Kitesurf Travel Guide: Benone Strand, Derry

Everyone who kitesurfs Northern Ireland eventually ends up talking about the Causeway Coast, and most of that conversation is about Portstewart and Portrush. A few miles further along, Benone Strand gets overlooked for no good reason: it is one of the longest beaches in Ireland, wide open to a north facing fetch, and genuinely established among the region's winter wavesailors and kitesurfers.

Why Benone Strand?

Benone Strand stretches for roughly seven miles along County Londonderry's coast, backed by dunes, with the hills of Donegal visible across the water.

→ The beach faces almost due north, which means winds from west through northwest arrive cross to cross-onshore, the preferred setup for clean wave riding here, while a southwest wind can work too though it is less reliable.

↳ Because the beach is so long, riders have multiple launch options along its length, which spreads out the crowd and gives you room to find your own stretch of sand even on a busy day.

The spot has built a real following among Northern Ireland's wave sailing community, including visits from professional PWA World Cup windsurfers, yet it remains far less talked about nationally than Portrush or Portstewart just up the coast. Part of that is simple geography. Benone sits a little further from Northern Ireland's biggest towns than the more famous Causeway Coast breaks, which keeps it a destination you have to actually plan a trip for rather than a stop on the way to somewhere else.

Getting There and Getting Around

Benone sits on the Causeway Coast, within reach of Northern Ireland's main airports.

Fly into Belfast International Airport (BFS), about an hour and 15 minutes away by car.
→ City of Derry Airport (LDY) is closer, roughly 30 to 40 minutes to the west.
↳ A car is necessary to reach Benone itself, with beach parking available directly off the coast road, and multiple launch points to choose from along the sand.

Limavady and Castlerock, both a short drive away, make reasonable bases, with Coleraine a bit further inland offering more choice for food and lodging.

When to Kitesurf

Winter is the strongest season for wave riding at Benone, when Northern Ireland's Atlantic weather fronts bring regular, lively wind, though late autumn and early spring also deliver strong conditions. The region is windy enough to kite year round with the right gear.

Safety notes: Rips are present and should be respected at this exposed Atlantic beach. The stretch of sand running west from the main parking area can close to the public when military firing is taking place nearby, and that section also has notably soft sand, so check local signage before heading that way. RNLI lifeguards patrol Benone on a seasonal schedule through spring and summer, with daily cover in the height of the season and reduced hours either side, and the standard rule applies outside those hours: no flags means no lifeguards. Autumn and winter sessions call for a thick wetsuit, boots, gloves and a hood, with smaller kites for the stronger winds that come with the season.

Kitesurf Spots

Benone Strand main beach: A long, open north facing beach with multiple launch points and a cross to cross-onshore setup on west through northwest winds.
Wave: Exposed Atlantic swell, genuinely good for wave riding when the wind lines up.
Level: Intermediate to advanced, given the exposure and seasonal wind strength.
Magilligan estuary (nearby): A flat water alternative just along the coast, suited to blasting rather than wave riding.
Wave: Flat water with strong currents in places, so caution is warranted.
Level: Intermediate, due to the currents.

Where to Stay

→ Limavady, Castlerock and Coleraine all sit within a short drive of Benone, with Coleraine offering the widest range of options.

Budget ($)

Golden Sands Caravan Park, Benone
A caravan park right on the Benone complex, about as close to the launch as you can base yourself.

Mid-Range ($$)

Lodge Hotel, Coleraine
A well regarded hotel in Coleraine, around 20 minutes from Benone and close to the wider Causeway Coast.

Luxury ($$$)

Guesthouses in Castlerock
A handful of larger guesthouses in Castlerock offer a more comfortable upgrade with sea views, closer to Benone than staying in Coleraine.

Food and Drink

Benone's own cafe and amenities:
→ The Benone complex has basic food options on site, a convenient stop right after a session.
Castlerock and Coleraine pubs:
↳ A short drive away for a proper sit down meal, with fresh seafood a regular feature on Causeway Coast menus.
Giant's Causeway area:
A worthwhile detour further along the coast on a flat wind day, with plenty of cafes near the visitor center.
Limavady's town center:
The closest proper town to Benone, with a reasonable spread of takeaways and pubs for a simple post session meal.

Photographing Benone Strand (Surf Snaps)

Seven miles of open sand with a kite silhouetted against the Donegal hills across the water is a genuinely dramatic shot, and this stretch of coast gets far less photographic attention than Portrush just up the road. If you catch a session at Benone, you can upload the gallery to Surf Snaps and keep full copyright over every image while setting your own price. Riders can then browse Surf Snaps to find their session by spot and date, with photos starting from $8 and no account needed just to look.

FAQ

Is Benone Strand good for beginner kitesurfers?
It suits intermediate and advanced riders best, given the exposure and seasonal wind strength, though the long beach does offer room to practice away from the busier launch points.

When is the best time to kitesurf at Benone Strand?
Winter brings the strongest, most consistent wind for wave riding, with late autumn and early spring also delivering good conditions.

What hazards should I know about at Benone Strand?
Rip currents, a section of beach that can close for military firing with notably soft sand, and lifeguard cover that is seasonal and flag dependent are the main hazards to know before heading out.

How do I get to Benone Strand?
Fly into Belfast International Airport or the closer City of Derry Airport, then drive to the Causeway Coast and Benone, with beach parking available directly off the coast road.

How can I get photos of my session at Benone Strand?
Search Surf Snaps by spot and date for a gallery from your session, or upload your own if you were shooting.