Nearest Seaside Award Beaches Antrim

Brown’s Bay is a sandy beach at the northern tip of Islandmagee a peninsula located between the towns of Larne and Carrickfergus with Larne Lough separating from the mainland. The beach leads to a coastal path which leads to Skernaghan Point. Facilities at the beach include parking, toilets (disabled), campsite and shop.

Carnlough beach is within the small fishing village of Carnlough in County Antrim. It’s a sandy beach with good facilities in the nearby town and there are plenty of good walks nearby going along the coastline. There is no lifeguard service here and the beach close to the village goes under water at high tide so ask a local about tides before you plan a day there. It’s a good spot for canoeing, swimming, surfing and walking. Parking isn’t bad and there are two play areas for the kids as well as picnic tables and loos!

Ballycastle beach is over a kilometre long and overlooks the Mull of Kintyre. It’s a sandy beach whose backdrop is dramatic cliffs on one side and great castle ruins on the other above a massive limestone outcrop. You can see Rathlin Island from here and take a boat trip to go diving at one of the wrecks there but be careful as the waters can be dangerous! Pans Rocks (the remains of an iron salt pan) is at the far end of the beach that juts out to the sea and is a popular location for fishing. They are easily accessible by a footbridge and look out for the face carved in the rock! The Devils Churn is just beyond Pans Rocks. Steps have been carved into the stone to an underwater tunnel. The sea floods and empties the tunnel hypnotically making a thunderous eerie noise. The town is at the northern tip of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Ballycastle is also famous for its Lammas Fair, which is held every year on the last Monday and Tuesday of August. A popular cycling route runs from Ballycastle to Cushendun, by way of Torr Head, offering spectacular views and scenery. Facilities at the beach include parking, promenade, seasonal lifeguards, wheelchair access, toilets and child-friendly areas. It’s about a 5 minute walk to the town with all its amenities.

Ballygally beach is a sandy beach with safe bathing and the headland of Ballgalley Head is a popular destination for families. This is a town beach and so Ballygally has a village shop, post office, children’s play area, car parking, toilets and a slipway for small craft.

Portrush Whiterocks Beach is backed by long white limestone cliffs that have been carved into arches and caves that fascinate visitors. We have listed one beach, but this 3 miles of glorious beach stretches from Portrush to Dunluce Castle, the area close to Portrush is Portrush East beach and has a Seaside Award where the eastern end is Whiterocks beach that has a Blue Flag award. A lot of the arches have been named like the Wishing Arch and the Lion’s Paw and you can sit here on the grassy patches all along the beach and enjoy fantastic ocean views and great spots for the ultimate beach picnics. Watersports are popular here and you’ll spot surfers and surf hire shops as well as the odd cafe. On the main coast road, you will find pull-in areas and a large car park where you can take in the incredible views of the headlands to the Giant’s Causeway and back to Portrush and Donegal. Facilities include parking, toilets and cafe.

Waterfoot is a long sandy beach in the bay that has 2 piers; one is in ruin whilst the other is more intact. Facilities include parking and picnic sites.