Short birdwatching visit · Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Benone Strand
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Year-round; Kittiwake in summer
- Headline birds
- Black Guillemot · Eider · Kittiwake
- Parking
- Free parking is listed at the beach entrance, with disabled parking spaces available.
- Hides
- Not stated by the operator
- Step-free
- Not stated by the operator
County Londonderry
Benone Strand gives a broad, public beach from which to scan the north coast for seabirds. The official Binevenagh bird guide names Black Guillemot and Eider offshore throughout the year and Kittiwake in summer. The council’s beach entrance provides a practical starting point, with parking and accessible toilets, rather than a search through private dunes. Birding here shares space with walkers and watersports, so choose a quiet watching position and give birds room. The beach and dune landscape forms part of the protected Magilligan coast. Follow activity zones and local notices, especially when firing-range restrictions affect the direction of Magilligan Point.
Birds and seasons
- Black Guillemot · Headline bird — Year-round Source for Black Guillemot
- Eider · Headline bird — Year-round Source for Eider
- Kittiwake · Headline bird — Summer Source for Kittiwake
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Paths
- Use the public beach entrance and established beach route. Do not enter fragile dune areas to approach birds.
- Toilets
- The council lists accessible toilets at the beach facilities.
- Parking
- Free parking is listed at the beach entrance, with disabled parking spaces available.
- Dogs
- Dogs are allowed with restrictions from 1 June to 15 September; follow current beach signs and activity zones.
- Access notes
- The council lists specialist beach equipment in July and August, subject to pre-booking; check current arrangements before travelling.
- Step-free access
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
Getting there: The council entrance is at 53 Benone Avenue, off the A2 Seacoast Road. Check local signs because the route towards Magilligan Point may close when the firing range operates.
Sources
Nearby special trips
- Oronsay · 64.5 straight-line miles
- Stevenston Point · 89.2 straight-line miles
- Ben Lomond · 110.4 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Lough Foyle, 11.1 miles away in a straight line.
- Gortmore Viewpoint · 1.3 miles in a straight line
- Magilligan Point Nature Reserve · 3.8 miles in a straight line
- Portstewart Strand and Bann Estuary · 6.0 miles in a straight line