Ballycastle Beach
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.
Ballycastle Beach has been awarded a regional Seaside Award.
Dog Friendly Beach?

Why not check other beaches nearby as we have 13 beaches in Antrim, or check our list of Antrim Dog Friendly Beaches.
Planning your visit to Ballycastle Beach
Ballycastle Beach 7 Day Weather Forecast
Expect a temp in the range 9.8℃ to 11.4℃ with wind speed 8.1 m/sec (SW)
Expect a temp in the range 9.5℃ to 9.8℃ with wind speed 9.2 m/sec (SW)
Expect a temp in the range 10.7℃ to 11.7℃ with wind speed 8.1 m/sec (WNW)
Expect a temp in the range 9.9℃ to 11℃ with wind speed 8.8 m/sec (NNW)
Expect a temp in the range 14.9℃ to 15.2℃ with wind speed 7.2 m/sec (SSW)
Expect a temp in the range 13.8℃ to 15.7℃ with wind speed 6.5 m/sec (SSW)
Expect a temp in the range 12.8℃ to 13.9℃ with wind speed 8 m/sec (SSW)
Ballycastle weather forecast from Yr, delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and NRK
Ballycastle Beach Tide Times
Tide times are available at around 600 locations and the closest location to Ballycastle Beach is at Ballycastle Bay 0.58 km (0.36 miles) away. Tides are displayed beneath for up to 7 days and we list both high and low water times along with the height, helping you to plan the best time to visit Ballycastle Beach. These times are not adjusted for BST.
Low Tide at 04:56 (Height 0.61m)
High Tide at 09:58 (Height 1.19m)
Low Tide at 16:13 (Height 0.72m)
High Tide at 22:59 (Height 1.18m)
Low Tide at 05:54 (Height 0.64m)
High Tide at 11:01 (Height 1.12m)
Low Tide at 17:43 (Height 0.73m)
High Tide at 00:25 (Height 1.10m)
Low Tide at 07:01 (Height 0.66m)
High Tide at 12:25 (Height 1.07m)
Low Tide at 19:46 (Height 0.70m)
High Tide at 02:21 (Height 1.04m)
Low Tide at 08:18 (Height 0.66m)
High Tide at 14:23 (Height 1.07m)
Low Tide at 21:26 (Height 0.63m)
High Tide at 03:45 (Height 1.04m)
Low Tide at 09:30 (Height 0.62m)
High Tide at 15:32 (Height 1.15m)
Low Tide at 22:49 (Height 0.52m)
High Tide at 04:41 (Height 1.07m)
Low Tide at 10:26 (Height 0.54m)
High Tide at 16:17 (Height 1.26m)
Low Tide at 23:40 (Height 0.41m)
High Tide at 05:16 (Height 1.12m)
Low Tide at 11:05 (Height 0.46m)
High Tide at 16:51 (Height 1.39m)
Contains ADMIRALTY® tidal data: © Crown Copyright and database right.
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In this 'you may also like' section we attempt to answer what else can do near Ballycastle Beach? Here you have a list by order of being the closest some more beaches, things to see and do, places to eat and upcoming events.