Because St Ives is located on a peninsula jutting out to the north west of the North Cornish Coast, it has an enviable location, surrounded on three sides by beautiful beaches. Each of these beaches are covered in golden sand, and they face different directions but are only a few hundred metres walk from each other. This means you can choose the most sheltered one for sunbathing - without having to go anywhere else!

Porthmeor Beach

Porthmeor Beach is located on the north coast of the town, and is the largest of the three beaches. It has a full lifeguard service during the summer months and is the recipient of a blue flag. It is the beach that normally offers the best surfing conditions due to its location in respect to the wind and swells of the Atlantic. There is a great restaurant/cafe just on the beach so you don’t have to go far for your lunch. The Tate St Ives is located just ashore of the beach for those looking for something arty after their swim or surf. The beach is family friendly and there are no dogs allowed on the beach during the summer months. St Ives is a popular tourist town, and the beach can get busy in the summer holidays.

Porthgwidden Beach

This is the smallest beach at St Ives and points in an easterly direction. It is on the opposite side of the promontory which is known as the Island. The cove is sheltered and considered a sun trap by sun worshippers! There is no lifeguard cover permanently located here, although there is surf rescue equipment. Again, dogs are not allowed on the blue flag beach during the summer, and there is a cafe located close to the beach. There are beach huts for hire along the beach.

St Ives Harbour

The harbour is still a working port, but is also a popular beach with locals and holidaymakers, as it is sheltered by the harbour wall and located in the heart of town. A range of facilities are thus very close and you’ll find that people buy lunch in the town and come to eat it on the beach. The lifeboat station is located here, which is open to the public in the tourist season. Smeaton's Pier can also be visited - it was constructed in two phases in the eighteenth century. The top of the wall is at least 15ft above the high tide mark, even during high water springs.