Beautiful beaches in Northern Ireland

Summer is the time to rediscover Northern Ireland’s beautiful beaches. Build a sandcastle, paddle in the sea, walk through the dunes and enjoy all that our magnificent coast has to offer...

Visitors in dunes at Portstewart Strand

Portstewart Strand  

Sweeping along the edge of the North Coast, this two-mile stretch of golden sand is one of Northern Ireland's finest beaches and offers views of Inishowen headland and Mussenden Temple perched atop the cliffs. It is an ideal place for lazy picnics, surfing, slacklining and long walks into the sand dunes where wild pansy flowers dance in the breeze and common blue and dark green fritillary butterflies abound.

Golden sands
Murlough NNR beach

Murlough National Nature Reserve 

Murlough National Nature Reserve is an extraordinarily beautiful dune landscape overlooked by the rounded peaks of the Mourne Mountains. It is a fragile 6000 year old sand dune system and managed as Ireland’s first Nature Reserve since 1967. It is an excellent area for walking and bird watching due to its spectacular location at the edge of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains. The views are spectacular at any time of the year.

Natural beauty
Big stone on White Park Bay

White Park Bay 

This spectacular sandy beach forms a white arc between two headlands on the North Antrim Coast. Its secluded location means that even on a busy day there is plenty of room for quiet relaxation. The beach is backed by ancient dunes that provide important habitats for birds, animals and plant life.

Secluded and relaxing
Cushendun bay

Cushendun 

Nestled at the mouth of the River Dunn (the Brown River), Cushendun has a lovely beach backed by species rich grassland. Explore the circular walking trail and admire the beautiful white Cornish-style houses designed by Clough Williams-Ellis. The woodlands around Glenmona are also a great place to spot the increasingly uncommon red squirrel.

A hidden gem