Dingle Bay is a large coastal bay on the southwest coast of Ireland, running approximately 40 kilometers from northeast to southwest into the Atlantic Ocean. It is flanked by the Dingle Peninsula to the north and the Iveragh Peninsula to the south, creating a wide, open expanse of water that is approximately 3 kilometers wide at its head and 20 kilometers at its entrance to the ocean. The bay's geography includes a protected lowland estuary with tidal flats near its head, where the River Maine and River Laune enter. The harbour town of Dingle, a primary access point, lies on the north side of the bay, with other settlements like Ventry, Annascaul, and Glenbeigh also overlooking the water. A notable geographical feature is Inch Strand, a peninsula extending a significant distance across the width of the bay towards its head. The bay is exposed to the full fetch of the Atlantic Ocean, making wind and wave conditions a primary safety consideration. Tidal currents are a significant factor for paddlers, especially in the narrower sections and near the estuary. The bay's outer parts mark one of the westernmost points of mainland Ireland, contributing to its dramatic, open character with views of mountainous peninsulas. On the south side, the Iveragh Peninsula features cliffs topped with grassland and heathland, and there is a bird sanctuary that is an important breeding site for species like the red-billed chough. The area is historically significant as the first feature of Europe encountered by aviator Charles Lindbergh during his 1927 transatlantic flight.