Haulover Beach: A Naturist Legacy

iami is world-famous for its beautiful beaches, pleasant weather, delectable dishes and lively cultural scene.

One of the top reasons many tourists choose to visit, however, is the clothing-optional portion of Haulover Beach Park. The nude beach, a staple of the city since the early 1990s, was recently named Best Naturist Beach in the Rest of the World category in the Naturist Travel Awards. Shirley Mason, who spearheaded the opening of the clothing-optional section along with her husband Richard, views the distinction as validation, as the beach continues to grow in popularity among locals and tourists alike.

“It’s an honour,” Shirley says. “And great to see that so many people have come out of the naturism ‘closet’ in recent years, and that the lifestyle choice has become mainstream down here. It means so much to us that it’s now an extremely popular activity.”

Impact

It hasn’t always been that way, though local authorities and tourism groups continue to embrace the clothing-optional stretch of Haulover Beach and its positive impact on the local economy. According to various surveys, between 66% and 85% percent of total Haulover Beach Park visitors enjoy the nude beach. Certainly, more than one million people visit the beach annually, with roughly 2,000 coming from the Miami area on a weekly basis, and the remainder visiting from elsewhere in Florida, the United States and across the globe. Those who visit pour millions of dollars each year back into the area.

“I would say we’ve grown exponentially within the last eight to ten years,” Shirley believes, pointing out that people from all walks of life visit the beach, some returning to sunbathe or swim on a routine basis, thanks in part to easy access and the beach’s amenities. Haulover, which is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, boasts restrooms, shower facilities, tropical-style tiki huts and a food truck, as well as umbrellas and chairs available for rent. There are also lifeguard stations, along with ample parking.

“The age ranges from infants (with their parents) to people well into their 80s,” says Katie J., who helps run the online platform hauloverbeach.org. “You see people of all types who visit Haulover Beach: all races, all sexual orientations, all gender identities, all political backgrounds. It truly is a beautiful melting pot of our society.”

Issues

Naturism at Haulover Beach may be on the rise, but there are still some issues that the destination faces.

Like many naturist beaches, Haulover continues to struggle with the misconceptions surrounding naturism believed by a lot of people, but organisations like South Florida Free Beaches (sffb.com) and the B.E.A.C.H.E.S Foundation (beachesfoundation.org) work to educate the public about safe, respectable clothing-optional recreation. Shirley also actively communicates with the local authorities to assist with alleviating the biases by “sharing who we are, what we do, why it is important, and how we contribute to the economy,” as she explains it.

Shirley helped launch B.E.A.C.H. E. S. (which stands for Beach Education Advocates for Culture, Health, Environment and Safety), a nationwide non-profit organisation, in 1999 to promote, maintain and preserve comfortable, safe, well-managed, family designated clothing-optional beaches like the one at Haulover Beach.

“We are always working to establish more and better clothing-optional beaches in the US, and improve the beach experience for everybody,” she reiterates.

One way to do that has been the implementation of the B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Ambassador programme at various locations. Trained stewards watch over beach activities and curb any inappropriate or criminal behaviour, share information about naturist laws, clean up the beach, and act as a concierge service for visitors to ensure a fun, positive experience. The programme, which had been on hiatus during the pandemic, was reintroduced in November 2024.

Normal

It also helps to have influential people on the foundation’s board, which includes Linda Weber, president of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

“It is important to recognise naturist beaches because the world needs to know how healthy naturism is, and where people can enjoy it,” Linda says. “Naturism is starting to be recognised as something positive, and we need to keep these beaches to show that social nudity does not need to be feared. By having naturist beaches, more people – especially younger ones – realise that all bodies are beautiful and that this is what normal bodies look like.”

Katie adds that those who are looking to experience the benefits of clothing-optional beaches for the first time visit Haulover.

“The beach has become the standard for public, legally-recognised clothing-optional beaches, and is an incredible example of what happens when an organisation like SFFB works in tandem with city and county officials to advocate on behalf of naturists. So many new naturists try out Haulover and fall in love with clothes-free recreation. There's no better way to show that nude is normal.”

Project

As part of ongoing efforts to educate the public, members of B.E.A.C.H.E.S. are also working toward the creation of a museum dedicated to naturism near Haulover Beach.

“It’s the foundation’s most ambitious project,” Shirley says. “We’re working to establish the first combination naturist museum, library and institute that will be open to the public. We’re trying to nail down the site at this point. We have it narrowed down to three. A location within Haulover Park would be ideal.”

Additionally, Shirley is looking beyond Haulover Beach with hopes of expanding clothing-free beach options in other localities within the United States.

“Our vision is to have these beaches be real top-notch, ones that communities can be proud of,” she concludes. “We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable at other beaches like they are at Haulover.

“It is also vital to engage the younger set to ensure clothing-optional beaches are protected for years to come. We want to pass on what we are doing to the next generation, to show them the importance of protecting these precious places. It’ about creating a legacy.”

BEYOND HAULOVER BEACH

After your day in the sun at the beach, be sure to check out these other destinations during your trip to Miami…

Little Havana

For a taste of Cuban culture, head over to this popular neighbourhood. Here, you can try your hand at dominoes at Máximo Gómez Park on 14^th Avenue, partake in free salsa dancing lessons at Ball & Chain, or stroll the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame along 8^th Street, Little Havana’s version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame that pays homage to Cuban celebrities such as Gloria Estefan and Desi Arnaz. Grab a bite to eat at Versailles, which has served up traditional Cuban dishes and desserts for more than half a century, or Sanguich, which specialises in gourmet Cuban sandwiches and milkshakes.

Wynwood District

Art enthusiasts will want to drop by the city’s Wynwood District. Described as “Miami’s creative and cultural hub,” the neighbourhood is home to a slew of eclectic shops, bars and restaurants, as well as Wynwood Walls, a globally renowned street art museum with ticketed guided tours available. After admiring the artwork, imbibe at Veza Sur Brewing Company or at the craft brewery and gardens of Cervecería La Tropical.

South Beach

There’s plenty to see and do in Miami’s South Beach. The outdoor pedestrian shopping area of Lincoln Road Mall boasts a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as Espanola Way between 14^th and 15^th Street. Before or after dinner, walk along Ocean Drive in the city’s Art Deco Historic District, also home to Lummus Park. Stop by the French eatery La Sandwicherie along 14^th Street or plan to indulge at the famous Joe’s Stone Crab on Washington Avenue. Visitors can also sunbathe topless along the shore at South Beach.

© H&E Naturist 2025

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