WEST STRAND or BLACK ROCKS, PORTRUSH.
This is the western, rocky end of the West Strand and is considered to be the best left handed reef break on the north coast. There is a public car park in front of the beach.
Wave Details
Type: Reef
Quality: Standard to excellent
Peals: Lefts
Power: Hollow
Experience: Intermediate to expert
Tides: Mid to high
Swell size: 3ft to 6ft
Swell direction: NW, N
Wind: SW, W
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BUSHFOOT STRAND, PORTBALLINTRAE.
Bushfoot Strand attracts large north coast swells especially during the summer months. The swell can be 4ft+ here, when everywhere else is flat.
Wave Details
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: Standard to good
Peals: Lefts and rights
Power: More juice than most
Experience: Intermediate to expert
Tides: Mid to high
Swell size: 1ft +
Swell direction: W, NW, N
Wind: S, SW, W
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CASTLEROCK STRAND, CASTLEROCK.
Castlerock Strand produces many left and right peaks and good swells which give long peeling waves. You can drive your car onto beach.
Wave Details
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: Standard to excellent
Peals: Lefts and rights
Power: Standard
Experience: Intermediate to expert
Tides: All tides
Swell size: 1ft to 6ft+
Swell direction: NW, N
Wind: S, SW
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EAST STRAND, PORTRUSH.
A popular spot all year round. There can be strong currents and rips when the swell is on so on larger swell days the East Strand is advisable only for surfers with experience. There is a public car park and Water Sports Centre with showers and changing facilities (pre-paid key fobs to operate hot showers and changing facilities are available to buy from Troggs Surf Outlet at the Watersports centre or from the Maxol petrol Station, on the main road.
Wave Details
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: Standard to excellent
Power: Can be very powerful
Experience: Intermediate to expert
Tides: 4ft + Swell direction: NW, N
Wind: S, SW
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PORTSTEWART STRAND, PORTSTEWART.
A long beach with a lot of peaks, with the best spots at either end of the Strand. This beach is owned by the National Trust so there is a fee to bring your car onto it.
Wave Details
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: Standard to excellent
Peals: Lefts and rights
Power: Average, fun
Experience: Intermediate to expert
Tides: Mid to high
Swell size: 1ft to 4ft
Swell direction: NW, N
Wind: S, SW
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THE SLAB, PORTSTEWART.
FOR ADVANCED SURFERS ONLY, this area is dangerous as it breaks over a shallow rock ledge. It is under the cliff at Ballyreagh Golf Course.
Wave Details
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: dangerous
Peals: Rights
Power: Very powerful
Experience: Expert only
Tides: High only
Swell size: 3ft +
Swell direction: NW, N
Wind: S, SW
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WEST STRAND, PORTRUSH.
Watch out for the rocks at the bottom end of the beach. This is a very popular beach so can get crowded. There is a public car park in front of the beach.
Wave Details
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: Standard
Peals: Peaks
Power: Fun
Experience: Beginners to expert
Tides: Mid to high
Swell size: 3ft +
Swell direction: NW, N
Wind: S, SW
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WHITEROCKS, PORTRUSH.
There is a public car park and outdoor showers and toilets at the top end of the beach.
Wave Details
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: Standard
Peals: Closeouts
Power: Hollow closeouts
Experience: Beginners to expert
Tides: Mid to high
Swell size: 1ft +
Swell direction: W, NW, N
Wind: S, SW, W
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DOWNHILL
There are toilets and outdoor showers at the entrance to the beach. You can park on the beach itself which is large with some good banks and not as popular as Portrush beaches, so plenty of room for manouver.
Type: Beachbreak
Quality: Standard
Peals: Lefts and rights
Power: Fun
Experience: Beginners to expert
Tides: Mid to high
Swell size: 3ft +
Swell direction: NW, N
Wind: S, SW
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Mussenden Temple and Downhill Castle
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Dial 999 for the Coastguard.
Stay outside the red & yellow flagged area (operating during summer months).
Stay away from rocks.
Be aware of rip tides. Always pick a point on land and stay in front of it.
Be aware of other ocean users at all times.
ALWAYS stay with your board.
If in difficulty, stay with your board, raise one arm and call for help.
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