Benone Strand
Seven miles of shallow strand under Binevenagh, with room for everyone and a small tidal range.
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● Spot · shaded: the wind directions that work here. It is not a riding area or a permitted kite zone. Two fingers to move the map.
Location & launch
Know before you go.
- Launch
- Seven miles of strand under Binevenagh, with vehicle access onto the beach.
- Wind
- WNW · NW · NNW · N · NNE · NE · ENE · E winds work here.
The shaded area shows the wind directions recorded as working here. It is not a permitted kite zone or a safe launch boundary. Check local signs.
Local rules, hazards & spot guide
Need to know
The things that catch people out here.
- Shallow water extends a long way offshore, which makes it forgiving for learners while experienced riders go further out for the waves.
- You can drive onto the beach, which is a huge convenience — and means watching for cars as well as kites.
- The Lough Foyle entrance at Magilligan Point runs very strong streams. Stay east of it.
- Small tidal range by UK standards, so the tide is much less of a planning constraint here than on the mainland.
Conditions
- Best
- Works
- Offshore
- Works in
- WNW, NW, NNW, N, NNE, NE, ENE, E
- Best in
- WNW, NW, NNW, N
- Offshore (careful)
- SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW
- Wind quality
- clean
- Water
- Flat to choppy
- Depth
- standing
- Best tide
- Low to mid
- Spring range
- 1.9 m
Binevenagh's cliffs are set well back from the beach and do not disturb the wind at the water's edge.
- Beginner
- Ideal
- Intermediate
- Ideal
- Advanced
- Good
Hazards
Most serious first. The level is in words as well as colour.
- high
current The Lough Foyle entrance at Magilligan Point to the west runs very strong streams.
- medium
military Magilligan MOD training area occupies the point at the western end.
- low
crowds Vehicles are permitted on the beach — watch for cars as well as people.
Access & rules
- Launch
- Seven miles of strand under Binevenagh, with vehicle access onto the beach.
- Permit
- Not required
- Insurance
- Third-party liability expected
- Tuition
- Permitted
- Facilities
- toilets, cafe, campsite, changing
Parking
- Benone Strand (drive-on)
paid · Vehicle access onto the beach.
Safety
Who is around if it goes wrong. None of it makes the water safe.
- Lifeguards
- Seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover — Benone holds Blue Flag status.
- RNLI
- Portrush RNLI
- Nearest A&E
- Causeway Hospital, Coleraine (~25 min)
- Water quality
- Designated bathing water — excellent
The spot
Benone Strand runs seven miles along the north coast beneath the cliffs of Binevenagh, and there is simply more space here than at any other beach in Northern Ireland. Shallow water extends a long way offshore, which makes it forgiving for learners, while experienced riders head further out where the waves add something.
Two practical advantages. You can drive onto the beach, which removes the usual walk with kit — though it means watching for cars as well as kites. And the tidal range is small by UK standards, under two metres on springs, so tide planning matters far less here than on the mainland.
The Lough Foyle entrance at Magilligan Point to the west runs very strong streams, and the point itself is an MOD training area. Stay east.
Links & local
Schools & shops nearby
- Long Line Surf School · kite school, surf shop · ~15 km
Sources
Where this record came from, and how confident we are in it.
- Kite Jungle — Benone Beach
Checked 2026-09-07 · water, skill
- Kitesurf Warehouse — kitesurfing Northern Ireland
Checked 2026-09-07 · conditions
- Kite & Windsurfing Guide — Benone Strand
Checked 2026-09-23 · wind
Verify locally. Coordinates 55.1692, -6.8769. Conditions, access arrangements and beach rules change; check them on the day before you rely on anything on this page.