A brief history of Air Force Beach

The boilerplate in the ABOUT section is incorrect and/or has been obsolete for many years.

Air Force Beach is not and was never a resort ... in its heyday, it was the best/only nude beach in South Florida, long before Haulover became clothing-optional in the early 1990s. AFB used to be a remote stretch of beach on Singer Island (near West Palm Beach), for a time owned by investor and philanthropist John D. MacArthur. It has always been a beautiful spot, with clear seawater from the Gulf Stream's closest approach to the coast of Florida, soft golden sand, and a dense jungle between the beach and road.

It became known as "Air Force Beach" during the 1950s-1970s when military units attached to present-day Palm Beach International Airport would train and recreate there.

I have a personal attachment to the spot, as I grew up about a mile to the south and discovered it at the tender age of 13. I instantly self-identified as a nudist and visited the beach as often as possible, later skipping school and introducing my friends to this wonderful lifestyle.

The relaxed vibe changed when the Water Glades high-rise condo project, just south of AFB, came to fruition. The place began filling up with retirees. Telescopes began sprouting on nude-beach-side balconies with retired men spending hours ogling the nudists on the beach. Their annoyed wives began calling the sheriff, who would send deputies out to harass and disperse the nudists. To counter, we regulars would take turns standing watch at the road, alerting the others via walkie-talkie when law enforcement was approaching.

In the mid-1980s, the State of Florida purchased the property and established John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Within a few years, restricted access and constant patrolling had mostly ended nudity on the property ... although I hear that a few stragglers still go nude (with constant vigilance) at the northern extremes of the park.

If you have been nude there recently, or have a recollection of the place, leave a comment! Fond memories ...

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