Where are the clothing optional beaches in Canada?

Canada has many beaches where nude sunbathing and swimming is accepted. Wreck Beach, Vancouver BC, is the best known, and visited by thousands of nudists every year. Hanlan's Point in Toronto is Canada's only other "official" clothing-optional beach. The smaller Crystal Crescent Beach, near Halifax NS, established by the Bluenose Club, while not "official," also sees many regular and visiting nudists. A similar stretch of beach in Québec at Oka Park (west of Montréal) is similarly unofficial but well known as a clothing-optional beach. Across the country are countless lake and river beaches, some very quiet, others well recognized.

We aim to compile here a complete list of these areas, as far as possible from personal contacts. If you know of any place which you feel should be included, please e-mail the WebMaster at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , with a description and directions.

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Meech Lake AdvIsory  (click here)

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Is it legal to be nude on a beach?

In Canadian law, it is unlawful to be nude in a public place, or so clad as to offend public decency. This also applies to a private place (in the home back garden, for example), where one might be exposed to public view.

However, "this offence is not aimed at conduct such as swimming nude at an isolated beach." Also, the consent of the Attorney General is required for a prosecution to be made.

Some local authorities have accepted the clothing-optional use of certain public beaches. In such cases, an established naturist group may have taken responsibility for maintaining the beach, and for behaviour of those using the beach.

How the Canadian Criminal Code affects Canadian Naturists

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The Federation of Canadian Naturists also sold The Canadian Guide to Naturism (now out of print), which included information at the end of the 20th century.

Other sources are Lee Baxandall's World Guide to Nude Beaches and Resorts, from the Naturist Society (also out of print), the « Guide du Québéc naturiste » (in French), from the Fédération québécoise de naturisme, AANR's guide (listing only clubs that are AANR members), and The World's Best Nude Beaches and Resorts (published in 2007).

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