The Mesmerising Whiterocks Beach, Portrush Co. Antrim-Causeway Coastal Route

Updated On: April 07, 2024 by   Asmaa Alhashimy

Northern Ireland has enchanting beaches, from long stretches of sandy beauty to hidden beaches outside small towns. Whiterocks Beach outside Portrush is a magnificent three-mile beach off the Causeway Coastal Route. The beach is a calming attraction and one of Northern Ireland’s most picturesque locations.
Let’s visit this attractive beach, which derives its name from the white limestone cliffs surrounding it and enjoy panoramic views of the Causeway Coast, Donegal and the Islands of Scotland.

An Unmissable Beach

Its majestic limestone cliffs stretch from Curran Strand to Dunluce Castle, carved into a labyrinth of caves and arches over the past few centuries. Several distinguishable forms seem to rise from the ocean, so they have been aptly named Shelagh’s Head, the Wishing Arch, Elephant Rock and the Lion’s Paw. The area is filled with caves, accessible only from the sea, that house beautiful birds.

History of Whiterocks Beach and Portrush Town

The area around the beach is not without history, as you can spot several shipwrecks along the coast, each with its history and background story. These ships are said to be remains of Spanish Armada ships from the 16^th century, which used the beach extensively as a landing spot. History dates early settlements in the area to the Mesolithic period. The significance of this beach as a tourist attraction began in the 19th century, which helped Portrush thrive as well. In the 20^th century, the beach and the town developed extensively to accommodate the increasing number of tourists.

Things to do at Whiterocks Beach

Whiterocks Beach attracts water sports enthusiasts throughout the year, including swimming, surfing, paddleboarding, diving, horse riding, kayaking, fishing, and boating. Sports equipment is available for hire as well. Whiterocks Beach is also perfect for walking or strolling by the sea or horse riding.

Award-Winning Beach

The beach won the Blue Flag Award more than once, maintaining its status as a favourite spot for locals and visitors from elsewhere. They mainly seek an uninterrupted view of the stunning natural coast, cliffs and caves.

Walking Trails at the Beach

Whiterocks Beach boasts several walking trails that are suitable for hiking. Enjoy the mesmerising scenes and the islands on the horizon along the beach with your loved ones. The hiking trails have different lengths.

• 6.6 miles from Portrush to Bushmills.
• 33 miles on the Causeway Coast Way.

Canoeing Routes

Surf kayaking is one of the tourists’ favourite water activities at Whiterocks Beach. Due to the beach’s mainly strong waves throughout the year, adventurers choose kayaking alongside this enchanting beach as a thrilling sport. The main kayaking trail at Whiterocks Beach is:

• White Rocks. On the North Coast Sea Kayak Trail Canoe Trail.

Horse Riding

Horses are prohibited on this beach from May to September between 11 am – 7 pm. Otherwise, tourists and locals can enjoy an invigorating horseback riding journey along one of the most magnificent beaches in Northern Ireland. It’s best to be aware that racehorse trainers often train their horses at the beach, which is a thrilling event to witness.

Surfing

Whiterocks Beach is considered a suitable surfing beach for beginners and intermediates. There are various surfing schools by the beach, so you needn’t worry if you’re still finding your balance on the board. Waves by the beach also vary, so be assured you will train with all sorts of waves before hopping onto a massive one.

Outings

The beach is perfect for a family trip during the Summer or a relaxed walk during the colder season. It has plenty of opportunities for children to run around, play in the sand and have fun in the beautiful waters as their parents lay back and relax or go for a round of golf at the nearby pitch. It is also perfect for picnics.

You can climb to the top of the rock formations to check out the panoramic view of the beach and perhaps take some stunning pictures along the way.

Nearby Attractions

Portrush Town

Portrush is a small seaside resort town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 6,454, and in the off-season, it became home to the students attending the nearby University of Ulster at Coleraine. The town is well known for its three sandy beaches, the West Strand, East Strand and WhiteRocks. In addition to the Royal Portrush Golf Club, the only golf club outside of mainland Great Britain has hosted the Open Championship.

Archaeological findings prove that the town was quite wealthy before the 17th century. Following the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, Portrush became a small fishing town. By the 19th century, it became a popular tourist destination following the opening of the Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine and Portrush Junction Railway in 1855. By the beginning of the 20th century, it had already transformed into one of the major resort towns in Northern Ireland, as it included several large hotels and boarding houses.

Troggs Surf School

If you are still a beginner and are unsure how to surf, then be sure to visit one of the surf schools along the beach and begin the fantastic adventure in the water right away with confidence! Troggs Surf School has been giving surfing lessons since 1994, making it one of the oldest in Portrush. With various classes to choose from, you’ll indeed find one that suits your needs.

Curry’s Fun Park, Previously Barry’s Amusements

The most prominent theme park in Northern Ireland is in the centre of Portrush, County Antrim. It is considered a popular family attraction for visitors to the area. The theme park was first established in 1925 when travelling members of the Chipperfield and Trufelli circus were invited by the local railway company to be permanently located in Portrush. ‘Barry’s’ is based on an early supplier (Barr).

In the past few years, the park was sold, and after extensive renovations, it reopened in 2022 with its new name, Curry’s Fun Park. After the park opened seasonally, mainly in operation during the summer, it is now open daily.

The Skerries

The Skerries are a small group of rocky islands just off Portrush, County Antrim, on the north coast of Northern Ireland. The large Skerry island is named Winkle Isle, while the small Skerry is known as Castle Isle. The islands have also been part of an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) since 1996. They are a habitat for breeding by various seabirds, including kittiwake, black guillemot and eider duck.

They are also home to fascinating fauna. It is the only place in Northern Ireland where many southern species are found, such as the cotton spinner sea cucumber. Moreover, there are several protected habitats, notably seagrass and horse mussel.

Royal Portrush Golf Club

The private golf club in County Antrim contains 36 holes and has two links courses. The former is one of the courses used in the Open Championship rota. It will once again host the tournament in 2019. That will bring a lot of excitement and tourists to the area.

In 1951, Royal Portrush hosted the Open Championship, the oldest major golf championship, the only Open not held on the island of Great Britain. It hosted the Irish Open in 2012, the first held in Northern Ireland since 1953.

Portrush Visitor Information Centre

The Visitor Information Centre provides free tourist information for locals and visitors to the area so that they may explore the Causeway Coast, Glens, and Northern Ireland. They offer various services, including guides to visitor attractions, accommodation, events and transport timetables, tickets for local events, maps, and an accommodation booking service. The Center is located in the Portrush Town Hall.

The Dark Hedges

You might remember a scene from Game of Thrones where trees on either side of the road intertwined in a mesmerising yet grim scene. These trees make up the Dark Hedges, where an old ghost is said to roam between the trees, travelling from one side to the other and giving visitors an eerie feeling. The mid-18^th century passage is the majestic entrance of Gracehill House by James Stuart. You can spend half a day at the Dark Hedges before or after heading to Whiterocks Beach.

Dunluce Castle

She stands mighty, though ruinous, at the top of a steep climb, telling stories of bravery, bloodshed and fierce power fights. This late Middle Ages castle stayed faithful to the Clan MacDonnell despite invaders seeking its destruction. Dunluce Town is the long-lost town that developed around and beneath the castle as life thrived around the castle, and recent excavations have just begun to unearth some of the town’s remains.

Taking a trip to Whiterock Beach in Portrush means you are also close to all those other attractions in the area. A few days spent up on the north coast will not be quickly forgotten or leave you bored.

Have you ever visited the Whiterocks beach in Portrush? Let us know your experience in the comments below.

Other great ConnollyCove Beach Blogs: Ballywalter Beach | Crawfordsburn Beach near Helens Bay | Alexandria Beach – Egypt | Best Beaches in Ireland