‘Gorgeous’ beach at edge of Atlantic Archipelago is named 14th best in world

Tucked away on Achill Island on Ireland’s Atlantic Coast, Keem Beach is a stunning hidden gem ranked number 14 on Enjoy Travel’s list of the world’s 50 best beaches

One of the globe’s finest beaches lies within day-trip reach of London.

“Tucked away on Achill Island just off Ireland’s wild Atlantic Coast, the rolling green hills which provide the stunning backdrop to Keem Beach are just one of many reasons to visit this gorgeous area. The horseshoe-shaped bay creates a secluded atmosphere, while calm waters make swimming easily accessible. The surrounding hiking trails provide scintillating panoramic views, making Keem Beach one of Ireland’s true hidden gems,” writes Enjoy Travel, which placed Keem Beach at number 14 on its list.

Keem Beach is amongst those destinations that astonishes visitors who don’t typically link Ireland with stunning shores – it genuinely appears tropical despite its location on the rugged Atlantic coastline.

The shore nestles in a horseshoe-shaped cove tucked between steep verdant hills at the westernmost point of Achill Island. You’ll find golden sands and turquoise-tinged waters bordered by striking cliffs on either side.

The journey there, along a slender clifftop road with the ocean far beneath, forms part of the adventure. Since it’s literally at the end of the route, Keem delivers the sensation of being at the world’s edge. Its splendour means you’ll probably encounter some fellow visitors, but relatively few venture this far.

It never seems overcrowded. The bay’s horseshoe shape shields it from the raw Atlantic swell, resulting in considerably calmer waters than much of Ireland’s western coastline, making it one of the safest and most enjoyable locations for a dip.

Footpaths climb from the shore towards Croaghaun, one of Ireland’s tallest sea cliffs, offering breathtaking panoramic vistas back across the bay. During the summer months, it’s also a well-known hotspot for basking shark and dolphin sightings.

Keem forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way, sitting naturally within a wider Achill Island or Mayo coastal road trip, complementing nearby attractions such as Keel Beach, Minaun Cliffs, and the abandoned village at Slievemore.

For those travelling from London, reaching Keem Beach is relatively straightforward. A 1hr 30min flight from Stansted, Luton or Heathrow to West Knock, followed by a 75-minute drive, is the quickest route.

The 50 best beaches in the world

1. Anse Source d’Argent – Seychelles. Famous granite boulders and shallow lagoons on La Digue; regularly named the world’s best beach.
2. Entalula Beach – Philippines. A hidden, boat-only cove ringed by limestone cliffs.
3. Pink Beach – Komodo Island, Indonesia. Red coral fragments give the sand a pink tint.
4. Sandy Lane Beach – Barbados. A luxury-adjacent stretch that’s still open to the public.
5. Ee Motu Beach – Cook Islands. Overlooks Aitutaki’s lagoon, considered one of the world’s most beautiful.
6. Whitehaven Beach – Australia. Seven kilometers of swirling white silica sand in the Whitsundays.
7. Matira Beach – Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Powdery sand sloping into a lagoon with volcanic peaks in view.
8. Cala Macarella – Menorca, Spain. A pine-sheltered cove reachable by boat or coastal hike.
9. Porthcurno Beach – England. A dramatic Cornish cove near the cliffside Minack Theatre.
10. Mirissa Beach – Sri Lanka. A relaxed crescent beach also known as a top spot for blue whale sightings.
11. Luskentyre Beach – Isle of Harris, Scotland. Turquoise water and white sand that looks tropical despite the latitude.
12. Starfish Beach – Phu Quoc, Vietnam. Clear, calm water known for resident starfish.
13. Tortuga Bay – Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. A short walk from Puerto Ayora, great for spotting turtles and reef sharks.
14. Keem Beach – Achill Island, Ireland. A horseshoe bay backed by green hills on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.
15. White Beach – Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines. A quieter, less-touristed corner of Palawan.
16. Unawatuna Beach – Sri Lanka. Palm-lined sand with reef-calmed water and a lively cafe scene.
17. Eagle Beach – Aruba. Soft white sand and windswept divi-divi trees, consistently ranked among the Caribbean’s best.
18. Copacabana Beach – Brazil. Rio’s iconic beach, framed by the city skyline and lively day and night.
19. Ksamil Beach – Albania. Dubbed the “Maldives of Europe,” easily reached from Corfu by ferry.
20. Boulders Beach – South Africa. A sheltered cove home to a colony of African penguins.
21. Navagio Beach – Zakynthos, Greece. The famous “Shipwreck Beach,” boat-accessible beneath white cliffs.
22. Dhigura Beach – Maldives. Long white-sand island beach known for whale sharks and manta rays offshore.
23. Radhanagar Beach – Havelock Island, India. Jungle-backed golden sand in the Andaman Islands.
24. Seven Mile Beach – Grand Cayman. Soft coral sand favored by the ultra-wealthy, yet rarely crowded.
25. Haukland Beach – Norway. Surprisingly Caribbean-looking sand in the Lofoten Islands.
26. Railay Beach – Krabi, Thailand. Boat-only access beneath towering limestone cliffs.
27. Horseshoe Bay – Fiji. A classic crescent beach with colorful coral reefs offshore.
28. Palombaggia Beach – Corsica, France. White sand set against red granite rocks and pine forest.
29. Reynisfjara Beach – Iceland. Jet-black sand and towering basalt columns on the North Atlantic.
30. Santa Monica Beach – Cape Verde. Remote, wave-swept sand on Boa Vista’s southwest coast.
31. Whitesands Beach – Wales. A wild Pembrokeshire coast favorite for surfers and hikers.
32. Chumbe Island – Zanzibar, Tanzania. A protected reserve with vibrant, healthy coral reefs.
33. Champagne Beach – Vanuatu. Named for volcanic gas bubbles that fizz up through the sand.
34. Le Morne Beach – Mauritius. Powdery sand and lagoons below the dramatic Le Morne mountain.
35. Waikiki Beach – Hawaii, USA. Iconic golden sand beneath Diamond Head, gentle enough for beginner surfers.
36. Playa Kenepa Grandi – Curaçao. Quiet snorkeling spot with cliffs good for jumping.
37. Piha Beach – New Zealand. Black volcanic sand and strong surf on the Tasman Sea.
38. Playa Varadero – Cuba. A huge, reef-fringed stretch that’s the country’s best-known beach.
39. Playa Blanca – Colombia. Powdery white sand near Cartagena, best enjoyed into the evening.
40. Bávaro Beach – Dominican Republic. Classic palm-lined Punta Cana scenery with reef-protected water.
41. Long Beach – Koh Rong, Cambodia. Over 7km of shoreline known for standout sunsets.
42. Fteri Beach – Kefalonia, Greece. A secluded pebble cove reachable only by hike or boat.
43. La Jolla Cove – California, USA. Sea lions, sea caves, and a quainter alternative to LA’s beaches.
44. Shoal Bay East – Anguilla. Miles of white sand that rarely feels crowded.
45. Playa Akumal – Mexico. Known as a top spot to swim with sea turtles.
46. Sugar Beach – St Lucia. White sand between two dramatic volcanic peaks, popular with honeymooners.
47. La Pelosa Beach – Sardinia, Italy. Shallow turquoise water that looks almost Caribbean.
48. Karon Beach – Phuket, Thailand. A long, laid-back stretch away from Patong’s party scene.
49. Seixal Beach – Madeira, Portugal. Striking black volcanic sand against clear Atlantic water.
50. Manly Beach – Australia. Easy ferry ride from Sydney, with a lively promenade and calmer vibe than Bondi.