Situated just off the Causeway Coastal Route (A2 Dunluce Road), east of the Portrush peninsula, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Characterised by its white limestone cliffs stretching from Curran Strand (East Strand, Portrush) towards Dunluce Castle.
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Location
Access Information
Situated just off the Causeway Coastal Route (Dunluce Road A2). Free car parking available in the main car park and overflows adjacent to the beach (can get busy). Access road down to the beach car park is steep and winding. Additional pull-in areas and a large car park at Magheracross viewpoint on the main coast road offer alternative parking and views.
Beach Details
Activities
- Swimming/bathing
- Walking (along the sand connecting to East Strand
- and a cliff path section of the Ulster Way / Causeway Coast Way)
- Surfing
- Bodyboarding
- Surf kayaking
- Kayaking/canoeing
- Windsurfing
- Water skiing
- Angling
- Exploring caves/arches
- Dune sledding
- Photography
- Rock scrambling/climbing
- Horse riding (popular with race horse trainers
- restrictions apply)
Facilities
- Free car parking (main and overflow
- can get busy)
- Seasonal RNLI Beach Lifeguards (July & August
- 11am-7pm daily; weekends May & June)
- Boardwalk access
- Dogs allowed (restrictions apply June 1st - Sept 15th)
- Horse riding permitted (restrictions apply May 1st – Sept 30th
- before 11am and after 7pm)
- Disabled toilets
- Disabled parking
- Amenity block with toilets and shower cubicles
- Accepts coach parties
Environment
Stunning natural location featuring distinctive white limestone cliffs (soft, sedimentary rock) carved through centuries into a labyrinth of caves, arches, and sea stacks. Notable formations include Shelagh’s Head, the Wishing Arch, Elephant Rock and the Lion’s Paw. Cavernous caves accessible only from the sea are home to seabirds and a hunting ground for hawks. Backed by high sand dunes suitable for sledding. Royal Portrush Golf Course is located nearby, behind the dunes.
Conservation Status
Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) - designated for the limestone cliffs and headlands.
Views
Stunning panoramic views east and west from the cliff path and Magheracross viewpoint, encompassing the Causeway Coast, the Atlantic Ocean, the distinctive white limestone cliffs, nearby Dunluce Castle, Portrush town, and potentially the Islands of Scotland and Donegal.
Wildlife
Seabirds,Hawks,Velella (By-the-wind sailor - seasonal),Ocean snails (seasonal)
Cultural & Historical Significance
Unique geology featuring soft, sedimentary white limestone cliffs carved into caves and arches over centuries. Designated ASSI. Proximity to the historic Dunluce Castle. Part of the scenic Causeway Coastal Route.
Beach Tags
Reviews
Reviews Summary
Highly rated beach (4.7/5 on TripAdvisor from 82 reviews, 4.2/5 on The Beach Guide from 18 reviews). Reviews frequently praise its magical atmosphere, beautiful white rocks, stunning views, cleanliness, and suitability for walking, photography, and family visits. Some note the car park can get busy and access involves a steep road.
(Daria K, Aug 2023, TripAdvisor) "This beach is magical! It was pleasant and surprisingly warm. So relaxing and the white rocks are beautiful. Can only be accessed by walking."
(alliemaw, Aug 2023, TripAdvisor) "I'm lucky to have this beautiful beach on my doorstep. If you visit the beach at the moment, you will see loads of Velella covering the shore line. You may also spot some of the ocean snails the came in with. These little creatures are harmless to humans."
(Daria K, Aug 2022, TripAdvisor) "If you get a good sunshine this beach is amazing ! The white rocks and stones look really beautiful, and the sound of the ocean.. it’s. definitely worth a visit"
(Reg B, Mar 2023, TripAdvisor) "Amazing town with picture postcard views . Breath of fresh air away from London concrete blocks . Very hard to put your camera down . Beaches long & sandy everyone seems to own a dog , why not ."
(Isaac B, Sep 2022, TripAdvisor) "Accessible from the main road, with its own car park, or by walking along the east strand. The small car park gets busy, so don’t depend on it. Great spot for a bit of scrambling/climbing."
(Brian K, Sep 2022, TripAdvisor) "We probably came on the wrong day as it was difficult to get parked at the very bottom car park next to the beach as it was so busy . There are other car parks as you head down the road which like most roads leading down to the sea in Antrim are all very steep and winding . The one we parked in actually had great views of royal portrush golf course where we watched a poor golfer search for their lost ball . Well worth a visit just be prepared for the drive up and down which to be fair is not as bad as the one at Ballintoy harbour ."
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