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"Sand as white as snow swirls like smoke around my feet"

Porthmeor Beach

Cornwall, England


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Porthmeor Beach is a popular sandy beach resort located in St Ives on the north coast of Cornwall, known for its excellent surfing conditions and stunning backdrop. .

Porthmeor Beach is one of the four main beaches in St Ives and is a favourite among tourists and locals alike. The beach is approximately 640 metres wide and offers a range of amenities, including a small car park, an excellent cafe, and a full lifeguard service during the summer months.

Porthmeor Beach is considered one of the foremost surfing beaches in Cornwall, making it a popular destination for surfers, particularly during the winter months when the waves are larger. The beach's exposed location means it is susceptible to south-westerly gales, but it also provides surfers with rare protection from these strong winds.

The beach is also a popular holiday destination for families during the summer, with its golden expanses of sand and excellent water quality making it perfect for day trips and swimming. The beach has a full lifeguard service during the summer, ensuring a safe environment for families with small children.

The Porthmeor Beach Café is located on the beach front, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with snacks and drinks available to take away. The iconic Tate St Ives gallery, which overlooks the beach, features modern and contemporary art exhibitions, and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is nearby. There are also plenty of shops, pubs, and trendy cafes within walking distance of the beach.

The beach is dog-friendly between October and April, but dogs are restricted during the summer months.

Porthmeor Beach is adjacent to the South West Coast Path.

Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 98%
Max temperature 14°C
feels like 13°C
Wind 28mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 47%
Min temperature 12°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 27mph

The tide at Porthmeor Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 8:07 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 2:28 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Porthmeor Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden (0.2 miles)
Kidz R Us (0.3 miles)
Escape Time - St Ives (0.4 miles)
Cornwall Coast Path (1.5 miles)
Godrevy (4.1 miles)
South West Coast Path - Godrevy Head (4.4 miles)

Places to eat near Porthmeor Beach

The Digey Food Room (240 yards)
Moomaid of Zennor (210 yards)
Cellar Bistro (130 yards)
Mount Zion Coffee (160 yards)
Silco Searoom (130 yards)
The Cornish Deli (260 yards)
The Pier Coffee Bar (130 yards)
The Mex (280 yards)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: St Ives

Location type: Town

OS Grid: SW515408

Coordinates: 50°12'56"N 5°29'0"W

Mapcode: GBR DXV3.M2C

What 3 Words: space.stress.allowable

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: England

Local Authority: Cornwall

Parish: St. Ives

Nearest postcode: TR26 1JZ

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Porthmeor Beach, Cornwall, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:07:28 +0100