South Carolina nude beach report

RE: South Carolina nude beach report update Since I wrote the post on Bird Island, ownership of the Island has changed and the nudity laws are being enforced. Nudists may still be found since there are plenty of sand dunes for sunbathing out of sight. If you venture into the water,nude, you do risk being ticketed. Enforcement is largely from the Brunswick, NC police in boats.Google "Bird Island, Nude" for info. Bird Island is for real
Just about a week ago I was lamenting
the fact that I knew of no nude beaches in South Carolina and
advocated the idea that we should try to get one established. Lo
and behold after some searches on Google I discovered the following
article.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_nudity_places_in_North_America
Public nudity On the seashore at the Sunset Beach town limit
there is a large sign stating that nudity might be encountered. The
seclusion of the area, the fact that no municipality has
jurisdiction, and the warm Atlantic Ocean breezes seem to make Bird
Island popular at times with naturists. Sunset Beach police, who
have some authority, but don't enforce laws outside of the town's
limits, periodically patrol the beach beyond the town limits using
off-road vehicles. Town leaders have discussed the possibility of
annexing Bird Island in an effort to restrict nudity. However, the
fact that the extreme southwestern tip of Bird Island extends into
South Carolina at the Little River Inlet (with no visible
demarcation) adds to any jurisdictional confusion. Nude Sunbathing
is ILLEGAL in North Carolina.Although nude sunbathing has been
over-looked by many local residents and local authorities, some
complaints are having authorites pressed into the position of
enforcing state laws. Since I had posted this information I
felt obligated to verify the information least I send someone off
on a wild nude chase. On Sunday June 21, 2009, I set off from my
home for the forty mile trip. I arrived at about 11:30AM and began
my search for Bird Island. Asking directions on Sunset Beach, I was
pointed in the right direction. Ahead of me was about a mile and
one-half of nearly deserted white sand beach with white dunes
beyond the high tide line. I literally walked from North Carolina
into South Carolina, carring a small personal cooler with some
water and a small bag containg beach necessities, the walk took
about an hour. At no point did I see the sign mentioned in the
article above. There were a couple of small signs stating that
North Carolina Decency Laws would be enforced.
Walking all the way to the Lille River Inlet, I encountered no
nudists and only a few textiles. I began the walk back, somewhat
discouraged, resigned to enjoying the beautiful beach as a textile.
Surely the information I had was outdated. Around a third of the
way back I came upon a couple in their mid-twenties stripping down.
They explained that they lived nearby and came to Bird
Island almost every weekend. Also, that the anti-nudity law
was not enforced. Thus encouraged, I removed my shorts and we spent
an enjoyable afternoon on the sand and in the surf. They also said
that There were generally more nudists on the beach
but the windy day kept attendance down. In my profile I have
placed some photos clearly marked Bird Island which will give some
indication how nice it is there. I was very impressed with the few
textiles which were strolling or biking on the beach. There was no
gawking as I have encountered elsewhere. They didnt seem to
notice that we were nude. A few hints: Parking is limited at the
closest access to Bird Island. Prepare for a long beach walk to the
non-enforced area. No facilities are available on Bird Island, any
creature comforts will have to be carried in. Please carry out
anything that you bring in. A wagon or beach cart would be ideal
for your cooler, ect. A bicycle can spare you the ordeal of the
long walk. Do not take pictures without permission. Detailed
directions: Exit Hwy. 17 at Hwy. 179. At NC/SC state line. Follow
Hwy. 179 thru Calabash, Thru Sunset Beach over the Intercoastal
Waterway to end. Turn right on Main to end 40th St. Walkway
to beach. Right at beach. Turn around tracks in sand from Code
Enforcement ATVs will indicate beginning of non-enforced
area of beach Grin and bare it. Art

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RE: South Carolina nude beach report

You were lucky. I had friends ticketed not that long ago.

This post was edited
RE: South Carolina nude beach report

You were lucky. I had friends ticketed not that long ago.
Thanks for the update. A couple of questions come to mind.
Had they moved well down the beach?
How severe were the penalties?
Were the tickets issued by Sunset Beach or Brunswick County?
I'd hate to lose this great spot so soon after I located it.
Grin and bare it.
Art

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RE: South Carolina nude beach report

Art, I don't know which county caught them or their fines. They are members of Triangle Area Naturists. If I remember, I'll ask them as these folk will be on Travelites annual canude trip which this year will also be the Guinness Book of Records tm Largest Skinnydip.
Cheri

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RE: South Carolina nude beach report

Bump

This post was edited
RE: South Carolina nude beach report update

Since I wrote the post on Bird Island, ownership of the Island has changed and the nudity laws are being enforced. Nudists may still be found since there are plenty of sand dunes for sunbathing out of sight. If you venture into the water,nude, you do risk being ticketed. Enforcement is largely from the Brunswick, NC police in boats.Google "Bird Island, Nude" for info.

This post was edited