The Still Edge of the Island: The Best Beaches In Northern Ireland
The beaches of Northern Ireland don’t try to dazzle us with sun-drenched sands. They’re quieter than that. Rugged and raw, windswept and wide, these coastlines ask us to stand still, inhale deeply, and feel the surf shift beneath our feet as the sea hums an ancient tune.
Some come with drama – towering cliffs and crashing waves. Others are calm, cupped into quiet bays with lapping tides and distant gulls.
Whether you’re in search of a picturesque walk or a place to sit with your thoughts, here are ten of the most beautiful beaches in Northern Ireland.
Whiterocks Beach | Portrush, County Antrim
Just beyond the bustle of Portrush, you’ll find Whiterocks. It’s named for the chalky cliffs that flank its shoreline. Pale formations rise like frozen waves, having been carved into arches, caves, and winding passageways by centuries of wind and tide.
Whiterocks is popular in the summertime, but never feels crowded. Surfers come for the steady swells; walkers come for the clifftop views; and dreamers stay for the way the moonbeams catch the water in the early evening light.
Portstewart Strand | Portstewart, County Londonderry
Golden and generous, this two-mile stretch of sand is cared for by the National Trust, framed by towering dunes and distant mountains. The sand feels endless beneath your feet, and it’s firm enough to walk for hours.
The Atlantic roars gently here, rhythmic and constant. On clear days, you can see the coast of Donegal far across the water. Portstewart is the sort of place that seems to lift something from your shoulders, even if you hadn’t noticed it was there.
Murlough Bay | County Antrim
Not to be confused with Murlough Nature Reserve further south, this hidden bay along the Causeway Coast is one of the north’s best-kept secrets. A winding road leads you down into the arms of green cliffs, with views across to Rathlin Island, and even Scotland on a bright day.
The beach itself is quiet, stony, and sacred. There are legends in the rocks here and, if you sit long enough, it might tell you one. Our favorite time to come is at dusk, when the whole world ceases to exist.
Benone Strand | County Londonderry
As one of the longest beaches in Northern Ireland, Benone stretches for seven miles along the Atlantic coastline, backed by dunes and protected by the dramatic cliffs of Binevenagh.
It’s Blue Flag certified, meaning it’s well-kept and clean, with plenty of room to roam. The best word to describe Benone is cinematic, thanks to those vast skies, long shorelines, and distant trains rattling by on the edge of the dunes. Bring a kite, a dog, or nothing at all.