Murlough Beach is backed by an ancient sand dune system throughout its 6km length. A large area of the dunes is designated as a National Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve is a fragile 6,000 year old sand dune system. It is an excellent area for walking and bird watching due to its spectacular location at the edge of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains.

The dune fields at Murlough are the best and most extensive example of dune heath within Ireland with over 600 species of butterflies and moths, one of which, the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, is of European importance. The site is internationally important for wintering wildfowl and waders.

The entire area of Murlough Beach lies within the Mournes and Slieve Croob Area of Outstanding Beauty and the Murlough Special Area for Conservation. It includes woodland and heath with an array of butterflies and wild flowers and is internationally important for wintering wildfowl and waders. It is also a haul-out site for Common and Grey seals.

Excellent water quality.

RNLI Lifeguard Service in Bathing Season as well as Life Saving equipment on Murlough Beach.