A big, open sweep of golden sand and dunes on the Causeway Coast near Bushmills — with the heritage railway running along the dunes and a gorgeous walk on to the Giant's Causeway itself. Free to walk, open all year.
What you'll do — stride the wide strand, wander up through the dunes, watch the little Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway puff along the top, and follow the path on to the Causeway. Big waves and sea air, and the grand Runkerry House on the headland to admire.
How long & who for — allow two to three hours for a beach wander, more if you walk the full stretch to the Causeway. Great for all ages — a proper run-around beach.
Cost & parking — free to walk. There's free parking in the main village car park in Portballintrae; from there it's a footpath and the Threequarter Footbridge onto the strand.
Bring the lot — walking shoes or wellies, a coat for the sea breeze, and a picnic. There's no café on the sand — a shop and café in Portballintrae village nearby.
No lifeguard — bathing is not recommended. This is an exposed beach with strong rip currents, loved by experienced surfers. Enjoy the sand and the paddle at the edge, but it's not a swimming beach. The nearest lifeguarded beach is Whiterocks, towards Portrush.
Dogs on leads in summer. Dogs are welcome all year, but must be on a lead 1 June to 15 September.
Plan your visit
Can I just turn up? Yes — it's free to walk.
The strand is open and free any day of the year in daylight — no booking, no ticket. Park for free in the main village car park in Portballintrae, then follow the footpath and cross the Threequarter Footbridge onto the beach. Toilets (including accessible toilets) and disabled parking are at that same Portballintrae car park, and there's a shop and café in the village for anything you've forgotten. There's nothing on the sand itself, so come stocked up.
Wide sandy beach & dunesToilets (incl. accessible) in PortballintraeFree car park in PortballintraeDogs welcome (on lead 1 Jun–15 Sep)
Not a swimming beach:
There's no lifeguard here and the currents can be fierce — bathing is not recommended. It's a superb beach for walking, the dunes and the surf, but keep the swimming for a lifeguarded beach and mind the kids at the water's edge.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🥾Sturdy shoes or welliesSoft sand, dunes and a boardwalk stretch underfoot — comfy footwear you don't mind getting sandy.
🧥A coat for the breezeIt's one of the more exposed beaches on the coast — bracing and beautiful. Layer up and enjoy the sea air.
🧺A picnic & waterNothing to buy on the sand. Pack your own, or grab something in Portballintrae village.
🪣Buckets, spades & a towelA proper big sandy beach — plenty of room for a dig and a paddle at the edge.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free to walk, any day of the year. Parking in the main Portballintrae village car park is free too.
Opening
Open all year in daylight hours — you can walk it any time. There's no gate or ticket.
What you'll see
A wide sandy strand and a big dune system, the Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway running along the dunes above the beach, Runkerry House standing on the headland, and views on towards the Giant's Causeway. It's a designated geological Area of Special Scientific Interest.
Toilets
Public toilets, including accessible toilets, are in the main village car park in Portballintrae. None on the beach itself.
Dogs
Welcome all year. Dogs must be kept on a lead between 1 June and 15 September; off-lead is fine outside those dates. Clean up after them and watch for other beach users and wildlife.
Swimming
Not recommended. There's no lifeguard, and the beach is known for strong rip currents and shelving — it's popular with experienced surfers rather than swimmers. Paddle at the edge only, and keep the swimming for a lifeguarded beach (Whiterocks, towards Portrush, is the nearest).
Accessibility
Honest steer: access is by footpath and the Threequarter Footbridge from Portballintrae, then soft sand and dunes — hard going for wheels. Accessible parking and toilets are at the village car park.
Prams
Soft sand and boardwalk are tough for a light stroller. An all-terrain buggy will manage the paths better; a sling or back-carrier is easiest for little ones on the sand.
Food
Nothing on the beach. A shop and café in Portballintrae village, with more choice in Bushmills a short drive away.
How long
Allow two to three hours for a beach wander — or make a half-day of it and walk the dune path on to the Giant's Causeway.
Questions
Before you go
Is it free?
Yes — free to walk, any day of the year, and the main village car park in Portballintrae is free too. There's no ticket or booking.
Can I swim here?
Bathing is not recommended. There's no lifeguard and the currents can be fierce — it's a surfing beach for the experienced, not a swimming beach. Paddle at the edge only, mind the kids, and head to a lifeguarded beach like Whiterocks for a swim.
Can I bring the dog?
Yes, dogs are welcome all year. Just keep them on a lead between 1 June and 15 September; off-lead is fine outside those dates. Clean up after them.
Can I walk to the Giant's Causeway from here?
You can — it's one of the loveliest bits. A path runs up over the dunes beside the railway line and on along the coast to the Giant's Causeway. Give yourself time and decent footwear.
Will we see the steam train?
Often, in season — the Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway runs along the dunes above the strand on its short trip between Bushmills and the Causeway. Check its running days before you count on a ride.
Where do I park and get onto the beach?
Park in the main village car park in Portballintrae, then follow the footpath and cross the Threequarter Footbridge onto the strand. Toilets are at that car park.
Getting there
Runkerry Strand, Bushmills, Co. Antrim — on the Causeway Coast between Portballintrae and the Giant's Causeway. Park in the main village car park in Portballintrae, then it's a footpath and the Threequarter Footbridge onto the beach.
Runkerry Strand — Bushfoot Strand to plenty of locals — reaches east from the mouth of the River Bush towards Runkerry Point and the Giant's Causeway beyond. It's one of the more exposed beaches on the north coast, so there are nearly always waves rolling in; grand to watch, and a magnet for surfers who know what they're doing.
Above the sand sits its landmark: Runkerry House, a stately pile built in the 1860s for Sir Edward Macnaghten, a barrister and politician, now looking out over the whole bay from the headland. And threading along the dunes is the little Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway, puffing its short run between Bushmills and the Causeway. Follow that dune path yourself and the reward is one of the finest coastal walks in Ireland — open sand, big skies, and the Giant's Causeway waiting at the far end.