Cornwall St Ives Beaches England drone video

Best beaches when you visit the St Ives area
Our guide to St Ives best beaches and when to visit.
St Ives has some of Cornwall’s best beaches –that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it? Each beach has its own personality and offers something unique from its neighbours.

So, where do you want to lay your towel? Working from west to east, here’s our guide to St Ives beaches.

Porthmeor Beach
A sweep of sand between rocky headlands, overlooked by Tate St Ives, Porthmeor is home to a fantastic café and take away and bakery. Learn to surf, explore the rockpools, lie on the sand, or eat like a king: you could easily spend the whole week here.

Best for: surfing and breakfast



Porthgwidden Beach
Porthgwidden is a sandy cove tucked under The Island, lined with beach huts, and with an inviting café. Lovely all year round; however it has a special, wilder appeal in the winter.

Best for: lazy lunches or coffee on a cold day

Bamaluz Beach
This secret cove is reached through the back streets. It’s secluded and has a mix of sand and scrambly rocks. The fab thing about Bamaluz is it’s dog-friendly all year.

Best for: four-legged beach fans

Lambeth Walk Beach
This tiny stretch of pebbles and sand joins Harbour and Porthminster Beaches at low water, and vanishes at high tide. Dogs are welcome all year.

Best for: pebble balancing and dogs

Porthminster Beach
Porthminster is the ideal family beach. When the tide is low, the shallow waters are perfect for paddling, and there’s lots of sand for digging, building and ball games. There’s a choice of places to eat and drink.

Harbour Beach
Jump over the rows of ropes at low tide and search for sea glass on the town’s central beach. Grab an ice-cream or fish’n’chips, and lean against the wall for the nicest al fresco meal in Cornwall (always put someone on Gull Guard Duty).

Best for: atmosphere

Carbis Bay Beach
Reach this beautiful bay from Porthminster Beach along the coast path. Try sailing or stand-up paddleboarding, visit the beachside restaurant, or simply enjoy the Mediterranean vibe.

Best for: kayaking and ocean canoeing