Due to strong currents, swimming is prohibited in Strandhill and subsequently there is no lifeguard on duty. So the water is home to many surfers and kite surfers who use it year round, regardless of whether tide is in or out. Due to the location of the parking facilities and the ramp down onto the beach many of the pedestrians walk in one area so there is still plenty of beach left for kiters. An onshore wind is always desired and in this case it would mean a full run of the beach, unfortunately an offshore wind has to deal with mountains, which is of course not ideal.
It is also a common sight to see paragliders launching from the mountains behind the beach and parachute jumpers who use the nearby Sligo airport.

Because of the closeness to Sligo town, accommodation options are plenty from hotels, B+B’s, and hostel in Sligo itself to a smaller number of holiday homes, B&B;s and a large well serviced camping and caravan park in Strandhill. The cost of camping at the Strandhill Camping and Caravan park (open May – Sept ph: 071,9168111) for the June Bank Holiday weekend 2004 was €20 per night and there was no need to make a reservation. The park is adequately serviced offering shower, kitchen and laundry facilities as well as a TV room. It is located beside the beach so accessibility with all our gear was not a problem.

Strandhill is a small coastal village that is used to day trippers so the extent of pubs and restaurants is limited. However, the Strand Bar is well recommended. It is deceptively big and has live bands on the weekend. There is also a Chinese restaurant above it. Beside it is another pub but that is all that is on offer. There is also the expected local chipper which is always welcome!

There are many tourist attractions in Sligo itself. However in Strandhill one original and very popular attraction is the Celtic Seaweed Baths which are well recommended to ease those muscles!