IrishBeaches.ie
Blue Flag 2026

Castlerock

Co. Derry, Northern Ireland
Water qualityExcellent NIEA
Blue Flag 2026Yes
Seaside AwardNo
DogsSeasonal
Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Castlerock

Castlerock is a Blue Flag beach on the Causeway Coast at the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, a long sandy strand backed by dunes and the village. Lifeguarded in summer, it is a popular family and surf beach, with the dramatic Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne perched on the cliffs nearby. A fine north-coast beach with reliable Atlantic waves.

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 55.1685, -6.7925. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

  • Surfing — Intermediate
  • Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
  • Lifeguard (summer) — Yes
  • Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

  • Toilets — Yes
  • Car park — Free
  • 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 Castlerock

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

Nearby golf

Portstewart Golf Club – Strand Course — Co. Antrim ~4 km as the crow flies · Royal Portrush Golf Club – Dunluce Links — Co. Antrim ~11 km as the crow flies · Royal Portrush Golf Club – Valley Links — Co. Antrim ~11 km as the crow flies

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