St Ives - Glorious Beaches

Many of St Ives visitors are drawn to the town by the spectacular sea and coast which surrounds us.  The beaches in the town regularly win the coveted Blue Flag awards for cleanliness, with the flags proudly flying over Porthmeor and Porthminster beaches in 2011. 

With large and small beaches facing different points of the compass, the town has beaches for all tastes, be it the quaint charm of small Porthgwidden, the traditional Porthminster Beach, or Porthmeor Beach popular with families and surfers making the most of the Atlantic swell.

Porthmeor Beach

is the largest beach. Due to its westerly facing, it is popular with families and surfers alike. During the summer the waves are generally more mellow, ideal for family body boarding or surf lessons at the Surf School which runs all summer. Autumn then brings in the Atlantic weather systems which can produce excellent surfing conditions, best watched from the cafe with a large cappuccino. Porthmeor Beach Restaurant is ideal for enjoying a meal overlooking the beach while the sun sets over Mans Head

 Porthmeor Beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer season.

Surfing Page for those interested

a quiet September Day at Porthmeor

 
Porthmeor Beach with mellow learning waves,
and then the first of the September swells

Sunny Beach, new friend

 

a Sunny June day at Porthminster
and on a Sunny Winter morning

 

Porthminster Beach

is also a family beach. Retaining the 1930's feel, the beach has
a putting green and chalets and is well protected by the town and
piers. The beach has cafes at each end and boasts one of St Ives' most popular restaurants where you can enjoy a fine meal overlooking the beach.

Porthminster Beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer season

Porthgwidden Beach

is a much smaller beach, nestling between 'the Island' and the old pier.
 Usually the quietest beach in the town it is ideal for those seeking a little peace and quiet.

Patrolled by lifeguards during the summer season

Take a tour of the bay under your own steam in a self drive hire motor boat
Or relax and take in the view

 

The Harbour Beaches

at the Smeatons pier end of the Wharf and beside the old slipway. 
These are increasingly popular and of course are right in the heart of the town (although all the beaches are never far away).

Carbis Bay Beach

serves those living and staying in Carbis Bay, being particularly well sheltered by Porthminster Point.
You may also see the St Ives Gig Club practising or as here, holding a race day against teams from around Cornwall. 
Gig rowing is a traditional Cornish sport which is currently undergoing a huge revival, with many towns in Cornwall now having their own gig club.

In the winter, the sea can take on a totally different character, with the winter storms which shaped the Cornish Coastline creating the most dramatic seascapes. Nothing blows the cobwebs away better than a walk along the beach during a winter gale. 

With it's history of fishing and the sea, St Ives is also very proud of it's Lifeboats, which look after the users of the sea and coastline, and are celebrated each year on Lifeboat day in August.  The town has had lifeboats for over a century, from the wind and oar powered boats of yesteryear, to the current Mersey Class lifeboat The Princess Royal and the D Class Inshore lifeboat of today, which are housed in the new lifeboat house in the harbour.