Porthgwidden Beach is a fairly small, sandy beach tucked away between The Island and Bamaluz Beach in St Ives.
It is really good if you have young children as you can keep an eye on them easily and it is tricky for them to wander too far away.
No Lifeguards
Please do take care though as Porthgwidden Beach is not lifeguarded. Always keep an eye on your children in the sea.
Check here to see which beaches are lifeguarded in St Ives >>
Dogs On Porthgwidden Beach
For most of the year dogs are allowed on Porthgwidden Beach.
Dogs aren't allowed here between 1st July and 31st August between the hours of 10am and 6pm. You are allowed to bring your dog during the ban BEFORE 10am and after 6pm.
Porthgwidden In The Summer
It is a really popular beach, and like all beaches in St Ives can get quite crowded in the Summer holidays.
It is really good for families, and on calm days is a great place for swimming and body boarding.
Access Down To The Beach
The main access down to Porthgwidden Beach is down a fairly steep slipway. It is smooth but steep so do take care if you are coming down with prams or wheelchairs.
There are steps to the beach from The Island - these are really steep!
And there are steps down to the promenade from Bamaluz Beach side. There were further steps down onto the sand here, but at the time of writing this (May 2024) they had collapsed and were being repaired.
Food & Drink
There is a fantastic cafe/restaurant and takeaway right on the beach plus a little beach shop which sells buckets and spades and also hires out deckchairs, parasols and windbreaks.
The takeaway does a brilliant crab sandwich and coffee!
Sitting out on the tables eating lunch and looking out at this view is a real pleasure!
The Porthgwidden Beach Cafe is a lovely place to eat. Although it is called a beach cafe, it is quite smart and stylish. They also host weddings.
Picnics
Along the prom walkway are lots of brightly coloured picnic tables. These can be used by anyone.
Like everywhere when eating outside in St Ives please watch out for seagulls!
The Quieter Side
On the opposite side of Porthgwidden Beach is a much quieter walkway with benches on. This is a lovely place to sit. If you walk to the end you often see people painting "en plein air".
Keep your eyes peeled for seals as there is often one around the rocks on this side of the beach.
Beach Chalets
All along the back of the beach are some brightly coloured beach chalets. There are 36 of them in 2 rows (the terrace or the balcony) and you can hire them on a weekly or seasonal basis. The chalets are pretty small and I believe don't have electricity. They come equipped with 2 deckchairs and you can hire parasols and windbreaks from the shop on the beach.
Do note that the beach chalets can't be slept in and they must be vacated at dusk.
The prices at the time of writing are from £165 for a 7 day booking. For more information please click here >>
Merryn Rock
The rock you can see to the right of Porthgwidden Beach is known as Merryn Rock. There are often cormorants on there drying their wings.
Out Of Season
During the Summer months Porthgwidden Beach can be busy. However, at other times of the year you can have it almost to yourself. This picture was taken in April on a nice, warm morning.
Outlook
Porthgwidden Beach looks out to Godrevy lighthouse and so faces East. This means that it is usually more sheltered from the wind than some of the other beaches.
A Different View
Wavedancer Boat Trips go past Porthgwidden Beach. I took this picture whilst on the boat - it's quite nice to see the beaches from the sea.
Getting To Porthgwidden Beach
From St Ives Harbour, follow the signs to The Island car park, across Back Road West.
Alternatively, follow the coast path round from Smeaton’s Pier, past Bamaluz Beach and round to Porthgwidden Beach.
Porthgwidden Beach is right by The Island car park.
Facilities On Porthgwidden Beach
Toilets: there are public toilets at the top of the slope by The Island Car Park
Car Park: there is a fairly big car park at the top of the hill behind Porthgwidden Beach called The Island car park. It does require you driving all the way though town, which isn’t for the faint-hearted! More info >>
Food & Drink: there is the fabulous Porthgwidden Beach Cafe overlooking the beach. Underneath the cafe is a takeaway which does sandwiches, chips, drinks and ice cream. There is also a beach shop.
Lifeguard: there is NO LIFEGUARD on Porthgwidden Beach.
Dogs: There is a seasonal dog ban on Porthgwidden Beach between 1st July and 31st August.
Beach Huts: you can hire beach huts at Porthgwidden Beach.
