Bathing water quality in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has 33 designated bathing waters. The regulator's latest classifications are 31 Excellent and 1 Good.
Updated June 2026
The cleanest beaches in Northern Ireland
Rated Excellent or Good in the regulator's latest annual classification. Open any beach for today's live verdict.
Every bathing water in Northern Ireland
Classification:Excellent Ballycastle Classification:Excellent Ballygally Classification:Excellent Ballyholme Classification:Excellent Ballyhornan Classification:Excellent Ballywalter Classification:Excellent Brompton Classification:Excellent Brown’s Bay Classification:Excellent Carnlough Classification:Excellent Cloughey Classification:Excellent Cranfield Classification:Excellent Crawfordsburn Classification:Excellent Cushendall Classification:Excellent Donaghadee Classification:Excellent Drain’s Bay Classification:Excellent Groomsport Classification:Excellent Helen’s Bay Classification:Excellent Kilclief Classification:Excellent Magilligan Benone Classification:Excellent Magilligan Downhill Classification:Excellent Millisle Classification:Excellent Murlough (Co Down) Classification:Excellent Newcastle Classification:Excellent Portballintrae Salmon Rock Classification:Excellent Portmuck Classification:Excellent Portrush Curran (East Strand) Classification:Excellent Portrush Mill (West Strand) Classification:Excellent Portrush Whiterocks Classification:Excellent Portstewart Classification:Excellent Tyrella Classification:Excellent Warrenpoint Classification:Excellent Waterfoot Classification:Good Castlerock Classification:Unknown Rea’s Wood (Inland)
Areas in Northern Ireland
- Ards and North Down Borough Council 7 bathing waters
- Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council 10 bathing waters
- Mid and East Antrim Borough Council 5 bathing waters
- Newry, Mourne and Down District Council 7 bathing waters
Common questions
- Which beach is cleanest in Northern Ireland?
- Ballycastle holds an Excellent classification, the regulator's top tier. 32 of the 33 bathing waters in Northern Ireland are rated Excellent or Good.
- How many bathing waters are in Northern Ireland?
- 33. The regulator's latest classifications are 31 Excellent and 1 Good.