While not everyone is comfortable sporting nothing but sunscreen and a smile, there are many South Africans who are, and there are nude beaches to support their lifestyle.
Contrary to popular belief, nudist beaches are not filled with men and women lusting after each other. They are spaces where like-minded naturists gather to enjoy the outdoor splendour in their most natural state – naked.
Sandy Bay Beach
Tucked between Llandudno and Hout Bay is perhaps the most famous of all nudist beaches – Sandy Bay. It is a 20 minute walk from Llandudno Beach to the long stretch of beach naturally shielded by massive boulders. The waters are turquoise and magnificent to look at, but bone-shattering cold to swim in.
Mpenjati Nature Reserve
The only legal nude beach in South Africa, it is located at Trafalgar Beach on the Hibiscus Coast in KwaZulu-Natal. The 250m stretch of beach within the Mpenjati Nature Reserve is reserved for nudists and received nude-beach status in 2014 after much backlash from the surrounding communities.
Umhlanga Lagoon
A quiet piece of heaven – a secluded stretch of beach on the north coast of Durban is frequented by nudists and has been for years. It is a two-to-three kilometre trail from the parking at Lagoon Drive, next to Breakers Hotel, to get to the area where the water is warm and bathing suits are optional. There are no plans to make this stretch of beach an official nude beach and because it is such a quiet area, no one fuses and it’s safe to let it all hang out.
Secrets Beach
One of ‘The Friendly City’s’ best kept secrets is their nudist beach, located not too far from Port Elizabeth near the Cape Recife Lighthouse. Locals call it Shelly Beach and it has been frequented by nudists for decades. The beach is hidden away by sand dunes and bushes which makes it ideal for nudists – but also an ideal crime hotspot.
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If you are an amateur nudist or just curious, there is a certain etiquette you need follow
- Do not stare! This is considered a safe space for nudists to let it all hang out so gawking is downright rude.
- Don’t take pictures. One of the unspoken rules of nude beaches is ‘no pictures’ because it’s an invasion of privacy to take photos of people without their knowledge, especially in the nude.
- It is always optional to take your clothes off, but expected if you are on a nudist beach. Don’t only go for the gees.
- No suggestive behaviour will be tolerated.
- Stay within the demarcated area. Know where the nudist beach starts and ends so you don’t wander onto a family beach with your kit off.
- No offensive, homophobic, racist, sexist or rude comments are allowed.
Other Beaches To Explore in KwaZulu-Natal
