Get glowing at SA's nudie beaches

Courtesy of GoTravel24.com

By Elhaam Ajam
January 21st, 2010

The very mention of the word naked, nude or naturist is enough to elicit a slight blush if you're not used to going buff. We reveal SA's favourtie nudie hotspots, try it if you dare...

Below is a list of some of the best stretches of sand where beach lovers can shed their skivvies and perfect that all-over tan.

Cape Town's got top optional beaches.

Included in Forbes.com annual list of Top Topless Beaches is a Cape Town beach no less. To make the list, a set of criteria are imposed.


These include: a recognized consensus to go topless, consistently sunny weather, beautiful scenery, a young, fun crowd and easily accessible bars, restaurants and boutiques.

The Top 10 Topless Beaches ...

• Anse du Gouverneur, St. Barts
• Black's Beach, San Diego
• Clifton Beach, Cape Town!
• Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
• Illetes, Formentera, Spain
• La Voile Rouge, St. Tropez, France
• Las Salinas, Ibiza, Spain
• Manly Beach, Sydney
• Nikki Beach, St. Tropez
• Paradise Beach, Mykonos, Greece
• Plage de Pampelonne, St. Tropez
• Santa Maria, Forte Dei Marmi, Italy
• South Beach, Miami

So go topless at the northwest tip of South Africa's Cape Peninsula. Cliftons' Beaches are swanky making it a haven for international hipsters and jet-setters.

Clifton is a series of four beaches, each separated by a stretch of granite boulders. The beaches are sprawling and clean, reflecting the sunshine off white sand and throngs of tanned bodies.

Head for Sandy Bay

Best for: getting an all-over tan.

The nudist beach of Sandy Bay is backed by steep dunes and mountain slopes. The only way to get to it is a 20-minute walk from the car park. Or you can clamber over rocks from the southern end of Llandudno.

Narrow paths lead off the track, seaward to favourite sunbathing spots or inland to high sand dunes.

Ever wondered what Sanfed stands for?

Well it's the South African Naturist Federation. This organisation promotes naturism locally. They even organise events for their members to come together in an environment where they can express their individuality.

Obviously free from the restraints of clothing. Their mission is "to promote body acceptance and the enjoyment of a clothes-free environment".

There's naturism/nudism in the North-West

There are currently four prominent naturist resorts in Southern Africa. Three of which are situated in the North West Province. All of them are endorsed by Sanfed.

Kiepersolkloof is widely regarded as the oldest private naturist area in South Africa. It's situated between two gorges in the African bushveld in the North West.

This makes it isolated and well-hidden by dense olive and thorn trees. If you want to stay the weekend there are self-catering cottages as well as campsites.

Harmony Nature farm is a traditional family naturist resort resting on the cliffs of the Magaliesberg Mountains. It's just over an hour's drive from Gauteng. It's a perfect weekend escape. Click here for a great Jozi deal!

Head for the Sun Eden Country Club for a quick naturist getaway. It's situated on a bushveld game farm just 50kms from Pretoria. Book a Pretoria package deal here for your naturist weekend.

Sun Eden also offers ‘nude recreation', which allows visitors to partake in a range of activities au naturel.

Down at the coast is Lazy Haven Lodge. It's billed as the "ultimate experience in naturism". It's just 30 km from East London near Kidd's beach, and offers luxury self-catering nudist accommodation.

Keep your manners in check

You may find naturism exotic and exciting; remember though that most naturists are simply there to enjoy being unclothed in the great outdoors.

When visiting a naturist area don't forget Sanfed's golden rules of etiquette:

* No overt sexual activity should be indulged in nudist areas.
* Be careful taking photographs. Ask permission if those in the shot are strangers.T
* he South African sun is vicious, so use sunscreen.
* Get dressed before leaving established nude areas so as not to offend anyone.
* Respect the privacy and space of others, and don't use nudity as an excuse to chat up members of the opposite sex.

Want to find out more about naturism in South Africa? Check out the South African Naturist Federation for more information.