The smallest beach in St Ives, but still popular with families as it is a very sheltered east-facing sun trap. The rocky outcrops on either side of the beach provide interest to snorkellers and offer rockpools when the tide is out. There’s a small café and toilets, plus a row of colourful two storey beach huts which can be hired. The Island car park sits just behind the beach, but fills up early in the summer, so don’t bother trying to park there unless you rise with the sun!

Although there is no lifeguard cover on this beach, it is overlooked by the St Ives National Coastwatch Station which is manned by volunteers 365 days a year. The beach is normally safe for swimming unless the winds are easterly.

Please note: Dogs are welcome on this beach except from the 1st July to the 31st August between 10am and 6pm when a seasonal dog ban is in place (2022).

Did you know?

The headland known as the Island overlooks Porthgwidden Beach. On its summit is the National Coastwatch Station, built into a World War II coastal defence that housed a Lewis anti-aircraft gun. At the other end of the headland is St Nicholas’s Chapel. The present building was built in 1911 but was on the site of a Medieval chapel that would have also served as a lighthouse. Nowadays services are still held on Thursday mornings throughout the summer and wedding blessings can take place by appointment.