The Best Nude Beaches around the World

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  • Marshall's Beach // USA

    Marshall's Beach
    ©© Frank Schulenburg

    Located in San Francisco's Presidio park, which encloses an area of historic military installations at the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge, Marshall's Beach is the closest beach to this icon of California and the United States.

    Offering exemplary views of the bridge, as well as of sunsets over Helmet Rock and the Pacific Ocean, its rich golden-brown sands are reached via boardwalk-style steps that lead down the low cliffs. Though some 300 metres long, it is relatively narrow, meaning it largely disappears with the high tide.

    Marshall's Beach only has… read more »

  • Kehena Black Sand Beach // USA

    Kehena Black Sand Beach
    ©Tal Atlas

    A thin sliver of black sand on the eastern coast of Big Island in Puna, Kehena Black Sand Beach is best accessed by following the path leading from the left of the car park. Because of its isolation, it is often used by nude sunbathers, although this is illegal on Hawaii and those who strip off may face a fine from local law enforcement officials.

    Sometimes also called Dolphin Beach because of a population of Spinner dolphins that live offshore, the beach is edged by lava rock and trees. It was… read more »

  • Longnook Beach // USA

    Longnook Beach
    ©Ollie Jones

    One of Cape Cod's top nudist beaches, Longnook Beach is located in the Massachusetts town of Truro. Although situated in one of the most popular oceanside resorts on the American east coast, it remains relatively quiet because it can only be accessed via a steep path down a high sand dune.

    Formed of a narrow band of light-coloured sand, the waves are usually mild, making it a good spot for a dip in the Atlantic or for riding the waves on a boogie board.

    During the summer season there are basic… read more »

  • Red Sand Beach // USA

    Red Sand Beach
    ©Laila Goubran

    As the name suggests Red Sand beach is adorned with sand that is more than just a little red in hue. In fact the little cove is something of a festival of colors; the red sand, deep blue of the ocean, black of the rocks and green of the ironwood trees.

    The redness of the beach is provided by the iron rich lava-cinder cliffs behind which are constantly eroding.

    The Hawaiian name for the beach is a little more exciting - Kaihalulu which means "roaring sea". However, the beach itself is somewhat… read more »

  • Platja de l'Arboçar // Spain

    Platja de l'Arboçar
    ©Jorge Franganillo

    This cosy little beach is about as off the beaten track as it gets. 

    You'll find it just a 20-minute drive away from Tarragona, but to reach the actual sands, you'll need to park up a couple of minutes' away and finish the journey on foot.

    When you reach the golden sands in this secluded little cove though, it's well worth the extra effort. The water's calm and crystal clear, and the sands are a mere 200-metre stretch of soft, caramel-coloured, powder-fine paradise.

    There are no facilities here, so you'll need to take… read more »

  • Issos Beach // Greece

    Issos Beach
    ©Kurt Bauschardt

    Issos Beach is a quiet ribbon of golden sand some 1.5 kilometres long that is backed by gently-sloping dunes. These separate it from the forests and wetlands that surround Lake Korission, one of Corfu's most important bodies of freshwater.

    This south facing beach lies in the far south of the island, and benefits from a lifeguard presence during the high season. Issos Beach has a shallow entry into glorious turquoise waters, however there are constant waves which might put some paddlers off.

    On the plus side, these breakers make both surfing and… read more »

  • Halikounas Beach // Greece

    Halikounas Beach
    ©Simon Dannhauer

    Halikounas Beach is located at the northern end of a thin strip of land that separates Lake Korission from the sea on the southwest coast of the island. Sometimes known by the alternative name of Chalikounas, the beach is predominantly made up of yellow sand, though this does have a mixture of shingle along its three-kilometre length too.

    The largest sand beach on this side of the island, one of its many draws is its unspoilt nature. This does mean there are fewer facilities in the immediate vicinity than other Corfu… read more »

  • Vera Playa - Playa El Playazo // Spain

    Vera Playa - Playa El Playazo
    ©Seryam

    Vera Playa is located at the northern end of Playa El Playazo, a beach measuring two kilometres in length and up to 100 metres wide. It fronts a relatively developed and well-catered for section of Spain's eastern Almeria coastline.

    The first official site for nudists in Europe, it has developed into something of a naturists resort, as well as holding the Guinness World Record for the largest mass participation skinny dip event. It starts at the end of the beach promenade, from where naturist-centric hotels and restaurants take over from their… read more »

  • Shark Fin Cove // USA

    Shark Fin Cove

    Located just a few miles up Highway 1 from Santa Cruz, Shark Fin Cove is a different world. It isn't hard to see where the beach gets its name from; viewed from the right angle the hulking rock that guards the bay's entrance cuts the same profile of a huge shark's fin. The sandy beach is also known as Shark Tooth Cove, for the same reason.

    But there's more to Shark Fin Cove than just a rock formation - in fact there are a few of them, including an old mine… read more »

  • Platja es Grau // Spain

    Platja es Grau
    ©Markus Trienke

    Six hundred metres long by roughly 35 metres wide, Menorca's Es Grau Beach sits beside a small fishing village of the same name within the island's Natural Park of S'Albufera de Es Grau. This means visitors to Es Grau beach are able to enjoy a fine natural landscape of grassy sand dunes while being certain they'll find somewhere to enjoy a meal or a cold drink nearby.

    Comprising the same yellow sand as the dunes, along with a light spread of shells and shingle, Es Grau Beach sits within a well-protected… read more »

  • Gouverneur Beach // The Caribbean

    Gouverneur Beach
    ©Lombardi

    Gouverneur Beach comprises a broad expanse of near white sand located at the end of a deep bay known by the name of the Anse du Gouverneur. Situated close to the island's southernmost point, the beach is flanked by low, shapely hills of rock speckled with planting, and backed by an even denser expanse of green.

    With few manmade structures in sight, Gouverneur Beach has a timeless quality to it, and was known to the pirates of the Caribbean. One, by the name of Captain Monbars, is even said to have… read more »

  • Perissa Beach // Greece

    Perissa Beach
    ©Norbert Nagel / Wikimedia Commons

    Lined from end to end with sun loungers and umbrellas of thatched palm leaves, Perissa Beach is renowned for its unusual black sands. They are the result of volcanic eruptions from Mesa Vouno Mountain thousands of years ago, and create an impressive contrast with the whitewashed buildings and deep blue sea around it.

    Situated on the southeast coast of Santorini, the black sands continue into the shallows, making Perissa Beach a good pick for anyone wishing to enjoy the water as well as soak up the sun. Awarded a Blue Flag… read more »

  • Red Beach // Greece

    Red Beach
    ©Sidvics

    This unique and stunning beach was formed by volcanic eruptions and is one of the must see attractions for tourists visiting the gorgeous island of Santorini. As the name suggests, its sand has a distinct red hue. 

    Located on the southern part of the island in Akrotiri Village, Red Beach is a 20-minute drive from Fira town. If you'd rather have someone else do the driving for you, there are also buses running from Fira town. Another option is to join one of the boat tours that run daily.

    You will need… read more »

  • Cala del Ambolo // Spain

    Cala del Ambolo
    ©Marina Sanz Biendicho

    Stretching for just 150 metres (500 feet) in length, Playa de Cala Ambolo faces south from Spain's beautiful Costa Blanca coastline. Surrounded by rugged rocks that rise almost vertically from the enticing shallows, Cala Ambolo Beach is reached via a concrete stairway with a good handrail. While this may seem like a drawback, especially if you're travelling with children, the advantage is a mix of pale shingle and golden sand that is quiet on even the busiest summer day.

    Averaging just six metres in width, Cala Ambolo has waters that are… read more »

  • Güi-Güi // Spain

    Güi-Güi
    ©Lexthoonen

    All but hidden by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean at high tide, at low tide Güi Güi Beach reveals a narrow stretch of dramatic sand. A rich brown-black in colour and backed by towering mountain slopes dotted with tall cacti, it lies in a remote area of the Reserva Especial Natural de Güi-Güi.

    Pronounced ‘wee wee', Güi Güi Beach can be subdivided into two sections. The first reached is known as Güi Güi Grande, although at around 350 metres (1200 feet) in length it is actually the shorter of… read more »