TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Nude Resorts, Beaches and Cruises NC beaches

My wife and I just got back from another wonderful visit to Cypress Cove. Unfortunately, every time we go there or to Club Orient, it has the effect of strongly reinforcing our intense dislike of bathing suits. In July we are going on a family vacation to Wilmington, NC and spend 7 days on Carolina Beach.

Would someone please tell us that North Carolina has seen the light and now permits and encourages nude bathing on its beaches (at least Carolina Beach). If not, where can we go to avoid sand in the suits?



Thanks!

I don't think Carolina Beach is c/o friendly.

No it's not legal in NC but there are a few places you can get by with it. There a place close to Carolina Beach called Bird Island at Sunset Beach. I've only read about it but never experienced it. I've always gone to the Outer Banks. Pea Island just south of Manteo was and still is a very secluded place to go nuding but recent patrolling by a few fish and wildlife officers have reaked havoc on some of the relaxation factor. The last few times, we've gone to Ocracoke Island where you can drive on the beach and find yourself a spot. This is National Park land and I'm sure it's not legal but suprisingly, the rangers don't have this high on their priority list. May not have enough resources to worry about it. The only problem with Ocracoke is the amount of traffic on the beach which consists primarily of fishermen. See this link for more info: http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/6059/index.html

I don't recommend Bird Island. My understanding is that the atmosphere has changed and C/O is not permitted. However, just off of Wrightsville Beach is Masonboro Island. You can take a water taxi from in front of the Blockade Runner Hotel. It makes a trip in the morning and picks up sometime later in the day. The island is not inhabited and if you walk a ways up the beach away from other groups you can be nude.

tanjohn

Try whispering Pines Nudist Resort in Ocean Isle, NC. It's near Myrtle Beach, SC. It's not a beach, but has a nice pool.

As the other posters have indicated, there are no official nude beaches in North Carolina. Curiously, topless sunbathing is not prohibited in several beach communities, including the Town of Topsail Beach on Topsail Island. Those of us who live in the area can sometimes go by boat to Masonboro Island or Lea Island and there is an informal nude spot on Ocracoke Island (a good distance, however, from Carolina Beach). For a legal, full nude experience, Whispering Pines would be the only choice.

Bird Island is great. My wife and I and alot of our friends have gone for years.The dunes are great for couples you can be alone or get on the beach and be social when there are no clothed people coming up the beach,you can see them a mile away.Park at the pier at sunset beach Bring a bike a backpack full of your things and a towl to lay on. We are so glad that we have this Island.

Thanks for the information on Bird Island. Unfortunately, your link does not go to the site. Where is Bird Island?

Ken & Karolee

Bird Island is adjacent to Sunset Beach - both in North Carolina just north of South Carolina. If you find Sunset, which is easily found on any map, you have found Bird Island. I do not think local authorities are looking for trouble with nudists on Bird but I also think they will come down very hard on anyone they think is causing a problem there.

A very very good beach. Never had a problem there with anyone.Laid back. The nude section is from the kindred spirit mailbox to just before the rock jetty.Never even heard of the beach patrol giving anyone a hard time,It's just common knowledge where the nude section is.Been here since 1986.

Can you please be more specific on Bird Island and the Nude portion-can you please give directions

Bird Island is western point of Sunset Beach, North Carolina - they are connected - you can walk or bike down beach from Sunset - of you could get there by boat. Sunset is first beach community north of South Carolina line. Google "Sunset Beach Bird Island". Location of Kindred Spirit's Mailbox ("landmark" on Bird Island) is at 33 51.293 N; 078 32.116 W; plug that into Google Earth; there is geocache further west on island that many people visit.

I have family friends with a beachhouse at Sunset but until this subject came up on this thread, I did not know that Bird Island was known for a nude beach. After seeing that said here, I asked some folks and, sure enough, it is known for that, although the impression I was given is that there never are very many people there total and very few nude beach goers, if any. I do know that the mosquitos can be ferocious at times there so you need to bring an appropriate amount of DEET.

this is true...you can also rent a bike and they provide parking....bird island is very c/o friendly...just cover up for non nudists , kids ,and the 4 wheeler patrolwhich rides down maybe 2 times a day..they just started going down that far..fun time!!!! a totally secluded beach is on the other side of the inlet at the jetties...accessible from the north end of cherry grove at low tide or a short swim across at high tide..no one is there....

go to sunset beach pier....walk south on beach to end or rent a bike across the street for 8 dollars....long walk!!but worth it...

Hi,we live in Wilmington, and there is another place in Tabor City, however that is about a hour away. The resort is called Coventry, we haven't checked it out, but intend on doing so this summer. They do have a website......it's in the country, I understand, but they do have a pool.

I saw this old post today. I posted this message last year, and after our trip (without finding a nude or topless beach - sad to say) I forgot about it. Now I'm just curious about how or why it returned to the top of this thread?

No problems - just technologically curious.

Someone's found it, probably through searching, and posted a reply - that brings it back to the top of the list.

Bill n I just moved down to Leland ( 8 miles south of Wilmington) from L. I. and we hope to try Whispering Pines this summer or maybe head over to Paradise Valley for a long weekend..

Philly n Bill

Give us a trip report when you return. Also when you have a chance, drop us a PEM with your new address and phone.

Lots of love,

Your only choice is Whispering Pines Nudist Resort in Ocean Isle, NC(40 minutes from Wilmington).It's not a beach, but has a nice pool, and large deck for sunning.

Masonboro Island near Wilmington is a good place for nude sunbathing. Take the water taxi from in front of the Blockade Runner Hotel. When you get to the island, walk down the beach until you run out of other people. The island is uninhabited, so there are no services available. Occasionally, a fishing boat may spot you and you might have a lot of company out in the water for a few minutes, just cover up and they will go away.

tanjohn

Hi, saw your post. Have been to Bird Island couple of times. Almost deserted. Would like to go when more people are there. Going to Myrtle coming Saturday for a week. Any idea what day there would be most (or some!) people at Bird Island?

If you want to go a little further and go towards Tabor City, NC, there's a nudist resort called Coventry Resort <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> which may be in the process of changing hands. It's a great club with a friendly group of people who will make you feel welcome. There a nice L shape pool and a club house with a DJ for Saturday night dances

I go to Bird Island aka "Jay Bird Island" up to 30 days a year by boat. While I don't mind the nudists there as long as they are discreet, I'm troubled by the creepy guy(s) I sometimes see popping out from behind the dunes and looking around with binoculars. People come there by boat that don't know this is a known nudist spot and walk with their children East down the beach toward Sunset beach, and I've seen some folks get quite upset about what their children saw.

Now, before you start giving me the business, I'm on your side -- I'm just saying that some folks need to be more discreet otherwise they will ruin a good thing for everyone -- including me and my dog when the State cops start patrolling there.

My $.02

There are some nude beaches as posted before...some do take their four wheel drive truck all the way to FOrt Fisher and go all the way down (approximately 4.5 miles) the beach is near deserted. Other than that..just like the other posters stated...Lea Island, Masonboro Island or WHispering Pines in Ocean Isle. Avoid Bird Island...too many families and gawkers!

Compliments of (http://www.topfreedom.com/okra.html)


9/03

My girlfriend and I recently spent 4 days on Ocracoke Island after researching the beach on this site and other online forums. We were not disappointed to discover that the reports were true. Besides enjoying the wonderful island community, we spent 3 days tanning on the beach at several different locations. The first day, she wore a bikini and quickly shed her top to tan while laying down. When people walked by, she rolled over. For our remaining visits, she wore just a thong bottom. We felt comfortable walking the beach and swimming in our skimpy attire and no one had a problem with it. Several guys blatantly stared at her but no problem. We met a great lady, also from NC who was also topless every day and visits often for the freedom of Ocracoke.

--Jay, North Carolina

8/02

This time my wife and I spent a week in Ocracoke, NC. She went topless every day on the beach between ramp 70 and 72 (south point road). Didn't seem to be much of a big deal. The last day we were there, we were about 1/4 mile north of the south point road beach access, and there were 2 other topless ladies on the beach (within view), plus my wife. Totally laid back atmosphere, as usually you have some distance between you and anyone else. No problems at all. Hope others will enjoy Ocracoke like we did.

--Jeff, Richmond, Virginia

8/02

My wife and I just got back from a week's stay on Ocracoke Island North Carolina. The whole beach on Ocracoke is national seashore. It is legal to go topfree anywhere on the beach. This was confirmed by a park ranger who stopped and talked to me while my wife was roaming the beach looking for seashells, topless and in her thong. This was her first experience topfree and in a thong. She loved it and enjoyed it all week. She wants to go back this summer. We saw other topfree and thong people while there. You can be as discrete or open as you like. There is plenty of beach for privacy.

Cape Hatteras which is just north of Ocracoke is also national seashore. About 25 miles of beach is driveable with 4 wheel drive.

--Andy, North Carolina

8/00

My wife and I went to Ocracoke this summer and she went topless everyday on the National Park Service beaches that run the length of the island. We used the beach areas that 4-wheelers are not allowed on primarily between the Hatteras ferry and the Pony Pasture. Did not see many other topless women. Other clothed beach walkers looked at my wife topless but did not seem to care. Topfreedom seems to be pretty well accepted on Ocracoke. Even saw one other topless woman at the lifeguard-protected beach near town. Park Rangers totally ignored topfree women and men in thongs.

--Rick, Asheville, North Carolina


1/00

My husband and I go to Ocracoke, and are never bothered when I go topfree. The rangers will wave when they ride by. They will however cite you for full nudity. It is a wonderful place to go topfree . . . no one cares.

--Elaine, North Carolina


1/00

My wife and I love to go to the Outer Banks, NC. We go 2 or 3 times a year. We ride the ferry over to Ocracoke Island and park at the 1st parking area and walk south. My wife can go topfree and not worry about any thing. We will go back in May.

--Dman


11/99

Last year we stayed a few days in Ocracoke (an island) which is very deserted. I ask at the motel if it was okay for Jason and me to just wear our thongs at the pool, and the manager didn't have any trouble with that. We also spent several hours a day on the beach in just our thongs.

--Traci, Ohio

Don't mean to hijack the original post....but....
My wife and I will be heading down to this general area this July, actually will be staying on Topsail Island. Looking for someplace we can sneak away from the crowds and sunbathe. I noticed on the map about 4 miles of undeveloed beach just south of Topsail Island and north of Figure Eight Island. Looks very secluded from Google Earth, anybody have any info on it?

Thanks

It's Lea and Hutaff islands. They were joined together several years ago when the inlet between them silted in.

This link should help.

http://www.wilmingtontoday.com/Nature/Preserves/LeaHutaffIslandMain.html

Thanks for the info. Are you familiar with this area? Is it a good place to do some nude sunbathing and skinny dipping? Where can I catch a boat ride across the inlet? We'll be staying just south of Surf City.

Thanks,
The Greenhorn

It actually is legal for ladies to go topless at Topsail Beach, south of Surf City, on Topsail Island. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Debbie from NC

Legal.... Yes, Popular... No.
Have been there many times and have never observed any top freedom. Maybe it is reserved for just certin areas? Don't know.

Wife likes to be descrete and fit in with the croud, plus, I don't like to be left out!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

The Greenhorn

Anybody else have any remote spots you could reccomend in this area?

Thanks,
The Greenhorn

Coventry is not open any longer. Most of those people have moved to Whispering Pines.

We live on Topsail Island. Sadly, I cannot say that there are any places on the island isolated enough where you could safely go nude. Some friends will visit Lea Island (accessible only by boat) and it may be possible, particularly during the week, to be nude there without danger.

Rich and Sandy

Are there any reasonable transportation options to Lea for those of us that don't have a boat?

Here's the most recent info on Bird Island. Within the past couple years the island was sold to the state of NC. While Sunset Beach has local ordinances against topless, thongs, & nudity, Bird Island is governed by state law. Thus it's legal to sunbathe topless & in thongs on Bird Island. However, it is illegal to be totally nude there.

Even though the area isn't enforced by state patrol, there are the rather rude folks from the Bird Island Preservation Society taking turns patrolling. I had one old-timer from the Society start yelling at me that it's not a nude beach then I turned over and showed him I was wearing a thong and he just said "OK, you're covered up". While the B.I.P.S. has no legal authority they are a pain in the butt. I don't mind them informing those who are nude that such an activity is illegal, but when they start harassing women who are topless and/or in thongs then next time I won't be so courteous back to them.

Richandsandy, we will be in your area this weekend for my sons soccer tournament. Looking for some good kid friendly dining. Any suggestions????? Thanks, Eric

It used to be that the naturists stayed up by the dunes and the families walked by the water. Severe beach erosion took away the buffering distance, and I could see that it was only a matter of time before there was a confrontation. Is it possible to sunbathe discreetly, between or up in the dunes? Can I carry a towel to the water's edge, drop it for a dip, and re-cover as I come out? Maybe I should borrow a canoe and paddle over to Masonboro Island? Wish I had a motorboat!

We had a pleasant surprise on Topsail this past week. My wife and I walked out to the southern tip of the island at the inlet and happened upon another couple with the female half going topless. There were a couple fishermen in the distance, but my wife immediatly removed her top.
We moved closer to them, but respected the other couples privacy and kept our distance and enjoyed the morning, her topless and me in my speedo.

The next morning we went to the same location, but were alone except for the distant fishermen, so again she went topless and I in my speedo. It wasn't long before another couple came past and set up their towel and gear not too far from us. My wife was a little irritated since there was plenty of beach to spread out on, and they set up just down from us. I reminded her, "Isn't that what we did yesterday???" And sure enough, within minutes the female of the couple removed her top. We both enjoyed a laugh, shared a glance and a wave with the other couple and continued to soak up the sun, sand and waves of the beautiful Carolina coast.

The Greenhorn