Beaches in Canada? Yup. Naked Canadians on the sand or grass? Yup, got that, too. Eight years ago, when I started “discovering” natural Canadians communing with nature, it nearly shocked my pants off. Then I realized it was acceptable on many beaches to just take them off. To take it all off, that is.
Here’s a list of places* to drop your drawers, toss your bikinis and frolic with like-minded Canadians in the nude, west to east:
British Columbia
Wreck Beach, Vancouver: Possibly North America’s most famous legal nude beach. This gorgeous spot, with the University of British Columbia towering nearby, draws loads of locals and visitors alike. Roving vendors sell cold drinks and more. Directions, Map
www.hellobc.com
Manitoba
Patricia Beach, Lake Winnipeg: Just north of Winnipeg, this beach (and nearby Beaconia Beach) has been popular with naturists for decades—and tolerated by authorities for some time, although nudity at Beaconia has reportedly become less acceptable. Lake Winnipeg is known for warm, blue summer waters. Directions, Map
http://travelmanitoba.com/
Ontario
Hanlan’s Point Beach, Toronto: After a winter of intense banking and deal-making in Canada’s business capital, Toronto nudists let it all hang out in sight of the landmark CN Tower on this beautiful, legal, nude beach, where the water is generally warm enough for swimming. Vendors offer beach-umbrella rentals and more. Directions, Map
www.ontariotravel.net/
Quebec
Oka Park Beach, near Montréal: Montréalers are known for a live-and-let-live attitude that’s a bit more progressive than much of North America. So it’s surprising that Montréal’s nearest nude beach is 50 km (31 mi) from town on the Ottawa River. Locals come by car and even boat up the river. The sand is known to be soft and walkable; nudity is common and tolerated at the far east end of the beach. Directions, Map
www.bonjourquebec.com
Nova Scotia
Crystal Crescent Beach, near Halifax: Attracting a diverse crowd of naturists from the port, military and university town of Halifax, this beach has a reputation for being welcoming and laid-back along its “Mackerel Cove” part. Directions, Map
http://novascotia.com
*Note: While clothing-optional beaches are common in many parts of Canada, and are tolerated by local citizens and law enforcement, those who choose to go nude do so at their own risk. Only two of the beaches listed above, Wreck and Hanlan’s Point, are legally clothing optional.
