There are no beaches in South Africa where the right to bathe nude is protected. However, Sandy Bay and the Umhlanga Lagoon and Mpenjati beach are beaches where nudity is accepted[3] and bathers are very unlikely to be prosecuted for simply being naked. Mpenjati beach was approved as a naturist beach by the local town council in charge of the area, however the Public Protector ruled that the proper procedures had not been followed in proclaiming Mpenjati as a naturist beach.[4][5] The situation at the other beaches is less certain. Nudist beaches are by nature remote and secluded and it is unfortunate that in South Africa this makes them unsafe as criminals find them ideal for their purposes too. Nudists are advised to try to keep in big groups, singles and couples should exercise a great deal of caution if visiting the lesser known nudist beaches.
Lighthouse Beach, Great Fish River[b] between Port Alfred and East London, in 2003 there were plans to make this beach an official nudist beach; the plans never took off.[6][1]
The Striptease River Trail[c] at the Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa. The trail is nudist friendly; the hotel, however, is a textile hotel.[7]
Signpost at Mpenjati Naturist Beach advising people that they may see naked people.
Mpenjati Nature Reserve[e], near Trafalgar and 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of Port Edward, is a beautiful wildlife reserve,[8] administered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, which has a popular nudist beach. Application was made to the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality to approve its use as an official nudist beach.[9][10][11][12][13][14] On 28 October 2014, at their October 2014 monthly council meeting the Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality approved beach as an official naturist beach. In November 2017 the Public Protector declared that the proclamation of the beach as a nudist beach by the Municipality did not follow proper procedures and prescripts.[15] The nudist section of the beach is about 200 metres (220 yd) north of the Mpenjati River mouth, and is clearly signposted.[16]
Western Cape
Sandy Bay[f] in Cape Town is the best-known nude beach in South Africa. It is isolated by cliffs, and has no vehicle access.[17]
Hooting Owl[j] is a B&B south of Margate about 1 km from the Indian Ocean coast. "The whole guest house property can also be booked as a clothing optional retreat for Naturist/Nudist groups on request."
Eden Naturist Villa a naturist guest house in Salt Rock, a holiday town about 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Durban[citation needed]
