NIEA bathing water

Cushendun

Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland

Water qualitySee nidirect.gov.uk NIEA

Blue Flag 2026No

Seaside AwardNo

DogsYear-round

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

About Cushendun

Cushendun is a sheltered crescent of sand where the Glens of Antrim meet the sea, beside the Cornish-style village designed by Clough Williams-Ellis and now owned by the National Trust. Just along from the beach are the Cushendun Caves, filmed as the setting for the shadow-baby scene in Game of Thrones, while red squirrels live in the wooded glen behind. Scotland lies just fifteen miles across the Moyle, and the village's whitewashed terraces, tea room and river mouth make it one of the prettiest stops on the Causeway Coastal Route. It is a DAERA-identified bathing water — check the DAERA dashboard for the current classification.

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 Cushendun village car park 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 — Yes
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.

This is a DAERA-identified bathing water. Its current annual classification is published each year at nidirect.gov.uk — check there for the latest rating before you swim.

Cushendun is a DAERA-identified bathing water. Its 2025 classification is not in the confirmed 'Excellent' set for Northern Ireland — check the DAERA bathing water dashboard for the current rating before you swim.

Where to stay nearby

Search accommodation near Cushendun

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.