Dog friendly beaches in St Ives — and when dogs are allowed
St Ives is a wonderful place to bring a dog, provided you know the rules. They are seasonal, they differ from beach to beach, and they catch out a lot of visitors on their first morning.
The short version: between mid-May and the end of September, the three big St Ives beaches are closed to dogs during the middle of the day, and there are several excellent beaches nearby where dogs are welcome at any hour, all year round. Early mornings and evenings are yours almost everywhere.
The longer version is worth reading, because the dates and times are not the same for every beach.
Porthmeor, Porthminster and Carbis Bay
These are the three big, popular beaches, and they carry the longest restriction. Dogs are not allowed on Porthmeor, Porthminster or Carbis Bay from 15 May to 30 September, between 10am and 6pm.
Read that carefully, because it is more generous than most people assume. Outside those hours, even in the height of August, dogs are welcome. A 7am walk on an empty Porthmeor with the surf coming in is one of the real pleasures of staying in town, and an evening stroll on Porthminster after dinner is just as good. Between 1 October and 14 May there are no time restrictions at all, which is a large part of why a winter break here with a dog is so much easier than a summer one.
The Harbour beach and Porthgwidden
These two have a shorter restriction that begins later in the summer. Dogs are not allowed on the Harbour beach or Porthgwidden from 1 July to 31 August, between 10am and 6pm.
That means through May, June and September — three of the nicest months to visit — both beaches are open to dogs all day. Porthgwidden is the small, sheltered, south-facing cove tucked behind the Island, and it is a lovely spot for a dog that is not keen on big surf.
Where dogs are welcome all year
St Ives Town Council lists several places that stay open to dogs every day of the year, whatever the season:
- Bamaluz Beach — the small cove between the harbour and the Island. It is rocky at high tide and sandy as the tide drops, and it is where a lot of local dogs go in August.
- Lambeth Walk — the stretch of shoreline below the coast path on the harbour side.
- The north side of Smeaton's Pier — with level access, which makes it useful for older dogs and anyone with a buggy or wheelchair.
A short drive away, Porthkidney Sands near Lelant and Mexico Towans at Hayle are both dog friendly year round and both are enormous at low tide — Porthkidney in particular is a wide, dune-backed sweep that suits a dog who wants to run properly.
One important exception: dogs are not permitted at any time on the Hayle Estuary, including Carnsew Pool and Copperhouse Pool. It is a protected habitat for wading birds, and the restriction is year-round rather than seasonal.
How the rules are enforced
The restrictions sit under Cornwall Council's Public Spaces Protection Order, and they are enforced. Officers patrol the beaches in season, do not always wear uniform, and can issue a fixed penalty notice of £100 for a breach. Signage is posted at each beach access point, and it is the most reliable source on the day.
Dates and times are reviewed periodically, so if you are travelling it is worth a quick look at the St Ives Town Council page on dogs on beaches before you set off, rather than relying on a blog post — including this one.
Planning a summer day around the restrictions
In practice, most guests settle into a rhythm within a day or two. Walk the dog early on Porthmeor or Porthminster before the 10am cut-off. Spend the middle of the day somewhere the restriction does not apply — Bamaluz, the coast path, or a drive to Porthkidney. Come back down to the sand after six for the best light of the day and a much emptier beach.
It is a better routine than it sounds. The beaches at either end of the day are quieter, cooler and considerably more pleasant than at two in the afternoon in August, and the dog gets the run of them.
If you are still working out how to get here, our honest guide to parking in St Ives is worth ten minutes before you drive down.