Browns Bay Beach & Ferris Bay

About

Browns Bay Beach, located at the northern tip of Islandmagee, offers a serene and picturesque retreat. Nestled between Skenaghan Point and Barrs Point in a horseshoe-shaped bay, this 600m-long sandy beach features rocky outcrops and loose boulders along its edges. Access is easy via a set of steps on one end or a gentle ramp on the other.

The beach’s peaceful, rural setting and its relative seclusion create a true “escape-from-it-all” atmosphere. With sweeping views across the horizon, visitors can enjoy the sight of five headlands stretching along the Antrim coast. The calm waters, with gentle waves, make it a popular spot for swimming. It’s also ideal for picnics, scenic walks, windsurfing, or simply soaking in the natural beauty of the surroundings.

For convenience, there is a large car park across the road, along with a grassy area accessible for wheelchair users. Public toilets are available both onsite and at nearby Ballylumford Harbour.

Browns Bay Beach boasts excellent bathing water quality and cleanliness, with up-to-date information on water standards available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/bathing-water-quality

On the eastern side of the bay, Skenaghan Point is a National Trust site, featuring a short walking route past the fascinating “rocking stone.” To the north, visitors can catch a glimpse of the Maidens Rocks and their iconic lighthouses, one of which remains operational today.

A footpath runs westward, passing by a golf course, and leads to the peaceful Ferris Bay beach. This bay is bordered by Ferris Point, home to a lighthouse guiding ships into the bustling port of Larne.

Dogs are welcome but restrictions apply. For more details go to:  www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/things-to-do/parks/the-coastline-and-beaches/dogs-on-beaches-legislation