Portrush- East Strand

Jun 15, 2023

2 min read

Updated: 9 hours ago

📍 Portrush, County Antrim

💷 Free

🅿️ Large car park beside the beach—charges may apply

🚻 Public and accessible toilets

♿️ Concrete ramps onto the beach and specialist beach-access equipment available by pre-booking

☕️ Cafés and food options nearby

🧒 Suitable for all ages

🗺️ Causeway Street, Portrush, BT56 8AB

What You’ll Find

East Strand is a long, wide sandy beach stretching from Portrush towards Whiterocks.

There is loads of room for sandcastles, beach games and walks along the shore. The sea is popular for paddling, swimming and watersports, while the sand dunes behind the beach make the whole area feel surprisingly peaceful despite being so close to the town.

The beach is lifeguarded during selected summer dates. Always check the beach signs when you arrive and swim between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty.

For the Grown Ups

One of the best things about East Strand is how close it is to Portrush town centre.

There are plenty of cafés, restaurants, ice-cream shops and takeaways within walking distance, so you can easily turn your beach visit into a full family day out.

Public toilets and outdoor cold-water showers are available beside the beach.

Why We Loved It

✅ A huge sandy beach with plenty of space

✅ Close to Portrush town centre

✅ Toilets and parking beside the beach

✅ Perfect for paddling and sandcastles

✅ Accessible ramps onto the sand

✅ Easy to combine with other Portrush attractions

Wee Adventurer Top Tips

⭐️ Arrive early during sunny weekends and school holidays

⭐️ Parking charges may apply, so check the signs when you arrive

⭐️ Bring layers—even sunny days can feel windy beside the sea

⭐️ Check the tide times before visiting

⭐️ Swim between the red and yellow flags when lifeguards are on duty

Overall Verdict

Portrush East Strand is a brilliant choice for a family beach day.

It is free, spacious and close to all the facilities and food options in Portrush. Whether you stay for a quick paddle or spend the entire day building sandcastles and exploring the coastline, it is an easy addition to any north coast adventure.

Have You Visited?

Have you enjoyed a beach day at Portrush East Strand? Let us know what your wee adventurers loved and tag @WeeAdventurers in your family adventures!