East Strand, Portrush

General Beach Description

East Strand Beach, at the heart of the coastal resort of Portrush, forms a continuum of sand, approx. 2.5 km / 1.6 miles long, merging into Curran Strand and Whiterocks at its eastern extremity.

East Strand Beach is popular for water sports all year round, especially surfing. It is also very popular for family activities, including walking, and horse riding. The beach is bounded by a pedestrian promenade and an extensive dune system hosting the world famous Royal Portrush Golf Course. There are excellent views of The Skerries and the Causeway headlands.

In 2020 the East Strand Beach received the Seaside Award. 

Facilities include:

• car parking (fee applicable) - 30p per hour:  8:30am - 6:30pm Mon - Sun inclusive (approx. 637 spaces)
• seasonal RNLI Beach Lifeguards Service (July & August 11am-7pm daily)
• dogs allowed (restrictions apply 1st June - 15th Sept)
• horse riding (restrictions apply 1st May – 30th Sept, permitted before 11am and after 7pm). Please note: the beach is popular with race horse trainers exercising their horses along the length of this beach between Whiterocks and East Strand
• toilets and outside cold showers
• disabled toilets and disabled parking
• concrete access ramps onto beach at both ends of promenade.
• wide range of amenities and facilities, including coffee shops, restaurants and shops, within walking distance of the beach

Did you know?

The piece of public sculpture on the grass bank adjacent to the beach is entitled 'To the People of the Sea' (Sculptor: Holger Lonze). The concept for this artwork reflects Portrush's rich maritime culture and the boat building history of the East Strand site. It celebrates not only one of Ireland’s finest boat builders, James Kelly, but also the elements that have determined the daily life of the local community for generations: boats and the sea. 

Look out for the following sea birds; fulmar, eider, gull, guillemot, gannet and tern.