Can dogs go on beaches in St Ives during the summer?
On almost every beach in St Ives and Cornwall, your dog is very welcome to join you for some beach fun and splashing in the sea. What you may find is that some beaches only allow you to take your dog on the beach between certain times during the summer months. Here’s the list of 5 beaches in St Ives and when you can enjoy some beach time with your four-legged friend.
Porthmeor Beach
Between October 1st and May 14th you can enjoy any amount of time on Porthmeor Beach. From May 15th to September 30th, you will need to have a leg stretch before 10am or after 6pm.
Bamaluz Beach
You are free to go on Bamaluz Beach any time of the day for as long as you want all year round. Beware, it is tidal and the beach disappears at high tide.
Porthgwidden Beach
Between September 1st and June 30th you can enjoy any amount of time on Porthgwidden Beach. From July 1st to August 31st, you will need to have a leg stretch before 10am or after 6pm.
Harbour Beach
Between September 1st and June 30th you can enjoy any amount of time on Harbour Beach. From July 1st to August 31st, you will need to have a leg stretch before 10am or after 6pm. When the tide is high, there is just a smidgeon of beach left very near the arches. When the tide is out, there is a huge expanse of sand that stretches all the way around Smeaton’s Pier and West Pier. At very low tides and if you have some tall wellies, you can even walk over to Porthminster Beach crossing the small riverlet on the way.
Porthminster Beach
Between October 1st and May 14th you can enjoy any amount of time on Porthmeor Beach. From May 15th to September 30th, you will need to have a leg stretch before 10am or after 6pm.
Alternative Activities
The fun doesn’t need to stop when you can’t go on the beach due to restrictions. Let us suggest some alternative activities to enjoy with your dog when the beaches are off limits.
- Take them for a walk along the south west coast path to Clodgy Head and even beyond to Zennor. To the east, the footpath will take you to Lelant and the incredible Porthkidney Beach that is free for dogs to play on all day long whatever the time of year. There are so many fabulous sights (and smells) along the way and it means you work up an appetite for all the delicious Cornish food on offer!
- Explore parks, woodlands and the moors near St Ives such as Steeple Woods, Trencrom Hill, Rosewall Hill, Tehidy Woods, Trevaylor Woods or visit Men-an-Tol stone circles on West Penwith moors. The woods have streams and shade which is perfect on warmer days or get a breeze on top of the hills that offer breathtaking views.
- Visit any National Trust Garden in Cornwall, they all welcome dogs on leads or Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Marazion
- Book a boat trip and take your four-legged friend for a ride they won’t forget spotting seals and possibly even dolphins!
Local Guidelines
Cornwall and most particularly St Ives LOVES dogs! Dogs are welcome in most places on a lead even in the local galleries and cafes. It is important to emphasize the importance of adhering to local guidelines and being a responsible dog owner.
- It is important to keep your dogs on leads around cattle or sheep
- Always pick up after your dog and dispose of the bag in a designated dog poo bin
- Be mindful of other beachgoers – not everyone is as dotty about dogs as us so try not to let them run up to children, adults or other dogs
- Most shops have water dogs bowls outside for refreshment, do ask them to refill if empty, they are very happy to!
Dog-Friendly Accommodation in St Ives
Local Events
Why not take your dog to a local dog event in Cornwall, there are often many (seeing as though we absolutely love dogs in Cornwall!). Here are a few events taking place over the next few months until the end of this year. Check out Facebook and Google during your stay and you will be sure to find a dog event going on somewhere in Cornwall!
- Fun Dog Show at the Princess Pavilions in Falmouth – 28th August
- Doggy Day Out at Mount Edgecombe – 10th September
- Free Fun Dog Show – The Ship Inn, Polmear – 24th September
- Pug Pup Up Cafe in Plymouth – 15th October
- Fun Dog Show at Bude Sea Pool – 29th October
Tips for Beach Safety for your dogs
These may seem so obvious to you as a dog lover and owner but we thought we’d share some top tips for ensuring the safety of your dogs on the beach and coastal cliffs:
- Avoid visiting the beach during high temperatures as the sand gets very hot. In the hot sun, sand becomes hot enough to result in nasty burns and irritation on your dog’s pads. Sand can be over 37 degrees celsius when the outside temperature is only 23 degrees; when the ambient temperature is 32 degrees, the sand can be over 48 degrees
- Make sure you provide some shade and water for your dog. There are few places on our beaches that offer natural shade so be sure to have a large shade that covers an area for your dog to lie in. Take iced water so by the time your dog drinks it, it’s melted and still refreshing
- Beware of potential hazards like strong tides or cliffs. There are such things as rip tides in the UK and these are strong enough to pull a grown man out to sea. Never let your dog swim out of its depth. Always keep your dog on a lead when walking the coastal path; the cliffs are sheer and they may chase a startled bird or rabbit off the cliff
- Don’t throw a ball into the sea too often. It may seem lots of fun and that you are cooling your dog down but sadly dogs drown from secondary drowning when they take in too much water into their lungs when snatching at balls in the sea
Pet-Friendly Dining
We have written a blog specifically on the best places to eat in St Ives with your dog, why not have a read and discover why your dog is very welcome to join you when you have a meal in St Ives.
Photo Opportunities
St Ives and Cornwall in general offer the most picturesque landscapes and beautiful beach scenes just perfect for great photo opportunities for you and your dog. Sunsets, hill tops offering expansive ocean views atop a rock, beach digs, sea swims and full body shakes, doggy ice-creams and seagull chasing, the number of opportunities to take incredible photos of you and your dog are endless. Your family photo album will be full to the brim of incredible heartwarming memories.
Here are some of my favourites of my dogs, some of who are sadly no longer with us but offer me comfort and joy when I see them again. I can still picture myself in the moment..
Sam and Tops on Pednvounder Beach
Sam with Jood and Shep on Porthcurnick beach
Lass looking out to sea on Porthleven Beach
Sam and Shep crossing the bridge down to Nanjizal Beach
Jood in Steeple Woods
Reviews
Here are some reviews we have received from our lovely guests that have stayed in one of Orange Roofs dog-friendly holiday cottages in St Ives or nearby and who have brought their very special dog friend too..