Portballintrae

Ireland North West · United Kingdom

Today’s forecast: the current surf forecast for Portballintrae (wave height, swell, wind, tide and a 0–10 rating for every hour of the next 16 days) are only shown on SurfCams. They change every hour, so this text doesn’t contain them. To check today’s surf, open https://surf-cams.com/spot/portballintrae.

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A small bay on the Causeway Coast, a few kilometres west of the Giant's Causeway. There are really two waves: a short, hollow peak by the mouth of the River Bush, popular with bodyboarders, and longer peaks further along the beach. The beach shelves steeply and deep water comes close to shore, so it picks up more swell than its size suggests.

Level
Intermediate
Break
Beach break, sand and rock
Waves
Lefts and rights
Crowd
Some company
Season
autumn, winter, spring
Boards
A shortboard or bodyboard for the hollow rivermouth peak; a fish or step-up when it is bigger.

When it works

✓ A north-west swell of about 1–2 m with a light south-east wind.

When it doesn't

✕ Any onshore wind from the north spoils the peaks quickly.

Watch out for

  • rips
  • rocks

Best months

January, February, March, April, October, November, December

Local tips

The rivermouth peak is short and hollow; walk further along the beach for longer rides. Summer is often flat here, so come between autumn and spring.

Getting there

Park in Portballintrae village. To reach the main beach you walk round the bay and cross or skirt the River Bush.

Travel notes

How often it works
It catches more swell than most of this coast, because the beach drops off steeply and deep water lies close in. Like the rest of the north coast, it is mostly flat in summer.
Crowd and vibe
Usually quiet; wannasurf reports few surfers even at weekends, though Surfnerd warns it can get busy in summer. The mood is relaxed.
Facilities
Village car park, a few cafés and a hotel in Portballintrae. Bushmills, with shops and pubs, is a short drive inland.
Water quality
Portballintrae (Salmon Rock) is rated Excellent in the latest Northern Ireland bathing-water classification (nidirect). The river can carry run-off after heavy rain.

Ideal conditions

Swell
WNW–NNW best, W–NNE works
Size
1–2 m offshore swell; starts at 0.5 m, holds to 3 m
Period
8 s minimum, best from 11 s
Wind
Offshore ESE–S; handles onshore up to 10 km/h
Tide
mid best, on the rising tide
Faces
NW (320°)

Live cam

No cam at this spot yet: the forecast and the guide are on the map.

Nearby spots

All spots in Ireland North West · All spots

Sources