Monitored bathing water

Brown's Bay

Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

Water qualityExcellent NIEA

Blue Flag 2026No

Seaside AwardNo

DogsYear-round

Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Brown's Bay

Brown's Bay is a compact, sheltered sandy beach at the northern tip of the Islandmagee peninsula, east of Larne. A DAERA-identified bathing water rated Excellent, it is a quiet, family-friendly cove with grassy surrounds, popular with local swimmers and paddlers in summer. Islandmagee is best known for the dramatic Gobbins cliff path a short drive away, and Brown's Bay makes a gentle counterpoint — calm water, views out to the Maidens lighthouses and across to Scotland. Facilities are modest; it is a spot for a relaxed swim and a picnic rather than a busy resort beach.

Get directions to the car park

This searches for the named car park on Google Maps — a place-name match, not yet a GPS-confirmed pin.

📍 Find Brown's Bay Beach car park, Islandmagee on Google Maps

Named from official sources but not yet pin-verified — always confirm on arrival.

Map

Approximate location, auto-geocoded from a named car park — not yet a GPS-verified pin. Always verify on arrival.

Activity suitability

Surfing — No surf
Walking — Short walk (under 1km)
Lifeguard (summer) — No
Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

Toilets — Seasonal
Car park — Free
Lifeguard — No
Not yet confirmed: Disabled access, 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 Brown's Bay

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

Nearby golf

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