The coastline of St Ives is a trove of sandy shores and picturesque views. So, it can be tough to determine which among the many St Ives beaches is the “best”. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the 12 most popular beaches in St Ives, based on ratings and reviews from various online sources. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day by the ocean or some exciting waves to surf, this list has got you covered. Let’s take a look!
Best Beach in St Ives
Carbis Bay Beach
- Address: Carbis Bay Beach, Bay, Beach Rd, Carbis Bay, Saint Ives TR26 2NP, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (1655)
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
5 Replies to The 12 Most Beautiful Beaches in St Ives
Leave Reply
Top 12 Most Beautiful Beaches in St Ives
St Ives Harbour
- Address: Wharf Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1LH, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (1272)
- Reviews:
Easily one of the most beautiful locations in England. I’ve had the good fortune to only ever visit when the sun is out/the weather is great. Lots of places to eat and drink, lots of activities for all ages. Several ‘beaches’, decent walks, a fair few shops and plenty of parking. Whilst exploring I’ve also noticed loads of places available to rent in and around the town. Visited several times over the years, doubtless I’ll return soon.By Ian Foster (4 months ago)Lovely place but way too much conflict between pedestrians an traffic on the promenade, I’d highly recommend parking out at the Rugby Club and taking the bus down into town. Regular service and very reasonable price. Watch out for the Seagulls they are expert at snatching food from your grasp.By Les Robinson (5 months ago)A beautiful harbour with lots of history and a nice beach section also. Plenty of stuff to do on the harbour side as well as on the streets setback from harbour on all sides.
Definitely worth visiting given its significance to the history of St Ives as well as all local shops offering food, drink and products.
By Vikash Gandhi (6 months ago)Very nice harbour, busy and car parks full but we went on bus from holiday home. Lots of great shops and boat tours. Sea comes in fully at high tide.By Darren Cope (6 months ago)St.Ives really is the Jewel-in-the-crown when it comes to Cornwall. Even more so when you consider St.Ives Bay as a whole.
The harbour itself is brimming with character, so old it’s had hundreds of years to of matured into the haven it is today!It has so much to offer. From its charming galleries/art shops, gifts, clothing, eateries and bars/pubs through to amusements and boat rides it offers plenty for everyone.
Take a walk around the cobbled streets, or down onto the beach when the tide is out, you can even walk right out past the harbour entrance at its most low point.
We coming back time after time, there’s good reason for it!By Gareth Taylor (7 months ago)
Porthgwidden Beach
- Address: Porthmeor Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1NR, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (1074)
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
A beautiful, clean beach with toilets close by and a beachside cafe. We set up our tent and spent a good few hours here in the rock pools, paddling in the sea, relaxing and building sandcastles. Lots of dogs but all well behaved. The cafe was a little pricey but its the closest place to eat nearby however the portions are a good size and the food was good too. We loved it so much we came back the next day and it was just as beautifulBy Jemma Aspden (6 months ago)Loved this beach. Many benches to sit on at the top with lovely view of the beach, and plenty food and gifts shops around. The waters are clear and clean and the sands are soft on your feet.By Temmy’s Kitchen (2 months ago)Living in Cornwall I never get bored of a lovely sandy beach. The colour of the water around here is amazing, we heard reports of dolphins but unfortunately wasn’t blessed enough to see them this day. This is a January review meaning lots of space and had a quiet stroll on the lovely little beach.By Ben (10 months ago)each visit I make to St. Ives I always end up on Porthgwidden Beach ….hands down a stunning location. I’ve seen dolphins in the bay from here. It’s small yet cosy beach – ideal for young and old
Many happy hours spent on Porthgwidden beach 🥰By SARA HARRIS (11 months ago)One of the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. Neat and clean. Good for kids. Really loved it.By Amruth Raj R (4 months ago)
Porthmeor Beach
- Address: Porthmeor Beach, Porthmeor Hill, Saint Ives TR26 1JU, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (594)
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
My wife, our younger daughter and I came on Nov 5, 2022. We saw many learner-surfers having fun there on a rainy Saturday morning. They made the beach interesting.By Peter Kam Fai Cheung (a month ago)Lovely beach with plenty of sand when the tide is out. Lots of places to eat and drink that are close by and a great place to visit/day out – especially if you have little ones. There is also a nice pathway for a high-level coastal walk.By Vikash Gandhi (6 months ago)This is a great beach!! Itsgot the perfect slope for bodyboarding and paddling in. The sand is nice, there’s a small bit of pebbles near the high tide line but then it’s sand all the way to low tide. There’s a few dink and food shacks near the top and the toilets are nearby.By Andrew Sykes (4 months ago)Absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful beach, soft sand and clear water 💧 The parking is next to the beach. We’ll surely visit again.By Temmy’s Kitchen (2 months ago)Outstanding, wonderful, beautiful beach with azure blue waters and soft, sticky sand underfoot. Plenty of space as well and well served by local facilities and cafes. Popular for surfing and swimming.By Philip (3 months ago)
Porthminster Beach
- Address: Porthminster Beach, Carbis Bay, Saint Ives TR26 2EB, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (578)
- Website: Link
- Reviews:
Beautiful beach with stunning views. The sand is perfectly golden and clean and the sea is blue. You could sit here and think you are abroad.
The beach is quite a good size. Toilets and cafes near by, Plus changing huts on site.
A lovely beach to have a swim in the sea, relax on the beach or walk the dogs (between 1st Oct and 14th May)By Gemma (2 months ago)Lovely beach, very big and sandy.By Cristina Iordache (3 months ago)Beautiful beach. During the holidays they will have a group of volunteers doing activities with children
Can hire kayaks, paddle boards and deck chairs from nearby shops. Have toilet facilities. Parking isnt the best on a busy day so be mindful of that. Once the tide has gone out you can walk to the other beach.By Yaz B (5 months ago)One of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall. Golden sands, amazing weather and crystal clear water and St Ives is picturesque as it is. If in the area, definitely visit. Parking is an issue, we went at half term and in the end I used the Just Park app as we were just going from car park to car park. The beach was dog friendly in the first week of June, but there maybe restrictions during the busier months. There are free toilets nearby too. Just check before you go.By Manjit Dhillon (6 months ago)Lovely beach, family friendly, with good waves and clear waters. The beach bar is great too. If you get there early enough you can get parking at the Station long stay carpark which is a short walk from the beach.By Kit Patel (3 months ago)
Bamaluz Beach
- Address: Bamaluz Beach, Wheal Dream, Saint Ives TR26 1PR, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (509)
The Island
- Address: 6 Burrow Rd, Saint Ives TR26 1PL, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (478)
Carbis Bay
- Address: Carbis Bay, Ludgvan, Carbis Bay, Penzance TR26 2NN, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (99)
St Ives Head
- Address: Island Rd, St Ives, Saint Ives TR26 1NT, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.9 (49)
Harbour Sand
- Address: Harbour Sand, Saint Ives TR26 1LP, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (43)
Porthkervis
- Address: Unnamed Road, Saint Ives TR26 3AE, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.9 (16)
St Ives harbour
- Address: 7 Quay St, Saint Ives TR26 1PS, United Kingdom
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (13)
That’s it for our list of the best beaches in St Ives! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers. And don’t forget to check out some of the other posts on our blog for more travel inspiration. Happy beachcombing!
You can’t fault this beach. Such a gorgeous treasure. The waves are very gentle, not as strong as other Cornish beaches. If you climb up to the rocks on the left, you can catch some crabs too.
What a place and what a world class beach!
In my opinion Carbis Bay beach is one of the very best beaches in and around St Ives, the centre of St Ives gets very busy as do the beaches round there, Carbis Bay we found to be less busy which helped us enjoy it more.
Plenty space on the beach for all to enjoy!
Anybody that struggles with walking please be aware, getting up and down to the beach there is quite an incline and decline (depending on where youre residing), if you’re fragile and struggle with inclines etc please check before going down as you’ll have to come back up which may prove difficult.
Amazing beach with beautiful clear water. Lots of water sports on offer on the beach. The water was very calm on the day we went so was perfect for paddle boarding which was roughly £12. This was my kids favourite beach. There are shops and cafes you can buy pizza, sandwiches, ice cream and drinks. There is a train that stops just by the beach. We would highly recommend Carbis Bay for a great family fun day out.
A great beach! There is parking at the Carbis Bay Hotel, it is limited but it is £20 per day!!! There are other car parks down the road but you must be prepared to walk up and down a really steep hill.
We parked at St Erth train station. It’s around 10 minutes away. £3.90 all day parking and jump on the train and next stop is Carbis bay
⭕️This place (the beach, the city) made this summer much more beautiful and unforgettable. ❤️😍A very quiet place🌿, very clean, the sand is so soft, the rocks at the edge of the beach make you think you have the mountain behind you, and the way down to the beach is such a beautiful experience🍃. The view from the top of the beach is wonderful🤩. I will definitely visit this place again, and this time I have to catch the sunset and the sunrise.🧡☀️