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Porth Kidney Beach

(Porth Kidney Sands)

Cornwall, England


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Porth Kidney Beach, located in Cornwall, is a lesser-known sandy beach that offers a serene retreat from the crowds found at more popular resort beaches.

Porth Kidney Beach is a beautiful 1.5km sandy beach backed by an expanse of sand dunes, making it an ideal location for those seeking a peaceful beach experience. The beach is situated on the north coast of Cornwall and is also known as Carbis Bay Porth Kidney Sands. It stretches approximately 1.3 kilometres wide and is nestled near the mouth of the Hayle estuary.

The beach can be accessed from the village of Lelant or via the Coastal Path. It is located two miles from St Ives, and at low tide, it is possible to walk around the headland to Carbis Bay.

Porth Kidney Beach is a north-facing beach with a river that can create strong and dangerous currents. However, this also makes it a suitable spot for surfing on occasion. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and leisurely strolls along the beach. The beach is dog-friendly all year round, although dogs must be kept on a lead in certain areas.

While Porth Kidney Beach is a stunning location, it does suffer from occasional litter and fishing debris. Visitors are advised to be mindful of this when planning their trip.

Porth Kidney Beach is adjacent to the South West Coast Path.

Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 17 July

Today
Chance of rain 9%
Max temp. 21°C
(feels like 20°C)
Wind 11mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 45%
Min temp. 17°C
(feels like 17°C)
Wind 9mph

The tide at Porth Kidney Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 10:30 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 4:53 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   17.5°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Popular Activities

    Canoeing Cycling Fishing Sunbathing Surfing Swimming Walking
  • Features

    Dunes Golf
  • Parking

    There is a pay and display car park.

  • Dogs

    Dogs are welcome but must be kept on the lead on the footpath leading from St Uny Church to Porthkidney Sands.

  • Beach Cleaning

    Beach cleaned regularly.

  • Lifeguard

    Daily - 9th July - 4th September

  • Awards

    Marine Conservation Society Recommended

  • Water Quality

    Excellent water quality

    Excellent water quality

Recommended holiday cottages near Porth Kidney Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Cornwall Coast Path (1.1 miles)
Kidz R Us (1.9 miles)
Escape Time - St Ives (1.9 miles)
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden (1.9 miles)
Godrevy (2.9 miles)
South West Coast Path - Godrevy Head (3.9 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Carbis Bay

Location type: Town

OS Grid: SW540385

Country: England

Local Authority: Cornwall

Parish: St. Ives

Nearest postcode: TR26 3GN

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Porth Kidney Beach, Cornwall, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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18.97.14.84 Thu, 17 Jul 2025 06:42:31 +0100