This beach offers the finest golden yellow sand. The esturary runs to the sea making the divide between HayleTowans and Lelant beach. Please note it is not safe to swim in the estuary and it is prohibited because of strong currents.
Just outside St Ives, surrounded by hills for protection, is a popular sheltered family holiday beach.
This large, sheltered, sandy St Ives beach is great for families, close to all facilities and home to the excellent Porthminister Beach Cafe.
Miles and miles of the flattest, golden sand make Gwithian popular amongst kitebuggyers and horse riders. Dramatic cliffs and windswept sand dunes give this beach real wilderness appeal.
Just below the crazy white geometry of the Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach is a busy slice of seaside life. Surfing, sunbathing, beach cricket, sandcastles, ice creams - grab a piece of the action.
This large expanse of sand next to Hayle Estuary is popular with dog walkers. The dunes back onto the village of Lelant, where the path from St Uny church links up to the South West Coast Path, giving access to the beach and estuary via the dunes.
At low tide this stretch of beach joins up with neighbouring Gwithian to create a long, impressive swathe of sand. It is fairly exposed, so can be quite windy. The lighthouse at it's northern tip was made famous in Virginia Woolfe's 'To The Lighthouse'.
Below St Ives Museum, between Porthgwidden beach and the harbour, this ia a sheltered little spot. The Breakwater is a secret surf hotspot when conditions are right. In a pretty big northerly swell, it breaks in a long left-hander.
Sat between Hayle Towans and Mexico Towans, Black Cliff beach takes its name from the dark cliffs that shoulder it. Offering some shelter by the cliffs and dunes, this sandy beach has a cafe and toilets at its approach and is a short drive from Hayle's many shops and eateries. There are often shallow pools left at low tide perfect for kids.
A small sandy beach (low tide only) with access at the northern end of Smeaton's Pier. One of few beaches in the area where dogs are welcome year round.
'With miles of stunning Beaches near St Ives we have listed 21 of the very best beaches St Ives has to offer. Exclusively reviewed by people who have been there.'
14 September 2025
This beach offers the finest golden yellow sand. The esturary runs to the sea making the divide between HayleTowans and Lelant beach. Please note it is not safe to swim in the estuary and it is prohibited because of strong currents.
31 July 2023
Just outside St Ives, surrounded by hills for protection, is a popular sheltered family holiday beach.
18 August 2019
This large, sheltered, sandy St Ives beach is great for families, close to all facilities and home to the excellent Porthminister Beach Cafe.
6 June 2012
Miles and miles of the flattest, golden sand make Gwithian popular amongst kitebuggyers and horse riders. Dramatic cliffs and windswept sand dunes give this beach real wilderness appeal.
30 May 2012
Just below the crazy white geometry of the Tate St Ives, Porthmeor Beach is a busy slice of seaside life. Surfing, sunbathing, beach cricket, sandcastles, ice creams - grab a piece of the action.
15 April 2012
This large expanse of sand next to Hayle Estuary is popular with dog walkers. The dunes back onto the village of Lelant, where the path from St Uny church links up to the South West Coast Path, giving access to the beach and estuary via the dunes.
20 January 2010
At low tide this stretch of beach joins up with neighbouring Gwithian to create a long, impressive swathe of sand. It is fairly exposed, so can be quite windy. The lighthouse at it's northern tip was made famous in Virginia Woolfe's 'To The Lighthouse'.
Below St Ives Museum, between Porthgwidden beach and the harbour, this ia a sheltered little spot. The Breakwater is a secret surf hotspot when conditions are right. In a pretty big northerly swell, it breaks in a long left-hander.
Sat between Hayle Towans and Mexico Towans, Black Cliff beach takes its name from the dark cliffs that shoulder it. Offering some shelter by the cliffs and dunes, this sandy beach has a cafe and toilets at its approach and is a short drive from Hayle's many shops and eateries. There are often shallow pools left at low tide perfect for kids.
A small sandy beach (low tide only) with access at the northern end of Smeaton's Pier. One of few beaches in the area where dogs are welcome year round.