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Telegraph
28 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best beaches in Northern Ireland
Though the coastline of Northern Ireland is relatively short, it's peppered with some beautiful beaches, from tiny, pebbled coves to wide stretches of golden sands. And there's plenty to do beyond simply spreading a towel on the beach – you can try your hand at surfing, take a sauna on the sand or even stumble upon a herd of neighbourhood cows. And at some, you'll find top-notch seafood restaurants just off the shore, so you can tuck into the catch of the day with the scent of the ocean in the air. All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Northern Ireland. Find out more below, or for further inspiration, explore our guides to Northern Ireland's best hotels, things to do, restaurants and nightlife. Benone Strand A sweeping stretch of golden sand, this beach has some of the best views in Northern Ireland – on a clear day you can see Donegal's Inishowen just over the water, and if you look up at the cliffs behind you'll see the historic dome of Mussenden Temple. It's a good spot for beginner surfing, too. Insider tip: The HotBox Sauna is right on the sand, so you can build up a sweat before you leap into the sea. Area: County Londonderry How to get there: Free parking at the beach entrance. Whitepark Bay This gentle curve of white sand isn't for everyone – it's a steep walk from the car park, and the rips mean you can't swim in the sea there. But that just adds to its secluded, remote feel. You might also spot cows wandering on the sand, which belong to a nearby farmer. Insider tip: This is prime birdwatching territory, so bring your binoculars. Area: County Antrim How to get there: There's free, but limited, parking. Portstewart Strand With picturesque sand dunes, gentle waves for bodyboarding and an exceptional restaurant right on the sand, Portstewart ticks loads of boxes on a beach wish list. It's a great spot for a walk, whether you stick to the sands or explore the trails in the dunes and the nearby Bann Estuary. Insider tip: Book a table at Harry's Shack, an excellent seafood restaurant overlooking the beach. Area: County Londonderry How to get there: Park at the National Trust car park on the beach. Helen's Bay It's hard to believe this tree-lined beach is barely 20 minutes from Belfast, but Helen's Bay is a little slice of coastal bliss just up the road from the capital. It's fairly small, so sunbathing spots fill up quickly, but the clear waters and lush grasses behind more than make up for that. Insider tip: If it's busy, walk 20 minutes along the coast to Crawfordsburn Beach, which is usually quieter. Area: County Down How to get there: Helen's Bay train station is a 10-minute walk away. Tyrella Beach This Blue Flag beach is a great spot if you like to keep active – there's a lifeguard in summer months, it's good for kayaking and you can ride horses, but only in the evening during summer. There are great views of the Mourne Mountains, too. Insider tip: The sand dunes are protected and are the habitat of rare lizards, so be careful when you're walking. Area: County Down How to get there: The main car park is free outside of the summer months. Murlough National Nature Reserve Just outside the Victorian seaside town of Newcastle, Murlough is home to undulating sand dunes, with lush green grass on one side and the sea on the other. When the tide is out, the beach is glorious, with a view of Slieve Donard at the end. Insider tip: The onward walk to Newcastle is beautiful, but look out for high tide, which can cut you off. Area: County Down How to get there: Parking is limited, so walk from Newcastle if it's full. Whiterocks Beach This cliff-lined beach (hence the name) is particularly striking, with rocky outcrops reaching out onto the sands featuring caves, arches and formations, and the remains of Dunluce Castle on the clifftop. It's a popular spot for water sports, from surfing and kayaking to snorkelling and diving around the caves. Insider tip: Walk the almost three-mile Whiterocks Coastal Path above, for great views over the beach. Area: County Antrim How to get there: Free parking. Cushendun Beach There's an old school sense of charm to this village, with white buildings lining the harbour and a peaceful little beach. Keep your eyes peeled for the neighbourhood seals, who can sometimes be seen on the shore. Insider tip: If you're a Game of Thrones fan, visit the Cushendun Caves at the other side of the harbour – it's where Melisandre birthed a shadow demon. Area: County Antrim How to get there: There's a car park behind the beach. Ballygally Beach This wide sandy beach is popular with families, due to the excellent sand castle potential and the playground near the main car park. It's good for swimming or paddling, and there are pretty rock pools at low tide. Insider tip: Ballygally Castle Hotel is right on the beach, if you're looking for a place to stay or a bite to eat. Area: County Antrim How to get there: The main car park is just over the road. Coney Island It might not be the most visually stunning in Northern Ireland, but there's a definite charm to Coney Island – after all, Van Morrison named a song after it. Not technically an island, this headland between Ardglass and Killough is lined with houses (many of which are holiday rentals) and is wonderfully peaceful. Insider tip: Be sure to select the Co Down Coney Island in your GPS, as there's another in the west of Ireland and one in Lough Neagh, too. Area: County Down How to get there: There's street parking. How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser known corners – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. Return to top About our expert Nicola Brady I'm originally from Sussex, and I went on holiday to Ireland 16 years ago and never came back. While I'm now based in Dublin, I spent a decade living on the Northern Irish border and still visit regularly.
Telegraph
28 minutes ago
- Telegraph
The 10 best beaches in Bali
With more than 400 miles of coastline, Bali has a beach to suit every taste. You might be coming to surf, snorkel or dive. Perhaps you favour lively beaches that pair tropical cocktails with hypnotic people-watching. You could stroll along a paved promenade browsing souvenir and craft shops or explore mangrove-fringed beaches in the company of herds of wild deer and kingfishers. Given Bali's reputation for over-development and overcrowding, it would surprise most visitors (and even a few islanders) to learn that in West Bali you can still walk for many miles along a volcanic sand beach that is lined with an almost unbroken expanse of swaying coconut palms. All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Bali. Find out more below, or for more Bali inspiration, see our guides for the best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife, and things to do. Find beaches by type: Best beaches for peaceful escapes Pantai Yeh Leh, West Bali If you imagined that Balinese beaches are perpetually packed with parasols, sun loungers and hawkers, think again. Pantai Yeh Leh's virtually deserted, coconut-fringed volcanic sand rarely sees more than a couple of local fishermen or a strolling expat. On Sunday afternoons, local teenagers sometimes race their scooters across the acres of mirror-like sand, but in general, you'll often have the beach to yourself. Surfers who complain about 'overcrowded' Bali should check out this un-surfed beachbreak. Insider tip: Drop into Puri Dajuma Beach Eco-Resort for lunch and then take a soak in the rock pools that are like natural jacuzzis out front. How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver Jungutbatu Beach, Nusa Lembongan Given that it's about a dozen miles as the crow flies from Bali's capital, Jungutbatu Beach, on neighbouring Nusa Lembongan island, is a delightfully low-key town beach that has everything you could wish for from a relaxing holiday destination. It is unique in the area as it combines both a highly respected reef-break for surfing and world-class diving reefs – elsewhere in Bali, you have to choose between one or the other. Jungutbatu also has a range of hospitable homestays and friendly beach bars. Insider tip: Ask at EDDY Surfboard Hire for a boatman to take you out to the surfing or snorkelling spots that lie about a quarter-mile offshore. Return to index Best beaches for surfing Uluwatu, Bukit Peninsula Uluwatu is one of the most famous surfing waves on the planet. The left-hand wave here is so long that it actually consists of five different breaks – Temples, The Bombie, Outside Corner, The Peak and Racetracks. Waves up to an awe-inspiring (and frankly terrifying) 40ft have been seen at Uluwatu. Yet even at a more manageable size, Uluwatu is not for the faint-hearted. At 6ft and under, you'll find a crowded lineup with surfers scrabbling for that once-in-a-lifetime boast: 'I surfed Uluwatu.' Insider tip: There are three staircases leading into the famous Uluwatu cave (access to the surf), but be aware that only the third staircase stays dry at high tide. How to get there: Hire a surf instructor to get you to the break and to show you the best spot to suit your ability. Balian Beach, West Bali Balian is a rivermouth break, just far enough out into virtually unknown West Bali to avoid the crowds. Conditions are consistent and, unlike the razor-sharp rocks at nearby Medewi, the sandy bottom, with both rights and lefts, is forgiving enough to make this a good spot for learning. A drawback comes when the rainy season turns the river mouth muddy and lures the occasional bull shark. In general, though, Balian is a blissfully relaxed spot that attracts a loyal surfing community year-round. Insider tip: Pondok Pitaya, a resort right on the beach in Balian, is the ideal place to combine yoga and surfing. How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver. Balangan Beach, Bukit Peninsula An unexpectedly low-key beach-bumming vibe somehow survives at Balangan Beach on the rapidly developing Bukit Peninsula. The stilted warung (eateries) here still retain their Indonesian character, while some even have rooms overlooking the surf. Balangan is known as a swell magnet, so you're almost always guaranteed a wave here. Only on really big swells does it get heavy and barrelling, so, although it's a fast wave, it can appeal to surfers of all levels. Insider tip: Balangan is surfable at all tides, but consider taking reef booties at low tide since you need to cross an expanse of sharp rocks. How to get there: The Bukit, with its infamous traffic jams, is best accessed on a rented scooter. Hire a driver if you are not a confident rider. Keramas, East Bali Indonesia is known for its left-handed breaks, but Keramas, on Bali's south-east coast, is a world-class right-hander that barrels over a shallow reef. The spot's fame grew when it was integrated on the international surfing circuit, and these days the break can see quite intense crowds of very talented local and travelling surfers. Dawn raids or sunset sessions are the best way to avoid the crowds. The shallow reef and heavy, hollow wave makes Keramas unsuitable for learners. Insider tip: Hotel Komune has installed spotlights, making Keramas one of the few places you can surf at night (by advance booking only). How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver but there are several resorts and homestays within just a short walk of the break. Best beaches for families Sanur Beach, South Bali There's always something happening along the three-mile-plus stretch of Sanur Beach. The well-paved, tree-shaded promenade connects Bali's most appealing stretch of beachfront cafés, cocktail bars and resorts, and has surprisingly peaceful sections of white-sand beach. Man-made breakwaters and a natural barrier reef keep the waves at bay, making it ideal for children. There's also a great range of watersports equipment available for hire, from kayaks and SUPs to kite-surfing and snorkelling gear. Insider tip: There's no shortage of bicycles for rent and dedicated cycle paths on the promenade offer an appealing way to explore this stretch of coast. How to get there: Just 30 minutes by taxi from the airport. Padma Beach, South Bali More colourful and less rundown than Kuta Beach, Padma is part of the seemingly endless arc of white sand that stretches from the airport westwards to Canggu and beyond. Padma, a fascinating piece of street theatre at any time of the day, really comes into its own shortly before sunset when thousands of colourful beanbags are hauled onto the sand and barbecues are fired up. Kids love the frenetic atmosphere, fresh juices and, of course, es krim (ice cream). Insider tip: A cacophonic army of musicians begins to compete with each other as the evening progresses, making this one of the most appealing places you'll ever visit for live music. How to get there: 20 minutes from the airport by taxi. Return to index Best beaches for snorkelling Amed, East Bali With a range of countless dive sites stretched along seven miles of coastline, Amed is one of Bali's most popular dive towns. The spot known as Pyramids, just off Amed's shore, is famous for regular sightings of hawksbill and green turtles, but everywhere you go, the sea life is incredible. Good dive sites are accessible directly from the beaches but sail-rigged jukung (outriggers) can ferry you to several wreck-diving spots. Lipah Beach is a sheltered bay that tends to escape the currents. Insider tip: You can hire diving equipment and join a class through one of the dozens of Amed homestays. Pemuteran, North Bali This little town, on Bali's tranquil north coast, is an inexplicably underrated holiday destination. It has a range of affordable resorts and a tree-shaded beach that lends itself to sunbathing. Best of all, the coral reefs – both natural and rehabilitated – lie just a few metres offshore. Marine life is sometimes unexpected, to say the least; on a hot afternoon, you'll sometimes see the resident monkeys at Goa Tirta Sunia Temple swimming in the ocean. Insider tip: A less than half-hour drive west from Pemuteran will bring you to Labuhan Lalang. From here, you can arrange boat transfers to the reefs around Menjangan Island. How to get there: You'll need your own transport or to hire a driver. Return to index How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser-known corners, to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations. About our expert Mark Eveleigh I first fell in love with West Bali during a surf trip 25 years ago. Since then, I've returned at every opportunity and, whenever I'm not on assignment, I write from a bamboo and thatch house in the West Balinese village of Pekutatan.
SBS Australia
13 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Pelatih Selancar di Bali Gunakan ISL untuk Klien Berkebutuhan Khusus
Bali boasts many beaches renowned among surfers, both domestic and international. Some of the most popular beaches are Batu Bolong Beach, Bingin Beach, Padang-padang Beach, Balangan Beach, and many more. Indonesian citizen Bima Sakti is a surfer and instructor for those with hearing or speech impairments. He uses international sign language to train his clients. His career as a surf instructor using international sign language began with an incident six years ago while he was surfing in Seminyak, Bali. Bima Sakti, surfer instructor in Bali Credit: Bima Surf "I bumped into another surfer and broke my board. I was furious. It turned out he couldn't hear, so I felt bad," said the 29-year-old from West Sumatra, who has lived in Bali for almost a decade. Since then, he has been determined to learn International Sign Language, ultimately deciding to become a surfing instructor for deaf and mute clients in 2019. According to Bima, at the time, there were no surf instructors who could use International Sign Language. "At that time, I often asked deaf and mute people if they had ever tried surfing, and they said no because no one could teach them using sign language," said Bima, who is known through his Instagram account @bimasurfbali. Student caching her first wave Credit: Bima Surf "So my motivation is to give deaf and mute people the opportunity to experience surfing." Since its inception, Bima Surf School has helped more than 200 deaf and mute clients experience surfing in Bali. Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3pm. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram , and don't miss our podcasts .
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hydrofoil Surfer Chomped by 8-Foot Shark in Canary Islands
On Sunday, a UK man was downwind hydrofoil surfing off the coast of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, when a suspected 8-foot mako shark attacked his board and leg. The wounds were described as 'deep,' although the unidentified victim is expected to recover. Two large bite wounds above the man's knee can be seen in reports from the attack. Initially, the shark chomped the board, leaving noticeable gnaw marks, then it went for the flesh. Even though the man was out in open waters, in the Los Molinos area of the island, he was able to escape the shark following the attack, and make it safely to shore. From there, he was treated by emergency services. Although shark attacks are rare in the Spanish archipelago, which sits off the coast of northwestern Africa, they have happened in the past. Sadly, last year, a 31-year-old German woman died in the waters near the Canaries when she was attacked by a shark. The woman had been traveling via catamaran, then she decided to take a dip alongside the boat. A shark attacked her, ripped off her leg, and she reportedly suffered a heart attack. She was airlifted to a hospital on Gran Canaria, where she was pronounced Canary Islands have long been a rogue and rustic destination for surfers, particularly those in Europe, due to the proximity. With heaving slabs wide open to Atlantic Ocean swells, they have often been called Europe's equivalent to Hawaii. As for the shark in this rare attack in the Canaries, according to NOAA: 'Shortfin mako sharks are aggressive predators that feed near the top of the food web on marine fishes such as bluefish, swordfish, tuna, marine mammals, and other sharks.'Hydrofoil Surfer Chomped by 8-Foot Shark in Canary Islands first appeared on Surfer on Jul 23, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Shark attack off Brit hols hotspot Canary Islands as surfer mauled by beast & left with deep gashes on leg
A SURFER was bitten by shark in a horror attack just off the second largest Canary island. The man was hovering above the waters of Fuerteventura, practising the sport of Downward Foiling when the shark attacked his board and bit him deeply in the leg. 2 2 Spanish TV channel Antena 3 reported on the terrifying attack, explaining that the man was practising downwind foiling - a sport where a surfer uses a hydrofoil board to glide smoothly over the ocean's surface. The outlet published a video showing two bloody gashes just below the man's knee. His wounds - described as "deep" - gave rise to panic. Luckily, no tragedy occurred, and the man was able to make his way back to the shore in the area of Los Molinos, located on the west coast of Fuerteventura. No details are given about how the man fought off the shark. Sharks have been spotted before off Fuerteventura and beaches have had to be closed when jet ski patrols raised the alert. is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
