Located on the Causeway Coast in County Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland, near Limavady. It forms part of an 11km (7-mile) stretch of sandy beach that includes Downhill Beach, situated between Castlerock and Magilligan Point, with the backdrop of Binevenagh mountain.
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Location
Access Information
Accessible via the A2 Seacoast Road. Free car parking is available at the entrance and driving/parking directly on the beach is permitted (access via tunnel under railway).
Beach Details
Activities
- Swimming
- Walking
- Surfing
- Kitesurfing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Jet Skiing
- Land Yachting
- Blokarting
- Canoeing
- Cycling (nearby)
- Gliding (nearby)
- Picnicking
- Bodyboarding
- Power Kiting
Facilities
- Toilets (including accessible)
- Showers
- Cafe (Waves Bistro at Benone Tourist Complex)
- Lifeguards (RNLI
- seasonal)
- Parking (Free
- including on-beach)
- Visitor Centre (Benone Tourist Complex serves this role)
- Camping/Caravan Park (Benone Tourist Complex: touring pitches
- super pitches
- glamping lodges
- tent pitches
- electric hook-up)
- Play area
- Golf Course (9-hole Par 3)
- Driving Range
- Putting Green
- Crazy Golf
- Tennis Courts
- Seasonal Outdoor Heated Splash Pools
- Laundry Facilities
Environment
Extensive sand dunes (Umbra Dune Grasslands, Magilligan dunes), Binevenagh mountain and cliffs nearby, Atlantic Ocean.
Conservation Status
Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Magilligan Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI).
Views
Atlantic Ocean, Donegal hills, Mussenden Temple (visible from eastern end/Downhill section), Magilligan Point, Benevenagh mountain.
Wildlife
In dunes: Common blue butterfly, ringlet butterfly, six-spot burnet moth, Irish Hare. Offshore: Occasional sightings of porpoises or dolphins.
Cultural & Historical Significance
Multiple Blue Flag Award winner. Northern Ireland's first fully inclusive beach (2017). Part of the Magilligan dune system, an SAC and ASSI. Nearby Martello Tower at Magilligan Point. Downhill section used for Game of Thrones filming.
Beach Tags
Reviews
Reviews Summary
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the beach's vastness, beauty, cleanliness, golden sand, stunning views (mountains, Donegal, Mussenden Temple), and suitability for long walks. The ability to drive onto the beach is noted as a convenience by some, though a minor negative by one reviewer due to aesthetics. Its connection to the wider 7-mile strand including Downhill and Magilligan is mentioned. Facilities at the nearby tourist complex are generally praised, though some specific comments mention potential issues with shower/toilet cleanliness/availability during peak times. Overall, it's considered one of Ireland's best beaches, great for families, watersports, and relaxation.
Only 40 minutes drive from my home Nr ballymena seen a few probably one of the best beaches in Ireland northern & southern even put our touring caravan very near beach for the last 5 years we cannot get enough of this place
Spectacular beach with fabulous walks and vuews. Truly tranquil and peaceful, especially to watch the Sun rise at dawn. Glorious!!!
WHOW I've seen some amazing beaches all over the world BUT this one has to rate right up there in my top 10: it just goes on & on:Staying in Downhills so was able to walk right onto the beach from the hostel: early morning stroll, a couple of vehicles driven down onto the beach, inc a horse box where a guy unloaded with horse and 'trotting' cart and off he went!!! The road and railway line run right alongside it with the backdrop of the escarpment it's pretty impressive.
Gorgeous beach Absolutely worth a visit and a wander. It is a shame for the cars that are allowed on to the beach though as it ruins the sand and takes away from the look of a patch of it. Mostly pristine though, I've travelled extensively and this is amongst the best I have seen
Stunning vista, beautiful spot to stop and enjoy the scenery Pulled in at Downhill Beach for a quick break from driving on our circumnavigation of Ireland - wow! It's an extensive beach in a charming location. The kids in our party found it very cool that you could drive on the beach. It was a great spot for them to kick a soccer ball around & burn off some energy. While it was summer - the water was freezing by Australian experience!! There were a couple of families however swimming - the beach is even flagged & patrolled! The area has some interesting history & ruins & there is enough make Downhill itself an interesting place to check out. Tip: give yourself a couple of hours - or even think about staying over for a day or two to explore!
Superb area. Part of the magnificent strand which runs from the Downhill and if you go west you will pass Benone and then onto Magilligan which is some 7 miles or 11 kilometers away. Beautiful creamy golden coloured sand without rocks or seaweed to spoil you walk, some very nice scenery along the way and you can also view the “Mussenden Temple” from here. Just beneath the temple there is a cave which the trains run through as it passes along the strand but around this area there are many places to visit and things to see so simply add this attraction to one of the many you can do and enjoy your day. This is part of the Causeway coast and also has been used in scenes for that great TV series "Game of thrones", another place for the enthusiasts to add to their list.
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Portmarnock Beach / Velvet Strand
White Park Bay
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