The Causeway Coast Coastal Attractions

The Giant's Causeway Carrick a Rede Dunluce Castle Mussenden Temple Downhill Demense Mountsandel Fort Coastal Attractions Map

Towns & Villages

Coleraine Castlerock Portrush Portstewart Portballintrae Bushmills Ballintoy Ballycastle Towns & Villages Map

Beaches of the Coast

All Beaches Benone Strand Downhill Beach Castlerock Beach Portstewart Strand Portrush West Strand Portrush East Strand Whiterocks Portrush Runkerry / Bushfoot Strand Portballintrae Salmon Rock Beach Ballycastle Strand Surfing Beaches Swimming Beaches Beaches Map

Golfing on the Coast Maps of the Coast

Beaches Map Dog Beaches Map Surfing Beaches Map Swimming Beaches Map Towns & Villages Map Walks and Trails Map Golf Clubs Map Coastal Attractions Map

Have you visited?

Giants Causeway and Bushmills Railway

Portrush West Strand

Surfing Beaches

Bushmills

Downhill Demesne and Hezlett House

Whiterocks Portrush

Carrick a Rede

Old Bushmills Distillery

Mountsandel Fort

Portstewart Strand

Benone Strand

Benone Strand is one of the most popular beaches of the Causeway Coast not only for visitors but for locals alike. The Benone Strand is seven miles of golden soft sandy beach with spectacular views of Benevenagh mountain and Donegal. There is Lough Foyle and Magilligan Point in one direction with Downhill and Mussenden Temple in the opposite.

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Benone Strand Map

Benone Strand

Benone Strand is one of the most popular beaches in Northern Ireland because of its location, activities and easy access. This seven mile stretch of sand incorporates three beaches in one; Downhill Beach, Benone Strand and Magilligan Beach. This is a great beach for adventure sports such as jet skiing, kite surfing, gliding and surfing. You can fish, canoe, cycle, swim and walk all year round.

Benone is a Northern Ireland Blue Flag Beach.

There is a Life Guard on duty during high season, end of June, July, August and the beginning of September. Dogs are even allowed on Benone Strand with restrictions during high season.

Benone Tourist Complex

Benone Tourist Complex and Caravan Park The Award Winning Benone Tourist Complex & Caravan Park run by the Limavady Borough Council provides great facilities for guests and day visitors.

Tennis courts, pools, bouncy castle, indoor games room, activities area, cafe and shops are all provided at this excellent Tourist Complex located on Seacoast Road, 12 miles from Limavady and 6 miles from Coleraine. This is a touring caravan site only.

In season (July & August) there is an Events Programme too. Find out more information about the Benone Tourist Complex: www.limavady.gov.uk

Benone Golf Club

The 9 hole par three course, putting green and a seven bay practice range has passes available for the day, week or season. Golf Clubs and Bag can be hired.

Umbra Dune Grasslands

Between Benone Complex and Downhill Beach and there is an Ulster Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve: The Umbra. This protected area demonstrates a 'large undisturbed sand-dune system of dune grasslands, wetter dune slacks and a small hazel copse.'

You can view butterflies, moths, bees, rare orchids, adderstongue, moonwort, skylark, mistle thrush plus many more species of insects, plants and birds. Tread lightly other beings live underfoot! The minor river Umbra flows across Benone bathing beach. You can read more on the website for Ulster Wildlife: www.ulsterwildlife.org

Bordering Downhill Beach

Downhill Beach is separated from Benone Strand a couple of hundred metres from the Umbra Burn, a minor river. The Beach is West and below the Mussenden Temple cliff and is a beautiful golden sandy beach with a celebrated grasslands and sand dune system.

You can either park just off the road at the bottom of the hill at Downhill or drive unto the beach under the railway tunnel.

Borders Magilligan

Magilligan is an area of both historic and conservational significance at the Western side of Benone Strand.

Visit the Martello tower at Magilligan Point, built in 1812 during the Napoleonic wars. It is one of about 50 built around the Irish coast.

Magilligan is a recognised as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) plus as a Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). Magilligan Foreland is 20 miles long and 'Ireland's Largest Coastal Accummulation' with a complex sand dune system with grasslands.

Ferry to The Republic of Ireland

Lough Foyle Ferry, Northern Ireland from Benone Strand you are very close to Magilligan Point, were you can board the Lough Foyle Ferry to the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal, the Republic of Ireland.