Overview
Waterfoot Beach is a kilometre of sand at the mouth of Glenariff, the largest of the nine Glens of Antrim and long nicknamed the ‘Queen of the Glens’. It is a calmer, quieter stop than the busier spots along the Causeway Coastal Route, backed by low grassy dunes and coastal parkland, with gently sloping sand that suits families and paddlers. The village of Waterfoot sits at the northern end, with a few pubs, a shop and takeaways, and from the promenade you look out across Red Bay to the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland on a clear day. The beach has taken the Seaside Award several times, most recently in 2024.
History and heritage
Waterfoot has long been shaped by the point where the Glenariff River meets the sea. The village once served the region’s mining industry, and along the shoreline you can still see the remnants of the old piers that carried the mineral railway down to the water’s edge. On the headland overlooking the bay stand the ruins of Red Bay Castle, once a McQuillan stronghold, and there is Neolithic-era evidence of much older settlement in the area.
Above the village rises Lurigethan, its steep slopes cut with the distinctive ‘ladder fields’ – terraced strips worked over centuries – which make a striking backdrop to the sand and a favourite for photographers. Waterfoot is also the start of the Glenariff Scenic Route, a driving loop up through Glenariff Forest Park and back down by Glenballyemon to Cushendall.
What to see and do
Waterfoot is built for a slow visit. The kilometre of sand is good for a wander, the dunes make natural picnic seating, and the parkland behind has walkways, picnic spots and two children’s play parks.
- The walk: the Waterfoot Beach Walk is a 1.8-mile loop through the dunes and wildflower meadows behind the sand. Follow the shore south towards Knockore and Caranure, or north along the promenade to the village, for wide views over Red Bay.
- On the water: the gentle, shallow tides suit paddling, easy swimming, canoeing and the odd bit of horse riding along the sand. The estuary where the Glenariff River meets the sea shifts with the tide and is worth watching.
- Dogs: welcome on the beach all year, with no seasonal restrictions.
- Nearby: Glenariff Forest Park, a short drive up the glen, has woodland trails and its three waterfalls; Cushendall, a mile north, adds a rocky shore and a harbour.
Practical information
Waterfoot Beach is free to access and needs no booking. Facilities are straightforward but well kept.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Parking | Free car park on Garron Road beside the beach, with more spaces in the village. The coastal car park fills early in peak summer. |
| Toilets | At the beach car park and in the village. |
| Café | A seasonal café operates by the beach. |
| Play areas | Two children’s play parks in the coastal parkland by the dunes. |
| Dog policy | Dogs are welcome all year. |
| Lifeguard | No lifeguard service operates here. The nearest seasonal RNLI station is at Ballycastle Beach, about 17.5 miles away. |
| Public transport | Bus 162 runs to Cushendall, a mile north; the beach is walkable from there. |
| Accessibility | The gently sloping sand suits most visitors, though there are no dedicated wheelchair facilities. |
Most people arrive by car on the A2 Causeway Coastal Route, with the turn to the Garron Road car park clearly signed. There is no lifeguard, the water is cold, and the swimming is for paddling more than laps – the real draw is the walking and the setting. If the coast is grey, don’t write the day off: drive the Glenariff Scenic Route up to the forest park’s waterfalls and come back down to the beach when it clears.