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Bathing water quality

Northern Ireland’s bathing season begins on 1 June and ends on 15 September each year. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is responsible for monitoring and making sure that coastal waters are of high enough quality to bathe in.

Water quality monitoring

Bathing water at 26 sites is monitored weekly from May to September and classified into one of four categories:

  • excellent
  • good
  • satisfactory
  • temporary advice issued against bathing 

2023 bathing water quality posters

Most recent results published in the 2023 season for bathing waters:

  • Antrim Coast bathing water quality
  • North Coast bathing water quality
  • North Down bathing water quality
  • South Down bathing water quality
  • Inland bathing water quality

2022 bathing water compliance

Bathing water  Compliance level
Ballycastle  Excellent
Ballygally Excellent
Ballyhornan Excellent
Ballywalter Excellent
Brown’s Bay Excellent
Castlerock Excellent
Cloughey Excellent
Cranfield Excellent
Crawfordsburn Excellent
Groomsport Excellent
Kilclief Excellent
Magilligan Benone Excellent
Magilligan Downhill Excellent
Millisle Excellent
Murlough (Co Down) Excellent
Portballintrae Salmon Rock Excellent
Portrush Curran (East Strand) Excellent
Portrush Mill (West Strand) Excellent
Portrush Whiterocks Excellent
Portstewart Excellent
Tyrella Excellent
Carnlough Good
Helen’s Bay Good
Waterfoot Good
Newcastle Sufficient 
Ballyholme Poor

Blue Flag beaches

Beaches with an excellent water quality compliance result may be eligible for the Blue Flag award. The award also looks at beach management and facilities such as:

  • litter collection
  • toilets
  • car parking
  • disability access
  • life-saving equipment

The award applies during the bathing season. In Northern Ireland the scheme is run by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, along with the Green Coast and Seaside Award schemes.

2022 awards

In Northern Ireland, nine Blue Flag beaches, nine Blue Flag Marinas and nine Seaside Award beaches were recognised.

  • Blue Flag for beaches
  • Blue Flag for marinas
  • Seaside awards

More useful links

  • Northern Ireland Beach Bathing Water Quality map
  • 2023 Bathing Water Profiles
  • Enjoying coasts and beaches
  • Air and water quality
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Environmental quality in your area

  • Accessing environmental information
  • Air and water quality
  • Air pollution and health
  • Bathing water quality
  • Climate change
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  • Radon gas in your home
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