Prime Coastal Homes in Northern Ireland
If you are seeking prime coastal homes, Northern Ireland’s extensive shoreline offers an exceptional range of locations to explore.
Whether you’re looking for the peaceful coves along the North Down Coast or the exciting, wild headlands of the Causeway Coast, these exclusive waterfront locations attract discerning homebuyers seeking space, privacy, and sophistication. Best of all, all are still within easy reach of the capital.
The North Down Coast: Seaside living close to the city
The North Down Coast, which runs east from Belfast towards Bangor, is widely considered one of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious property belts. Living here offers the convenience of city access with the calm of seaside town and village life, as well as some of the finest coastal homes in the country.
Holywood
Holywood, which often features in the best places to live in Northern Ireland tables, is a thriving coastal town. It is both cosmopolitan and refined, with boutique shops, cafés, and galleries lining the high street. It has a lovely community atmosphere, excellent local schools, and residents benefit from a short rail journey into Belfast.
Holywood is a perennial favourite with families and professionals who appreciate a relaxed seaside setting without giving up urban amenities.
Properties in Holywood range from stone-built cottages and handsome Victorian townhouses to new-build apartments with Lough views.
Cultra
Neighbouring Cultra is synonymous with exclusivity. Large, detached residences sit amid mature trees, many with direct access to the shoreline. It’s a peaceful, affluent area with a long-standing sailing tradition centred around the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club.
Cultra’s proximity to The Royal Belfast Golf Club, one of Ireland’s oldest and most beautiful golf clubs, is also a major draw. The course sweeps towards Belfast Lough with elegant, tree-lined fairways.
Cultra also has its own train station, ensuring effortless travel to Belfast or Bangor.
The nearby Ulster Folk Museum and local walking trails through woodland and parkland add to its appeal.
For those seeking exceptional properties offering space, discretion, and waterfront views, like its neighbour Holywood, Cultra remains one of Northern Ireland’s most desirable addresses for coastal homes.
Helen’s Bay
Further along the coast lies the beautiful village of Helen’s Bay, where wooded landscapes meet sheltered, secluded beaches. Here you can find the golden sands of Crawfordsburn Country Park, framed by forest trails and sea views that feel a world away from the city.
There is also a 9-hole golf course and resort at Helen’s Bay Golf Course. Set above Belfast Lough, this course enjoys sweeping views across the water, and on a clear day can offer distant views towards Scotland.
There is a welcoming clubhouse and a relaxed atmosphere, while nearby Helen’s Bay and Crawfordsburn offer two of the area’s loveliest sandy beaches, perfect for a stroll after a round. Helen’s Bay also benefits from its own rail station, connecting directly to Belfast.
There are also a number of local shops serving the community. A favourite is Helen’s Bay Organic, a family-run farm shop that specialises in fresh organic produce, artisan foods, and seasonal vegetables grown right on site.
Helen’s Bay Organic is a favourite among locals for quality, provenance, and friendly service, the perfect complement to Helen’s Bay’s healthy, coastal lifestyle.
Properties in the village are typically substantial, detached homes surrounded by greenery, ideal for buyers who want privacy, natural beauty, and convenience in equal measure. Homes here are rarely available, a reflection of just how desirable Helen’s Bay has become.
The Causeway Coast: Rugged beauty and coastal prestige
The celebrated Causeway Coastal Route is a spectacular drive of approximately 130 miles (209km) linking Belfast to Derry-Londonderry and showcasing a wilder side of coastal living.
Here you can enjoy some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, including the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and the haunting ruins of Dunluce Castle.
The scenery is dramatic, with endless beaches, and the property market offers everything from seaside apartments to striking clifftop coastal homes.
Portrush
Portrush combines the vibrancy of a seaside resort town with the prestige of world-class sport. Home to the Royal Portrush Golf Club, which regularly hosts The Open Championship, this picturesque town offers an enviable blend of recreation and relaxation.
Portrush has several lovely beaches which are perfect for walking, swimming, and surfing, as well as a choice of great shops and amenities.
Along its streets, grand terraces stand beside modern apartments, with many having direct views across the Atlantic. Portrush appeals to those who value a sociable community, golf heritage, and the energy of coastal life.
Portstewart
A short drive away, Portstewart offers a slightly gentler pace. Centred around the iconic Portstewart Strand, a two-mile National Trust beach, the town has developed a lively café culture, with a good range of shops, and a friendly year-round community.
Elegant Victorian terraces overlook Portstewart’s promenade, while contemporary homes line the surrounding hillsides.
Homebuyers are drawn to Portstewart and its coastal homes for its broad sands, stylish restaurants, and proximity to the region’s natural and cultural landmarks.
Castlerock and Downhill
For those who prefer quiet seclusion and panoramic views, Castlerock and Downhill are ideal. These villages offer unspoilt beaches, dramatic coastal walks, and a slower pace of life.
The Mussenden Temple, perched high above the Atlantic, provides one of Ireland’s most breathtaking viewpoints.
Castlerock has all the essential shops you may need for day-to-day living and is well connected, with its own rail service linking to Derry-Londonderry and Belfast.
Downhill tends to have local cafes and bakeries, with residents using Castlerock for their shopping. Homes here often sit on generous plots, with many enjoying uninterrupted sea views, making this area a haven for those seeking privacy and nature.
Connectivity
Getting around these areas couldn’t be easier. The Belfast–Bangor railway line links Holywood, Cultra, and Helen’s Bay directly to the city, while the Causeway Coast line connects Portrush and Castlerock to Derry-Londonderry and Belfast.
For drivers, well-kept coastal roads make commuting and weekend exploring just as straightforward.
George Best Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport are within easy reach of Holywood, Cultra, and Helen’s Bay, while the City of Derry Airport is close to properties on the Causeway Coast.
Living by the coast here means you can start the school run or office commute with a sea view, yet still be in the heart of Belfast or Derry-Londonderry in under an hour, a rare balance that’s hard to find elsewhere.
How Garrington can help
Northern Ireland’s coastline remains one of the UK’s most rewarding places to call home.
At Garrington Property Finders, we’re here to assist you in sourcing and acquiring the finest coastal homes, both on and off-market, across Northern Ireland.
Whether you’re looking for a waterfront residence in Cultra, a period villa in Holywood, or a contemporary retreat along the Causeway Coast, our local experts can help you identify and secure the right property with confidence, and support you through the whole home-buying process.
Please contact us today to see how Garrington Property Finders will help you find your dream coastal home, so you can start living a truly exceptional lifestyle on the Northern Ireland coast.
