Monitored bathing water

Portmuck

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 Portmuck

Portmuck is a tiny harbour and shingle-and-sand cove at the eastern edge of the Islandmagee peninsula, looking out to Muck Island, a small bird reserve just offshore. A DAERA-identified bathing water rated Excellent, it is one of the quietest, most unspoilt swimming spots on the Antrim coast, reached by narrow lanes down to a working little harbour. The dramatic Gobbins cliff path is nearby, and the views across to the Maidens and Scotland are superb. Parking and facilities are limited — this is a small, wild place — but for a peaceful dip and a sense of the real Islandmagee, it is hard to beat.

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 Portmuck harbour 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

Car park — Free
Disabled access — No
Lifeguard — No
Not yet confirmed: Toilets, 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 Portmuck

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.