East Strand starts at the Arcadia and runs roughly 2.5km, merging into Curran Strand and Whiterocks, backed by the dunes of Royal Portrush Golf Club. A regular Blue Flag holder, and winner of a Seaside Award in 2021.
The Arcadia
The beach entrance at the Arcadia is reached via steps down from Main Street to a small sandy bay. The building itself dates to the 1920s — a ballroom from 1953, before that a Victorian seaside café, and today a gallery, café, and wellbeing centre running yoga, Pilates, and dance classes, plus regular art exhibitions and concerts. A public sculpture, “To the People of the Sea,” commemorates Portrush’s boat-building history nearby.
What to do
Swimming, bodyboarding, surfing, horse riding, and kayaking are all common here. Lifeguards are on duty in high season (21 June–7 September, 11am–7pm). Dogs are allowed, with summer restrictions.
Portrush Parkrun runs every Saturday at 9:30am along the beach to Whiterocks and back — the first Parkrun in the world run entirely on sand. The Causeway Coast Triathlon runs from here to Bushmills each June.
Facilities
A large car park off Causeway Street (600+ spaces) with toilets, disabled access, outdoor showers, and a watersports centre. Coffee shops and restaurants are within walking distance in town. Portrush train station and West Strand are a short walk up the bank near 55 Degrees North.
