The Beach Guide

Best beaches in County Down

Below are a list of the top 10 beaches in County Down as selected by the users of the Beach Guide website.

The current most popular beach in County Down is Murlough. If you would like to have your say on which are the best beaches in County Down just follow the link to the beach and vote by clicking the star ratings at the top right of the page.

  • Murlough Beach

    1. Murlough Beach

    Murlough is a vast, five-mile long, golden sand beach, nestling under the beautiful Mourne Mountains. The winds along this stretch of the coast can be strong, making it a popular place for surfing, kite surfing, and wind surfing. However, the main…

  • Cranfield Bay

    2. Cranfield Bay

    Cranfield Bay is a sand and shingle beach in front of Cranfield Bay Holiday Park. It offers excellent views of the mouth of Carlingford Lough, the surrounding Mourne Mountains and out to Haulbowline Lighthouse. Towards the western end, the beach…

  • Helens Bay

    3. Helens Bay

    Helen's Bay is a popular sandy beach, next to the village bearing the same name. The village was built in the mid-19th century after the construction of the Belfast and County Down Railway, with aspirations of becoming a luxury holiday resort for…

  • Ballywalter Beach

    4. Ballywalter Beach

    Ballywalter is a sandy beach to the south of Ballywalter village, stretching along the coast for about 3 kilometres. The beach is in a rural setting, backed mostly by fields, making it ideal for walkers looking for some peace and quiet. Families…

  • Groomsport Beach

    5. Groomsport Beach

    Groomsport is a small, attractive, sandy beach, backed by the residential part of the picturesque village of the same name. A promenade runs along the western end of the beach. A number of rocky outcrops ensure that rockpooling is a popular pastime…

  • Newcastle Beach

    6. Newcastle Beach

    This sand and pebble beach lies next to the small seaside resort town of Newcastle, where the beautiful Mourne Mountains sweep down to the sea. The beach is about a mile and a half long, and the scenic views of the nearby mountains make this a popular…

  • Nicholsons Strand Beach (Cranfield)

    7. Nicholsons Strand Beach (Cranfield)

    A vast sandy beach situated in a bay, backed by several large caravan parks. No facilities.

  • Ballyholme Beach

    8. Ballyholme Beach

    Ballyhalbert is a kilometer-long beach in the town of Bangor, to the North-East of Belfast The beach has a rock and pebble top section whilst at low tide, a wide expanse of sand is exposed. The beach is a good spot for both fishing and walking,…

  • Millisle Lagoon Beach

    9. Millisle Lagoon Beach

    Located on the doorstep of the seaside village of Millisle is a small sandy beach. The beach forms a natural seawater lagoon which makes it ideal for swimming. There is also a large open air pool located next to the beach. Along with a jetty, slipways…

  • Warrenpoint Beach

    10. Warrenpoint Beach

    Warrenpoint Beach lies on the shores of Carlingford Loch, where the Clanrye River and Newry Canal enter the sea. The views over the mouth of the loch and the scenic Mourne Mountains make this a beautiful location. The shingle beach slopes gently…