Porthminster Beach
A sandy beach for a Cornish beach day.
Lat 50.2087° N, lon 5.4764° W●Sandy beach · St Ives
PorthminsterBeach
Porthminster Beach is a sandy beach on the Cornish coast, close to St Ives. It is a designated Environment Agency bathing water, currently rated Excellent.
A sandy bay beach
A beach near St Ives
Porthminster Beach is a sandy beach on the Cornish coast, close to St Ives. It is a designated Environment Agency bathing water, currently rated Excellent.
On-site you'll find public toilets, a café or refreshments and seasonal RNLI lifeguard cover. Facilities can be seasonal, so bring what you need out of summer, and take litter home.
A first visit works well with time on the sand, then St Ives for food, a walk, or the next cove along the coast.
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Interactive map
Around the sand
Places by the beach
Stay for the sand, or head into St Ives for food and a wider look around.
Harbour Beach
Another Cornish beach a short hop from here: Harbour Beach.
See the beach →Bamaluz Beach
Another Cornish beach a short hop from here: Bamaluz Beach.
See the beach →Harbour Beach
The next stretch of coast toward Harbour Beach.
View beach
Bamaluz Beach
The next stretch of coast toward Bamaluz Beach.
View beach
Porthmeor Beach
The next stretch of coast toward Porthmeor Beach.
View beach
Little Bo Shared (Coastal path access point)
Looking for Little Bo Shared (Coastal path access point) St Ives? This beach and coastal spot in St…
View beach
St Ives Headland Trail (part of The Island)
Looking for St Ives Headland Trail (part of The Island)? This beach and coastal spot in St Ives,…
View beach
Treloyhan Beach
Treloyhan Beach St Ives is a verified beach and coastal spot in St Ives, Cornwall, listed on Cornish.co.uk…
View beach
Tides, dogs and getting there
What to expect at Porthminster
It is still a Cornish cove: tides, weather, and seasonal rules. Check conditions before you swim.
On the day
Parking and the walk in
Parking on site is limited or absent. Check locally before you travel, and allow time to walk in.
Seasonal dog restrictions typically apply 10am–6pm from May to September. Dogs are usually welcome outside those hours and in winter. Check the signs on the day.
yes
Walk from the beach
Easy extensions
A day on the sand
Build a beach day around Porthminster
Start on the sand, then walk into St Ives or keep it simple with a café stop.
Selected planClassic beach daySand first, then St Ives and a meal.
- 30 minArrive and walk inPark or arrive nearby and take the path to the sand.Limited / none on site — check locally
- 2 hrsBeach timeSwim, rock-pool or sit on the sand while the tide allows.Do not assume lifeguard cover. Check tide and water quality.
- 75 minFood nearbyPicnic, a beach café in season, or a short hop to St Ives.Summer weekends fill quickly.
- 90 minCoast or next coveFollow the coast path or continue to a neighbouring beach when conditions allow.Cliff paths are uneven; turn back if conditions change.
Visitor information checked againstVisit CornwallCornwall CouncilAlways recheck opening, access and coastal conditions.
Porthminster and the coast
Sand, the bay, and the short stretch of coast around the beach.
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Discover & connect
Around Porthminster Beach
Jump from Porthminster Beach to the parish, the mother town, nearby places, and stay or eat pages.
Mother and child areas
Nearby places
Harbour Beach
Bamaluz Beach
Porthmeor Beach
Little Bo Shared (Coastal path access point)
St Ives Headland Trail (part of The Island)
Treloyhan Beach
Explore St Ives
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