Portrush West Strand, Northern Ireland
West Strand looking west
The Portrush West Strand, on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, also known as Mill Strand or West Bay, stretches between the black rocks at West Strand Road and the South Pier Portrush Harbour and is a very popular resort beach in Northern Ireland on the north coast. Visitors often enjoy walking past Barry’s Amusements, where the lively sounds of enjoyment add to the vibrant atmosphere of the area. As this magical beach is in very close proximity to all the action in the town centre and amusements nearby, Portrush has a great holiday feel around the year.
Portrush West Strand is Blue Flag certified, meaning the classically arching beach is beautiful, safe, and clean! There is a Lifeguard on duty each day during the season between July 1 and September 30, from 11 am until 7 pm.
West Strand Beach
West Strand Looking Back Towards Portrush
The West Strand Beach is perfect for diving, surfing, swimming, kite surfing, paddle boarding, and wind surfing, and well as for horse riding, walking, cycling, jogging, paddling, playing, or simply relaxing!
Taking a walk along the ancient sands of this stunning beach from the harbour to the rocks provides many different experiences. Starting the walk at the harbour will allow you to capture some of the famous exciting Portrush atmosphere and feel the ancient sands beneath your feet. At low tide you may be able to see the buried peat deposits buried below the beach, remnants of ancient trees at the northern end.
There are also several restaurants and pubs in the area that are very popular. Cycle or walk along the Promenade or simply get your feet wet in the water and moist sand on the shoreline. The Atlantic Ocean beckons on the one side of West Strand Beach, while on the other you will find, views of cute sea-front houses, paving, and parkland. A raised walkway running along the eastern boundary beach, the Promenade has quite a few sets of steps allowing you to get down to the sand easily.
It is always exciting to walk past Barry’s Amusements, as you can often hear the high pitched squeals of delight coming from inside and you know what fun everyone is having inside. Once you’ve passed Barry’s, you can turn at Eglinton Street to move into the West Strand’s landscaped parkland, under the railway bridge off the Road (A2).
West Strand Beach Entrance and Car Park
Portrush West Strand Entrance
West Bay is also accessible by car, and at the bridge side (a black stone railway arch at the eastern boundary), and the west strand car park has enough parking as well as toilets at the adjacent car park. There is also disabled parking, disabled toilets, and disabled access to the promenade and from there to West Strand Beach and West bay.
The parkland has a huge grassy area to run with your dogs or children, although Portrush West Strand has summer dog restrictions. This is an idyllic place for a ‘park and read’ – you can immerse yourself in a great book while enjoying the ocean view.
West Strand Beach on the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland is very popular due to its beauty and location, especially during the hot summer months, when people move between all the different fun activities they can choose from at Portrush and the beach. This beach tends to be peaceful and relaxed at sunset, but fun-filled and vibrant during the day.
Getting to West Strand Beach
Portrush West Strand Beach is is situated only a short walk from portrush train station, where there are hourly services to Coleraine, where you can get connecting trains to Belfast, Derry and Dublin. There is also a daily bus service that provide easy access to the busy seaside resort and the famous west bay beach
