Summer on the St Ives Waters
When the summer heat reaches its peak, what better way to cool off than with a dip in the sea, a surf lesson or a lovely boat trip to otherwise inaccessible parts of Cornwall. An approach by water offers a different perspective of the Cornish coastal towns and being on the sea also allows you to escape the summer bustle of the mainland.
Based on Porthmeor Beach - just metres from your luxury St Ives apartment - St Ives Surf School is a well-established school with a great reputation for both friendliness and excellent teaching. The school offers courses for all levels of surfers, from those who are keen competitors to those who have never touched a board before! All necessary equipment is provided for free, and if lessons aren’t for you, St Ives Surf School also offers wetsuit and board hire.
St Ives Watersports
SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) is the fastest growing watersport in the world, and where better to give it a try than on beautiful Porthminster Beach. Both lessons and guided tours for more experienced paddleboarders are available.
For the thrill-seekers amongst you, St Ives Watersports runs coasteering sessions. These sessions can be tailored to the needs of the group and include sea swimming, rock jumping and exploring caves. Coasteering offers a hands-on approach to the Cornish coast.
The school also offers guided kayaking tours of St Ives Bay and the surrounding coastline. No previous experience of kayaking is required, and your guide will be able to tell you all that you need to know, as well as where to watch out for the beautiful Cornish wildlife – if you are lucky you might be able to see both dolphins and seals up close!
On trips to the harbour, you are almost always greeted with cries of ‘Boat trips to Seal Island’! If you get the chance, Seal Island really is worth a visit: it is named for the colony of grey seals that inhabit it, but it also plays host to a variety of anglerfish, dogfish, and sea anemones. The boat trip also visits the wreck of the Enrico Parodi, a steel vessel carrying coal during the First World War, which met an unfortunate fate on the rocks of Zennor. For experienced divers there is an opportunity to experience this wreck from underwater. The Dolly P runs trips to the picturesque Godrevy lighthouse and Hell’s Mouth as well as to Seal Island.
If you are happy to venture a little further afield, the River Fal is a beautiful place to explore. Enterprise boats sail from the maritime port of Falmouth to the bustling cathedral city of Truro. The boat also stops at the beautiful Trelissick Gardens, where you can disembark for a quick visit to the National Trust Gardens and a delicious cream tea before continuing on your journey. Four-legged friends are also welcome on the boat as long as they stay on their leads!
From this picturesque seaside village, take a boat trip to the secluded Lamorna Cove or to the bustling fishing port of Newlyn. While you sail out to Lamorna, the skipper will point out historic landmarks and old pirate smuggler caves. The route also allows you to see Newlyn’s fishing industry in action as you cross paths with vessels heading out into the Atlantic to bring home the days catch.
If you're in St Ives and want to head out along the Cornish Coastline and discover everything that's out there to enjoy then why not make the most of having the reassurance of reserved parking throughout your stay? The Sail Lofts luxury apartments in St Ives give you the opportunity to discover the varied locations across the county so don't miss out and start exploring!
