Who doesn’t love going to the beach? With the long stretch of sand, azure ocean water, and stunning views, beaches are the best way to unwind and spend some peaceful time amidst nature listening to the lapping waves.
Northern Ireland is a treasure trove for beautiful white sandy beaches. The country has plenty of good options for beaches to visit and enjoy along the coastline.
In this post, we’re going to list a few of the best beaches in Northern Ireland. If you are planning a trip to this beautiful country, this can certainly be your guide to the best beaches in Northern Ireland.
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The Top 10 Best Beaches in Northern Ireland
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Where to Stay in Northern Ireland
Explore Northern Ireland’s charming stays and choose your ideal hotel with the map below for an unforgettable adventure.
Best Time to Visit Northern Ireland
The best time to visit Northern Ireland is the time between June and August. The weather during this time is generally warmer and dry and because of the Gulf Stream, the weather here is neither extremely hot nor too cold.
If you are planning to visit beaches, this is the time to do it, as you can also indulge in wild swimming in Northern Ireland during this time as many of the beaches have lifeguards.
On the other hand, spring and autumn seasons are relatively cooler but the beaches are likely to be quieter.
In the winter, Northern Ireland can be windy, with a considerable amount of rain.
Best Beaches in Northern Ireland
Ballygally Beach, Larne
Causeway Coast is one of the top places to visit in Northern Ireland. And it has plenty of beaches to treat all the tourists. Ballygally Beach is one of those beaches in the region which is a must-visit.
This sandy beach is about 300 meters long, which is a perfect gateway for a long leisure walk. This award-winning beach is located some 10 km north of Larne Town on the route of Causeway Coast.
This is a fairly small and sandy beach where you can expect to see both locals and tourists. Apart from a long walk, people can also indulge in paddle boarding during the summer months as well as fishing throughout the year.
What you should know about Ballygally Beach is that some scenes of the famous series “Game of Thrones” were also shot around the area of the County Antrim Coast.
Whiterocks Beach, Portrush
One of the most Instagrammed beaches in Northern Ireland, Whiterocks Beach is located just off the Causeway Coastal Route. It is one of those best beaches near Belfast, which is dotted by hundreds of tourists every day.
The beach can be accessed by a boardwalk and is stretched from ruined Dunluce Castle to Curran Strand. The beach has a stunning backdrop with white limestone cliffs. From the beach, you can capture the stunning panoramic views of the Causeway Coast, Atlantic, Donegal, and the Islands of Scotland.
Along with being a renowned natural attraction, the beach is also a famous spot amongst adventurers as it allows people to indulge in water sports like angling, surfing, kayaking, and bodyboarding.
Helen’s Bay, Bangor
Helen’s Bay is one of the most visited beaches to explore in Northern Ireland. The beach is beautifully backed by Crawfordsburn Country Park, as it has some amazing facilities and is a popular spot amongst tourists.
Located on the North Down coast near Crawfordsburn Country Park, Helen’s Bay is one of the best beaches near Belfast, where one can spend some quality downtime.
The water quality of the beach is ideal for bathing, and you can expect to see people taking a dip into the azure water of Helen’s Beach. Not just this, it also offers an excellent backdrop with meadows, wooded headlands, and good facilities.
There is also a cafe and restaurant at the beach location where one can savor delectable food. The beach is also a popular spot for birds and wild creatures. Eider Ducks, Porpoises, and seals are some common sights here at Helen’s Beach.
Tyrella Beach, Downpatrick
A small yet beautiful beach and also a dune complex within Dundrum Bay, Tyrella is an award-winning beach. It is well-backed on 25 hectares of mature dunes and makes for a setting to enjoy a scenic walk.
For a fact, the beach is lesser-known, yet it witnesses a huge footfall of tourists in peak times, especially on holidays. Apart from offering a pleasant and peaceful time, the beach is also a popular destination for water sports.
Therefore, you can indulge in activities like kite surfing, surfing, fishing, windsurfing, and swimming. The charm of this beautiful beach can be ascertained by the fact that it has been winning the Seaside Award every year since 1997, along with Blue Flag Award and Green Coast Award.
Portstewart Strand, Portstewart
With its unbelievable natural beauty, Portstewart Strand is a National Trust beach that receives a huge footfall of visitors every year. This two-mile-long beach is located in Portstewart on the northern ocean coast.
Known for its long stretch of golden sand and tall dunes, this beach has everything to lure you. Besides, it also offers some spectacular views of the north coast which makes for a perfect family destination. For a fact, it is ranked among the top 10 most popular destinations to visit in the country. As a result, it attracts more than 180000 visitors every year.
One of the well-kept secrets is its dunes which are also the tallest of its kind in Ireland as it is 6000 years old and sprawls over an area of 180 acres with a height of 100ft.
Downhill Strand Beach, Castlerock
Forming the eastern end of an 11-km stretch of sand and surf, Downhill Strand Beach is probably one of the most picturesque beaches in Northern Ireland. Owing to its exquisite beauty, it is also known as the most scenic coastline in the region, offering beautiful views along the cliffs.
There are also sand dunes at points along the stretch of the beach. Not just this, you can also expect to see a waterfall that adds up to the beauty and charm of this fantastic natural site.
But apart from all that, Mussenden Temple, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is another key highlight of Downhill Strand Beach and is strategically located on the edge of the high cliffs.
Benone Beach, County Derry
Another beautiful beach that has been a proud recipient of the European Blue Flag Award multiple times is Benone Beach. It sprawls over a large stretch of 7 miles and is beautifully dotted with golden sand and a picturesque backdrop of cliffs and mountains.
The beach offers a perfect setup to enjoy some quality time with friends and family amidst nature. The views here are stunning and go across to Donegal. Apart from being an amazing sightseeing spot, Benone Beach is also a prominent hideout for seaside and watersport activities.
It is one of those places where you can go for open water swimming in Northern Ireland. Besides, you can also indulge in activities like fishing, picnicking, walking, jet skiing, kite surfing, gliding, surfing, and more. If you are creating an entire list of beaches to visit in Northern Ireland, Benone Beach has to be on that list.
Ballywalter Beach, Newtownards
Ballywater Beach is a long sandy stretch which is a perfect getaway to spend the ultimate time. Walkers and bathers can be seen making the best out of their time at Ballywalter Beach.
Ballywater Beach is a popular kid-friendly beach. There are rock pools that are perfect for children to explore and indulge in. There is even a small playground in near proximity, which is also ideal for children.
In the winter season, the beach becomes a popular spot to catch the sights of some rare bird species, including Ring Plover, Turnstone, Golden Plover, and Manx Shearwater are just a few names to the long list.
Murlough Beach, Newcastle
Murlough is a scenic beach with spectacular beauty offering a chance for shutterbugs to capture some amazing shots. It is a 5-mile-long beach with golden sand and is a popular spot for kite surfing, surfing, and windsurfing.
Right behind the beach, there is Murlough Nature Reserve which is a 6000-year-old system of dunes. The site is known for its rich wildlife and is home to a wide range of plants and animals, including stoats and badgers.
Apart from that, there are also more than 23 species of butterflies and a wide variety of birdlife. For a fact, it is Ireland’s first nature reserve. However, the reserve was taken over by Nationa Trust in 1967.
Newcastle is the closest to the beach, which is located around 2 miles to the southwest of the reserve. The town has plenty of facilities catering to the needs of tourists, including open-air swimming pools and a promenade along the seafront.
Castlerock Beach
A small beach but a must-visit one, Castlerock is a 1 km long stretch of golden sand. The stretch of the beach is beautifully located between the sea cliffs of Downhill and the Lower River Bann, which is known as Barmouth.
At the beach location, there is even a beautiful resort of Castlerock. There are also sand dunes to the east that are home to Castlerock Golf Club. The beach can be easily accessed via dunes with 4 boardwalks.
Despite being a small beach, it attracts a good number of tourists as well as locals throughout the year. And you can enjoy a beautiful here indulging in swimming or just laying on the shore watching the waves and soaking in the tranquil ambiance.
Bonus Additions
Top Beach Trails in Northern Ireland
Now that you have an entire list of the best beaches to visit in Norther Ireland, you’re good to go! But hey, wouldn’t it be nice to explore some more amazing beach attractions? Well, here it is – a list of top beach trails in Northern Ireland.
Giant’s Gate and Causeway Coast Circular
An exceptional route if you are looking to explore the key highlights of the region. Giant’s Gate and Causeway Coast Circular route is a busy one, and hence, you can expect heavy traffic.
The Giant’s Gate and Giant’s Boot are two significant attractions you will get to see on the route. Not just this, the coastal backdrop is another significant highlight of Giant’s Gate and Causeway Coast Circular.
Carrick-a-Rede to Rope Bridge
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you must visit Carrick-a-Rede to Rope Bridge. This is a 2.6 km long trail near Ballycastle, Antrim. Though it’s an easy route to cover, it would ideally take you around 47 minutes to complete.
The rope bridge is the key highlight, and it’s an experience in itself to walk on it. You should check out the post that we’ve covered on Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
Besides, the area is also famous for hiking, bird watching, and walking. The best thing about this route is it can be accessed throughout the year. Therefore, there is always someone exploring the route for an ultimate adventure in Northern Ireland.
Granite Circular
A 4.5 km long loop trail near Newcastle, Down is Granite Circular. This is a moderately challenging trail that takes about 1 hr 40 min to complete. Despite being slightly difficult than other routes, a lot of people prefer to cover it just because of the scenic beauty.
The route is quite popular amongst bird watchers, fishing aficionados, and hikers. It is also one of those trails that remain operational all round the year. Granite Circular covers the Mourne Mountains area, and hence, you can expect to witness some spectacular natural beauty and get treated with beautiful views.
Before You Leave for Northern Ireland
Before you set off on your way to Northern Ireland, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Northern Ireland
Getting to Northern Ireland is easy and convenient, thanks to its well-connected transportation network. The most common way to reach Northern Ireland is by air, with two major airports, Belfast International Airport and George Best Belfast City Airport, offering flights from various destinations across the UK, Europe, and beyond. Another option is to travel by ferry, with regular services available from Scotland, England, and the Isle of Man to Belfast and Larne. For those already in the UK, there are also train and bus services that connect Northern Ireland to major cities such as London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Once you arrive, an extensive road network allows you to explore the mesmerising landscapes and attractions that Northern Ireland has to offer.
Where to Stay in Northern Ireland
Explore Northern Ireland’s charming stays and choose your ideal hotel with the map below for an unforgettable adventure.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Northern Ireland
When it comes to packing for a trip to Northern Ireland, there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof coat. In Northern Ireland it rains more than 200 days a year, meaning that during your trip, you can expect rain at some point. Due to this, the number one item on your packing list is a good waterproof jacket (men’s / women’s).
Second to that, another item to not leave home without is a good pair of warm and, if possible, waterproof boots (men’s / women’s). A lot of the best sights in Northern Ireland can require a bit of walking to reach them and the conditions underfoot can become very muddy if it has been raining. You do not want to ruin a good pair of white trainers so pack some sturdy boots.
You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the winter months as the wind chill can be bitter.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see here, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Northern Ireland
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a Complete guide for The Top 10 Best Beaches in Northern Ireland. If you are visiting this incredible country and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning road trip.
If you are planning an Ireland trip soon then check out our other Northern Ireland content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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