St Ives Bay is properly wild water, and that’s part of the appeal. Beyond the beaches and the boats, this stretch of coast is home to grey seals, the occasional dolphin pod, and (depending who you ask) Britain’s boldest seagulls. Here’s what to actually expect, and how to enjoy it without losing your lunch to a herring gull.
Seagulls: The Real Story
How bad are the seagulls in St Ives really?
The local herring gulls are bold, confident, and very good at what they do. They’ve learned that visitors carry food, and they’re skilled at swooping in from behind to steal a pasty, ice cream or chip straight out of your hand. It’s more a mild nuisance than a real danger, but it does catch people out on the harbour front.
Both my wife and I have had ice creams snatched by these pesky gulls, and yes, we really should know better by now. On two separate occasions, we’d barely stepped out of the ice cream parlour before one swooped down and stole our very expensive ice cream.
How do you protect your food from seagulls on the harbour?
- Keep food low and wrapped: holding food up and open in the air is basically an invitation. Keep it close to your body, ideally still partly wrapped.
- Eat with your back to a wall: gulls swoop from behind, so sitting with something solid behind you removes their easiest approach.
- Use a bag, umbrella or your body as cover: shielding food, even briefly, is usually enough to put a gull off trying.
Can you get fined for feeding seagulls in St Ives?
There’s no specific fine attached to feeding gulls in St Ives, but you’re strongly discouraged from doing it, since it directly encourages the swooping behaviour that causes problems for everyone else. Think of it less as a rule and more as basic harbour etiquette.
Seals, Dolphins & Sharks
Where can I see seals in St Ives?
Several operators run boat trips from St Ives harbour out to Seal Island, a cluster of rocks known as The Carracks, off the coast near Zennor. Atlantic grey seals haul out here regularly to rest, and trips typically last an hour or two along the dramatic north coast. Click below to learn more about a trip to Seal Island (affiliate link).
I often spot seals off the cliffs near Porthgwidden Beach. Hang around long enough by the Coastwatch building, and there’s a good chance you’ll see one too, have a look at the video below to see what I mean.
Do boat trips guarantee seal sightings at Seal Island?
No trip can guarantee wildlife, and any operator promising a 100% sighting rate should raise an eyebrow. That said, sightings at The Carracks are common, since it’s a well-established haul-out site the seals return to consistently.
Are there dolphins in the bay at St Ives?
Yes, dolphins are seen in St Ives Bay from time to time, sometimes visible from the coast path or harbour, sometimes from boat trips. They’re not a daily guarantee, but Cornwall’s coastal waters are a genuine dolphin habitat, not a rare novelty.
I’ve seen dolphins many times in St Ives Bay, and at the right time of year, humpback whales too. I’ve spent countless hours on the cliffs with my binoculars and camera, waiting for them to appear. Below is a clip I filmed of a large dolphin pod passing through the bay.
You can watch all my dolphin and whale videos on my ‘JV’s Cornwall YouTube channel’ here.
Is it safe to swim if there are seals in the water?
Generally yes, but treat them the way you’d treat any wild animal: admire from a distance, don’t approach or try to touch one, and never get between a seal and the sea. If a seal is hauled out on a beach, give it plenty of space and keep dogs away.
Are there basking sharks in St Ives?
Cornwall’s waters are a known seasonal habitat for basking sharks, usually further offshore and most likely between late spring and summer. Sightings from St Ives itself aren’t common, but they’re not impossible if you’re out on a boat during the right season, and despite the size, they’re harmless plankton feeders.
Guides
The Ultimate St Ives Travel Guide: 100+ Questions Answered
Planning Your Trip To St Ives
Walking & Exploring St Ives
An Art Lovers Guide To St Ives
Where To Eat In St Ives
Dog-Friendly St Ives
The Ultimate St Ives Beach Guide
Parking, Trains & Getting to St Ives
The best accessible places in St Ives
The best places to park in St Ives
The best things to do in St Ives
The best places to stay in St Ives
