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St. Ives is a pretty harbour town with one of the best beaches in the country, nestled on the North Cornwall coast. It is a popular holiday destination with its independent shops, cafes and restaurants and a vibrant art scene stimulated by Tate St. Ives. It is a must visit for any trip to Cornwall, even for a day trip! To help you make the most of your time in this stunning spot, we have put together a list of our favourite ways to explore the area.
For the thrill seekers out there, coasteering is one of the most exciting ways to explore the wonderful Cornish coast. The coast around St. Ives is ideal for this adventure sport with rocky cliffs, plenty of hidden coves and caves, intriguing rock features and beautiful beaches to explore. For the uninitiated, coasteering involves traversing cliffs, jumping into the sea, making your way down gullies, exploring caves and swimming in the sea. It is great fun whether you are a complete beginner or have some experience but always take part with an experienced guide. We recommend Kernow Coasteering who provide expert coasteering sessions around Cornwall and know all the best spots around St. Ives! They can tailor the session to meet your needs and will provide you with all the necessary top-quality equipment. You will be in safe hands with Kernow Coasteering as they know the local routes, research the weather and the tides and make sure that you have a safe and unforgettable experience.
There are some brilliant cycle trails around St. Ives, giving you the chance to explore both the coastline and the surrounding countryside. One of the best routes is along the B3306 that runs all the way to Land’s End via Zennor, St. Just and Sennen. It is a bit of a challenging route but you get the chance to see the beautiful variety of the Cornish landscape from rugged coastal cliffs, to moorland and historic mining buildings. For more off-road opportunities check out the First and Last Trail. If you are not travelling with your own bikes, not to worry, there are plenty of reasonable bike hire options in and around St. Ives.
St. Ives is a fun place to explore on two feet with winding cobbled lanes, leading to surprises around every corner! It is a great way to get to know the town and discover its many creative shops, cafes and art galleries. If you want to explore a bit further afield then head for the South West Coastal Path. If you take the eastern route towards Carbis Bay, you will follow gentle ascent along a tarmacked path with glorious sea views and great views back to St. Ives. If you head along the western route, you will encounter quite a different path with rocky cliffs to the right and rich moorlands to the left. This route offers you more rugged views and the chance to get deeper into the countryside with detours into the moors at Zennor Hill. Along either route you will enjoy breath-taking sea views and always have the option of taking the bus or train back to St. Ives!
St. Ives is blessed with a beautiful coastline and one of the best ways to see it is from the sea! You can easily find some great boat tours at the harbour front and one of the most popular will take you to Seal Island. This rocky island as the name suggests is home to Atlantic grey seals, as well as anglerfish, dogfish and sea anemones. If you are lucky you may even catch a glimpse of a basking sharks, porpoises, dolphins and even a humpback whale! With the informative guides you will have a memorable trip and get a chance to see the island’s shipwreck and nearby Godrevy Lighthouse.
Sea kayaking is a unique way to explore the coast around St. Ives and is great fun for all ability levels. You can enjoy tours of up to 90 minutes with experienced local guides who will show you the best spots on the coast. Get to see sea caves and coves that are not accessible on foot and see memorable views of St. Ives and its surroundings. Kayaking is a great opportunity to see grey seals, sun fish, porpoises and dolphins up close and learn about the local sights along the coast. You can choose a single person or double person kayak and will always receive the necessary equipment and training beforehand.
However you choose to explore St. Ives, you are sure to have a fantastic time in one of Cornwall’s favourite seaside towns.