One of the things that makes St Ives so special is that every beach has its own personality.
You could spend a whole week here and never visit the same beach twice. Some are made for surfers, others for families, and some simply invite you to sit quietly and watch the waves roll in.
These are the beaches we find ourselves returning to every year.
The Best Beaches in St Ives: Our Family Favourites
Porthmeor Beach
If I had to choose one beach that captures everything I love about St Ives, it would probably be Porthmeor.
It has that classic Cornish surf atmosphere, with golden sand stretching out towards the Atlantic and some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll find anywhere in the town.
Whether you’re watching surfers from the shore, enjoying lunch overlooking the sea or simply taking an evening stroll, Porthmeor always feels full of life.
It’s also a brilliant place to book a surf lesson if you’ve ever fancied giving it a go.
Harbour Beach
Harbour Beach changes throughout the day, which is part of its charm.
At low tide, families spread out across the sand, children paddle in the shallows and dogs race along the shoreline during the permitted hours.
At high tide, the whole harbour takes on a completely different feel, with fishing boats gently bobbing on the water and cafés buzzing with people enjoying the view.
It’s one of our favourite places to simply sit and watch the world go by.
Porthminster Beach
If you’re looking for somewhere a little calmer, Porthminster is a lovely choice.
The water often feels gentler, making it ideal for swimming or simply relaxing with a book while listening to the waves.
It has a quieter atmosphere than Porthmeor and is somewhere we often wander to when we’re looking for a slower afternoon.
Porthgwidden Beach
Porthgwidden is one of those beaches that’s easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there.
Tucked away near the Island, it’s smaller, quieter, and has become one of our favourite places to explore with Bob as he can go on this beach without restriction at the time of year we visit.
It feels like one of St Ives’ little hidden gems and has a brilliant cafe above.
Which beach should you choose?
Honestly? Visit them all. One of the joys of staying in St Ives is being able to beach hop without getting in the car, and if you’re happy to walk a little further, follow the coast out towards Carbis Bay too.
Carbis Bay is technically just outside St Ives, but it absolutely deserves a place on this list, especially as one of our favourite ways to reach it is on foot.
The walk from St Ives towards Carbis Bay is beautiful, following the coastline with glimpses of turquoise water appearing between the trees as you go. And when you finally drop down towards the beach, it almost feels like you’ve arrived somewhere completely different.
We love combining the walk with time on the beach before slowly making our way back towards St Ives. It’s definitely one to allow a few hours for rather than simply ticking it off as another beach.
And on a sunny day, when the water turns that beautiful shade of blue, you could quite easily convince yourself you’re somewhere much further from home.
Some days you’ll want the buzz of Porthmeor. Other days you’ll find yourself drawn to the calm of Porthminster or sitting on Harbour Beach with a glass of wine from Silco, watching boats come and go.
The Best Beaches in St Ives: Our Family Favourites
I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x
