Salmon Rock Beach is a small sandy beach located in the seaside village of Portballintrae. Salmon Rock Beach is less than 200 metres long, sheltered on both ends by rocks protruding into the Atlantic Ocean. The rocky shoreline is filled with intriguing pools popular with locals and visitors for climbing and exploring. There is a large free car park, picnic tables and toilets. It is one of three beaches near Portballintrae, including Runkerry Beach, Bushfoot Strand and Whiterocks Beach.
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Basalt Cliffs and Headlands
You get to Portballintrae Beach, also known as Salmon Rock Beach, via Beach Road.
Portballintrae Beach is famous with both locals and visitors staying in the village. Swimming and surfing are not recommended at this beach due to strong currents, and no lifeguard is present. It is possible to bring your four-legged friend for a walk with seasonal restrictions. Two sets of steps lead down to the shore from the main road.
You get to Salmon Rock Beach via Beach Road, past the main Ballintrae horseshoe-shaped bay and Harbour. The headland, a no-through road, has a large ample car park, picnic tables and toilets. The newly constructed Portballintrae Village Hall, adjacent to the large free car park, has excellent facilities, including a play park and village shop adjacent. Many activities and events are held there, including concerts, classes, workshops and fairs in the car park during the summer months.
From the cliff, you will see the most amazing views over the basalt cliffs to the north eats and headlands of Runkerry Point to the south west across the river bush and runkerry strand beach sand dunes, with a gorgeous view of the impressive and historic Runkerry House, a stately home built in the 1860s, which is now private apartments for some lucky individuals!
