Whiterocks, Portrush

Whiterocks, Portrush works best on a north-west swell with a south wind, which blows offshore there. It is a beachbreak with shifting peaks over sand, and rides run about 50 to 100m. Best tide: All tides. In 2023–2025 the wind blew offshore for 4+ daylight hours on 44% of days, and Whiterocks, Portrush had rideable surf (2+ stars) on 85% of days.

February is the most reliable month at Whiterocks, Portrush: in 2023–2025 it had good surf (3+ stars) on 79% of days. The best run of months is January, February and December, and winter (December to February) is the strongest season overall. Offshore winds are most common in January, when they blow for 4+ daylight hours on 53% of days. For good winter days, Whiterocks, Portrush ranks 1st of the 10 Northern Ireland breaks we track. Winter often gets too big: 36% of December to February days were 8ft or more.

Yes, better than most UK breaks: Whiterocks, Portrush had rideable surf on 77% of June to August days in 2023–2025. Good (3+ star) days made up 30% of summer, and August was the best summer month (84% rideable). The sea reaches about 16°C by late summer. For summer consistency it ranks 1st of the 10 Northern Ireland breaks we track.

At Whiterocks, Portrush you need a 5/4 from December to May, a 4/3 in June and from September to November and a 3/2 from July to August. Wear boots through the 5/4 months, and add a hood and gloves from January to April, when the sea is under 10°C. In February, the coldest month, Whiterocks, Portrush had good surf on 79% of days, against 42% in August. The sea is coldest in February at about 9°C and warmest in August at about 16°C, while the air reaches about 9°C on a February afternoon.

On a typical day the best surf at Whiterocks, Portrush is about 6.3ft in winter and 2.7ft in summer. It was 8ft or bigger on 15% of days in 2023–2025, most often in February. It was flat on 6% of days, most often in May.

Yes. Whiterocks, Portrush is one of the better places to learn in Causeway Coast, with sand underfoot and gentle whitewater on small days. The gentlest months that still have surf are April, July and August.

Yes when it's small, but know this. Rips on bigger days, cold water and rocks at the ends of the beach. We know of no lifeguard cover, so never surf it alone.

Busy at times. Busy in summer. For more room, try Portballintrae (4 km away) and Castlerock (12 km away).

Follow the A2 coast road east from Portrush for a few minutes. Portrush station has trains from Coleraine and Belfast. Where to stay: Hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks in Portrush and Portstewart.

Close to Whiterocks, Portrush: East and West Strand in Portrush, and Portstewart Strand to the west.