Portrush West Strand

What You'll Find

Portrush West Strand, also known as West Bay or Mill Strand, is a beautiful sandy beach right in the heart of Portrush, with gorgeous views across the coast towards Portstewart and Donegal.

It's a lovely beach for families, with plenty of golden sand for building sandcastles, digging holes, playing games and enjoying a paddle when the sea is calm.

Running alongside the beach is a wide, paved promenade, perfect for a walk with the buggy or for little ones on scooters. There are places to sit and enjoy the sea views, and you'll often spot surfers and paddleboarders out on the water.

One of the lovely things about West Strand is its location. The beach stretches towards Portrush Harbour, with the town's cafés, ice cream shops and amusements all within walking distance.

Keep an eye on the water too, as harbour porpoises are sometimes spotted just offshore!

There's also a little bit of history hiding beneath the sand. West Strand is protected because of ancient peat deposits containing the remains of trees that grew here thousands of years ago.

Wee Ones Will Love...

• ✓Building sandcastles and digging in the golden sand.
• ✓Paddling and jumping over little waves when conditions are safe.
• ✓Searching for shells and interesting stones along the shoreline.
• ✓Bringing their scooters for a ride along the promenade.
• ✓Watching surfers and paddleboarders out on the water.
• ✓Looking out for boats near Portrush Harbour and maybe even spotting a porpoise!

Before You Visit

The paved promenade runs alongside the beach and is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. There's also a concrete access ramp onto the beach at the northern end, although the sand itself can be difficult with a standard buggy.

RNLI lifeguards are normally on duty during July and August. Always check the beach flags, tide times and sea conditions before paddling or swimming.

Dogs are welcome, with seasonal restrictions during the summer months.

⭐ Wee Adventurers Top Tips

• ⭐Bring the scooters! The promenade is lovely for a family walk or scoot with views across the beach.
• ⭐Pack buckets, spades, towels and spare clothes for plenty of seaside fun.
• ⭐Keep an eye out towards the water for harbour porpoises, which are sometimes seen along this stretch of coast.
• ⭐Make more of your day in Portrush! Walk towards the harbour and Ramore Head, visit the adventure playground at Portrush Recreation Grounds or enjoy the rides at Curry's Fun Park when it's open.
• ⭐If the children love discovering sea creatures, Portrush Coastal Zone is another nearby attraction worth checking out when open.