Island Magee (or Islandmagee) is a peninsula on the Antrim Coast just north of Belfast - about 8 miles long and 2-3 miles wide, connected to the mainland near Whitehead and running parallel to the coast to Larne, forming Larne Lough. Locals call it simply “the island,” and it has a genuine maritime tradition, having produced a disproportionate number of noted mariners for its size.
Beaches
Brown’s Bay, on the northwest end, is the well-known option - good parking, facilities, and a wide sandy beach, popular on warm weekends. For something quieter, the northern coastline has several small beaches tucked between rocky promontories, with Portmuck a good choice. The southern side, facing Larne Lough, is gentler but not ideal for swimming.
Sailing
The Island Magee Sailing School offers courses up to Yacht Master level, for those wanting more than a beach day.
The Gobbins Cliff Path
Built by railway engineer Berkeley Deane Wise and opened in 1902, the Gobbins Cliff Path is a dramatic, nearly 3-mile Victorian engineering feat hugging the cliffs along the peninsula’s rugged northern coastline - bridges, tunnels through rock, and paths following the natural line of the cliffs. It’s not a forgotten ruin today - after falling into disuse for decades, it underwent a major restoration and now operates as a managed visitor attraction with guided tours, reopened as of 20 March 2026 per Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Book ahead through the official Gobbins visitor centre rather than attempting to find informal remains.
The Wider Peninsula
Beyond the beaches and the Gobbins, Island Magee is genuinely quiet - scattered farms, small country lanes, and a real concentration of holiday cottages and B&Bs, making it an accessible, low-key escape within easy reach of Belfast.
