Causeway Coastal Route

Portmuck

Photograph of Portmuck beach on a summer's day

Portmuck is located on the eastern side of Islandmagee 5km from Brown’s Bay at the tip of the peninsula. It has a pier to fish from and a delightful tiny beach.

It is reached via a narrow road from  Mullaghboy which is 1km long and 16% steepness in places so it is not suitable for buses or heavy vehicles. It has a small car park, picnic tables and public toilets. There are places suitable for a wheelchair to be situated.

There are two walks, both quite challenging, leading from the car park. One goes north to Skernaghan beside Brown’s Bay owned by the National Trust and the other goes south, close to the Isle of Muck, a protected bird sanctuary managed by the Wildlife Trust. Access to this island is not permitted and the sea is dangerous due to strong tidal influences. 

Go to the NI Direct website to find the water quality results that this beach has achieved this season.

The views from Portmuck are spectacular, with the Antrim Coast headlands receding into the distance. P&O ferries cross the horizon several times a day. The beach is sometimes a landing place for kayakers who want to navigate the eastern waters of Islandmagee especially the dramatic Gobbins bridges and cliffs only 7km to the south. The area is of geologic interest for rocks and fossils and is a protected ASSI site.

Please remember to check the weather forecast and sea conditions before visiting beaches.

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