Tullan Strand
About
The long beach on the Ballyshannon side of town, and the reason Bundoran calls itself the surf capital. It runs for more than two kilometres from the cliffs below the Fairy Bridges north to the mouth of the Erne estuary, backed by high dunes, and it picks up swell on days when everywhere else is flat. That is why the surf schools teach here: the peaks nearest the cliffs get fast and hollow at low tide and mellow out further down the strand. It is also a Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point, the first one in County Donegal if you are driving north. What it is not is a swimming beach. The bathing-water profile published by Discover Bundoran says it is not advised to bathe at Tullan because of a strong rip current, so swim at the main beach or in the sea pools and leave Tullan to the surfers, the walkers and the horses from the equestrian centre. The car park at the end of Tullan Strand Road fills early on a summer weekend.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Voted Ireland's best beginner surf beach by Red Bull in 2016, as Discover Bundoran tells it
- ✓High dunes running north towards the Erne estuary
- ✓Views back to the Dartry Mountains and across to Mullaghmore
- ✓The Fairy Bridges on the cliffs at the town end
Tips
- →Do not swim here: Discover Bundoran's bathing-water profile warns of a strong rip current. Surf with a school or swim at the main beach.
- →Park at the car park at the end of Tullan Strand Road and walk down; it fills early on summer weekends.
- →Low tide is when the peaks by the cliffs are at their best, which is also when they are busiest.
