The 10 best beaches in Northern Ireland
And at some, you'll find top-notch seafood restaurants just off the shore, so you can tuck into the catch of the day with the scent of the ocean in the air.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Northern Ireland. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, things to do, restaurants and nightlife.
Benone Strand
A sweeping stretch of golden sand, this beach has some of the best views in Northern Ireland – on a clear day you can see Donegal's Inishowen just over the water, and if you look up at the cliffs behind you'll see the historic dome of Mussenden Temple. It's a good spot for beginner surfing, too.
Insider tip: The HotBox Sauna is right on the sand, so you can build up a sweat before you leap into the sea.
Area: County Londonderry
How to get there: Free parking at the beach entrance.
Whitepark Bay
This gentle curve of white sand isn't for everyone – it's a steep walk from the car park, and the rips mean you can't swim in the sea there. But that just adds to its secluded, remote feel. You might also spot cows wandering on the sand, which belong to a nearby farmer.
Insider tip: This is prime birdwatching territory, so bring your binoculars.
Area: County Antrim
How to get there: There's free, but limited, parking.
Portstewart Strand
With picturesque sand dunes, gentle waves for bodyboarding and an exceptional restaurant right on the sand, Portstewart ticks loads of boxes on a beach wish list. It's a great spot for a walk, whether you stick to the sands or explore the trails in the dunes and the nearby Bann Estuary.
Insider tip: Book a table at Harry's Shack, an excellent seafood restaurant overlooking the beach.
Area: County Londonderry
How to get there: Park at the National Trust car park on the beach.
Helen's Bay
It's hard to believe this tree-lined beach is barely 20 minutes from Belfast, but Helen's Bay is a little slice of coastal bliss just up the road from the capital. It's fairly small, so sunbathing spots fill up quickly, but the clear waters and lush grasses behind more than make up for that.
Insider tip: If it's busy, walk 20 minutes along the coast to Crawfordsburn Beach, which is usually quieter.
Area: County Down
How to get there: Helen's Bay train station is a 10-minute walk away.
Tyrella Beach
This Blue Flag beach is a great spot if you like to keep active – there's a lifeguard in summer months, it's good for kayaking and you can ride horses, but only in the evening during summer. There are great views of the Mourne Mountains, too.
Insider tip: The sand dunes are protected and are the habitat of rare lizards, so be careful when you're walking.
Area: County Down
How to get there: The main car park is free outside of the summer months.
Murlough National Nature Reserve
Just outside the Victorian seaside town of Newcastle, Murlough is home to undulating sand dunes, with lush green grass on one side and the sea on the other. When the tide is out, the beach is glorious, with a view of Slieve Donard at the end.
Insider tip: The onward walk to Newcastle is beautiful, but look out for high tide, which can cut you off.
Area: County Down
How to get there: Parking is limited, so walk from Newcastle if it's full.
Whiterocks Beach
This cliff-lined beach (hence the name) is particularly striking, with rocky outcrops reaching out onto the sands featuring caves, arches and formations, and the remains of Dunluce Castle on the clifftop. It's a popular spot for water sports, from surfing and kayaking to snorkelling and diving around the caves.
Insider tip: Walk the almost three-mile Whiterocks Coastal Path above, for great views over the beach.
Area: County Antrim
How to get there: Free parking.
Cushendun Beach
There's an old school sense of charm to this village, with white buildings lining the harbour and a peaceful little beach. Keep your eyes peeled for the neighbourhood seals, who can sometimes be seen on the shore.
Insider tip: If you're a Game of Thrones fan, visit the Cushendun Caves at the other side of the harbour – it's where Melisandre birthed a shadow demon.
Area: County Antrim
How to get there: There's a car park behind the beach.
Ballygally Beach
This wide sandy beach is popular with families, due to the excellent sand castle potential and the playground near the main car park. It's good for swimming or paddling, and there are pretty rock pools at low tide.
Insider tip: Ballygally Castle Hotel is right on the beach, if you're looking for a place to stay or a bite to eat.
Area: County Antrim
How to get there: The main car park is just over the road.
Coney Island
It might not be the most visually stunning in Northern Ireland, but there's a definite charm to Coney Island – after all, Van Morrison named a song after it. Not technically an island, this headland between Ardglass and Killough is lined with houses (many of which are holiday rentals) and is wonderfully peaceful.
Insider tip: Be sure to select the Co Down Coney Island in your GPS, as there's another in the west of Ireland and one in Lough Neagh, too.
Area: County Down
How to get there: There's street parking.
How we choose
Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser known corners – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
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About our expert
Nicola Brady
I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
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Benone Strand A sweeping stretch of golden sand, this beach has some of the best views in Northern Ireland – on a clear day you can see Donegal's Inishowen just over the water, and if you look up at the cliffs behind you'll see the historic dome of Mussenden Temple. It's a good spot for beginner surfing, too. Insider tip: The HotBox Sauna is right on the sand, so you can build up a sweat before you leap into the sea. Area: County Londonderry How to get there: Free parking at the beach entrance. Whitepark Bay This gentle curve of white sand isn't for everyone – it's a steep walk from the car park, and the rips mean you can't swim in the sea there. But that just adds to its secluded, remote feel. You might also spot cows wandering on the sand, which belong to a nearby farmer. Insider tip: This is prime birdwatching territory, so bring your binoculars. Area: County Antrim How to get there: There's free, but limited, parking. Portstewart Strand With picturesque sand dunes, gentle waves for bodyboarding and an exceptional restaurant right on the sand, Portstewart ticks loads of boxes on a beach wish list. It's a great spot for a walk, whether you stick to the sands or explore the trails in the dunes and the nearby Bann Estuary. Insider tip: Book a table at Harry's Shack, an excellent seafood restaurant overlooking the beach. Area: County Londonderry How to get there: Park at the National Trust car park on the beach. Helen's Bay It's hard to believe this tree-lined beach is barely 20 minutes from Belfast, but Helen's Bay is a little slice of coastal bliss just up the road from the capital. It's fairly small, so sunbathing spots fill up quickly, but the clear waters and lush grasses behind more than make up for that. Insider tip: If it's busy, walk 20 minutes along the coast to Crawfordsburn Beach, which is usually quieter. Area: County Down How to get there: Helen's Bay train station is a 10-minute walk away. Tyrella Beach This Blue Flag beach is a great spot if you like to keep active – there's a lifeguard in summer months, it's good for kayaking and you can ride horses, but only in the evening during summer. There are great views of the Mourne Mountains, too. Insider tip: The sand dunes are protected and are the habitat of rare lizards, so be careful when you're walking. Area: County Down How to get there: The main car park is free outside of the summer months. Murlough National Nature Reserve Just outside the Victorian seaside town of Newcastle, Murlough is home to undulating sand dunes, with lush green grass on one side and the sea on the other. When the tide is out, the beach is glorious, with a view of Slieve Donard at the end. Insider tip: The onward walk to Newcastle is beautiful, but look out for high tide, which can cut you off. Area: County Down How to get there: Parking is limited, so walk from Newcastle if it's full. Whiterocks Beach This cliff-lined beach (hence the name) is particularly striking, with rocky outcrops reaching out onto the sands featuring caves, arches and formations, and the remains of Dunluce Castle on the clifftop. It's a popular spot for water sports, from surfing and kayaking to snorkelling and diving around the caves. Insider tip: Walk the almost three-mile Whiterocks Coastal Path above, for great views over the beach. Area: County Antrim How to get there: Free parking. Cushendun Beach There's an old school sense of charm to this village, with white buildings lining the harbour and a peaceful little beach. Keep your eyes peeled for the neighbourhood seals, who can sometimes be seen on the shore. Insider tip: If you're a Game of Thrones fan, visit the Cushendun Caves at the other side of the harbour – it's where Melisandre birthed a shadow demon. Area: County Antrim How to get there: There's a car park behind the beach. Ballygally Beach This wide sandy beach is popular with families, due to the excellent sand castle potential and the playground near the main car park. It's good for swimming or paddling, and there are pretty rock pools at low tide. Insider tip: Ballygally Castle Hotel is right on the beach, if you're looking for a place to stay or a bite to eat. Area: County Antrim How to get there: The main car park is just over the road. Coney Island It might not be the most visually stunning in Northern Ireland, but there's a definite charm to Coney Island – after all, Van Morrison named a song after it. Not technically an island, this headland between Ardglass and Killough is lined with houses (many of which are holiday rentals) and is wonderfully peaceful. Insider tip: Be sure to select the Co Down Coney Island in your GPS, as there's another in the west of Ireland and one in Lough Neagh, too. Area: County Down How to get there: There's street parking. How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser known corners – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. Return to top About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
