NIEA bathing water

Drain's Bay

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 Drain's Bay

Drain's Bay is a small shingle-and-sand bay just north of Larne on the Antrim Coast Road, at the southern end of the Glens of Antrim. A DAERA-identified bathing water, it is a modest, scenic spot popular with local swimmers, set right beside one of Ireland's great coastal drives with views out towards Scotland. There is roadside parking and little else — this is a quiet stop rather than a resort beach. Check the DAERA dashboard for its current water-quality classification before you swim, and enjoy the sweep of the Antrim coast on either side.

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 Drain's Bay, Coast Road, Larne on Google Maps

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

Activity suitability

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

Facilities

Car park — Free
Lifeguard — No
Not yet confirmed: Toilets, 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.

Drain's Bay 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 Drain's Bay

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