Northern Ireland Beaches
Within Northern Ireland you will find some of the most spectacular beaches in Europe. The naturally stunning formations of the coastline provide long stretches of golden sand and impressive sand dunes.
Whether you want a beach with all the amenities including picnic and barbeque facilities for a family day out on a summer's day, activites including watersports or just fancy a brisk walk in the cool winter air, our beaches offer a truly unforgettable experience.
Details of Northern Ireland's 2013 Blue Flag beaches will be available in May 2013.
In 2012, a record eleven of our beaches (plus two marinas) were awarded with the prestigious Blue Flag award. The beaches had to satisfy 32 criteria, including litter-free sands, safety facilities and guideline bathing water quality as set by the EU Bathing Water Directive. In addition, eleven beaches were awarded the rural and resort Seaside Award, the criteria of which includes meeting the mandatory EU standards for bathing water.
2012 NI Blue Flag Beaches
Co. Londonderry: Magilligan, Benone | Downhill | Castlerock | Portstewart Strand |
Co. Antrim: Portrush West | Portrush East | Whiterocks
Co. Down: Crawfordsburn | Tyrella | Murlough | Cranfield West
2012 NI Blue Flag Marinas
Co. Londonderry: Ballyronan Marina
Co. Antrim: Ballycastle Marina
2012 NI Seaside Award Beaches
Co. Londonderry: Portstewart Strand (R)
Co. Antrim: Ballycastle (R) | Waterfoot (r) | Carnlough (r) | Ballygally (r) | Brown's Bay (r)
Co. Down: Millisle Beach Park (r) | Ballywalter South Beach (r) | Murlough (r) | Tyrella (R) | Cranfield West (R)
R= Resort
r= rural
Download information about our award-winning-beaches and marinas 2012 from TIDY Northern Ireland.
Just Some Ideas
Between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies the golden sands and domineering sand dunes of Portrush Strand Beach. This area of natural beauty and of scientific interest is owned and managed by the National Trust.
This long sandy beach is close to all amenities of Portrush and offers striking coastal views. During the summer months the waters beckon water sport enthusiasts who can be seen partaking in windsurfing, canoeing and sailing.
Recently awarded with the prestigious 2009 Blue Flag Award, Portrush Whiterocks Beach has become a favourite with locals and a must see destination for International visitors.
Downhill is an excellent beach of golden sands stretching from Downhill Cliffs towards Magilligan Point. It's overlooked by one of Northern Ireland's leading landmarks, the Mussenden Temple and benefits from classic views of Donegal Coast and beyond.
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.
Tyrella beach and conservation area is a small, enclosed dune complex within Dundrum Bay. It is a wide, flat, sandy beach two kilometres long and backed by 25 hectares of mature dunes in a conservation area.
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