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"Sand as white as snow swirls like smoke around my feet"

Helen's Bay

Down, Northern Ireland


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Helen's Bay is a charming seaside spot located on the County Down Coast, offering a sandy beach, scenic views, and a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.

Helen's Bay is a popular sandy beach backed by the town of the same name and a golf course, and bordered by the picturesque Grey Point. The village of Helen's Bay was built in the mid-19th century after the construction of the Belfast and County Down Railway, with aspirations of becoming a luxury holiday resort for visitors from the city.

The closest city to Helen's Bay is Bangor, but it is also close to Belfast, making it very popular with day trippers. The railway station is only about 500 meters from the beach, providing easy access for visitors.

The sands at Helen's Bay shelve gently into the sea and the water is very clean, making this a good destination for summer bathing. The beach is considered to be one of the best in the Belfast area, but this means it can get quite busy at peak times.

The local area is a haven for wildlife. Visitors can look out over Belfast Bay for seals and porpoises which can sometimes be spotted off-shore. During the summer months, eider ducks and terns can be spotted in the surrounding area. In winter, wading birds make their home here.

The beach is backed by Helen's Bay Golf Club, and also by Crawfordsburn County Park where visitors can enjoy tranquil footpaths leading through fields and wooded areas. The park boasts a spectacular waterfall. There is a car park along Grey Point, about 100 meters from the beach, and public toilets are also located here. Visitors can also explore Grey Point Fort, a gun emplacement built in 1904 and improved during the Second World War, which is home to a small museum.

Sand

Weather and tides for Saturday 19 July

Today
Chance of rain 10%
Max temp. 20°C
(feels like 18°C)
Wind 11mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 9%
Min temp. 15°C
(feels like 15°C)
Wind 4mph

The tide at Helen's Bay is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 5:59 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 12:29 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   13.5°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Popular Activities

    Sunbathing
  • Features

    Country park Golf
  • Parking

    Parking available - a charge applies.

  • Lifeguard

    No lifeguard cover at this beach

  • Awards

    Marine Conservation Society Recommended

Recommended holiday cottages near Helen's Bay

Things to do and see in the area

Grey Point Fort (0.1 miles)
Crawfordsburn Country Park (0.8 miles)
Marine Gardens Coastal Walk (2.5 miles)
Pickie Family Fun Park (2.6 miles)
Cultra Manor (2.8 miles)
Ulster Folk & Transport Museum (2.9 miles)
Bangor Castle Walled Garden (2.9 miles)
Omeya Day Spa (3 miles)
The Culloden Estate & Spa (3 miles)
North Down Museum (3.2 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Helen's Bay

County: Down

Country: Northern Ireland

Local Authority: North Down

Nearest postcode: BT19 1LD

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Helen's Bay, Down, Northern Ireland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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18.97.14.84 Sat, 19 Jul 2025 02:37:32 +0100