Attractions on Northern Ireland's North Coast
West Bay (Millstrand)
Millstrand, also known as West Bay, is the smaller of Portrush's two beaches and popular with surfers and bathers alike. It's also perhaps the least natural of all North Coast beaches, with a large concrete promenade encircling the bay separating the beach from its dunes.
West Bay is a geological ASSI, because of buried peat deposits and ancient sands beneath the present beach which provides information on the landscape evolution of this coastline.
Venue for the famous Portrush Raft Race and NI International Airshow, the beach is made all the more popular because of its easy access to and from the resort and to the large and busy Portrush harbour. During summer months a Council Beach Guard is stationed at the Harbour/north end of the beach.
Access: all along the promenade and for pedestrians only.
Note: watch how the waves behave around the middle of the beach at Castle Erin. A large part of Portrush is built upon a massive dune field which connects West Bay with the larger East Strand and Whiterocks.
To view the Beach Safety Guide click here...
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