Cloughey Bay

Beach/ComboCo. Down🐾 Dog rule not verified

A large, relatively undiscovered ~1.5-mile golden sand bay on the east side of the Ards Peninsula, DAERA 'Excellent' rated, popular for windsurfing and kite-surfing as well as fishing.

📍 View on the map

Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Hazards: No RNLI lifeguard cover found; no specific hazard advisory located. Unlifeguarded, and the bay's popularity with windsurfing/kite-surfing means checking for water users before swimming is sensible.

Amenities: toilets · car-park

Dogs

No beach-specific byelaw found on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's dog-control pages (checked directly). Tourism sources describe the Warren area as dog-walker-popular with no restriction mentioned, but this is unconfirmed against an official byelaw — treat as likely dog-friendly, not certain.

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Family

Big open bay with toilets and car parking, but exposed to wind (which is exactly why windsurfers/kitesurfers like it) — less sheltered than the Down coast's smaller coves.

Fishing

North-coast and County Down surf beaches can support bass, flatfish, dogfish, winter whiting and occasional rays.

Species reported: Bass, Flounder, Dab, Lesser-spotted dogfish, Whiting, Rays

Access & parking

Car park with toilets at the bay.

Researched 2026-07-24 — sources & disclaimer

https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/northern-ireland/county-down/cloughey-bay.htm

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/2025-bathing-water-profiles

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-bathing-water-quality

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.