# Dog-friendly beaches in St Ives

Last checked: 16 September 2026. Eight beaches in and around St Ives, with exact summer dog-rule windows, year-round alternatives and practical tide and access details.


**More of the Cornwall coast**

Browse [dog-friendly beaches across Cornwall](/guides/dog-friendly-beaches-cornwall) for a coastal day trip, and check each beach’s seasonal rules before travelling.

## St Ives waterfront

Three town-centre sands with different summer daytime windows, all reached from the harbour and central streets.

### Porthmeor Beach

**Best for:** An early or evening walk on the town’s surfing beach outside the summer restriction hours.

**Dog rule:** Dogs are prohibited from 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council's current PSPO. They are welcome at other times.

**Lead rule:** Outside the prohibited window, keep dogs under control and follow local signs.

**Access:** Visit Cornwall identifies the small Porthmeor Beach car park behind the west end, which can fill, and a larger Rugby Club car park around a 20-minute walk away. It describes Porthmeor as a surf beach with summer RNLI cover.

**Arrival:** Use the named Porthmeor Beach arrival point, then follow local parking and beach signs.

**Before you go:** Check current RNLI flags and cover before entering the surf. The daytime summer restriction starts earlier than Porthgwidden and Harbour.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/animal-welfare-and-enforcement/dogs-on-beaches/)
- [Visitor information](https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/beaches/porthmeor-beach)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Porthmeor%20Beach%2C%20St%20Ives%20TR26%201JU)

### Porthgwidden Beach

**Best for:** A sheltered town cove outside its July and August daytime dog restriction.

**Dog rule:** Dogs are prohibited from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council's current PSPO. They are welcome outside that window.

**Lead rule:** Outside the prohibited window, keep dogs under control and follow local signs.

**Access:** St Ives Town Council lists a beach bar, café, seasonal shop, toilets and tables/chairs. It sits under the Island, a short walk from the museum and Chapel of St Nicholas.

**Arrival:** Use the named Porthgwidden Beach arrival point and the signed central-town approach.

**Before you go:** The shorter July and August restriction is still a daytime dog prohibition. Seasonal facilities should not be assumed outside summer.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/animal-welfare-and-enforcement/dogs-on-beaches/)
- [Visitor information](https://stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/places/porthgwidden-beach/)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Porthgwidden%20Beach%2C%20St%20Ives%20TR26%201PL)

### St Ives Harbour Beach

**Best for:** A central harbour-side stop outside the summer daytime restriction.

**Dog rule:** Dogs are prohibited from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council's current PSPO. They are welcome outside that window.

**Lead rule:** Outside the prohibited window, keep dogs under control and follow local signs.

**Access:** The Town Council describes a tidal town-centre beach within the harbour walls, with low-tide sand, shallow water, deckchair hire and nearby cafés, restaurants and boat trips.

**Arrival:** Use the named St Ives Harbour Beach arrival point, then keep clear for fishing and RNLI operations.

**Before you go:** The sand area changes materially with the tide. Clear the beach and observe from a safe distance if the RNLI launches.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/animal-welfare-and-enforcement/dogs-on-beaches/)
- [Visitor information](https://stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/places/harbour-beach/)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Harbour+Sand/data=!4m7!3m6!1s0x486add5e97da9cf1:0x1362521fab6c93a9!8m2!3d50.2148454!4d-5.4785581!16s%2Fg%2F1thn4yk2!19sChIJ8Zzal17dakgRqZNsqx9SYhM?authuser=0&hl=en&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDkxMy4wIJJjKgBIAVAD&rclk=1)

## Year-round central coves

Two small, tidal central alternatives where the all-year dog welcome is positively stated, but the sand can vanish with the tide.

### Bamaluz Beach

**Best for:** A small year-round dog beach when the tide leaves enough sand.

**Dog rule:** St Ives Town Council says Bamaluz has no seasonal dog restrictions and is dog friendly all year round.

**Lead rule:** Keep dogs controlled in the small tidal cove.

**Access:** Bamaluz is reached by steps down from the St Ives Museum and Wheal Dream side; town-centre facilities are nearby.

**Arrival:** Use the named Bamaluz Beach arrival point, then follow the signed town-street approach.

**Before you go:** The cove reduces markedly at high tide and can almost disappear on high spring tides. The tide can come in quickly.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/places/bamaluz-beach/)
- [Visitor information](https://visitstives.com/things_to_do/bamaluz-beach/)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Bamaluz%20Beach%20St%20Ives)

### Lambeth Walk

**Best for:** A short year-round shoreline stop beside the town, with careful attention to the tide.

**Dog rule:** St Ives Town Council says Lambeth Walk is dog friendly all year round.

**Lead rule:** Keep dogs controlled on the rocky, tidal ground.

**Access:** It sits beyond the south pier between Harbour Beach and Porthminster. Visit St Ives lists nearby town amenities, public toilets and Sloop car park parking.

**Arrival:** The map marks St Ives Arts Club on Westcott’s Quay as a walking landmark for Lambeth Walk. Use the public shoreline approach and check the tide before reaching the rocky beach.

**Before you go:** It almost disappears at high tide. The low-tide connection across the rocky strip is difficult.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/places/lambeth-walk-beach/)
- [Visitor information](https://visitstives.com/things_to_do/lambeth-walk/)
- [Westcott’s Quay landmark](https://www.stivesartsclub.org/)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=St%20Ives%20Arts%20Club%2C%20Westcott's%20Quay%2C%20St%20Ives%20TR26%202DY)

## East bay and Lelant

Porthminster and Carbis Bay suit early or evening summer walks, while Porth Kidney is the longer all-year walk-in alternative.

### Porthminster Beach

**Best for:** A beach near the station for a dog walk outside the longer summer restriction.

**Dog rule:** Dogs are prohibited from 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council's current PSPO. They are welcome at other times.

**Lead rule:** Outside the prohibited window, keep dogs under control and follow local signs.

**Access:** The beach is below St Ives Station. The Town Council lists a café/restaurant, shop, toilets, chairs, mini golf, beach pods and sandchair hire; it describes the beach as wheelchair accessible through the sandchair service.

**Arrival:** Use the named Porthminster Beach arrival point and the station-side beach approach.

**Before you go:** Check current RNLI flags and cover before swimming. The daytime restriction starts in May, earlier than Harbour and Porthgwidden.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/animal-welfare-and-enforcement/dogs-on-beaches/)
- [Visitor information](https://stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/places/porthminster-beach/)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Porthminster%20Beach%2C%20St%20Ives%20TR26%202BN)

### Carbis Bay Beach

**Best for:** A bay walk before 10am or after 6pm during the summer restriction period.

**Dog rule:** Dogs are prohibited from 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council's current PSPO. They are welcome at other times.

**Lead rule:** Outside the prohibited window, keep dogs under control and follow local signs.

**Access:** The Town Council describes a mile-long, relatively sheltered beach about a mile from central St Ives, with limited parking and access from the St Erth to St Ives branch line. It lists a beach café and restaurant.

**Arrival:** Use the named Carbis Bay Beach arrival point, then follow local parking or rail-station signs.

**Before you go:** Parking is limited. Check current RNLI flags and cover before swimming.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment/animal-welfare-and-enforcement/dogs-on-beaches/)
- [Visitor information](https://stivestowncouncil-cornwall.gov.uk/places/carbis-bay-beach/)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Carbis%20Bay%20Beach%2C%20St%20Ives%20TR26%202NP)

### Porth Kidney Beach

**Best for:** A broad year-round dog beach reached from Lelant, with a lead needed on the approach.

**Dog rule:** Visit Cornwall says Porth Kidney is dog friendly all year.

**Lead rule:** Dogs must be kept on a lead on the footpath from St Uny Church to Porth Kidney Sands.

**Access:** There is no close parking or facilities. Visit Cornwall directs visitors on foot via the South West Coast Path from St Uny Church or Lelant railway station, involving steps.

**Arrival:** Use St Uny Church as the documented walk-in arrival, then follow the footpath rule to the beach.

**Before you go:** Do not swim in or around the Hayle Estuary mouth. The route includes steps and there are no close facilities.

- [Dog rules and guidance](https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/beaches/porth-kidney-beach)
- [Visitor information](https://visitstives.com/dog-friendly-beaches-in-st-ives-bay-what-you-need-to-know-this-season-2026/)
- [Open in Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=St%20Uny%20Church%2C%20Lelant%2C%20St%20Ives%20TR26%203DY)

## Questions about dog-friendly beaches in St Ives

### Which St Ives beaches welcome dogs throughout the year?

Bamaluz and Lambeth Walk are the central year-round choices in this guide. Porth Kidney near Lelant also welcomes dogs all year. These are still tidal beaches, and dogs must be on a lead on the St Uny footpath to Porth Kidney.

### When can I take a dog to Porthmeor, Porthminster or Carbis Bay?

Dogs are prohibited from 10am to 6pm between 15 May and 30 September. Plan a visit outside that time window during the restricted season and follow the current beach signs.

### Do Harbour Beach and Porthgwidden have the same summer dates?

Both prohibit dogs from 10am to 6pm between 1 July and 31 August. Their restricted season is shorter than at Porthmeor, Porthminster and Carbis Bay.

### Can I walk between these beaches along the sand?

Do not assume there is a safe shoreline connection. The tide can cover small beaches and cut off routes. Use the described land access, check tides and conditions, and keep away from the Hayle estuary channel at Porth Kidney.