How many swimming spots are there in Northern Ireland?

34 in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, 33 of them officially designated bathing waters with published water-quality monitoring.

Is it safe to swim in Northern Ireland right now?

That depends on the spot, and it changes. Of the 34 listed here, 1 is under a do-not-swim notice, 33 are not monitored. Check the individual spot before you go — and note that bathing-water monitoring covers bacterial quality only. Tides, currents, swell and cold-water shock are not part of it, and nothing on this site is a clearance to swim.

Who monitors water quality in Northern Ireland?

DAERA (Northern Ireland) publishes the bathing-water data for Northern Ireland. Everything shown here comes from that published data.

Swimming spots in Northern Ireland

34 swimming spots in Northern Ireland — 33 designated bathing waters monitored by DAERA (Northern Ireland). 1 under a do-not-swim notice right now.

BallycastleBallycastle is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with parking 300m away.
Not monitored
BallygalleyBallygalley is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
BallyholmeBallyholme is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
BallyhornanBallyhornan is a designated bathing water beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
BallywalterA designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
Brompton BayBrompton Bay is an officially designated bathing water beach in Northern Ireland.
Not monitored
Brown's BayA designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
CarnloughCarnlough is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with parking 350m away.
Not monitored
CastlerockCastlerock is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland.
Not monitored
ClougheyCloughey is a designated bathing water beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
CranfieldA designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
CrawfordsburnCrawfordsburn beach is an officially designated bathing water in Northern Ireland.
Not monitored
CushendallCushendall is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
DonaghadeeDonaghadee is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby toilets and parking.
Not monitored
Downhill
Not monitored
Drain's BayDrain's Bay is an officially designated bathing water in Northern Ireland.
Not monitored
GroomsportA designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
Helen's BayHelen's Bay is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
KilcliefA designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking.
Not monitored
Magilligan
Not monitored
MillisleOfficially designated bathing water beach in Millisle, Northern Ireland with nearby parking.
Not monitored
Murlough
Not monitored
NewcastleNewcastle is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland.
Not monitored
Portballintrae Salmon RockBeach in Northern Ireland, designated bathing water with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
PortmuckOfficially designated bathing water in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
Portrush Curran Strand
Not monitored
Portrush MillPortrush Mill is an officially designated bathing water in Northern Ireland.
Not monitored
Portrush WhiterocksA designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
Portstewart
Not monitored
Rea's WoodA bathing water beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking.
Not monitored
TyrellaTyrella is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland.
Not monitored
WarrenpointA designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
WaterfootWaterfoot is a designated bathing beach in Northern Ireland with nearby parking and toilets.
Not monitored
White Park BayA secluded white-sand bay on the North Antrim coast, with rip currents that make swimming unsafe.
Do not swim

Common questions

How many swimming spots are there in Northern Ireland?: 34 in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, 33 of them officially designated bathing waters with published water-quality monitoring.
Is it safe to swim in Northern Ireland right now?: That depends on the spot, and it changes. Of the 34 listed here, 1 is under a do-not-swim notice, 33 are not monitored. Check the individual spot before you go — and note that bathing-water monitoring covers bacterial quality only. Tides, currents, swell and cold-water shock are not part of it, and nothing on this site is a clearance to swim.
Who monitors water quality in Northern Ireland?: DAERA (Northern Ireland) publishes the bathing-water data for Northern Ireland. Everything shown here comes from that published data.

Where this data comes from and what it cannot tell you