๐พ Dog-Friendly Porthmeor Beach at a Glance
- ๐ Location: West of St Ives town centre, beside the Tate
- ๐ฆฎ Dog-Friendly: Seasonal daytime restrictions (dogs allowed early morning & evening in summer; all day off-season)
- ๐ถ Walk Length: 0.5โ2 miles including the coast path
- ๐ฟ Terrain: Wide sand, firmer low-tide sections, coastal path
- ๐๏ธ Views: Open Atlantic, sweeping bay, dramatic sunsets
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ฟ๏ธ Parking: Town centre car parks nearby
- ๐ป Facilities: Toilets, cafe, shops close by
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Best Time to Visit: Early mornings, evenings, spring and autumn for calmer walks
Porthmeor Beach is perfect for families, as the beach sits in the town of St Ives, overlooked by the Tate St Ives. Although the beach does have seasonal restrictions, it is a good option for early morning and evening walks.
Porthmeor Beach has seasonal dog restrictions, prohibiting dogs from May 15th to September 30th between 10 am and 6 pm. Early mornings and evenings are usually fine, and outside these months, dogs are welcome all day.
The beach has good sand at the top, and then a slope at the high water mark takes you to a large expanse of flat sand. The beach is the only beach in St Ives that sits facing out into the Atlantic rather than inwards into the bay, which means you can get a lot more waves and surf.
As you are in the town itself, you have easy access to everything that it offers, including the all-year dog-friendly beaches of Bamaluz and Lambeth. Another good option is a walk around the headland, which has some great views back over the beach and the bay of St. Ives.
Porthmeor is a great evening option as you can grab a drink, dogs can run freely, and you can watch the spectacular sunsets.
Town centre car parks are a short walk away, including The Island and Smeaton's Pier.ย Public toilets are available close to the beach, and a dog-friendly cafe sits just above the sand. St Ives offers plenty of dog-friendly pubs and takeaway spots nearby.
You have seasonal lifeguards and a Surf school located on the beach by the cafe.
Porthmeor Hill, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 1JZ
If you want more dog-friendly information on the area, visit our local St. Ives Destination page or our regional Cornwall Destination page. Make this page your own. Sign in to save places, add private notes, and plan future coastal trips.
Porthmeor Beach was last updated on December 13, 2025
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Have you visited Porthmeor Beach with your dog?
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Porthmeor is the beach you visit when you want to feel the sea rather than look at it. You are facing out to sea rather than inwards to the bay, so you get the waves and the wind. Walking here with a dog feels grounding.
It's not the softest or quietest beach in St Ives, but if you and your dog enjoy a bit of wildness, Porthmeor is well worth your time.
Nearby Dog-Friendly Places To Visit
Here, you have a list of some more dog-friendly places near Porthmeor Beach by order of being the closest.
Where to stay ...
The accommodation map lists all nearby accommodation options and clicking a property will give you any pet restrictions that apply.
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