Blue Flag beaches
Northern Ireland has 9 Blue Flag beaches for 2026 — the international award for bathing-water quality, safety, facilities and environmental management.
Ballintoy Antrim Coast
Not monitored
Ballycastle Antrim Coast
Excellent
Ballygally Antrim Coast
Good
Ballyholme North Down
Excellent
Ballyhornan South Down
Excellent
Ballykeel Bay South Down
Not monitored
Ballymartin Beach South Down
Not monitored
Ballyronan Beach Inland
Not monitored
Ballywalter North Down
Excellent
Bangor Bay North Down
Not monitored
Benderg Bay South Down
Not monitored
Brompton Bay North Down
Excellent
Brown's Bay Antrim Coast
Excellent
Carnlough Antrim Coast
Excellent
Castlerock North Coast
Excellent
Church Bay Antrim Coast
Not monitored
Cloghy Beach North Down
Not monitored
Cloughey North Down
Excellent
Coney Island Bay South Down
Not monitored
Cooper's Bay North Down
Not monitored
Cranfield South Down
Excellent
Crawfordsburn North Down
Excellent
Cushendall Antrim Coast
Excellent
Cushendun Antrim Coast
Not monitored
Donaghadee North Down
Excellent
Doon Bay Antrim Coast
Not monitored
Drain's Bay Antrim Coast
Excellent
Dunseverick Beach North Coast
Not monitored
Ferris Bay Antrim Coast
Not monitored
Glenarm Bay Antrim Coast
Not monitored
Groomsport North Down
Excellent
Helen's Bay North Down
Excellent
Jordanstown Beach North Down
Not monitored
Kilclief South Down
Excellent
Kilhorn Bay South Down
Not monitored
Killough South Down
Not monitored
Knockinelder Bay North Down
Not monitored
Magilligan Benone North Coast
Excellent
Magilligan Downhill North Coast
Excellent
Mill Quarter Bay South Down
Not monitored
Millen Bay South Down
Not monitored
Millisle North Down
Excellent
Minerstown South Down
Not monitored
Murlough South Down
Excellent
Newcastle South Down
Excellent
Port Kelly South Down
Not monitored
Portawillin Antrim Coast
Not monitored
Portballintrae Salmon Rock North Coast
Excellent
Portbradden North Coast
Not monitored
Porthamish South Down
Not monitored
Portmuck Antrim Coast
Excellent
Portnacoo South Down
Not monitored
Portrush Curran (East Strand) North Coast
Excellent
Portrush Mill (West Strand) North Coast
Excellent
Portrush Whiterocks North Coast
Excellent
Portstewart North Coast
Excellent
Rea's Wood Inland
Advice against bathing
Rossglass Beach South Down
Not monitored
Runkerry Strand North Coast
Not monitored
Sandeel Bay North Down
Not monitored
Seapark Beach North Down
Not monitored
Swineley Bay North Down
Not monitored
Tyrella South Down
Excellent
Warrenpoint South Down
Good
Waterfoot Antrim Coast
Excellent
Whitepark Bay North Coast
Not monitored