There was traffic chaos at Inch beach in Co Kerry over the weekend with people unable to drive their cars off the strand when the tide suddenly turned.
Some vehicles were stuck in the water as a result.
Saturday and Sunday were "exceptional days", according to John Breen, Director of Services for Kerry County Council.
While on any "fine summer's day, it's normal to see hundreds of cars on Inch beach", he said that there was a massive influx over the weekend.
Máire Ní Riain of Inch Community Council noted that these "flash points" happen "only occasionally", but when they do they are "always the same".
The "intense heat" drew "huge crowds", and then - when the tide turned - people all tried to leave the beach at the same time.
She said: "Some cars were caught up in the tide."
Kerry County Council said it had two wardens and two enforcement officers on duty at the beach over the weekend.
But there is no designated parking area to direct the cars to.
At this point, parking on Inch beach "is a recognised standard", Mr Breen said, adding that it is something the county council "is trying to address at all our beaches".
Parking arrangements have been made with communities at other Kerry beaches, including Castlegregory and in Ventry, he noted. Local communities worked out a solution with land-owners, who have made a field available for parking over the summer months.
Kerry County Council is "putting out the strong call for local land owners to come forward and try to work with us on parking, because we don't have the land", he said.
"Kerry County Council doesn't own an inch of Inch outside of the public beach", Mr Breen added.
"You don't need a permanent large car park that's not going to look well in November", he said, but something that works short-term.
Inch is a Blue Flag Beach, and parking "has been commented on by the International Blue Flag jury". "We are on notice from the jury", he warned.
Ms Ní Riain said that the local community is keen to resolve the issue, and drew attention to a lack of infrastructure in the vicinity, including safe walk-ways.
She said this is a particular concern at the point where a caravan park, hotel and entrance to beach all join.
