Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae)
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Beginner to Expert
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Bushfoot Strand (often also referred to as Runkerry Beach) is a sandy North Atlantic beach in Portballintrae with medium-wave to big-wave potential and generally clean water. The shoreline is exposed and working conditions are heavily shaped by tides: launch space and hazards can change noticeably, especially as rocks at the ends and alongshore shelves come into play. For kitesurfing, the spot’s best wind directions are described as S through NW (including SSW, SW, WSW, W, and WNW), with peak months March–May and September–October. Typical wind ranges are reported around 15–30 knots, and gusts are described as moderate. While it’s known for wave-capable conditions, riders need to manage strong currents—especially near the River Bush mouth—and avoid areas where the flow can become very hazardous. Surfing is described as a northwest-facing beach break with shelving, and it’s generally considered something for confident/experienced surfers due to strong rip currents and the possibility of rocks exposed at low tide. Mid-tide is often preferred, while very large swells can produce closing-out behavior; a more advanced section near the harbor/point may hold better size on bigger days. Safety planning is central here: there is no lifeguard service at the beach, and swimming is repeatedly warned against due to strong Atlantic currents and rip currents. Expect cold water year-round (with very cold winter conditions), and plan wetsuit insulation accordingly, plus careful tide-and-currents checks before committing to the water.
- Best wind directions: south-westerly to westerly (S to NW) for kitesurfing
- Wave/rip conditions demand self-reliance and careful tide planning
- Cold-water year-round riding with wetsuit requirements
- Accessible sandy strand with parking and footpath/bridge access
- Reliable wave and wind conditions for kitesurfing and surfing in the shoulder seasons
- Medium sandy beach with practical access/parking
- Best wind directions align well with common kite/wave sessions from S to NW
- Strong rip currents and Atlantic currents
- No lifeguard service at the beach (lifeguards only seasonal in the wider area)
- Rocks can be exposed at low tide and at both ends of the strand
- Cold year-round water
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Predominantly Atlantic systems driving frontal/gradient winds.
- Reliability
- Moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gusting; conditions influenced by Atlantic depressions.
- Best Months
- March, April, May, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Golden sand; beach described as roughly 500 m long and about 80 m wide.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Medium surf with potential for big-wave conditions depending on swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy launch area with space at low to mid tide; high tide can restrict launching due to dunes and shorebreak.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Kitesurfing launch generally described as feasible/easy; another source rates launch as moderate with tide-dependent restrictions.
Through the year
Can be busy with walkers and surfers in summer and on weekends, but rarely overcrowded for kiters.
Winter months (November to February) see the most frequent Atlantic storms.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Medium wave conditions suitable for freeride and wave riding. Best wind directions are from S to NW, with peak months March–May and September–October. Strong rip currents and rocks at low tide are key hazards; avoid the River Bush mouth due to very strong currents.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable for wave sailing when swell is running and wind is from West or Southwest.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–5.7 m²
Possible but can be challenging due to shorebreak and waves; the River Bush mouth requires extra caution for depth and currents.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Described as limited foil-friendliness.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Northwest-facing sandy beach break with medium to big Atlantic conditions and strong rip currents. Beach becomes rocky at low tide; hazards and currents mean bathing is inadvisable and it’s suited to confident riders.
- Wave Direction
- Right
- Optimal Swell
- W, NW
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Mid-tide is often preferred; best described as working through most tide stages.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed Atlantic exposure; shelter is limited.
- Wind Effect
- South is offshore; Southwest is cross-shore; Northwest is onshore (winds affect cleanliness/shape).
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out on very large Atlantic swells; reef section may hold better size, but can still close out on bigger conditions.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Average-to-good quality; described as reliable through most tides.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Moderate wave power.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Mixed/peeling character described depending on section and swell.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Medium peeling.
- Ride Length
- Medium — Standard beach-break rides; reef section near the harbor can provide longer, more powerful walls.
- Ride Length Details
- Medium rides on the beach-break; longer walls possible on a more advanced section near the harbor/point during larger swells.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae) in the full forecast view.
Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–37 ktsGusts 61 kts
- Direction
- SW215°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2537 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.6–6.4 m8s period
- Temperature
- 6–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae) is forecast for daytime winds of 8–37 kts, peaking around 37 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 61 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.6–6.4 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- strong rip currents
- Atlantic currents
- rocks at low tide
- shelving
- river mouth currents (River Bush)
- cold water
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — No permanent lifeguard service noted; regional baseline indicates lifeguards are limited to June–August (10:00–18:00).
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No lifeguard/rescue service specifically at the beach (regionally described as limited rescue with Coastguard support).
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major A&E is in Coleraine (Causeway Hospital). Dial 999 for Coastguard in emergencies. Nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach mentioned: Whiterocks Beach (3.5 miles west).
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Noted as popular with experienced surfers; described as locals-focused/low-profile in places.
Rules of the spot
No bathing advised; strong rip currents and Atlantic currents make swimming hazardous for inexperienced swimmers. Check tide tables. Avoid kiting too close to the River Bush mouth due to dangerous currents.
- No lifeguard service
- Bathing inadvisable
- Do not kite too close to the River Bush mouth
- The beach is best at mid-tide; high tide can bring heavy shorebreak and reduce launch space.
- High/low water can change access and expose rocks—be mindful of shifting sands and the rocky areas at the ends/low tide.
- Avoid kiting too close to the River Bush mouth due to dangerous currents.
- SW is described as the most consistent and safest wind direction for kiting here.
- Experienced riders only for surfing due to hazards.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Coleraine
- Nearest Town
- Portballintrae
- Parking
- Free/public car parking near the beach and the Portballintrae harbour area; limited in peak season—arrive early.
- Access
- Access via footpath from the main car park in Portballintrae, crossing the distinctive “Three‑Quarter” footbridge; route from the A26 north from Belfast then follow signs to Bushmills and Portballintrae.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Accommodation options in Portballintrae and nearby Bushmills.
- Food & Drink
- Small café in Portballintrae village; additional local cafes and a hotel mentioned in the village.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops on the beach; bring your own gear (regional baseline notes broader rental options in the area).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
UNESCO World Heritage site featuring 40,000 interlocking basalt columns.
World’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery offering tours and tastings.
Picturesque ruins of a medieval castle perched on the edge of a basalt outcropping.
Long-distance walking trail offering spectacular views of cliffs and ocean.
Historical coaching inn serving traditional Irish cuisine.
Classic seaside amusement park in nearby Portrush.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae)?
The best overall months at Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae) are March, April, May, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae)?
Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae) works with S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–5.7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae) suitable for?
Bushfoot Strand (Portballintrae) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Expert · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Expert.