Carbis Bay Beach
Booking a holiday to Carbis Bay will definitely mean a trip to the beach! It has its very own beautiful stretch of golden sand beach framed by dramatic headland, The Carbis Bay Hotel and its beach lodges and, most special of all, the incredibly clean and clear sea with views across to Godrevy Lighthouse. It is a sheltered beach most of the time which means the sea is calm and so ideal for young families. Access to water sports tuition and equipment to hire makes it an excuse to get active and enjoy being in the water safely. There is a choice of places to eat and drink just off the beach to match any holiday budget plus Carbis Bay Hotel has the most incredible day spa if you fancy coming off the beach for a few hours of pampering without compromising the views.
Lelant, which is less than a 3-minute drive from Carbis Bay boasts the most incredible beach that stretches for miles. The views from Porthkidney Beach are extensive and walking the entire length and breadth of the beach when the tide is out can take a couple of hours!
St Ives is just around the corner from Carbis Bay and it has 5 stupendous beaches to choose from so we strongly recommend you read our St Ives Beaches Guide when planning your holiday to Carbis Bay.
A protected cove with soft golden sand and awarded Blue Flag status so the sea is clear and clean.
Ocean Water Sports base their activities on Carbis Bay beach and so there is a choice of kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and even foiling!
There is a huge choice of what to eat and drink at the beach thanks to Carbis Bay Hotel offering a beach bar, cafe, restaurants and cocktail menus! Don’t worry, you can still buy a bucket and spade with your ice cream from the shop on the beach too.
There are public loos and a shower directly off the beach and it is dog-friendly with some seasonal restrictions.
RNLI lifeguards ensure your safety between July to September.
In summary, Carbis Bay Beach offers:
- Sandy beach
- Public loos
- Cafes and restaurants on the beach
- Lifeguarded between July to September
- Seasonal dog restrictions
Ocean Sports Centre is based on Carbis Bay Beach and can offer a fabulous variety of water sports fun and games.
Open between Easter to the end of October half term, Ocean Sports Centre is open for 7 months of the year offering kids club, kayak, foiling and stand-up paddleboarding lessons as well as Hawaiian canoeing, sea life guided tours and surf safaris! There is no better way to spend warm and sunny days than on or in the clean and calm waters of Carbis Bay.
Visit their website or call them on 01739 794782
Another addition to the Carbis Bay Estate, this glamorous beachside restaurant offers fantastic beach views to admire over a glass of wine.
Hosted by executive chef Andrew Houghton, Walter’s on the beach offers a mix of internationally inspired dishes created with top-quality ingredients. Additionally to the luxury menu, this is the perfect spot for indulging in one of their specialist cocktails. They recommend their Pornstar Martini which includes a ‘Flavour Blaster’ bubble that surrounds the cocktail and gives a cloud of flavour!
- Dog-friendly – serving only drinks outside (summertime only)
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating (summertime only)
- Parking – On-site
Visit the website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 795311
To make your holiday to Carbis Bay even more relaxing and pampered, we suggest you try out the treatments or spa days at C Bay Spa at Carbis Bay Hotel.
With its show-stopping outdoor infinity-edge pool, soak up the bubbles in their hydro pool while sipping a cool glass of champagne! Spa day packages range from a Sundowner experience with the use of the facilities and a cocktail on arrival to a full-day treat including a 30-minute treatment, lunch at The Orangery and use of all the facilities.
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 792810
Found on the Carbis Bay beachfront, The Deli Cafe @ Carbis Bay Hotel offers sea views from within the modern yet rustic style cosy cafe, or from their outdoor patio.
The Deli menu comprised of speciality coffee, homemade pastries and cakes, as well as sandwiches and cold snacks. This is an ideal spot for a bit of wave-watching over a cappuccino during the winter months or treating yourself to a cream tea whilst enjoying the sea air.
- Vegetarian options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website by clicking on the name above or call them on 01736 792811
Part of the Carbis Bay Estate, The Beach Club Restaurant is located right off the sands of Carbis Bay Beach!
The restaurant has a sleek yet nautical feel, true to the landscape, with white wood beams and surrounding floor-to-ceiling glass walls as if you were still out on the beach. With the option of an outside sun terrace also, enjoy these spectacular beach views over their Mediterranean-style menu, full of fresh fish, hand-picked crab and locally sourced options. You are guaranteed a holiday feel here, even if you’re a local!
- Dog-friendly – allowed indoors during lunch service out of season and, during the summertime, outdoors only in the evenings
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website by clicking on the name above or call them on 01736 792811
4km of unadulterated bliss! This beach stretches as far as the eye can see (which is St Ives to the west and Godrevy to the east).
Even at high tide, there is still ample beach to have lots of fun on. This has to be the best dog-friendly beach all year round in west Cornwall.
There is limited free parking at St Uny Church in Lelant and access to the beach is following a footpath that cuts through the West Cornwall Golf course. You can also park on lanes nearby or pay via Just Park or with coins at Dynamite Quay (the tide needs to be out/ half out to access the beach from this car park).
RNLI lifeguards ensure your safety between July to September – click here to see more information.
There are no public loos at Porthkidney Beach or cafes for refreshments but you may find ice cream, pancake or coffee vendors near St Uny Church on various days throughout the year.
In summary, Porthkidney Beach offers:
- Sandy beach
- No Public loos
- No Cafes and restaurants
- Lifeguarded between July to September
- Dog-friendly all year round
Island Retreat | sleeps 6
How about booking a holiday rental by the sea? Check out our collection now!
Holidays by the sea!You have reached the end of 'Carbis Bay Beach' in our guide to Carbis Bay
Read our St Ives Guide to see which other beaches are within a mile of Carbis Bay
There are miles and miles of sandy beaches around the coast of Cornwall, read our Guide to Cornwall to discover where to find them.