West Strand Portrush
West Bay, also known as West Strand or Mill Strand, is a popular resort beach in the heart of the busy seaside town of Portrush. The beach is bounded at its northern end by the habour and flanked along its eastern boundary by a pedestrian/cycle promenade. There is easy access to and from the town centre and all associated amenities/services.
Keep an eye out for the resident pod of harbour porpoises just off the shore.
West Strand Beach regularly attains the international Blue Flag Award, most recently in 2019.
East Strand Portrush
East Strand Beach forms a continuum of sand, approx 2.5 miles long, merging into Curran Strand and Whiterocks at its eastern extremity. East Strand Beach is popular for watersports all year round, especially surfing. The beach is bounded by an impressive new pedestrian promenade and an extensive dune system hosting the world famous Royal Portrush Golf Course. Excellent views of The Skerries and the Causeway headlands.
Please refer to all safety signage at East Strand Beach and heed advice given by lifeguards during the season.
Facilities: Car Parking, Dogs Allowed, Lifeguard Service, Toilets. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: disabled toilets and disabled parking. Concrete access ramps onto beach at both ends of promenade. Water quality is Good. Awards: Seaside Award Resort.
East Strand Beach and it's associated dune system has a rich biodiversity. Sea birds include fulmar, eider, gull, guillemot, gannet and tern. The dune system has been recently stabilised with help from The Conservation Volunteers.
Whiterocks Beach
Awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award again in 2015, Whiterocks Beach has become a favourite with locals and a must see destination for international visitors.
The beach, situated just off the Causeway Coastal Route, enjoys a stunning natural coastal location, with the limestone cliffs of the White Rocks stretching from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle. These soft, sedimentary rocks have been carved through centuries into a labyrinth of caves and arches. Shelagh’s Head, the Wishing Arch, Elephant Rock and the Lion’s Paw are headlands of distinguishable forms which rise out of the ocean. Under the road, there are cavernous caves, accessible only from the sea, home to seabirds and a hunting ground for hawks.
On the main coast road, you will find pull-in areas and a large car park at Magheracross where you can take in the incredible views of the headlands eastwards towards the Giant’s Causeway and back to Portrush and
Portbalintrae & Runkerry Beach