A hidden-gem white-sand beach beneath Slievetooey mountain on the Wild Atlantic Way, backed by cliffs honeycombed with more than 20 sea caves you can walk into at low tide. It is a 15-minute drive from Ardara, Co. Donegal.
At low tide you can walk into a network of more than 20 sea caves, 8 arches and 5 tunnels cut into the cliffs at the south end of the strand. Bring a torch — the caves are dark — and never enter unless you have checked tide times, as the tide floods back in quickly.
Maghera Beach runs for almost 5km when the tide is out, with fine white sand, dunes for shelter and craggy cliffs overhead. It is a 200–400m stroll from the car park down to the sand; the views open up as you clear the dunes.
Sand martins nest in the cliffs and Burnet moths live among the sand dunes, so keep an eye out as you walk. The beach feels quiet and under-explored, and you will often have it nearly to yourself outside summer.
The waterfall is only about 1km away (roughly a 2-minute drive, and walkable from the car park). It is at its most spectacular after heavy rain and has its own small parking area.
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