Local Area Information

St Ives Bay is on the north coast of Cornwall. It is in the form of a shallow crescent, 4 miles across, between St Ives in the west and Godrevy Head in the east.

The eastern end of the bay is a 3 mile unbroken sandy beach, backed by coastal dunes known as 'The Towans'. This beach, which stretches to Godrevy Point, is popular for surfing, particularly in the Gwithian area.

At the most southerly point of the bay, the River Hayle flows into the sea through sand dunes and across the beach. Behind the dunes, the river forms a tidal estuary. This is a popular place for birdwatching and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds maintains a reserve there.