Porthminster Beach is the lovely, big, sandy beach that sits below the train station in St Ives. It nearly always looks amazingly tropical, like a beach from a beautiful, hot island! It's not though, it really is right here in St Ives!
Getting There From Town
To get to Porthminster Beach from the harbour, you need to turn down the pathway behind the RNLI station. Keep going past the St Ives Arts Club and all the way down The Warren. You will go past the Pedn Olva hotel and onto a beautiful walkway.
Along here you will catch glimpses of the beach through lush planting. There are lots of benches along here to sit on.
This walkway is 99% car free, but people do occasionally drive along it - usually council vans.
The Train and Car Park
The St Ives train station and Station Car Park is above the beach. To get to these you need to walk up these steep steps. VERY steep when you are carrying a paddleboard!
Bench With A View
At the top here is a clearing with benches and a beautiful view.
The Slipway
The main access to the beach is down this slipway. It is reasonably steep but okay to do with prams.
Townside Takeaway
Below the walkway is the Townside Takeaway. Here you can get hot and cold drinks, pasties and ice creams. There is also a little shop to buy beach things.
St Ives Surf School
The St Ives Surf School has a hire shop here. This isn't for surfing as Porthminster Beach rarely gets any good waves (go to Porthmeor Beach for that). Porthminster is great for kayaking and stand up paddleboarding. You can hire the equipment or take lessons here.
Visit the St Ives Surf School website here >>
Pedn Olva
Over on the far left of the beach is the Pedn Olva hotel. This is a lovely place to eat and drink. At low tide you can access the beach from here, and at very low tide you can walk all the way round to the Harbour.
Visit the Pedn Olva website >>
Dogs On Porthminster Beach
A dog ban comes into play from 15th May to 30th September between 10am and 6pm.
Dogs CAN go on Porthminster Beach before 10am and after 6pm all year round - and dogs can go on all the time outside these dates.
Lifeguards On Porthminster Beach
There is a lifeguard station on Porthminster Beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach between 18th May and 29th September, between the hours of 10am and 6pm. This is a much shorter patrol season than Porthmeor Beach.
More Lifeguarded Beaches in St Ives >>
The Sinkhole
Lots of people always ask what on earth is this on Porthminster Beach! It has been there for as long as anyone can remember and it is a natural outlet of a stream which runs from Tregenna Castle.
Any black stuff you see in it is alluvial tin, which gets washed down in heavy rain.
Please steer clear of it as it could be dangerous if you fall into it - hence the fencing.
Takeaway and Shop
There is a second takeaway and shop on the far side of Porthminster Beach. They sell all sorts including fish and chips.
Behind this there is also a gin and cocktail bar and a beach barbecue
Porthminster Beach Cafe
Porthminster Beach Cafe is a gorgeous place to eat and drink. It is a multi award winning seafood restaurant with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
It has the most amazing views across the beach and bay to Godrevy lighthouse.
Their menus are updated regularly to ensure they are using everything the season has to offer. They forage for coastal ingredients and use produce from the little garden plot opposite the cafe.
Click here to see their menu >>
The conservatory looks an amazing place to eat, with incredible views over the beach.
Porthminster Beach Chalets
Porthminster Beach has 36 chalets - or pods as they call them. They are big enough for you to store your beach paraphernalia in.
Please note that you can't sleep in them, and they must be vacated each day at dusk.
There are 2 rows of chalets - the standard ones which cost £125 for 7 days in the Summer, and the superior ones which cost £165 for 7 days.
How to book a beach chalets in St Ives >>
Hain Walk
If you follow the pathway along the back of the beach, past Porthminster Cafe and up the hill you get to Hain Walk.
This is a picturesque walk which takes you all the way to Carbis Bay.
The view from the top of Hain Walk back across Porthminster Beach is always stunning.
Porthminster Gardens
There are some amazing gardens right behind Porthminster Beach. It is a beautiful place to wander, and get away from the hot sun and crowds on a Summers day.
Mini Golf
There is a mini golf course right behind Porthminster Beach.
It has 18 holes and clubs and golf balls are provided. They have special children’s clubs too.
Call 01736 795352 to book up.
Behind the mini golf course are benches - lovely to sit on away from the sand and crowds.
Events Held On Porthminster Beach
Over the year there are some big events held on Porthminster Beach.
The St Ives Food Festival has been held here for many years. Unfortunately it is not being held in 2024 but it is set to return in 2025.
The Boxing Day swim is a big event held every 26th December. It is usually in the morning and the crowds of people jumping in the sea every year get bigger and bigger. Look at Facebook for the details nearer the time.
Bonfire Night.
Each year there is a fireworks display held on Porthminster Beach - around the 5th November, but sometimes it is slightly different. It is an amazing display and everyone is welcome.
Read more about events in St Ives >>
Porthminster Beach Facilities
Toilets: there are toilets right behind the beach. Follow the signs.
Car Park: the nearest car park is up the steps behind the beach. This is the Station Car Park. Click here for more info >>
Food & Drink: there are plenty of places on the beach to get food and drink. There are takeaways, fish & chips, ice cream parlours, beach shops, a gin and cocktail bar and the Porthminster Beach Cafe.
Lifeguard: The beach is lifeguarded between 18th May to 29th September between 10am and 6pm.
Dogs: dogs are banned from the beach between 15th May to 30th September between 10am and 6pm.
Beach chalets: available to hire
