Dhoon Bay

BeachDumfries and Galloway Council🐾 Dog-friendly all year

A Solway Firth bay near Kirkcudbright that came close to losing its bathing-water status after four consecutive 'Poor' years, before recovering to 'Sufficient'.

📍 View on the map

Beach & safety

Water quality: Sufficient

Hazards: Rainfall pollution risk from agricultural run-off and sewer overflow; SEPA issued an active pollution-incident advisory here in 2024.

Dogs

No Dumfries and Galloway Council beach-specific dog byelaw found. Secondary sources consistently report Dhoon Bay (Goat Well Bay) as dog-friendly year-round; keep under control, especially near livestock/wildlife.

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Family

Improving but still only 'Sufficient' water quality.

Fishing

Estuary channels and mud or sand margins can support flounder, bass and mullet, with codling and whiting in colder periods.

Species reported: Flounder, Bass, Grey mullet, Codling, Whiting

Crabbing

not recommended — No safe family crabbing edge was verified; current, mud, swell or boat traffic makes generic promotion inappropriate.

Access & parking

unknown

Researched 2026-07-24 — sources & disclaimer

https://bathingwaters.sepa.org.uk/profiles/profile?location=320901

https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-scotland/dumfries-and-galloway/dhoon.htm

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.