Beaches & Harbours

Beaches and Harbours

Magilligan & Downhill Beaches

Benone Strand and Magilligan Beach, has miles of golden sand and a magnificent back drop of mountain and cliff scenery with views across to Donegal.

European Blue Flag recipient.

The beach is used for a range of activities including surfing, kite sports and land yachting.

Travel the boardwalk from the beach and you will find Benone Visitor Centre, activities include nine hole par three golf course, golf practice range, crazy golf, tennis courts, outdoor heated splash pools and activities area with play park, Bistro and coffee shop.

Activity charges apply.

T 028 7775 0555

www.benoneni.com

www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com

Castlerock Beach

Castlerock is a 1km (0.7 mile) long stretch of beach between the sea cliffs of Downhill to the west and the Lower River Bann estuary known as the Barmouth to the east.

Managed by Coleraine Borough Council, Castlerock beach backs on to the tranquil resort of Castlerock. The dunes to the east of the entrance are home to Castlerock Golf Club and a private caravan park. The dunes extend back upstream of the Bann estuary to Grangemore (some of the oldest dated dunes in Ireland) and a National Trust bird sanctuary. The beach and dunes is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).

Access: From Castlerock town. A recently completed environmental improvement scheme along the promenade and beach frontage has resulted in improved pedestrian access by means of 4 new boardwalks through the dunes, connecting the promenade and the beach. Cars are permitted on the eastern portion of the beach all year round, although access may be difficult due to accumulation of soft wind-blown sand (please heed signage at entrance). Walkers and anglers can walk along the concrete pier of the Barmouth but should exercise extreme caution at all times (inadvisable in high winds and breaking sea).

Portstewart Strand and Barmouth Wildlife Reserve

Between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies the golden sands and domineering sand dunes of Portstewart Strand. This area of natural beauty and of scientific interest is owned and managed by the National Trust.

A year round mecca for holiday makers, Portstewart Strand holds the prestigious Blue Flag award for the management, cleanliness and quality of water and it is also one of the few remaining beaches in Ireland where cars still have access and permission to drive onto the beach- perfect for families who wish to picnic on the golden shores.

The beach attracts a range of visitors wishing to partake in activities such as, surfing, swimming, horse riding and scenic walks on the way marked nature trails with excellent views of the North Coast.

Visitors to the beach will benefit from new toilets, external showers and improved first aid facilities. A new shop will enable visitors to pick up accessories for the beach, such as bucket and spade or games to play, or a souvenir to take home with them. All income generated from the shop will go towards the conservation of this special area.

West Strand Portrush

West Bay, also known as West Strand or Mill Strand, is a popular resort beach in the heart of the busy seaside town of Portrush. The beach is bounded at its northern end by the habour and flanked along its eastern boundary by a pedestrian/cycle promenade. There is easy access to and from the town centre and all associated amenities/services.

Keep an eye out for the resident pod of harbour porpoises just off the shore.

West Strand Beach regularly attains the international Blue Flag Award, most recently in 2019.

East Strand Portrush

East Strand Beach forms a continuum of sand, approx 2.5 miles long, merging into Curran Strand and Whiterocks at its eastern extremity. East Strand Beach is popular for watersports all year round, especially surfing. The beach is bounded by an impressive new pedestrian promenade and an extensive dune system hosting the world famous Royal Portrush Golf Course. Excellent views of The Skerries and the Causeway headlands.

Please refer to all safety signage at East Strand Beach and heed advice given by lifeguards during the season.

Facilities: Car Parking, Dogs Allowed, Lifeguard Service, Toilets. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: disabled toilets and disabled parking. Concrete access ramps onto beach at both ends of promenade. Water quality is Good. Awards: Seaside Award Resort.

East Strand Beach and it's associated dune system has a rich biodiversity. Sea birds include fulmar, eider, gull, guillemot, gannet and tern. The dune system has been recently stabilised with help from The Conservation Volunteers.

Whiterocks Beach

Awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award again in 2015, Whiterocks Beach has become a favourite with locals and a must see destination for international visitors.

The beach, situated just off the Causeway Coastal Route, enjoys a stunning natural coastal location, with the limestone cliffs of the White Rocks stretching from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle. These soft, sedimentary rocks have been carved through centuries into a labyrinth of caves and arches. Shelagh’s Head, the Wishing Arch, Elephant Rock and the Lion’s Paw are headlands of distinguishable forms which rise out of the ocean. Under the road, there are cavernous caves, accessible only from the sea, home to seabirds and a hunting ground for hawks.

On the main coast road, you will find pull-in areas and a large car park at Magheracross where you can take in the incredible views of the headlands eastwards towards the Giant’s Causeway and back to Portrush and

Portbalintrae & Runkerry Beach

Runkerry Beach, also known locally as Bushfoot Strand, is a geological Area of Special Scientific Interest. It is one of the most exciting beach systems in Ireland with a combination of very strong waves and currents, attractive scenery and natural history. The beach extends eastwards from the mouth of the River Bush towards Runkerry House and the famous Giant's Causeway.

The beach can be accessed via a footpath from the main car park in Portballintrae, before crossing the 'Threequarter' Footbridge.

Popular with surfers, this beach is also noted for its strong rip currents and shelving, and accordingly, bathing is inadvisable.

WhitePark Bay

This spectacular sandy beach forms a white arc between two headlands on the North Antrim Coast. Its secluded location means that even on a busy day there is plenty of room for quiet relaxation. White Park Bay has been in the care of the National Trust since 1938 and it remains one of the most natural coastline sites in N Ireland. The beach is backed by ancient dunes and species rich chalk grasslands, which are carpeted in rare plants, including many orchids. The site is also fossil rich with archaeological evidence everywhere.

Balintoy Harbour

The quaint dockland town of Ballintoy may have a small population – 165 people were recorded as residents in the latest census – but it continues to attract many curious tourists and TV location scouts around the world. From the amazing views of the Northern Coast to the long stretches of sandy dunes, here’s why you should add it to your holiday list this summer.

The harbour is a photographer’s dream

Ballintoy Harbour, meaning ‘Town of the North’, is built with limestone blocks in a roughly triangular shape at the edge of Ballintoy town. No matter the weather, the crowd of small boats and surrounding rocks make for a fantastic photo of the Northern Irish coast, which extends to Ballycastle on one side and Whitepark Bay on the other.

Ballycastle Beach

BallyCastle

Ballycastle Beach is a popular tourist destination located on the Causeway Coast Route on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. Ballycastle Beach is approximately 1.2 kilometres in length and runs from the pier at Ballycastle Marina at the western end to Pans Rock in the east. Ballycastle Beach is comprised of predominately sand with some shingle. It backs on to Ballycastle Golf Course for most of its length. There is a promenade at the western end. The beach is located about 5 minutes from the town centre.

There are no restrictions on swimming at this beach and there are no lifeguards present on Ballycastle Beach at anytime.

Facilities: Car Parking, Child Friendly Areas, Dogs Allowed, Toilets, Tourist Information / Visitor Centre. Ballycastle Beach has the following facilities available for users with limited mobility: wheelchair access disabled toilets disabled parking Water quality is Good. Awards: Seaside Award Resort.