Secret beaches in Northern Ireland you’ll practically have to yourself
Dodge the crowds and escape to your own island paradise 🤫
Last updated 28th Jun 2021
Northern Ireland has it all! With more than 6,000km of coastline on offer, there’s no shortage of places to explore.
Did you know that roughly 70% of the coastline is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
That's right, Northern Ireland is full of hidden gems that could easily slip by you.
Some beaches are more popular than others, a handful are inaccessible, and at this time of year some are just too busy!
With that in mind, we've pieced together a handy guide to some of the more remote and sometimes forgotten beaches along our iconic coast. Just don't tell anyone 😜
Kearney
A long narrow road along the Ards Peninsula will lead you to the charming village of Kearney. The village dates back to the early 18th century, and it's here you'll find stunning walks, coastal floral fauna and a fantastic sand/pebble cove.
Waterfoot
Waterfoot Beach is a tranquil escape for those looking to go off-the-grid for a few hours. The backdrop of Glenariff just adds to the beauty of this location, plus if it starts to cloud over you'll have somewhere nearby to visit and escape the rain.
Rossglass
With the iconic St John's Lighthouse to your left and the majestic Mourne Mountains to the right, Rossglass is an epic hidden gem! The beach offers a mixture of sand and rocks, so there's plenty to see and do as the little ones explore the shallow pools for sea creatures.
Carnlough Beach
Carnlough Beach is crescent-shaped and sandy, with a small harbour at the northern end. The harbour is one of the must see stop offs along the Causeway Coastal route for Game of Thrones fans. Glenarm beach would be a more popular spot with locals, it's just 2km south along the coast.
Brown's Bay
This small beach can be found on the northern tip of the Islandmagee Peninsula, it's the perfect point for a quick dip or even some rock fishing with the kids. On a clear sunny day, you can even see Scotland in the far-off distance.
Read more:
Warning for sea swimmers with the return of jellyfish to NI's coastline
How to stay safe and enjoy the water this summer
50 things to see and do in Northern Ireland this summer