Best rated beaches in Northern Ireland revealed at international Blue Flag Awards for 2024

Beaches and marinas across Northern Ireland have been named the best in the country after meeting world-class standards at the Blue Flag Awards 2024.

Blue Flag is an international award presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.

This year, five council areas have been rewarded for their work in maintaining environmental excellence.

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Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful announced that nice beaches and seven marinas have earned the prestigious award distinction for their commitment to safety, accessibility, cleanliness, environmental education and water quality.

Blue Flag Beach Award winners 2024:

• Benone Beach

• Castlerock Beach

• Cranfield Bay

• Downhill Strand

• Murlough Beach

• Portrush East Strand Beach

• Portrush West Strand Beach

• Tyrella Beach

• Whiterocks Beach

Blue Flag Marina Award winners 2024:

• Ballycastle Marina

• Ballyronan Marina

• Bangor Marina

• Belfast Harbour Marina

• Coleraine Marina

• Portrush Harbour and Marina

• Rathlin Marina

The local success does not end with the Blue Flag - further six beaches received Seaside Awards which are the UK’s mark of quality that ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive, and well-managed coastal stretch.

Seaside Award winners 2024:

• Ballycastle Beach

• Ballywalter South Beach

• Cloughey Beach

• Groomsport Beach

• Millisle Beach

• Waterfoot

Dr Ian Humphreys, CEO of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said: "We are incredibly pleased to see so many local beaches and marinas have been successful at this year’s awards.

"Each flag shows the public that these are sites worth visiting and cherishing. Keeping our beaches tidy is essential to our environmental and economic future.

"I want to thank the many workers across winning sites who helped make this happen. Their work is critically important in making Northern Ireland a place with the best European beaches and marinas.’

The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said: “I am delighted that once again so many of Northern Ireland’s beaches have received the coveted Blue Flag and Seaside Awards, and that our first-class marinas have also been recognised.

"These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who manage our beaches. The awards let our citizens and people around the world know that Northern Ireland is open for business and that our beaches and marinas are clean, well-managed and safe to enjoy.”

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