There are 3 beaches in Portrush – Whiterocks, East Strand Beach and West Strand Beach.
The trio are some of the standout beaches along the Antrim Coastal Route and, impressively, each has a Blue Flag, which is no mean feat.
Below, you’ll find a map along with info on each of the Portrush beaches.
Map of the Portrush beaches
A visit to the beaches in Portrush is reasonably straightforward, but there’s a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Three beaches
Portrush has three beautiful beaches bordering the Ramore Head peninsula. The most famous is Whiterocks Beach with its limestone cliffs and sea caves. West Strand Beach, aka West Bay or Mill Strand runs from the south side of the harbour towards Portstewart while East Strand Beach is on the east side of the peninsula.
2. Parking
West Strand Beach has a car park right next to it (here on maps). East Strand Beach also has a handy car park right beside it (here on maps). There’s also a nice big car park here that you can use for Whiterocks Beach. Note: on a warm day parking in Portrush is a nightmare!
3. Swimming
All three beaches in Portrush are popular among swimmers and Whiterocks Beach also has a lifeguard service, warning signs and, if in doubt, keep your feet on dry land.
Whiterocks Beach
Photos via Shutterstock
A shoreline that feels like it was sculpted by myth, Whiterocks is the most impressive out of the three Portrush beaches.
It’s here that towering limestone cliffs rise like ancient guardians of the coast.
Weathered caves and rock arches, carved by time and tides, give this beach its signature look—raw, dramatic, and cinematic.
It’s not just a spot for the quiet types seeking peaceful walks; surfers know it as a place where waves roll in with a bit of attitude.
And with Dunluce Castle casting its silhouette in the distance, Whiterocks feels more like a scene from folklore than a simple day at the beach.
West and East Strand
Photos via Shutterstock
You’ll find two beaches in Portrush town, surrounded by the hustle and bustle.
The East Strand stretches towards White Rocks, its dunes shifting gently with the coastal winds.
You’ll spot surfers cutting through waves while To the People of the Sea—a bronze sculpture standing tall—nods to maritime traditions.
Over at the West Strand, things are a bit more laid-back. Stroll along the promenade, soak in views of Ramore Head, and enjoy a beach that seems tailor-made for both morning coffee walks and lazy afternoons.
Things to do nearby
One of the beauties of the beaches in Portrush is that they’re a stone’s throw from many of the best things to do in Antrim.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the beach (see our guide on what to do in Portrush for more).
- Dunluce Castle: You can see the Dunluce Castle ruins east of Portrush on the clifftop – it was one of several Game of Thrones filming locations in Ireland
- Portstewart Strand: Portstewart is an upmarket resort west of Portrush. It boasts a spectacular National Trust beach, golf courses, harbour, promenade and outdoor swimming pool
- Giant’s Causeway: As the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway has to be seen to be believed
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.