The changing face of The Sea
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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 again in 2004.
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:
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Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor is the largest beach. Due to its westerley
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.
Porthmeor beach |
a quiet September Day at Porthmeor
Porthmeor Beach with mellow learning waves,
and then the first of the September swells
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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 of the beach, 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
Porthminster beach
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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. Porthgwidden Beach also boasts a popular
restaurant over the beach.
Porthgwidden Beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer
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Porthgwidden beach
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The Harbour Beaches
at the Smeatons pier end of the Wharf and beside the old slipway are increasingly popular and of course are right in the heart
of the
town (although all the beaches are never far away). From here you can also
hire a self drive motor boat to tour the bay under your own steam
The Harbour beach
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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 practicing
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.
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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.
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