Benone Strand, Co. Derry — Swimming, Tides, Access & Sea Temperature Guide | Wild Beauty

Swim map › Co. Derry › Benone Strand
Wild Atlantic Way · Co. Derry

Benone Strand

Benone Strand — blue flag seven-mile strand in Co. Derry.

🏳️ Blue Flag beach 🏖️ Blue Flag seven-mile strand 🛟 Lifeguarded (summer)
See live tide, wind & sea temp →
County
Derry
Type
Blue Flag seven-mile strand
Coast
Wild Atlantic Way
Live data
Tide · wind · sea temp

About Benone Strand

Benone Strand is a magnificent seven-mile ribbon of golden sand at Magilligan in County Londonderry, running beneath the great cliff of Binevenagh with the hills of Donegal across the water.

Wide, firm and Blue Flag, it's one of the finest beaches on the whole island — big enough for driving, walking, swimming and every kind of watersport without ever feeling crowded.

Swimming & safety

Benone Strand is a Blue Flag beach for 2026 — certified water quality, good facilities and lifeguard cover through the bathing season. Lifeguards patrol through the bathing season (roughly June to September), with RNLI lifeguards on the main strands. Swim within the flagged area when they're on duty, and mind the tide, currents and any offshore wind.

Tides & conditions

The beach changes through the day with the tide, and swimming can shift from easy to lively as the wind and swell get up. Check the live tide, wind and sea-temperature page for Benone Strand before you travel — you can scrub forward to any date to plan a swim.

Getting there & facilities

You can drive onto and park on the strand, and there's a tourist complex with facilities near the entrance. RNLI lifeguards patrol in season. Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne sit dramatically on the cliffs just to the east.

Nearby

From Benone Strand, Mussenden Temple, Downhill Beach and the Magilligan Point ferry to Donegal are close by.

Reviews

See what other swimmers and visitors say — read reviews of Benone Strand on Google Maps →

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to swim at Benone Strand?

It depends on the tide, wind and swell. Check the live tide, wind and sea-temperature page for Benone Strand and pick a calm window around the right state of tide.

Is Benone Strand a Blue Flag beach?

Yes — Benone Strand holds a Blue Flag for the 2026 season, with lifeguard cover through the summer.

Is Benone Strand lifeguarded?

Benone Strand has lifeguards through the summer — see the safety notes above.

What is the sea temperature at Benone Strand today?

The current sea temperature and its 24-hour trend are shown live on the conditions page for Benone Strand.

Swim safe. This guide is for information, not a safety service — always assess conditions yourself, mind rip currents and swell, swim near a lifeguard where possible, and follow Water Safety Ireland guidance. Blue Flag status and lifeguard cover change year to year — verify locally before travelling.

← Live swim conditions for Benone Strand