Sandy Bay, Naturist beach in Cape Town, South Africa
Sandy Bay is a beach on Cape Town's western coastline that stretches between rocky cliffs and granite formations, with the Twelve Apostles mountain range rising behind it. The wide sandy shore contains various sections, some with boulders and rock crevices that create natural sheltered areas.
The beach gradually became a spot for nude swimmers starting in the 1960s, as visitors took advantage of its secluded setting. This practice solidified over the following decades and now forms an important chapter in the location's story.
This beach serves as a gathering place for people who practice social nudity, and you can see how visitors naturally organize themselves into informal groups along the shoreline. The openness and acceptance you encounter here reflect long-standing local attitudes toward body freedom.
Access comes via a footpath from Llandudno or from Hout Bay, with the first route being shorter but steeper. There are no facilities on-site, so bring water and sun protection, and pay attention to tides.
A freshwater stream runs down the hillside and meets the beach in a natural pool where visitors can cool off. This calm water offers a pleasant change from the salt water of the ocean.
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