White Park Bay
- Shortboard, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Chop, Ocean
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
White Park Bay is an exposed beach break on the North Antrim Coast known for reasonably consistent surf, though summer is often mostly flat. It offers both lefts and rights and is at its best when the swell is strong enough to shape up the beach—northwest swell with south winds blowing offshore is the most reliable combination. Wind conditions matter: south winds groom the wave faces and generally provide cleaner surf, while north winds are more likely to create messy, blown-out conditions. Overall wind performance is described as dependent on North Atlantic weather systems, with offshore south wind being the key for quality. Safety is a major consideration. Dangerous rip currents are reported at the beach, and swimming is specifically warned against. Hazards also include rocks/submerged rocks, and the access involves a steep path down from the car park, making the return more strenuous after a long session. There are no lifeguards present, so riders should plan accordingly and manage risk. For timing, tide is important: mid tide is commonly cited as optimal, and low tide can be dumpy or lead to closeouts. Winter and autumn are repeatedly described as offering the most consistent swell and more frequent offshore winds, while water temperatures stay cool enough that wetsuit protection is essential.
- Reasonably consistent exposed beach break for surfing
- South winds are typically offshore and improve wave faces
- Generally uncrowded even when surf is up
- Cool water and National Trust access with a steep path
- Exposed beach break with reasonably consistent surf, often with clean conditions when south winds blow offshore.
- Generally unlikely to be too crowded even when surf is up.
- Northwest swells and south offshore winds can produce solid surfing windows.
- Great natural setting along the Causeway Coast.
- Beach is unsafe for swimming due to dangerous rip currents.
- No lifeguards at the spot.
- Steep access path and isolation can make long sessions more demanding.
- Rocks/submerged rocks and strong rip currents are common hazards.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSE, SW
- Offshore directions
- S
- No-go directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Frontal — Frontal/gradient-type North Atlantic weather systems; southerly winds are typically offshore for this beach.
- Reliability
- Highly dependent on North Atlantic depressions for both wind and swell; monthly blown % reported as 43%.
- Gust Factor
- Heavy gusts
- Best Months
- February
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs around the bay can create significant turbulence/wind shadows, especially with southerly offshore winds.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Chop, Ocean
- Beach
- Sand — Arc of white sand between two headlands.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium
- Chop Level
- Heavy chop — Described as having chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide sandy beach at low to mid tide; becomes much narrower at high tide due to the cliff line.
Through the year
Generally quiet year-round; summer brings more walkers/tourists but fewer surfers due to flatter conditions.
Winter months are characterized by frequent North Atlantic storms and high rainfall.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Exposed scenic beach break with reasonably consistent surf; works best with northwest swell and south offshore winds. Waves break both lefts and rights.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NW, N
- Swell Height
- 1–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also works through much of the tide, but check that conditions suit (low tide can close out/dumpy; mid to high often fares better).
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed beach with headlands/cliff features; wind can be disrupted by cliff effects.
- Wind Effect
- South winds are offshore and groom wave faces; north winds are directly onshore and create messy, blown-out conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Can hold some size but may start to close out across the bay on very large North Atlantic swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Reported as good to average depending on conditions; generally clean when wind is offshore.
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Can be reasonably consistent, but summer often flatter; waves can close out depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Short — Typical ride length reported as short peaks that can close out if swell is too large or tide too low.
- Typical Ride Length
- 30–80 m
- Ride Length Details
- Reported typical ride length in the range of 30–80 meters, with many waves forming short peaks.
From the spot
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for White Park Bay in the full forecast view.
White Park Bay wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 8–35 ktsGusts 59 kts
- Direction
- SW214°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2535 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.3–3.8 m8s period
- Temperature
- 6–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, White Park Bay is forecast for daytime winds of 8–35 kts, peaking around 35 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 59 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.3–3.8 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
- dangerous rip currents
- rocks
- submerged rocks
- livestock on the beach (cattle)
- steep access path
- isolation
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards present at the spot.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facilities are in Coleraine. In an emergency, contact Coastguard via 999.
Rules of the spot
Managed by the National Trust; dog restrictions may apply seasonally. Fires/camping generally not permitted on the beach.
- No lifeguards present
- Limited beach space at high tide
- Restrictions may apply (usually from Easter until the end of Summer)
- The beach is unsafe for swimming due to dangerous rip currents.
- Check the tide carefully; at very high tide the beach can almost disappear.
- Low tide can be very dumpy or close out; it often works best on mid to high tide.
- Expect a steep walk back up to the car park after a long session.
- Local cattle may roam onto the sand; keep an eye out.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Antrim
- Nearest Town
- Antrim
- Nearest Airport
- Belfast International Airport (BFS), ~75 km away.
- Parking
- National Trust car park located at the top of the cliffs; can fill quickly during peak summer weekends.
- Public Transport
- Limited rural bus services connect the coast to Coleraine and Ballycastle; a car is highly recommended.
- Access
- Magnificent arc of white sand between two headlands on a relatively secluded stretch of the North Antrim Coast; accessible via a steep winding path from a National Trust car park.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Options including a youth hostel and B&Bs/guesthouses in nearby villages of Ballintoy and Bushmills.
- Food & Drink
- No facilities on the beach itself; cafes and pubs are available in nearby Ballintoy and Bushmills.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rental shops on-site; surf and SUP rentals are available in the nearby town of Portrush.
- Gear Storage
- Limited specialized gear storage; most riders use personal vehicles or school facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Basic surfboard and wetsuit repair services available in Portrush surf shops.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Causeway Coast area with rugged coastal scenery and major visitor highlights nearby.
UNESCO World Heritage site featuring 40,000 interlocking basalt columns.
Dramatic medieval castle ruins perched on the edge of a basalt outcrop.
The world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery offering tours and tastings.
A rope bridge connecting the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede.
A traditional guesthouse and restaurant known for local seafood.
A family-run farm offering pony trekking, karting, and farm tours.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at White Park Bay?
The best overall months at White Park Bay are January, February, March, September, October, November, December. The best wind months are February.
Which wind directions work at White Park Bay?
White Park Bay works with S, SSE, SW winds. Offshore directions are S. No-go directions are N.
What skill level is White Park Bay suitable for?
White Park Bay suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate.