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Enjoying coasts and beaches

Have you thought about exploring Northern Ireland's coastline? There is so much to see and do. You can walk along coastal footpaths, picnic on a beach, paddle in the shallows or search for marine life in rock pools.

Safety

Many of our beaches offer a pleasant outdoor environment for activities, daytrips and holidays. But safety is not something you should take for granted when visiting coastal areas. To make sure you stay safe beside the sea, follow the advice of The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), and always check the weather forecast before setting out.

Our World Heritage coast

Northern Ireland is home to the world famous Giant's Causeway on North Antrim's spectacular coastline. It is our only World Heritage Site with geology and flora & fauna of international importance. Its coastal path - with information panels - extends 11 miles to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. The Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway runs to the world's oldest whiskey distillery.

Northern Ireland has other stretches of beautiful coastline - from Newcastle to Portstewart and beyond. The National Trust website contains more information about the Causeway and can give you other ideas about where to go and what to do.

Beaches

Many beaches in Northern Ireland are open for public use. You can visit these beaches at all times, although certain activities (such as camping, driving or lighting fires) may be restricted. Local councils and Tourist Information Centres should have information about beaches in their areas.

You can visit the TIDY Northern Ireland website to find beaches that are clean and safe. TIDY Northern Ireland runs two very different programmes for beaches and communities around Northern Ireland's scenic coastline. These are the Blue Flag programme and the Clean Coast programme. You can also look at the Marine Conservation Society's Good Beach Guide.

There are also some private beaches which are closed to the general public.

Nature and wildlife

Northern Ireland's coastline is home to a huge variety of wildlife, from bottlenose dolphins and basking sharks to corals and crustaceans. Our sea cliffs and craggy coastal rocks also make ideal nesting sites for gulls and other seabirds. You can also look out for:

  • wading birds along the shoreline
  • inter-tidal marine life - such as crabs, limpets and small fish in rock pools
  • starfish and jellyfish on beaches
  • seals close to shore

You'll find different wildlife in different coastal areas. But whatever it is you're looking for, make sure you always leave these important habitats as you found them.

More information on birds can be found on the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) website. Details of other coastal wildlife is available from the Ulster Wildlife Trust.

Respect, protect and enjoy the coastal environment

The UK coastline is important to people and wildlife alike. It is a natural resource to be enjoyed and conserved.

Help keep the coast clean and safe for other visitors, and for the plants and animals who depend on it for their survival. The Countryside Code gives you advice on how to do this. Some key tips are:

  • be safe, plan ahead, and follow signs and waymarks
  • let others know where you are going and when you expect to return
  • protect plants and animals and take your litter home with you
  • rock pools are home to many species so treat them with care
  • keep dogs under close control, and clean up after your pet
  • leave gates and property as you find them

Consider other people, especially when driving through narrow coastal lanes, or maybe travel by bike or public transport instead.

When you are at the coast, it also makes sense to:

  • only swim in areas that are safe for bathers
  • keep bathing water clean by using public toilets instead of the sea
  • check the times of the high tides to make sure you are not left stranded by rising waters

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