Swell Otter
Whiterocks surf guide Portrush's Atlantic beach
Whiterocks is a long sandy beach below white limestone cliffs on the Causeway Coast, picking up Atlantic swell from the north. Here's when it works, who it suits and where to go when it doesn't.
Live Whiterocks, Portrush forecast, tides and camsOverview
Positives
- Picks up Atlantic swell from the north
- Stunning white cliffs
- Close to Portrush
- Good for learners and improvers
Negatives
- Cold water
- Exposed to wind
- Busy in summer
- Rips on bigger days
Whiterocks is the jewel of Northern Ireland's surf coast. A long sandy beach just east of Portrush, it sits below bright limestone cliffs on the Causeway Coast, facing north into the Atlantic. The swell wraps around the top of Ireland and rolls in onto the sand, giving waves for everyone from first-timers to seasoned locals.
It's also part of a string of good beaches around Portrush, which is its secret weapon. If Whiterocks is too busy or too windy, another beach nearby might be perfect.
The break lowdown
The wave
Whiterocks is a sand-bottomed beachbreak with peaks along its length. The waves are usually friendly and forgiving, but on a good swell they can have real punch. The banks shift with the storms, so the best peaks move from season to season.
It faces north into the Atlantic and catches swell that wraps around the top of Ireland.
The beach is long enough to spread out on, so even on a busy day you can usually find a peak of your own.
Who it suits
Beginners and intermediates will love it. The waves are friendly, and there are surf schools in Portrush. Experienced surfers will enjoy the bigger days, and the reefs along the coast.
When to go
Swell, wind and tide
Whiterocks needs a NW swell, from the north or north-west. The wind you want is S (south), which blows offshore. It works at all tides.
The beach is exposed to the wind, so the best days come with a light southerly. When the wind is wrong, the other beaches around Portrush, facing slightly different ways, might be cleaner.
Season by season
Over three years (2023 to 2025), Whiterocks had a surfable session on about 94% of winter days and 77% of summer days. The best months are usually February, March and December. The sea runs from about 9°C to 16°C.
Autumn and winter bring the most swell, as the Atlantic storms track past the north of Ireland. Spring can be good, but the water is cold. Summer is smaller but still picks up something fairly often, and it's a great time to learn.
Weather and water
| Winter | Spring | Summer | Autumn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfable days | 94% | 80% | 77% | 88% |
| Typical surf | 6ft | 3ft | 3ft | 4ft |
| Offshore days | 51% | 42% | 36% | 46% |
| Sea temp | 10°C | 10°C | 15°C | 14°C |
| Wetsuit | 5/4, hood | 5/4, hood | 4/3 | 4/3 |
| Air, day high | 9°C | 13°C | 18°C | 13°C |
| Air, night low | 4°C | 6°C | 12°C | 8°C |
| Rain a month | 101mm | 91mm | 117mm | 111mm |
| Wet days a month | 17 | 17 | 21 | 18 |
Pack a 5/4 with hood, boots and gloves for winter and a 4/3 for summer. Seasonal averages from three years (2023 to 2025) of Open-Meteo history for this break.
Travel information
Getting there and where to stay
Follow the A2 coast road east from Portrush for a few minutes. Portrush station has trains from Coleraine and Belfast. There's a car park at the beach. Stay in hotels, B&Bs and caravan parks in Portrush and Portstewart.
Getting around
Whiterocks is a few minutes east of Portrush on the A2. A car makes it easy to check all the nearby beaches, but Portrush station is close enough to walk from, and the town is small.
Off the water
The Giant's Causeway is a short drive east along the coast, past the ruins of Dunluce Castle on its cliff. Portrush has a famous golf course, plenty of cafes and a lively seafront. The Causeway Coast is one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland.
Hazards
Rips form on bigger days, and there are rocks at the ends of the beach. The water is cold, so bring a good wetsuit. The beach gets busy in summer, so be patient and share the waves.
Handy hints
- If it's onshore here, check the other beaches around Portrush. One of them may face a better way.
- A south wind is offshore at Whiterocks.
- Autumn and winter bring the most swell.
- Bring a good wetsuit. The water is cold for most of the year.
Nearby breaks
If it's too busy or too windy at Whiterocks, try East Strand or West Strand in Portrush, or Portstewart Strand to the west. Each one faces a slightly different way, so one might be cleaner. And if you're up for a ferry trip, Thurso East in Scotland picks up the same northern swells.
Check the live Whiterocks forecast before heading out.
Tom Otto
Tom Otto built Swell Otter, the free surf forecast for the UK, and writes its spot guides. Every guide is checked against years of wave, wind and sea temperature history for the break, so the advice matches the numbers and not just the postcards.