IrishBeaches.ie
Seaside Award

Ballycastle

Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Water qualityExcellent NIEA
Blue Flag 2026No
Seaside AwardYes
DogsSeasonal
Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Ballycastle

Ballycastle is a Seaside Award beach in the busy market town of Ballycastle on the north Antrim coast, a curving strand of sand and pebble looking out to Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre. Lifeguarded in summer with safe swimming and a lively seafront, it is the gateway to Rathlin and the Glens of Antrim, with the town's pubs and the famous Auld Lammas Fair close by.

Get directions to the car park

This opens the verified car-park pin — never the beach itself or a mid-route point.

📍 Get directions to the car park

Pin confirmed at 55.2035, -6.2395. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

  • Swimming — Safe
  • Surfing — Beginner
  • Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
  • Lifeguard (summer) — Yes

Facilities

  • Toilets — Yes
  • Car park — Paid
  • Disabled access — Yes
  • Lifeguard — Yes
  • Not yet confirmed: Shower, Café nearby

Facilities confirmed from the local council and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Discover Northern Ireland Source.

Water quality

Water quality information is sourced from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland and is updated annually. During the bathing season real-time water quality updates are available at nidirect.gov.uk. Always check nidirect.gov.uk and local signage at the beach before swimming, particularly after heavy rainfall. IrishBeaches.ie accepts no liability for water quality conditions at the time of your visit.

NIEA classification: Excellent (latest annual bathing-water assessment). Always check nidirect.gov.uk for the current rating.

Where to stay nearby

Search accommodation near Ballycastle

Verified local listings for Antrim are coming as we build out our accommodation guide.

Nearby golf

Ballycastle Golf Club — Co. Antrim ~1 km as the crow flies

From the GolfIreland.ie network. Distances are straight-line (as the crow flies), not driving distance.