East Strand Portrush

East Strand Portrush, bordering the Whiterocks, starting at the Arcadia and merging into Curran Strand heading out to the Causeway headlands, boasts more than two miles of soft golden sands, which are backed by an extensive dune system hosting the Royal Portrush Golf Course. Landscaped gardens, curved walkways, and play and seating areas will allow you to soak up the East Strand’s atmosphere and make this a premier Northern Irelands causeway coast destination. The East Strand Beach received the Seaside Award in 2021.

The Beach Is Popular With Visitors and Locals Alike

Located on the eastern side of the Portrush Peninsula, Curran Strand or Portrush East Strand is a Blue Flag Beach and is one of the most popular along Northern Irelands Causeway coast. This golden sandy beach is perfect for sand and water activities of all types.

Walking (including with dogs except with summer restrictions), swimming, bodyboarding, surfing, horse riding, diving,  jogging, fishing, or kayaking can all be done on East Strand. From June 21 until September 7 daily between 11 am and 7 pm a seasonal RNLI Beach Lifeguards Service is offered at the east strand site.

Eight of the beaches in Northern Ireland have been awarded the ‘Blue Flag’ and the three Portrush beaches all qualify. Enjoy the amazing views stretching across the North Atlantic Ocean and including the Skerries, a small group of rocky islets only a few miles offshore and along the causeway coast.

The 1920s Arcadia building

The East Strand beach entrance can be accessed at Arcadia via the great steps leading from Main Street to a rocky outcrop with a small sandy bay. The historic Arcadia building, built in the 1920s, overlooks the bay.

This landmark, unique to Portrush, has served as a fashionable ballroom that opened in 1953, a popular Victorian seaside cafe, and today thrives as a Gallery, Cafe, and Well Being Centre. Pilates, Yoga, Dance Classes, and Tai Chi for children and adults are offered, while there are also regular musical concerts and art exhibitions.

Old photographs from the 1800s depict this stretch of the East Strand being used as a Ladies Bathing Beach.

Enjoy The Curvy Pedestrian Promenade With Its Undulating Walkways

The Promenade with its undulating walkways can be reached via a leisurely stroll past the play area and pool. The Promenade leads to the East Strand toilets with disabled access, East Strand Car Park, and Watersports Centre. With the easy-to-manage steps from Main Street, the magical new lighting provides a glowing after-dark experience.

The manicured gardens and parks, combined with the ‘To the People of the Sea’ public art, offer an inviting welcome to Portrush East Strand beach and have introduced an abundant, clean, and upmarket feel to this historic area. The car park is located off Causeway Street and is the main beach access, providing more than 600 parking spaces. World-class facilities are also available at the Watersports Centre.

Parkrun On The East Strand Portrush Beach On Saturday Mornings

The Portrush Parkrun is one of many in Northern Ireland and is held on the East Strand beach every Saturday at 9.30 am. The run is free and timed, and runs along East Strand beach to the Whiterocks and back. The course starts on the beach at the Watersports Centre. This is the first beach Parkrun globally that is run entirely on sand.

In June every year, the Causeway Coast Triathlon takes place at East Strand Portrush and goes all the way to Bushmills.

Spectacular Golf In A Magical Setting At Royal Portrush

The world-renown Royal Portrush Golf Course is located behind the sand dunes. Not only does this keeps the area behind the beach beautifully ‘green’ and in pristine condition, but it also provides a spectacular game of golf. The ruins of Dunluce Castle overlook the Royal Portrush Dunluce Links Course, home to the open Championship Golf are located behind the sand dunes.

Facilities at East Strand Portrush

East Strand Portrush has a wealth of facilities as you would expect for a coastal resort on the North Coast of Northern Ireland

Car Parking

There is a large car park to cater, there is disabled parking concrete access ramps for access to the sandy beaches and their golden sand. Near the car parking area there are outdoor cold showers disabled toilets and a range of shops.

Food and Drink

There is a range of coffee shops restraints along the eastern extremity of the town centre.

Transport

The Strand is only a short walk up the grass bank adjacent to 55 Degrees North Restaurant to West strand and the Portrush Train station, where there are hourly train services to Coleraine, where you can change for trains to Belfast, Derry/Londonderry and Dublin. There is a also daily bus service that stops here.