The Unforgettable Beauty of Ballintoy Harbour on the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland

Located along the stunning Causeway Coastal Route between the world-famous Giant's Causeway and vibrant Ballycastle, Ballintoy is a charming small village with approximately 200 inhabitants.

Situated just 5 miles west of Ballycastle and 17 miles northeast of the Giant's Causeway, both attractions are only a short drive away. This strategic location makes a Ballintoy beach cottage the perfect base to explore the rest of the magnificent Antrim Coast, renowned globally for its scenic beauty and proximity to iconic attractions like Ballintoy Harbour, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Giants Causeway, Dark Hedges, and Royal Portrush Golf Club.

The picturesque village was originally built with only a single street, giving it a distinctive character. In Irish, Ballintoy means "the northern townland" (Baile an Tuaigh), a name that perfectly reflects its geographical position on the northernmost tip of County Antrim. The village rose to international fame as one of the primary filming locations for the HBO television series, Game of Thrones, attracting fans from across the globe.

Administratively, Ballintoy falls within the area covered by Causeway Coast & Glens Council, formerly Moyle District Council. Ballintoy Beach is remarkably well-sheltered, making it ideal for swimming and family outings. The idyllic harbour provides a truly picturesque and tranquil setting, perfect for relaxation and a variety of outdoor activities throughout the seasons.

Exploring Ballintoy Harbour: A Photographer's Paradise

The journey to the small Ballintoy fishing harbour, less than a mile from the village, is an experience in itself. This historic harbour is steeped in Northern Ireland maritime history and offers unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding coastal attractions. Access is via a steep winding road to the harbour, which passes the striking white Ballintoy Parish Church, standing proudly on the hillside as a landmark visible for miles around.

Visitors will find ample parking facilities, though during the busy summer months, patience may be required to secure a spot. After exploring the harbour, take time to sample authentic homemade Irish fare in the picturesque and quaint Ballintoy Harbour Café, or simply enjoy freshly brewed coffee with delicious homemade cake whilst taking in the panoramic coastal views.

Ballintoy Harbour transports visitors on a journey back in time. Families can explore the fascinating rock formations with children, whilst others might prefer to relax while watching seabirds and fishing boats go by. The cliff path offers spectacular walking opportunities, and the water steps provide a perfect spot to dip your feet in the refreshing Irish Sea.

Ballintoy Harbour: From Fishing Village to Game of Thrones Fame

When Ballintoy Harbour was selected as a Game of Thrones filming location, its popularity soared to unprecedented heights. It served as the Game of Thrones filming location for Lordsport, the main port of Pyke. As one of the Iron Islands, Pyke is portrayed as the ancestral home of Theon and Yara Greyjoy in the fantasy series.

In George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, Pyke is described as an island rich with mines containing iron, lead and tin. Due to its distinctive rocky landscape, Ballintoy Harbour was deemed the perfect location to recreate the fictional island. Additionally, the sandy Ballintoy beach featured prominently in several key scenes, adding to the coastal setting's appeal for directors and producers.

The harbour first appears in Season 2 of Game of Thrones, when Theon returns home after his time as a ward in Winterfell. This significant location introduces viewers to Yara Greyjoy, whom Theon fails to recognise and mistakenly approaches as a commoner.

In subsequent episodes, the beach area by the harbour serves as the backdrop for Theon's baptism in the name of the Drowned God. Later in Season 2, the harbour appears again as Lordsport Harbour, where Theon receives a crew who show little respect for his authority.

Season 4 sees the beach transformed into a Dragonstone location, featuring in dramatic scenes where Melisandre burns bannermen who refused to abandon their worship of the original seven gods.

Ballintoy's Game of Thrones connection continued into Season 6, where the beach provided the sombre setting for Balon Greyjoy's funeral. The location also hosted scenes showing Euron's drowning and rebirth as ruler of the Ironborn, as well as Yara and Theon's desperate flight from the Iron Islands with their loyal followers and fleet.

The Secret Beach: Ballintoy's Hidden Gem

Adjacent to Ballintoy Harbour lies the aptly named Secret Beach, which also served as a filming location for several pivotal Game of Thrones scenes, including the memorable landing of Bran and Tyrion Lannister. From Ballintoy Harbour, visitors can enjoy a beautiful scenic coastal walk to White Park Bay, offering picturesque views and a truly authentic Northern Ireland outdoor experience.

The inclusion of Ballintoy in such a globally successful television series has led to a significant surge in tourism, particularly during the summer months, transforming this once-quiet fishing harbour into a must-see destination for fans of the series from around the world.

Watersports and Recreation at Ballintoy Beach

After completing the Ballintoy Harbour Game of Thrones tour, visitors can spend quality time at the stunning Ballintoy Beach. This Northern Ireland beach is celebrated for its soft golden sand, crystal-clear water, and fascinating rock pools. It presents the perfect environment for swimming or simply relaxing on the beach, which is ideal for leisurely walks while being surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty and notable coastal attractions.

The beach remains relatively secluded despite its popularity, becoming busiest during the summer months. The safe shoreline makes it particularly suitable for families with children of all ages.

For those seeking more adventure, sea kayaking in Ballintoy has become an increasingly popular activity. Numerous kayaking tours depart from the area, offering unique perspectives of the rugged coastlines and clear waters. While many tours originate in Ballycastle and include Ballintoy on their route, visitors can also rent kayaks directly and explore the sea around the small fishing harbour at their own pace.

Discovering Ballintoy Harbour Caves

At first glance, Ballintoy Harbour might appear somewhat tranquil, but the North Coast location offers unique coastal experiences amidst beautiful surroundings, abundant wildlife, and fascinating local attractions. A walk around the harbour reveals numerous small caves and sea caverns waiting to be explored.

These intriguing caves, or coastal hollows, provide fascinating exploration opportunities for visitors of all ages. While there aren't interconnecting tunnels linking these caves, and they don't extend deeply into the cliffs, they nonetheless constitute an interesting natural attraction to discover while touring the Ballintoy Game of Thrones locations and wider Causeway Coast.

Wildlife Wonders: Birds, Orchids, and Butterflies

Located close to the hamlet of Portbradden, with access gained via a short walk along the coastal rocks, Whitepark Bay boasts a magical white sandy beach that stretches along a graceful curve for 3 miles. Its rocky western side is bordered by impressive limestone cliffs, creating a truly spectacular setting that is absolutely worth visiting.

For those seeking nearby accommodation, Harbour Cottage in Ballintoy offers stunning sea views and comfortable amenities, making it an ideal choice for both family holidays and romantic coastal getaways.

The natural dunes and rolling green hills provide an impressive backdrop for visitors and serve as critical habitats for diverse fauna and wildlife. This beach is highly regarded for swimming and surfing opportunities and offers stunning panoramic views towards the Scottish Island of Islay and Northern Ireland's own Rathlin Island. The entire area is also excellent for cycling and coastal walking.

The area enjoys protected status under the National Trust of Northern Ireland, which provides comprehensive online information about the remarkable orchids, butterflies, birds, and wildlife of Whitepark Bay.

One notable bird species found at Whitepark Bay is the Spring Fulmar, which patrols the limestone cliffs while entertaining visitors with their distinctive cries. These remarkable seabirds only come to land during the breeding season and spend the remainder of the year far out at sea. They are related to the albatross family and can be easily identified by their characteristic stiff-winged flight pattern.

An impressive nine different orchid species can be found flourishing at White Park Bay, making it a haven for botanists and nature photographers.

During the butterfly season, which runs from April through September, seventeen different butterfly species can be spotted fluttering from flower to flower across the coastal meadows, adding vibrant colour and movement to this already spectacular landscape.

Conservation Efforts Along the Causeway Coast

The National Trust actively engages members of the public and visitors to help record special bird species along this section of the coast. White Park Bay is regarded as a valuable conservation site, and there are several bird species that conservationists are particularly keen to monitor, as some are classified as Species of Conservation Concern. These include the meadow pipit, fulmar, and ringed plover. Others face even greater challenges and are classified as Priority species, including the song thrush, grasshopper warbler, skylark, and linnet.

Portbraddan: Ballintoy's Charming Neighbour

One of the most serene locations along the entire Causeway Coast is undoubtedly Portbraddon, situated close to Ballintoy. It is located on the western side of Whitepark Bay, with Ballintoy Harbour positioned at the bay's eastern extremity.

Harbour Cottage stands as an ideal coastal getaway near Ballintoy, perfect for families and couples alike, with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and picturesque surroundings making it a sought-after holiday accommodation.

Countless visitors from across Northern Ireland and indeed worldwide have fallen in love with the outstanding natural beauty of this secluded and captivating tiny hamlet and harbour, tucked away beneath the imposing cliffs.

Although the approach drive to the harbour follows a winding and steep route, it rewards travellers with spectacular panoramic views across Whitepark Bay and the wider Causeway Coast.

The charming church at Portbraddon is widely believed to be Ireland's smallest church, adding a unique cultural element to any visit.

Due to limited parking facilities, visitors cannot typically stay for extended periods unless they are fortunate enough to be staying at one of the self-catering seaside cottages in the immediate vicinity.

Whether you come to Ballintoy for its Game of Thrones connections, its outstanding natural beauty, its rich maritime heritage, or simply to experience authentic Northern Ireland coastal culture, this remarkable destination on the Causeway Coast promises memories that will last a lifetime.