6 Best Dog-friendly beaches near St Ives

by | Last modified on Apr 15, 2022 | HD

There are a number of great dog-friendly beaches in St Ives making it the perfect location to explore with your dog. And there’s a great variety of beaches too – your pooch can enjoy sand, pebbles and rock pools. It’s not just beaches you’ll be able to enjoy together. St Ive’s has some brilliant dog-friendly pubs including The Union Inn, The Golden Lion or The Sloop Inn. Or if you’re looking for Scoff Troff welcome dogs.

Before heading to your dog friendly St Ives beach, make sure you check the details in this guide. Some of the beaches have strict restrictions and some you will need to check tide times to make sure you’ll actually have a beach there!

Because all of these beaches are very close to the centre of St Ives, there is lots of parking available. Some require pre-booking.

Note that the beaches are going to be especially busy during peak times – summer holidays and weekends. For a quieter experience, visit mid-week and during term times.

Dog friendly beaches closest to st ives:

There are 6 great beaches all within walking distance of St Ives town.

Best dog friendly beaches St Ives

#1 Bamaluz beach

This ‘secret’ beach is known for its rock pools which you can spend hours exploring. Due to the high sides surrounding the area, you get the perfect sun and wind shelter for your children and fur babies, which makes it a brilliant choice for families and dog owners. Bamaluz beach is also the neighbour of St Ives museum!

Dogs allowed: Bamaluz is one of the only beaches in St Ives where there are no restrictions against dogs all year round. This beach can get quite crowded with dogs at certain times of the year – especially weekends and school holidays.

Distance to facilities: Bamaluz is sited between the harbour and Porthgwidden, resulting in a less than 5-minute walk (0.1 miles – 0.7 miles) to local facilities and tasty food stops.
Beach type: Rocks and sand
Lifeguard: Lifeguards do not overwatch this beach
Access:  There are steep steps leading down to the beach because of the high sides. The area is only accessible when the tide is out, which results in it rarely getting busy even at peak times of the summer.

#2 Lambeth Walk Beach

Another great dog-friendly beache in St Ives is Lambeth Walk Beach. It’s very central, is rarely busy and usually quite a safe space for children and pets. You’ll need to check St Ives tide times before going as at high tide you’ll have very limited space to roam.

Dogs allowed: Lambeth walk beach is another beach where dogs are welcome all year round.

Distance to facilities: Local amenities are very close, as this beach is situated right next to  the town centre of St Ives, meaning all the local food and drink facilities are right at your feet.
Beach type: Sandy, rocky beach. Very small and only accessible when the tide is out. Lovely and quiet and a safe area for children and fur babies
Lifeguard: Lifeguards do not overwatch this beach.
Access: The beach is not even visible when the tide is in. It is only accessible when the tide is out, which makes it accessible from the neighbouring beach, Harbour beach.

#3 Harbour Beach

Harbour Beach is a safe spot for swimming and for your four-legged friends as it is surrounded by the tall harbour walls. At low tide the sea goes out past Smeaton’s Pier, leaving just sand and an array of idyllic boats to discover. It is bordered by lots of charming independent shops owned by locals, and neighbouring art galleries

Dogs allowed: Seasonal dog ban is in place between peak times of 1st July and 31st August between the hours of 10am – 6pm. 

Distance to facilities: The harbour beach is surrounded by local refreshments. Plenty of fish and chips and ice cream – typical staples for the seaside!
Beach type: Soft and sandy beach, perfect for children and families who love building sandcastles. 
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard overlooking this beach.
Access:  Easily accessible for all, at low tides it joins on to Lambeth Walk Beach.

#4 Porthgwidden Beach

There are several beach chalets that you can rent for the duration of your stay on Porthwidden Beach. These can be used for dining, keeping your belongings and a cool shelter for your children and animals. Each pod comes with 2 deck chairs that can be used inside or outside of the pod.

Dogs allowed:  Dogs are not allowed on the sand between the Sunday before Easter and 30th September. Outside of this seasonal ban, dogs are welcome.

Distance to facilities: Porthgwidden beach is among the most popular beaches in St Ives. It is surrounded by many refreshment facilities, such as restaurants, pubs and ice-cream stalls. Local shops also surround the area.
Beach type: Sandy, family-friendly beach with lots of areas to play and paddle. 
Lifeguard: This beach is overlooked by a lifeguard.  
Access: This beach is easily accessible by all members of the public. 

#5 Porthminster beach

From Porthminster Beach views across to Godrevy Lighthouse are perfect, the very place that triggered inspiration for Virginia Woolf’s well-known novel ‘To the Lighthouse’. There is also lots of beautiful surrounded by greenery.

Dogs allowed: Dogs are welcome on this beach except between 15th May and 30 September (10am – 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place

Distance to facilities: Porthminster beach is a short walk to the centre of St Ives, 
Beach type: Sandy, clear blue waters, beautiful tropical feel at the height of summer.
Lifeguard:  Lifeguard cover during peak times of the 15th of May until the 26th of September
Access: The beach is easily accessible for all members of the public.

#6 Porthmeor Beach

Another on the best dog-friendly beaches St Ives is Porthmeor Beach. This beach has a very tropical feel to it, its very popular with surfers and families. Porthmeor is one of only eight beaches in Cornwall that hold the respected Blue Flag Award 2021, given in respect of the water quality at the beach.

Dogs allowed: There is a seasonal ban for dogs between 15 May to 30 September between 10am and 6pm.

Distance to facilities:  The beach is extremely close walking distance to the town centre of St Ives and has its own restaurant and cocktail bar.
Beach type: Sandy, clear and quality waters surrounded by beautiful greenery, and at the height of summer, clear blue skies stretching out to the horizon. 
Lifeguard:  Lifeguard cover from Easter until the end of October 
Access: This beach is easily accessible to all members of the public.

Dog-friendly beaches a bit further from st ives

Travelling a bit further from St Ives will reward you with more space. This is especially true on the long stretch of beach from Hayle to G

#7 PORTHKIDNEY BEACH (NEAR CARBIS BAY)

Porthkidney is a huge sandy beach, very dog friendly as dogs are welcome all year round. This is a nice quiet beach making it the perfect spot if you are hoping to escape the crowds.

#8 Hayles to GWITHIAN BEACH

From Hatles all the way to Gwithian Beach is miles of sandy beach split into a number of beaches. Here’s the best for pooches:

Upton Towans: lifeguards are on duty mid-May to mid-September. Dogs are allowed on the beach year round.

Mexico Towans: Allows dogs on the beach all year round. Lifeguards are on duty mid-May to mid-September.

Hayle Beach: There is a dog ban between 1st July and 31st August between the hours of 10-6. Dogs are welcome outside of these hours or anytime between 1st Septmeber and 30th June.

Riviere Towans beach: is dog friendly with dogs allowed on the beach all year round. Guards are on duty mid-May to mid-September.

Gwithian Beach: There is a dog ban between 1st July and 31st August between the hours of 10-6. Dogs are welcome outside of these hours or anytime between 1st Septmeber and 30th June.

Bex Band

Bex Band

Welcome to my blog! I'm an award-winning adventurer, bestselling author and founder of Love Her Wild. My work and adventures have featured in BBC, The Guardian and Condé Nast. I love nothing more than travelling and getting outdoors on solo and family adventures. Using my years of experience, I provide advice and inspiration on various topics, including wild camping, charity challenges, glamping and travel itineraries.

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