Portrush East Strand
North-facing Causeway Coast sand that works from west round to north-east.
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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
- Sand east of the town, below the dunes and the Royal Portrush links.
- Wind
- W · WNW · NW · NNW · N · NNE · NE 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.
- The prevailing south-westerly blows slightly off this beach. Wait for it to veer west, when launching and landing are straightforward for an Atlantic beach.
- Shared with a keen surf crowd. Give them room and use the eastern end.
- Rock at the western end towards the harbour, and the Skerries reef offshore.
- Small tidal range — under two metres — so tide is a minor consideration.
Conditions
- Best
- Works
- Offshore
- Works in
- W, WNW, NW, NNW, N, NNE, NE
- Best in
- W, WNW, NW
- Offshore (careful)
- E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW
- Wind quality
- clean
- Water
- Waves
- Depth
- mixed
- Best tide
- Mid tide
- Spring range
- 1.7 m
A westerly runs cross-shore; the south-westerly is just past parallel, off the land and gusty.
- Beginner
- Workable
- Intermediate
- Ideal
- Advanced
- Ideal
Hazards
Most serious first. The level is in words as well as colour.
- high
rocks Rock at the western end towards the harbour and the Skerries offshore.
- high
current Atlantic rips along the strand.
- medium
crowds Busy surf beach with a strong local surf community.
Access & rules
- Launch
- Sand east of the town, below the dunes and the Royal Portrush links.
- Permit
- Not required
- Insurance
- Third-party liability expected
- Tuition
- Permitted
- Facilities
- toilets, cafe, shop, pub, changing
Parking
- East Strand car park
paid
Seasonal restrictions
- Jun–Aug
RNLI bathing and surfing zones in peak season.
Safety
Who is around if it goes wrong. None of it makes the water safe.
- Lifeguards
- Seasonal RNLI cover.
- RNLI
- Portrush RNLI
- Nearest A&E
- Causeway Hospital, Coleraine (~15 min)
- Water quality
- Designated bathing water — excellent
The spot
Portrush East Strand runs east from the town below the dunes of Royal Portrush. It takes Atlantic swell and works from west round to north-east. The prevailing south-westerly runs along the beach from the land side, slightly offshore and gusty, so wait for it to go west.
It is a busy surf beach with a strong local community, so use the eastern end and give them room. Rock sits at the western end towards the harbour, with the Skerries reef offshore. The tidal range is under two metres, so tide is a minor consideration compared with anywhere on the British mainland.
Links & local
Schools & shops nearby
- Long Line Surf School · kite school, surf shop · ~2 km
Nearby alternatives
Other launches around Portrush & Portstewart, with different conditions.
- Portstewart Strand
Drive-on Atlantic sand with National Trust facilities.
Sources
Where this record came from, and how confident we are in it.
- Kitesurf Warehouse — kitesurfing Northern Ireland
Checked 2026-09-07 · wind, conditions
- The Kitesurf Academy — Portrush East Strand
Checked 2026-09-23 · wind
- Kite & Windsurfing Guide — Portrush East Strand
Checked 2026-09-23 · wind
Verify locally. Coordinates 55.2055, -6.6401. Conditions, access arrangements and beach rules change; check them on the day before you rely on anything on this page.