With over 200 kilometres of diverse coastline to explore, Northern Ireland is a great destination for your wild swimming adventure.
The popularity of wild swimming continues to grow, with links being drawn to the long-term benefits of cold-water immersion. These include better sleep, helping to lower and manage stress and anxiety levels, and reducing blood pressure.
If you are considering taking to the open water, either for exercise or the cold water benefits, we strongly recommend doing your own research ahead of time, and especially if this will be your first swim, be vigilant of your limits and your ability level. One common top tip is not to attempt to jump straight in to cold water; if you are not acclimatised, the low temperature of the water can astound you and lead to shock. Instead, pace yourself, walk/dip yourself in slowly and control your breathing. This is an activity where a little preparation makes all the difference.
>>> For tips and advice on how to enjoy the open water safely please visit RNLI <<<
Things to bring when going wild swimming
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A changing towel or robe
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Pre-filled hot water bottle, to heat you up after getting out of the water
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Flask of tea or a hot beverage
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Warm socks and gloves
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Warm coat
Where to go wild swimming in Northern Ireland
We reached out to local members of the wild swimming community for their favourite swimming spots in Northern Ireland, and these were the most recommended.
- Ballygally Beach, Ballygally, County Antrim
- Bloody Bridge, Ballahbeg, Newcastle, County Down
- Brompton Beach, Bangor, County Down
- Browns Bay Beach, Islandmagee, County Antrim
- Cushendun Beach, Cushendun, Ballymena, County Antrim
- Gawley’s Gate, Lough Neagh, County Antrim
- Gortin Glen Lakes, Gortin, County Tyrone
- Herring Pond, Portstewart, County Londonderry
- Kilclief Beach, Strangford, County Down
- Crawfordsburn Country Park, County Down
- Loughmacrory Lough, County Tyrone
- Muckross Bay, Kesh, County Fermanagh
- Orlock Point, Donaghadee, County Down
- Oxford Island, Lough Neagh, Craigavon, County Armagh
- River Bann, Coleraine, County Londonderry
- Waterfoot Beach, Glenariff, Antrim Glens, County Antrim
- Whitehead, County Antrim
If you enjoy wild swimming in any of these locations or others, why not share your experience and join the conversation on social using #EmbraceAGiantSpirit
Escape to Ballygally Beach, just 10km north of Larne on the Causeway Coastal Route. Enjoy a scenic walk, fun sandcastle building, or a refreshing swim at this family-friendly seaside destination.
This scenic walk leads from the Bloody Bridge car park along the edge of the Bloody Bridge River and back again.
Browns Bay is a charming rural beach nestled in a scenic sandy cove at the northern tip of Islandmagee, just off the Causeway Coastal Route. It's an ideal spot for picnicking, walking, swimming, windsurfing, or simply soaking up the natural beauty of the outdoors.
Cushendun is a beautiful seaside village on the North Coast alive with small shops and pubs. A series of scenic paths wind through the village, beach front, harbour, and Glendun river.
There are over 10km of walking trails, a 6km scenic drive, wildfowl enclosure and deer enclosure and a new children's playpark to enjoy and explore.
Kilclief Castle was built between 1413 and 1441, reputedly by John Sely, bishop of Down. This makes it the earliest datable tower-house in County Down and is often used to date other tower-houses in the County.
This walk ambles through a hay meadow, which is full of wild flowers in the summer months. The route then leads along sandy beaches, including Crawfordsburn Beach and Helen's Bay. Grey Point Fort is a restored coastal battery.
Oxford Island National Nature Reserve is a peninsula created by successive lowering of Lough Neagh. Four miles of footpaths, five birdwatching hides, woodland, ponds, wildflower meadows, picnic and play areas.
