Coastal environments near major cities experience continuous exposure to various chemical pollutants from various origins: agricultural, wastewater effluents, runoff, and recreational use. Dublin Bay is a suitable site to explore the consequences of anthropogenic activity in a coastal system across both water and sediment. The purpose of this study was to characterise the occurrence, distribution, and partitioning between water and sediment samples of selected pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and sunscreen agents, to evaluate how their presence reflects human activity in the area. These contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are monitored less frequently; therefore, information on their occurrence is limited. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from key locations around the bay, taking agricultural, wastewater discharge, and recreational factors into consideration. Water samples were preconcentrated using solid phase extraction (SPE), while sediment samples were extracted using solvent based methods followed by SPE. Target based analysis was carried out using liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LCMS/QQQ). Analytical performance was assessed through recoveries, matrix effects, and detection limits relevant to marine testing. A wide range of contaminants were detected with clear geographical patterns linked to human activity in their respective area. Pesticides (MCPA, mecoprop, thiacloprid) were more abundant in northern sampling sites, linked to the agricultural activity within the area. Pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, clarithromycin, venlafaxine) and sunscreen agents (benzotriazole and sulisobenzone) were detected at sites associated with wastewater discharge and recreational activity. Repeated detection of contaminants across various sites highlights the complex nature of the occurrence and distribution of these chemicals in the coastal environment. The CECs detected are in the ng/L range, typically below regulatory levels. However, their presence as mixtures poses a threat to the marine environment. These findings provide a chemical profile for Dublin Bay and show how combining water and sediment analysis can lead to understanding distinct features of human activity in the coastal environment. These results can go on to influence monitoring strategies in urbanised marine environments, to better combat the introduction of these contaminants to the marine environment.