St Ives Beaches

St Ives is blessed with more than its fair share of beautiful beaches, two of which are Blue Flag status meaning they meet the world's highest possible standards in areas including water quality, beach facilities and cleanliness. Each beach has its own charm and appeal; there are busy family beaches to popular watersports venues and wide-open flat sands and tucked away hidden suntraps. Most of the beaches employ fully qualified Lifeguards during the summer months

Porthmeor Beach
A popular beach with the local surfing fraternity, with surf instructors available for lessons for the more adventurous. Porthmeor faces North/North west and is overlooked by The Tate Gallery. It is in close proximity to all the town's amenities. There is a café/restaurant, plenty of toilets and a shop where you can rent everything from a surf board to a snorkel. This is a great spot to watch the sun go down

Porthgwidden Beach
Just over the headland from Porthmeor Beach, to this smaller but perfectly formed golden cove of a beach.  The beach is a favorite with families as it's compact size means you can keep a close eye on the children without them wandering too far!  It also has a rather good café/restaurant, with takeaway facilities.

Bamaluz Beach
Known locally as the 'secret beach'' this is the on the other side of the harbour wall between Smeaton's Pier and Porthgwidden Beach.  The sand is only visible at low tide and is the site of the famous story 'Soggy Bear' by location author Phil Moran.  This tiny beach is always quiet, even in the summer and there are lots of huge boulders to clamber over.  Reached by steep steps you can also visit the St Ives Museum perched at the top.

Harbour Beach
Obviously this is the most sheltered of the St Ives Beaches as it is set within the harbour walls, a mere six minute walk from the Hotel. Postcard Picturesque with a multitude of boats moored on the sand and views across the St Ives Bay. The Harbour beach is a little sun trap and popular when the wind is up on the other bigger beaches. 

Porthminster Beach
A One kilometre long yellow sand beach popular with holiday makers and locals. At one end is the Porthminster Café/Restaurant, a renowned restaurant with a national reputation. At the other end is a takeaway serving the 'poshest' beach snacks - everything from bacon sarnies and fantastic barbecued burgers to refreshing Cornish ice cream. Sheltered from the swells there is rarely surf on this beach and this means it is a particularly safe beach for swimmers.