Porthmeor beach
The largest and best surfing beach in St Ives, this golden sandy beach is home to St Ives surf school and can be found below the Tate gallery. There are beach chalets, toilets and lifeguards during the main holiday season as well as Porthmeor cafe, an ideal location to watch the sun go down.
Porthminister Beach
This award winning Blue flag beach has beautiful golden sand, views Godrevy lighthouse and sheltered location making it ideal for families. There is a cafe, shop, toilets and a mini 18 hole putting green as well as the famous Porthminster beach cafe. At low tide you can even take a walk from Porthminster to the harbour bay beach.
Porthgwidden beach
A sheltered sandy beach that makes it a bit of a suntrap. As well as the Porthgwidden beach cafe there are an array of colourful 1930's beach huts. This beach has beautiful views across St Ives bay towards Godrevy lighthouse and is an ideal place to spot dolphins and seals.
The Harbour beach
In the heart of St Ives, this bustling harbour and beach is a great place to sit back and watch the world go by. There are self hire motor boats, RIB boats, mackerel fishing and seal island trips that all take place from this beach and if you are lucky you will see seals in the harbour at high tide.
Bamaluz beach
The smallest of St Ives beaches, this 'secret' cove can be found in between the Harbour and Porthgwidden. There is a small strip of golden sand at low tide and is reached via the steep steps below St Ives museum at Wheal dream.
Carbis bay
Only one stop on the St Ives to St Erth coastal railway. A five minute walk to the beach although be prepared for a fifteen minute walk to get back up the hill! Once there you'll be rewarded with beautiful sandy beach, sheltered bay, beach cafe and shop, an ideal beach for those with young children.
Sennen cove
A 30 minute drive from St Ives, close to Lands End, this beautiful beach is popular with surfers as it faces the Atlantic ocean. As well as the surf school, there are lifeguards during the main season, a shop and restaurant on the beach. This is an ideal place to grab a snack in the day or an evening drink to watch the beautiful sunsets.
Porthcurno
A 40 minute drive from St Ives on the southern tip of Cornwall, this white sandy beach with it's crystal clear turquoise water is a an oasis of natural beauty. At low tide the beach extends around the coast and makes for an ideal stroll. Overlooking the beach, perched high on the clifftops is the world famous Minack open air theatre that is well worth a visit with performances from May to September.
Kynance cove
Located on the Lizard penninsular about a 45 minute drive from St Ives, this beautiful golden sandy beach and turquoise sea is a must see whilst in Cornwall. For the adventurous at low tide a further beach, with caves and rock pools can be reached. There is a beach cafe serving wonderful cream teas as well as small shop and toilets.