famous for incredible walks but are also a fantastic find for wild swimmers. Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of Lough Shannagh and feel the rush of adrenaline as you plunge into the refreshing depths, leaving all your worries behind.
Wild River Dipping, Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle
(Booking Required)
Hike to the secret spots and immerse yourself in the rivers of the Mourne Mountains. This activity explores the trending cold water and wild swimming craze and Includes hiking, wild dipping, forest bathing and cold water therapy. These trained and highly experienced Mountain Leaders and cold water specialists who will guide you into the hidden landscapes of the Mourne Mountains to the spots they love the most. Visitors will experience how to safely and enjoyable enter the world of cold water therapy and wild swimming, whilst being instructed on the fundamentals.
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Annalong River Rock Pools
Looking for a touch of magic? Just outside Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, Annalong River Rock Pool is the place to be. With its enchanting river pools and cascading waterfalls, this fairy-tale like setting will transport you to another world. Take a leap of faith and let the cool waters embrace you, as you become at one with nature.
Newcastle Harbour
The slipway at the side of Newcastle Harbour is a popular entry point for many local swimmers, and you're sure to find other swimmers there throughout the summer months and a few who swim all year round.
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Shimna River, Newcastle
This river starts in the Mourne Mountains and passes through Tollymore Forest Park coming out at Dundrum Bay. You can swim downstream through the forest taking in the twists and turns of the river and moving into the natural pools for a moment of rest.
Kilclief Beach
This welcoming stretch of dazzling waters, situated along the Strangford Lough, treats wild swimmers to the most incredible clear sands and stunning views.
Murlough Beach
For those seeking a coastal adventure, Murlough Beach is an absolute must-visit. A long sandy, blue flag beach, stretching from Newcastle to Tyrella accessible via a 3km pathway through Murlough National Nature Reserve. The beach is flat, surrounded by ancient sand dunes and an ideal place for a days fun by the sea. Life Guards are on duty during the summer months.
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Ballyhornan Beach
The sandy beach at Ballyhornan has crystal clear water and is a popular swimming area. Surrounded by cliffs and stunning scenery, this beach has pay and display car parking, toilets, disabled parking, and picnic tables beside the small play park. No life guards are on duty.
Tyrella Beach
Award winning Tyrella beach is a flat, sandy beach, 2km long and backed by 25 hectares of mature dunes. The beach offers off-beach parking, and safe bathing with lifeguards on patrol during July & August. Very popular with families so don’t forget your bucket and spade ! The ideal place for water sports enthusiasts, and a safe haven for families or groups who wish to picnic.
Bloody Bridge Rock Pools
Just outside Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains is the Bloody Bridge where you'll find a few different rock pools along the river. Some of them are quite deep, so take care, brace yourself for the cold, but the feeling afterwards is amazing. 
Warrenpoint Beach
Located alongside the Mourne Mountains on the shores of Carlingford Lough, Warrenpoint beach is a popular outdoor adventure area. The gently sloping shingle beach is popular with many organised water activities all enjoyed from the water edge. No lifeguard service available.
Cranfield West Beach
Cranfield Beach is located off the main A2 Rostrevor to Kilkeel Road, at the mouth of Carlingford Lough. Cranfield’s gentle sloping, sandy, south facing beach is ideal for families with children’s play area, and lots of rock pools to mess around in. Toilets and outdoor shower is available, RNLI lifeguard supervision July & Aug.
Here are a few things you may find helpful to pack before you set off:
- Changing towel/ robe
- Hot water bottle
- Flask of tea or a hot beverage
- Warm socks and gloves
- Warm coat
So, fellow adventurer, lets dive into the unknown, embrace the thrill, and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Please note
To the extent permitted by law, NM&DDC accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these recommendations. NM&DDC cannot be held liable for your safety and we advise that you swim at your own risk.
Lough Shannagh walk leads up hill on the 'Banns Road', an off road farm track. The route circles Lough Shannagh (in an anti-clockwise direction) with a high point of 587m at Carn Mountain. It also follows and crosses the Mourne Wall on places.
Hike to the secret spots and immerse in the rivers of the Mourne Mountains. An activity that explores the trending cold water and wild swimming craze. Including hiking, wild dipping, forest bathing and cold water therapy. Our trained and highly experienced Mountain Leaders and cold water specialists guide you into the hidden landscapes of the Mourne Mountains to the spots we love the most. Visitors will experience how to safely and enjoyable enter the world of cold water therapy and wild swimming, whilst we take you through the fundamentals.
Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle and is open to the public all year. Tollymore Forest covers an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.
Strangford Lough is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is almost fully enclosed by land. It is the largest sea water inlet in Ireland and the United Kingdom and an important habitat for wildlife. A regular car ferry links the picturesque towns of Strangford and Portaferry. Strangford Lough is a significant asset in the Aspiring UNESCO global Geopark. The Lough was formed at the end of the last ice age. Strangford Lough is Northern Ireland's first Marine Conservation Zone and is a special area of conservation for wildlife. Strangford Lough is a key destination for winter migration for many wading and sea birds. The lough is home to common seals, basking sharks and brent geese.
This 5 mile stretch of golden sands is still the essence of the resort and is hugely popular for swimming, sunbathing and other forms of recreation.
Murlough National Nature Reserve is a fragile 6000 year old sand dune system owned by the National Trust and managed as Ireland’s first Nature Reserve since 1967. It is an excellent area for walking and bird watching.
Tyrella beach and conservation area is a small, enclosed dune complex within Dundrum Bay. It is a wide, flat, sandy beach two kilometres long and backed by 25 hectares of mature dunes in a conservation area.
This scenic walk leads from the Bloody Bridge car park along the edge of the Bloody Bridge River and back again.
Warrenpoint Beach is located alongside the Mourne Mountains on the shores of Carlingford Lough, in County Down.
Cranfield West offers a gently sloping, mainly sandy beach located at the entrance to Carlingford Lough, an area designated as being of Special Scientific Interest.
