Portstewart Strand
About 3 km of National Trust beach, with peaks along the whole strand.
Portstewart Strand is a beach of about 3 km between dunes, managed by the National Trust, where you can park on the sand (paid). It has beach-break peaks along the whole strand.
There's a café, toilets and showers at the eastern end. Don't park below the high-tide line.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | NW, N |
| Best wind (offshore) | SE, S |
| Tide | Mid |
| Size | 0.8–2.5 m |
| Best season | All year |
| Crowd | Heavy |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A funboard or shortboard; a longboard in small swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Portstewart Strand
The water is around 8 °C in winter and 14 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For winter water at 8–11 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
Busy in summer, open vibe.
Surfing style
Beach break.
Hazards
Currents and cars on the sand.
Map
Other spots nearby
Coleraine (Londonderry)
A quiet beach by the Mussenden Temple, with banks that work on any tide.
Portrush (Antrim)
Portrush's gentlest beach, by the harbour: good for learning.
Portrush (Antrim)
Portrush's main beach, with barrels by the Arcadia on good days.
Portrush (Antrim)
Below white chalk cliffs, the most powerful peak on Portrush's beach.
All spots in Northern Ireland →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.