Geograph - photograph every grid square

Marked on old maps as White Strand, Rusheen Bay is a shallow and sheltered lagoon off Galway Bay, protected from the sea by a group of drumlins. Its sheltered nature makes it important for birdlife, as well as use by a windsurfing school situated on the north side of the bay. The south, west and northwest shores contain important saltmarsh, including examples of Mediterranean salt meadow and Atlantic salt meadow.

The southwest corner of the bay is separated from the sea by an isthmus to the south of which is the Blue Flag Silverstrand beach.