Managed by the National Trust, Whitepark Bay is a stunning white sandy beach. There’s a promenade and a bridge over the River Margy which flows into the sea here.īallycastle Beach is a popular spot for a paddle and you’ll also catch surfers here throughout the year hitting the waves. The Rathlin Island ferry departs from the harbour where you can find cafés, toilets and restaurants. The sandy beach has some shingle at the high tidemark and runs for about 2km from Ballycastle Marina to the Pans Rocks which are a fishing paradise. You’ll find Ballycastle Beach is on the north coast of Antrim, 12 miles east of Bushmills. Photo by Ballygally View Images (Shutterstock) Ballycastle Beach (1 hour and 10 minutes) The final section of our guide to the best beaches near Belfast is packed with beaches a little further afield.īelow, you’ll find everything from Whitepark Bay and Ballycastle Beach to what’s arguably one of the best beaches in Ireland.
It’s a great place for bird-watching with many migratory birds such as plovers, Manx shearwaters and turnstones spending the winter here. Awarded the 2017 Seaside Award for its water quality and facilities, this dog-friendly beach has disabled parking and suitable access for wheelchairs. There’s a car park, playground, toilets and a raised area, the Lime Kilns, which gives panoramic sea views. Rock pools provide tiny natural aquaria for children to discover. Located at Newtownards, Ballywalter Beach is an extensive sandy beach popular year-round with families, walkers and swimmers. The sandy beach is perfect for a wander, with plenty of space and never too much of a crowd. Towards the southern end of the beach, the Glendun River enters the sea. It’s backed by the pretty town of Cushendun, which is partly managed by the National Trust. Photo right: belfastlough (Shutterstock)Ī visit to the popular Cushendun Beach is easily combined with a trip to the nearby Cushendun Caves (yes, they were one of the Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland).Ĭushendun Beach stretches along a curving bay around the northern coast of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. With good water quality, the sandy beach is popular for paddling in summer, and for fishing all year round.
Just across from the beach there’s a car park with a children’s play area at the far end (across Croft Road). It’s the oldest occupied building in Ireland and supposedly haunted. Head due north of Belfast to Ballygally Beach, a small curving bay overlooked by a row of homes and turreted Ballygally Castle Hotel. Now that we have the closest beaches to Belfast out of the way, it’s time to see what sandy spots are under an hour from the city.īelow, you’ll find everything from Cushendall Beach and Ballygally Beach to Brown’s Bay and much, much more. Beaches near Belfast (under 60 minutes from the city) Groynes are in place along the beach and there is signage regarding water quality but no lifeguards. If you don’t fancy building sandcastles, you can walk along the coastal path (1.5km) to Ballymacormick Point. It is backed by a seawall and promenade for pleasant strolls.
Stretching for 1.3km, this sloping sandy beach has rocks at the eastern end for scrambling exploring. The Ballyholme Yacht Club is at the western end.
On the eastern suburbs of Bangor, Ballyholme Beach is a sweeping sandy bay with onsite parking, toilets, playground, disabled facilities and a picnic area.
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