St Ives has six beaches within a 20-minute walk of each other, and they are all genuinely different. Porthmeor faces north-west and catches Atlantic swells; Porthminster faces south-east and barely gets a ripple. The harbour beach is a working quay with fishing boats; Porthkidney is a mile-long stretch of empty sand backed by dunes.
The town sits on a narrow headland between Penzance and Camborne on the north Cornwall coast. What was once a pilchard-fishing port has become one of the most visited seaside towns in the UK, and the beaches are the main reason.
Most of the beaches sit within a few minutes’ walk of the town centre, its restaurants, galleries, and the branch-line train station. Here’s what each one is actually like, and where to stay near them.
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor is the surf beach. It faces north-west into the Atlantic and picks up consistent swell year-round, with several surf schools operating from the beachfront. Lifeguards cover the beach from May to September.
Beyond surfing, Porthmeor is a regular Blue Flag award winner with clean sand and good water quality. The Porthmeor Beach Cafe sits right on the sand, and the Tate St Ives gallery overlooks the beach from the headland above.
For a place to stay within walking distance, Porthmeor Beach House is a five-bedroom cottage 300m from the sand that sleeps nine - good for larger groups. Walters on The Digey is a four-storey cottage for four with sea views, steps from the beach, and dogs are welcome. For couples, Spindrift is a one-bedroom dog-friendly cottage above Porthmeor with a garden.
Porthminster Beach
Porthminster is the family beach. It faces south-east, which means it is sheltered from the prevailing winds and the water is calmer than Porthmeor. The sand is golden and the beach is Blue Flag rated.
It is one of the closest beaches to St Ives train station - a two-minute walk downhill from the platform. Lifeguards are on duty in summer, and there is an 18-hole mini-golf course along the back of the beach. The Porthminster Beach Cafe is well known for its seafood and al fresco terrace overlooking the bay.
Porthminster Penthouse is a three-bedroom property sleeping six, 400m from the beach, with parking. St Ives View is a three-storey cottage with sea views, a BBQ terrace, and Porthminster 500m away - it sleeps six across three bedrooms. For a smaller group, 5 Lyonesse Apartments is a dog-friendly one-bedroom flat 300m from the beach with parking included.
St Ives Harbour Beach
St Ives Harbour Beach is a working harbour with a sandy beach at low tide. It sits right in the town centre, surrounded by cafes, ice cream shops, pubs, and galleries along the Wharf.
The harbour is where you can book boat trips to Seal Island, fishing excursions, and coastal cruises. The water is calm and sheltered by the harbour wall, and children can watch the fishing boats come and go. At low tide there is plenty of sand; at high tide the beach shrinks considerably.
Mordros is a three-bedroom apartment for six with sea views overlooking the harbour - dog-friendly with parking. Arghanti is a two-bedroom duplex in the town centre, 200m from both the harbour beach and Porthminster, and accepts dogs. For a bigger group, St Ives Town House has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, sleeps eight, and allows up to two dogs.
Porthkidney Beach
Porthkidney is the quiet one. It sits about a mile east of the town, between Lelant and Carbis Bay, and at low tide stretches close to a mile long. The Hayle estuary meets the sea at the eastern end, and the dunes behind the beach are part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
At the northern end there is a surf break called Hawk Point that works on bigger swells. Swimming is not recommended near the river mouth - the currents are strong and there is no lifeguard cover. The trade-off is space: even in August, Porthkidney rarely feels crowded.
This is the most reliably dog-friendly beach near St Ives, with no seasonal dog restrictions. Surf Haven is a contemporary one-bedroom annexe in Hayle, 1.6km from Porthkidney, that’s dog-friendly with parking and a garden. The Stable Barn is a two-bedroom cottage sleeping four with an enclosed garden, 3km from the beach.
Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay is about a mile south of St Ives town centre - reachable on foot along the coast path or by the branch-line train (one stop from St Ives). The beach faces south and is sheltered from both wind and waves, which makes it one of the warmest swimming spots on this stretch of coast.
The sand is wide and golden, the water is clear, and there is a beach shop and cafe by the car park. It is a strong choice for families with younger children who want calmer conditions than Porthmeor.
Plenty of cottages near Carbis Bay are available, including several that are dog-friendly. Sea Breeze is a two-bedroom garden apartment 100m from the beach with a BBQ and parking. 7 Atlantic Watch has a hot tub on a seaward terrace and sits 200m from the sand, sleeping four. Moonsail is a ground-floor, dog-friendly apartment with a hot tub, sleeping four - 200m from the beach and wheelchair accessible.
Porthgwidden Beach
Porthgwidden is the smallest of the six, tucked below the Island headland on the north side of town. It faces east, which gives it morning sun and shelter from the prevailing south-westerlies. Snorkellers use the rocky outcrops on either side, and at low tide the rockpools are worth exploring with children.
A row of colourful beach huts line the back of the beach and can be rented by the day. There is a small cafe and public toilets. Parking is at the Island car park above - arrive early in summer as it fills fast.
Treloyhan Manor Hotel sits above Porthmeor and Porthgwidden with sea views, and is rated 9.2 on Booking.com. Mount Pleasant is a dog-friendly three-bedroom cottage with parking, a short walk from both Porthgwidden and the harbour.
For more on the town itself - restaurants, galleries, parking tips - see our full St Ives town guide. You can also browse all properties near St Ives or find a place to stay across Cornwall.
