Porthgwidden Beach, St Ives

One of St Ives collection of five beaches, Porthgwidden Beach is just over a five-minute walk from the Harbour. The smallest and most sheltered of St Ives’ beaches, it’s set between Bamaluz Beach and The Island-Pendinas, and is fringed with pretty beach huts, which are available to rent. Here’s everything you need to know…

ST IVES WEATHER

Beach Overview

Tucked beneath “The Island” headland, Porthgwidden is a small, sheltered crescent of pale sand with calm, turquoise water on fair days and lovely views across St Ives Bay towards Godrevy. It feels a little hidden compared with the town’s larger beaches—close enough for a flat stroll from the harbour, yet protected by granite arms that keep the worst of the swell at bay. At lower tides there’s more firm sand for paddling and sandcastles; at higher tides the beach narrows beneath the promenade and the brightly painted beach huts.

Lifeguards & Safety

Porthgwidden is not routinely RNLI‑lifeguarded, so treat it as an unpatrolled beach. Conditions are generally kinder than the Atlantic‑facing side of St Ives, but rips and a punchier shorebreak can still appear on spring highs or during stronger easterlies. Keep swims parallel to shore and within your depth, watch children closely, and avoid inflatables in offshore winds. For flagged beaches in season, nearby Porthminster and Porthmeor are typically lifeguarded.

Surf & Watersports

You’ll come to Porthgwidden for swimming, paddle‑boarding and kayaking rather than surfing. Early mornings often bring lighter winds and glassy water for a gentle dip or SUP launch. Hug the shoreline when paddling and keep a respectful distance from rock ledges at The Island and the harbour arm. On small clean swells, longboarders or bodyboarders sometimes catch playful lines across the middle of the bay, but for consistent surf most riders head round to Porthmeor.

Tide tips: Around mid to low tide the beach offers more dry sand and easier launching for paddle craft. As high tide approaches, space tightens against the sea wall and the shorebreak can dump — better for wave‑watching than wading.

Dog Rules

Porthgwidden falls under St Ives’ seasonal dog restrictions. Between 15 May and 30 September, 10am–6pm, dogs are not permitted on the beach; outside those hours and dates they’re welcome. When dogs are allowed, please keep them under close control and tidy up — nearby Bamaluz offers a year‑round alternative if you’re exploring with four‑legged friends.

Facilities & Accessibility

The nearest parking is The Island car park, a brief walk away with panoramic views over the bay. Everything else is within a few sandy steps. Public toilets and showers sit just behind the beach, and the Porthgwidden Beach Café serves relaxed, sea‑view meals with a handy takeaway hatch for coffees and ice‑cream. Classic striped beach huts line the promenade for day hire in season. Access is via short slopes and sets of steps from The Island side and the harbour end, so it’s not the easiest for wheelchairs.

Coast path & nearby walks

For a breezy circuit, wander up onto The Island to the tiny chapel of St Nicholas and sweep around for views to Godrevy Lighthouse and Porthmeor. Meander the lanes to the harbour and continue on to Porthminster via the seafront for a gentler, town‑and‑beach stroll, or loop the other way to Porthmeor and Tate St Ives for art with ocean backdrops.

Places to eat nearby

Right above the sand, Porthgwidden Beach Café pairs sea‑view dining with a sunny terrace and a takeaway hatch for beach‑day essentials. A short walk brings you to Porthmeor Beach Café — famous for its tapas‑style plates and surf‑watching benches — or into the town’s cobbled lanes where cafés, bakeries and pubs offer everything from pastries and pasties to seafood suppers overlooking the harbour.

Rainy‑Day options

St Ives does rainy days beautifully. Swap sandy toes for culture at Tate St Ives on Porthmeor, or explore the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden to step inside the artist’s studio between showers. The small but fascinating St Ives Museum near The Island is another characterful stop on drizzly afternoons.