Keem Bay on Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland, has secured a prestigious spot on the 2025 “The World’s 50 Best Beaches” list, making it the only Irish beach to feature in this year’s global ranking.
Coming in at number 48, the Mayo gem continues to charm visitors far beyond Ireland with its “untouched” beauty and “tropical” allure, despite its rugged Atlantic location.
Judges praised Keem Bay’s signature horseshoe-shaped bay, steep cliffs, and rolling hills, which together form a natural shelter for its calm, crystal-clear waters—perfect for a summer swim.
The beach’s fine, near-white sands and vivid blue waters were said to create “the illusion of a tropical paradise”, according to the review panel, even though it lies deep in the remote Irish countryside.
What sets Keem Bay apart, the panel said, is its remarkably unspoiled character, with no large-scale development, offering a rare mix of tranquillity and raw natural splendour.
Access to the bay is part of the experience itself. Visitors reach the beach via a winding scenic drive that offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, often shared with wandering sheep, enhancing the authentic rural charm of the journey.
The 2025 “World’s 50 Best Beaches” list was curated by a global team of beach ambassadors, travel experts, and explorers. The team spent months exploring remote corners of the planet, searching for coastal locations that best capture the spirit of the ultimate beach escape.