Florida Best Beaches Guide to Nude Beaches

Sunning in the altogether

Florida's balmy temperatures are perfect for nude swimming or soaking up the sun in your birthday suit. Unfortunately, finding a nude beach in Florida (with the exception of the one legally-sanctioned nude beach) means finding a secluded stretch of sand. The general rule for nude bathing in Florida is "Bare if you dare" - nudity is a crime on many Florida beaches, and the irregular enforcement of public indecency laws means taking your clothes off is a bit of a gamble. Though a number of Florida beaches have earned reputations as skinny-dipping locations, many naturists have been fined and even arrested.

The following is a list of one official public nude beach and nine unofficial nude beaches. Please keep in mind that laws change frequently, so ask locals before sunning in all your glory in any of these locations:

1. Haulover Beach: The only legal beach on this list, this beach draws nude bathers of every age, shape and sexual orientation. The clothing-optional sections are well-marked and maintained by the county, so you can sun without fear.
2. Apollo Beach: While nude sunning is illegal, it's generally tolerated if you are discrete. Nearby Daytona offers naturist accommodations.
3. Playalinda Beach: This undeveloped beach is secluded enough to make most nudists feel comfortable. While it also draws eco-tourists with binoculars, don't worry - they come to gawk at the wildlife, not you.
4. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park: Also known as Air Force Beach, this park hasn't been a legal nude beach since the 1980s. A sub-tropical paradise, you can usually get away without a bathing suit if you don't actually cross the park's boundaries.
5. Hobe Sound: A secluded spot where celebrities like Celine Dion build multi-million dollar mansions, Hobe Sound has views that outshine the glitz. Cautious naturists can catch some rays in the buff since most people come to escape the crowds.
6. St. Lucie Inlet State Reserve: This state reserve offers the same seclusion, celebrity homes and warnings as nearby Hobe Sound. Nude bathing isn't legal here, so strip with caution.
7. South Beach: The anything-goes approach to life here makes unofficially clothing-optional beaches easy to find.
8. St. Vincent Wildlife Refuge: Uninhabited and accessible only by boat, you'll have to share your spot of beach with sea birds and turtles.
9. Gulf Islands National Seashore: Although nude bathing isn't legal, long stretches of deserted beach means most naturists can skinny dip in peace.
10. Navarre Beach (Eglin Air Force Base): While you can depend on warm weather, the social climate changes quickly. Authorities used to turn their heads, but now nude bathers need to exercise caution.

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