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East Strand Beach

Causeway Street, Portrush, County Antrim, BT56 8AF
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About

East Strand Beach, at the heart of the coastal resort of Portrush, forms a continuum of sand, approx. 2.5 km / 1.6 miles long, merging into Curran Strand and Whiterocks at its eastern extremity.

East Strand Beach is popular for water sports all year round, especially surfing. It is also very popular for family activities, including walking, and horse riding. The beach is bounded by a pedestrian promenade and an extensive dune system hosting the world famous Royal Portrush Golf Course. There are excellent views of The Skerries and the Causeway headlands. 
The beach frequently attains The Blue Flag Award, most recently in 2025.


Facilities include:
Car parking (fee applicable): 50p per hour: 8:30am - 6:30pm Monday - Sunday inclusive, all year (approx. 537 spaces). Car Parking restrictions apply during The Open Golf Tournament.
Seasonal RNLI Beach Lifeguards Service (July & August 10am - 6pm daily)
Dogs allowed (restrictions apply 1st June - 15th September)
Horse riding (restrictions apply 1st May – 30th Sept, permitted before 11am and after 7pm). Please note: the beach is popular with racehorse trainers exercising their horses along the length of this beach between Whiterocks and East Strand
Toilets and outside cold showers
Disabled toilets and disabled parking
Concrete access ramps onto beach at both ends of promenade.
Wide range of amenities and facilities, including coffee shops, restaurants and shops, within walking distance of the beach

 

Portrush (East Strand) is an inclusive beach, run in partnership with Mae Murray Foundation, (during July and August) which allows people of all ages and abilities to take part, have fun, and be included. Inclusive beaches offer free beach equipment loan schemes including all-terrain wheelchairs and mobility aids. Membership is free and available via the Mae Murray Foundation. www.maemurrayfoundation.org/book-inclusive-beach-equipment-now/


Did you know?
The piece of public sculpture on the grass bank adjacent to the beach is entitled 'To the People of the Sea' (Sculptor: Holger Lonze). The concept for this artwork reflects Portrush's rich maritime culture and the boat building history of the East Strand site. It celebrates not only one of Ireland’s finest boat builders, James Kelly, but also the elements that have determined the daily life of the local community for generations: boats and the sea.
Look out for the following sea birds; fulmar, eider, gull, guillemot, gannet and tern

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Toilets for disabled visitors - nearby on Kerr Street

Catering

  • Picnic Area

Children & Infants

  • Baby changing facilities

Establishment Features

  • Toilets
  • Wifi

Parking & Transport

  • Off site parking - Other public car parks nearby, fees apply
  • On site parking - Fees apply (all year round)
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors - Fees apply (all year round)

Provider Preferences

  • Dogs accepted by arrangement - Restrictions apply 1st June to 1th September.

Add East Strand Beach to your Itinerary

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Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0) 28 7082 3333

Tel+ 44 (0) 28 7034 7234

Map & Directions

Opening Times

* All year round

What's Nearby

  1. The Arcardia includes children's feature paddling pools, play frame and sand area.…

    0.14 miles away
  2. Curry’s Fun Park Portrush is Northern Ireland’s largest indoor funpark. Famous for its…

    0.23 miles away
  3. Portrush reserve hides a tale of heated debate around the origin of rocks. It was also…

    0.35 miles away
  1. Coastal Zone is home to coastal and marine exhibitions. Indoor rock pool with live sea…

    0.38 miles away
  2. Visitors to the area can explore this unique studio & gallery space featuring the work of…

    0.4 miles away
  3. West Strand Beach, also known as West Bay or Mill Strand is a popular resort beach in the…

    0.4 miles away
  4. Whiterocks Beach has become a favourite with locals and a must see destination for…

    1.41 miles away
  5. The purpose-built viewing platform offers panoramic views of the Causeway Coast's…

    2.46 miles away
  6. Dunluce Castle is located dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the…

    2.73 miles away
  7. Flowerfield Arts Centre is Coleraine’s dedicated arts facility, offering superb…

    3.3 miles away
  8. Between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann lies the golden sands and domineering…

    3.94 miles away
  9. In 1608, in Bushmills, a legend was born. In that year, King James I granted a very…

    5.11 miles away
  10. Situated on either side of River Bann. Mixed woodland planted 19th Century and the 1930s…

    5.13 miles away
  11. Coleraine Town Hall presides over the central shopping piazza in Coleraine. Designed by…

    5.14 miles away
  12. A truly heritage experience travelling on a steam locomotive along a magnificent coastal…

    5.44 miles away
  13. Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean and a landscape of dramatic cliffs, the Giant's…

    5.53 miles away
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Map & Directions

Road Directions

East Strand Beach car park is located off Causeway Street in Portrush. (Parking fee applicable) Directions from Town: Signposted the Causeway Street, Portrush.

Public Transport Directions

A daily bus service passes close to East Strand Beach entrance and Portrush Train Station is approx. 400m from the beach.

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