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Cornwall

Carbis Bay Beach

6.7 · Beach · Cornwall

A sheltered, sandy beach inside St Ives Bay, flanked by rocky headlands (Hawk's Point to the west and Carrack Gladden to the east). Clear water and a gentle slope make it good for surf bassing close-in, summer feathering for mackerel/garfish, wrasse and pollack around the rocky margins, and bottom fishing over clean sand for flats and occasional rays—especially from dusk into dark. Best results on a flooding tide; an onshore breeze helps the surf. Access is via steep paths from the car park/rail station and it gets busy with swimmers in summer. Watch for lesser weever fish in the shallows.

Should you fish Carbis Bay Beach?

56 Fair

Today · Best window

Best window: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Mackerel and Ballan Wrasse

Fair conditions. Best around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide. Good chance of Mackerel and Ballan Wrasse.

NW 3 mph Rain 24% High tide 10:59

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Carbis Bay Beach — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

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· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

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Carbis Bay is a sheltered, clear-water sand beach where timing matters more than brute distance. It is best approached as a mobile, finesse mark: fish the clean sand for flats, whiting, dogfish and occasional rays, then work the rocky margins for bass, wrasse, pollack, mackerel and gar when tide and light levels suit. The flood, especially the last two hours up and first two down, is the key general window.

  • Know when to fish the clean sand instead of the rocky ends
  • Time the flood window for bass, flats and rays
  • Pick the right Carbis Bay tactic for clear water
  • Avoid the swimmer, weed and cut-off traps
  • Have a nearby backup plan before the beach gets too busy

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Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Carbis Bay 0.2 mi St Ives (Cornwall) 1.1 mi Lelant 1.5 mi The Towans 1.7 mi Hayle 2.2 mi

Explore nearby towns: Carbis Bay · St Ives (Cornwall) · Lelant · The Towans · Hayle

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Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

6.7 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 7/10
Scenery & Comfort 9/10
Safety 7/10
Accessibility 7/10

Bass 8/10
Tip: Dawn/dusk on a flooding tide; fish lures or sandeel/peeler in the surf and along rocky margins at either end. Light swell fishes best.
Lesser Spotted Dogfish 8/10
Tip: Night over clean sand; small fish or squid strips on two-hook flappers. First half of flood or ebb. Very common year-round.
Whiting 7/10
Tip: Winter nights; lug/black lug or mackerel strip at range over clean sand. Best on a building tide Nov–Feb.
Mackerel 7/10
Tip: Summer shoals at dawn/dusk; small metals or feathers. Stand by the rocky points for depth and tide; fish the flood.
Plaice 6/10
Tip: Clean sand; long casts with beads/spoons and worm/squid cocktails. Daylight on neaps in spring–early summer; let baits slowly drag.
Ballan Wrasse 6/10
Tip: From rocky ends; fish crab or worm tight to kelp on the flood. May–Sep; use strong gear to keep fish out of weed.
Golden-grey Mullet 6/10
Tip: Calm summer evenings; tiny rag/isome on size 10–12 hooks in the surf line. Light ledger or sliding float; steady flood.
Dab 5/10
Tip: Close in on clean sand; small worm baits on size 2–4 hooks. Winter daylight, best on neap tides with light leads to search.
Small-eyed Ray 5/10
Tip: Evening into dark on a gentle surf; sandeel on pulley rigs at medium range. Late spring–autumn on the flood.
Thornback Ray 4/10
Tip: Occasional; bluey/squid or peeler at medium range after dusk. Spring–autumn on a flooding tide.

Local knowledge

Carbis Bay Beach fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

Carbis Bay Beach is a sheltered, sandy cove just east of St Ives on the northern coast of Cornwall. With clear water and an easterly/north-easterly aspect that tucks it out of the worst south-westerlies, it offers relaxed, family-friendly angling plus some rewarding sessions for bass, flatfish, and summer pelagics. It gets very busy in season, so timing and etiquette are key.

Set between Porthminster and Porthkidney, Carbis Bay is easy to reach by road, rail, or the South West Coast Path. Access is straightforward to the sand, though the hill from the village is steep and the beach car park fills quickly in summer.

  • Parking: Beach/Hotel car park near the waterfront (postcode TR26 2NP); spaces are limited and charges apply, especially in peak season.
  • Overspill: Additional parking in the village and by Carbis Bay railway station; expect a steep 8–12 minute walk down to the beach and longer back up.
  • Public transport: The St Ives Branch Line stops at Carbis Bay station. Frequent buses run between St Ives, Carbis Bay, and Hayle.
  • On foot: The South West Coast Path runs behind the beach; short walks connect to Porthminster (west) and Porthkidney/Hawk’s Point (east).
  • Terrain: Mainly clean sand with gentle gradient; patches of small stone, and rocky fringes/ledges toward both ends.

The bay produces a mix of flatfish, bass, and summer visitors, with winter bringing the usual small predators. Expect clearer water than most north coast beaches.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Plaice, flounder, school bass, garfish late spring; odd gurnard; chance of a small-eyed ray after dark on sandeel.
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Mackerel and garfish on calm evenings; bass on lures or bait; pollack and wrasse off the rock fringes; dabs/flounder; occasional small-eyed or painted ray at night; dogfish.
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Peak bass time; mackerel can linger into September; garfish; plaice; tub/grey gurnard; occasional squid on very calm, clear nights.
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting after dark, dabs, flounder; the odd bass in mild, coloured seas; dogfish.

Clean sand calls for lighter end tackle for flats, with options to scale up for bass or rays. The rocky ends offer simple spinning or float tactics when the beach is busy.

  • Bottom fishing (flatties/whiting): 1–2 hook flappers or long-snood plaice rigs; size 2–1 hooks; beads/spoons and long snoods (60–90 cm) help plaice. 3–4 oz plain or watch leads to let baits wander.
  • Bass on bait: Whole or half sandeel, peeler crab, lug or razor on a pulley or clipped-down rig with size 2/0–4/0 hooks. Fish the flooding tide, dusk, and when there’s a bit of colour and lift.
  • Lures: Soft plastics (paddle/shads) and surface walkers for bass at first/last light; 15–30 g metals or small jigs for mackerel and gar. LRF gear will pick out gobies, small wrasse, and pollack around the rocks.
  • Float fishing (rock fringes): Small strip baits (mackerel, sandeel) or sandeel sections set 4–10 ft for mackerel/gar/pollack in summer.
  • Night sessions: Scale down for flats and whiting; small fish baits (mackerel strip, squid, worm cocktails). Scale up only if targeting rays with fresh sandeel or launce.

Carbis Bay fishes through the range, but movement helps. Clarity is often excellent, favouring finesse and lure work in calm spells.

  • Tide: Productive on the flood and around high water (last 2 up, first 2 down). Neaps can still fish well for flats; springs add welcome movement for bass.
  • Wind/sea state: Sheltered in SW winds; best bassing with a modest northerly/north-easterly creating a push without heavy weed. Calm, clear evenings suit mackerel/gar and lure fishing.
  • Time of day: Dawn/dusk for bass and pelagics; after dark in winter for whiting/dabs.
  • Water clarity: In gin-clear water, drop line/trace diameter and use fluorocarbon; add subtle beads for plaice and keep baits neat.

This is a generally safe, gently shelving beach, but it’s a busy Blue Flag bathing beach in season and the ends can become cut-off on big tides. Treat the rock fringes as proper rock marks.

  • Lifeguards (seasonal): Respect flagged bathing zones; do not fish inside red/yellow flags during patrol hours. Expect heavy watercraft traffic (SUPs, kayaks) in summer.
  • Tides: Springs can reach the back of the beach—avoid setting up tight to the wall; be mindful of cut-off beneath the headlands.
  • Swell and weed: Strong northerlies can push surf and rafts of weed into the bay; stand back from plunging water and reset if weed lines build.
  • Rocks/cliffs: Slippery weeded rock, uneven footing, and occasional cliff debris near the ends. Wear boots with grip; a lifejacket is strongly advised if you step onto rock.
  • Night fishing: Headtorch with spare batteries; tidy kit to avoid trip hazards on soft sand.
  • Accessibility: Step-free slipway access exists, but soft sand makes mobility aids hard work. The hill to/from the station and village is steep.

Facilities are good for a beach mark, with seasonal amenities right by the sand and more options in St Ives and Carbis Bay village.

  • Toilets: Public facilities near the beach (seasonal opening).
  • Food and drink: Beach café kiosks (seasonal) and hospitality at the Carbis Bay Hotel; numerous cafés and pubs in Carbis Bay and St Ives.
  • Tackle/bait: Choice of tackle shops in St Ives and Hayle; check hours in winter and bring bait if arriving late.
  • Lifeguards: Seasonal RNLI patrols—check noticeboards for dates/times.
  • Connectivity: Generally good mobile signal on the promenade and beach.
  • Transport: Carbis Bay railway station a short walk; frequent buses on the main road above the beach.

Beat the crowds and you’ll fish better—Carbis Bay rewards stealth and timing. Think light, long snoods and natural presentations in clear water.

  • Early/late is king: Be set up for first light or fish into dusk; summer daytime sessions are often plagued by swimmers and paddlecraft.
  • Plaice tweaks: Small orange/black beads and a spinner blade above the hook, slow-walked with a plain lead, can outfish static baits in spring.
  • Follow the bait: Watch for sandeel shoals and working terns—clip on a slim metal or small casting jig when the birds switch on.
  • Weed lanes: After onshore blows, fish a bait just outside the first weed line; flats and bass patrol these edges.
  • Rays: If you must try, pick a quiet, dark night on a medium spring, cast long with fresh sandeel—and be patient.
  • Travel light: A shoulder bag, one rod, and a small bucket keep you mobile on shifting tides and around crowds.
  • Trains over parking: In high season the branch line is the least stressful way in and out.

Sea angling from the beach is generally permitted; observe beach bylaws and lifeguard directions, especially during the bathing season. Always verify current rules before your trip—some measures change annually.

  • Bathing beach rules: Do not fish within the red/yellow flagged swimming zone during lifeguard hours. Local seasonal bylaws may also restrict BBQs/fires and set dog access times.
  • No licence: You do not need a licence to sea fish from the shore in England, but national and local byelaws still apply.
  • Bass: Recreational bass retention is controlled by seasonal limits and a slot size. Check the latest DEFRA/MMO notice before retaining any bass.
  • Minimum sizes: Cornwall IFCA publishes Minimum Conservation Reference Sizes for common species (e.g., plaice, mackerel, etc.). Measure your catch and return undersized fish promptly.
  • Tope and protected species: It is illegal to retain tope caught by rod and line in England; release alive. Do not target or disturb seals, dolphins, or seabirds.
  • Bait collection: Below mean high water mark, hand-gathering of common baits is generally allowed, but avoid protected areas and always follow the Shore Code; seek permission for any collection above the high-water line.
  • Waste and access: Take all litter and line home; do not block emergency access points or private driveways when parking.