Warrenpoint Officially Recognised as Bathing Site

Warrenpoint is one of seven new bathing sites in the north officially recognised by the Assembly, joining Cranfield and Newcastle and other already designated sites.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir made his announcement during Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s 2025 Beach and Marina Awards on Tuesday 6 May. To be identified, sites must meet certain criteria, including number of bathers or people using the site and the availability of facilities.

DAERA carries out regular testing of these formally identified bathing waters to ensure they are safe for bathing and releases this information to the public on a weekly basis during the bathing season, which runs from 1 June to mid-September each year.

DAERA also works closely with the bathing water operators through the Department’s Better Beaches Forum to focus efforts on improving water quality; improving beach cleanliness, signage and facilities management; and keeping people informed about Northern Ireland’s beaches.

Announcing the new bathing water sites, Minister Muir said: “Northern Ireland has some of the best beaches and bathing waters in these islands. Up until now, Northern Ireland has had 26 formally identified bathing waters.  I am delighted to announce that I am adding a further seven sites to this list before this year’s bathing season.

“To provide confidence to the public, my Department regularly monitors these sites during the bathing season, which runs from 1 June to mid-September. The information is publicly available to allow bathers to make informed choices as to when to swim. 

“My Department also supplies this important information to Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful to be used in the assessment for the prestigious Blue Flag Awards that we are here to celebrate today."

The new bathing water sites will be formally identified in the legislation before 1 June 2025.

New Sites

Brompton Bay (Bangor)
Cushendall
Donaghadee
Drain's Bay
Portmuck
Rea's Wood (Antrim)
Warrenpoint

Existing sites

Ballycastle
Ballygally
Ballyholme
Ballyhornan
Ballywalter
Brown’s Bay
Carnlough
Castlerock
Cloughey
Cranfield
Crawfordsburn
Groomsport
Helen’s Bay
Kilclief
Magilligan Benone
Magilligan Downhill
Millisle
Murlough (Co Down)
Newcastle
Portballintrae Salmon Rock
Portrush Curran (East Strand)
Portrush Mill (West Strand)
Portrush Whiterocks
Portstewart
Tyrella
Waterfoot