Bundoran: Beaches, Surfing and Coastal Walks

Bundoran combines beaches and surfing with coastal walks, leisure activities and golf. If you’re planning a hotel stay, you can choose your destination based on whether water sports, walks or a particular leisure activity is your main priority.

Beaches, Surfing and Water Sports

Bundoran Beach is a sandy beach with views of Donegal Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is 250 m from Bundoran’s Main Street. Tullan Strand is 2 km long and stretches from the northern edge of Bundoran to the mouth of the Erne at Ballyshannon. The two beaches can therefore be distinguished by their locations and the coastal stretch described.

A surf school registered with the Irish Surfing Association operates from Bundoran and Rossnowlagh. It offers lessons year-round for adults and children aged eight and over. All skill levels are welcome, and all equipment is provided. Tullan Strand is popular with experienced surfers; advanced surfers can book lessons at a nearby surf school, with boards, wetsuits and transport.

SUP tours from Bundoran run from May to September and offer exercise as well as coastal views. This makes their season different from the surf school’s year-round lessons. If SUP is important to your trip, plan around this period and check tour availability for your travel dates.

Coastal Walks and Local History

The Rougey Walk is a moderately difficult circular route with views of the Atlantic Ocean. It takes in Rougey and Bundoran’s lively Main Street, starts at the Tourist Office and passes WaterWorld and Bundoran Beach along the promenade. Take care on exposed sections in windy or wet weather. The Fairy Bridges can be reached from the main beach via the Rougey Walk.

The Fairy Bridges are a natural rock arch in the cliffs near Bundoran; their blowholes date back to the 18th century. The West End Cliff Walk has a different focus: it also starts at the Tourist Office and follows a cliff path through the West End. This lets you choose between a circular route that takes in Rougey and Main Street and a walk through the West End.

For a walk with a historical focus, the Bundoran Historical Walking Trail takes a leisurely route through the town and offers an insight into its history. The Bundoran Sculpture Trail is free to explore. Both add a look at the town’s history and art to the cliff walks.

Leisure Activities and Golf

WaterWorld Bundoran offers extreme slides and attractions for children at least 1.1 m tall, including Tornado, Twister, Whizzer and Gravity. The Aqua-Blue slide is intended for children under 1.1 m. Check the current height restrictions before your visit, as facilities and rules may change.

Bundoran Adventure Park is a family-friendly amusement park on Bundoran’s waterfront promenade. Attractions include rides, Adventure Golf, petrol go-karts and an amusement arcade. The park is also home to Pirates Cove Adventure Golf, a pirate-themed miniature golf course. The park’s seasonal opening times may vary; Pirates Cove may also be subject to seasonal availability. Check the information for your travel dates.

Bundoran Golf Club was founded in 1894. Its challenging links course is set on a rugged headland above Donegal Bay on the Wild Atlantic Way. The course has 18 holes and a par of 70, and was designed by Harry Vardon. Bundoran therefore offers a distinct focus for golf enthusiasts alongside its beaches and water sports.

Discover more destinations: Donegal, Ramelton, Pettigo, An Charraig, Treantagh, Ballygorman, Figary, Carndonagh.

For the broader travel overview: County Donegal.