In “Legally Bare- A Nude Beach in Haulover Park!” March 2, 2017, Spanking FIT evaluated Florida State’s most popular legally-sanctioned nude beach which is also close to Miami. Although Haulover ranked above-average in all categories including enjoy-ability, it failed to receive highest grades on account of over-crowding problems. Consequently, naturists like us who prefer a more private nude experience are not always completely satisfied at Haulover. In a quest for the proper blend of nudity with privacy, Spanking FIT headed north along the Florida coastline to see what we could uncover. On our journey, we discovered two relatively unknown spots far from the “madding” Miami crowds. Both are of exceptional beauty. Our first discovery was Hobe Sound Beach (H.S.B.) on Jupiter Island. The second, Blind Creek Beach (B.C.B.) on Hutchinson. Let’s begin by evaluating H.S.B.:
Hobe Sound Beach (H.S.B.)
Only about a half an hour drive north of West Palm Beach, and located on a Jupiter Island national wildlife refuge, is one of the most beautiful remote beaches in the United States- Hobe Sound Beach. Turn east off of Highway 1 onto S.E. Bridge Rd. and then left onto N. Beach Rd. (G.P.S. coordinates there are N 27.0661 & W 80.1165). North Beach Road is lined with splendid homes belonging to celebrities and reputed drug kingpins. At the end of N. Beach there is a parking lot which marks the beginning of Hobe Sound National Wildlife Retreat and a five mile stretch of pristine beach. Here’s how H.S.B. ranks in the opinion of Spanking FIT:
Health (A-)
H.S.B. is located in Martin County, Florida. As in Miami, all beaches are monitored by F.H.B.P.. In 2016, F.H.B.P. gave H.S.B. a “passing” water quality rating 90% of the time throughout the year. H.S.B. itself is kept clean by park rangers and scores of volunteers. No parasites or pests were visible on the warm sunny January day we visited. Restrooms, picnic tables, and shelters are near the parking lot.
Safety (B)
H.S.B. is not officially nude, so there is a probability (low) of being cited if you go au natural there. Abundant refuge wild vegetation and sand dunes offer nude sunbathers the option of concealing themselves from public view. According to “the regulars”, park rangers are “cool” concerning nudity as long as you don’t cross the line over to “lewdness”. (Many a fine naturist beach have suffered as a consequence of greedy nude sunbathing neophytes desiring “sex on the beach” also; case in point: Portuguese Bend or Smuggler’s Cove in Rancho Palos Verdes, California; more to come.) There was recently a media report of a Hobe Sound woman who was arrested for nudity; but, the report was somewhat misleading because she was arrested in nearby Tequesta and lives only in Hobe Sound (see: http://archive.tcpalm.com/news/hobe-sound-woman-arrested-after-allegedly-sunbathing-nude-on-tequesta-beach- ).
Regarding possibility of being victimized by crime, our online search revealed a “suspicious vehicle in the parking lot” only incident at H.S.B.. Readers need to be warned of significant drug activity in surrounding areas as evidenced by an occasional wash up of narcotics’ packages onto the beach. What goes on in the aforementioned mansions is anyone’s guess.
Enjoy-ability (A)
Due to its location in a beautiful and pristine wildlife refuge, H.S.B. ranks high. The beach encompasses approximately five miles (8 km.) of unspoiled white sandy shore lined with exotic flora which is home to nests belonging to turtle and bird alike. (Hobe Sound Beach hosts night-time turtle laying “observations” which can serve as a cover for your naked moon lit romp.) An absence of condos, concessions, and shops enhances the quality of this nude beach experience. H.S.B. is also a favorite with athletic surfers who frequently sunbathe themselves in the buff after a hard morning of surfboarding. Fishing is permitted and local fishermen have been overheard bragging about “the size of their catches”.
The fitness level of beach participants is much higher than in Miami, possibly owing to the affluence of the neighborhood. In fact, there are unconfirmed rumors that beautiful American first lady Melania Trump visited H.S.B. regularly prior, of course, to her engagement to Donald J.!
Blind Creek Beach (B.C.B.), Hutchinson Island
Located in St. Lucie County on Florida’s Treasure Coast, B.C.B. has a long history of non-official nudity. However, more recently in 2014, a non-profit organization called Treasure Coast Naturists (T.C.N.) made peace with local law enforcement officials and established what is considered to currently be a safe haven for naturism. To get to B.C.B., head out to Hutchinson Island from Ft. Pierce and take S. Ocean Dr. (A1A) south about seven miles (11 km.). B.C.B. G.P.S. coordinates are 27.3662 N. & 80.2468 W. The nude beach is about 0.1 miles north of parking lot. Here’s how Spanking FIT rated it:
Health (A-)
B.C.B. is situated on land owned by Florida Power and Light (F.P.L.) and is managed by the St. Lucie County Parks and Recreation Facility. The latter keeps it rather well-maintained. The T.C.N. further assists in maintaining beach cleanliness. Mosquitoes and sand flies were not a problem when we visited last January. Portable toilets were stationed in the parking area; but, be warned there is no fresh water or shower facilities for visitors. B.C.B. does have a “no-pets” policy, and we saw trash receptacles at the dune crossovers. F.H.B.P. does not show water quality ratings for B.C.B. on its website; however, it rates nearby Frederick Douglas Park “good” throughout most of the year.
Safety (B+)
As previously stated, B.C.B has a long history of non-official nude usage; but only recently has Treasure Coast Naturists (T.C.N.) “convinced” law enforcement to completely “lay off” nude sunbathers. As a courtesy to the “textile-only” crowd, T.C.N. has posted plainly visible “nude beach advisory” signs.
Aside from infrequent parking lot vehicle break-ins, B.C.B. does not have a serious problem with crime. Take valuables with you, or hide them out-of-sight under the seat. Those concerned about nuclear power generation dangers, please be advised that B.C.B.’s property owner F.P.L., operates the St. Lucie Nuclear Plant at the southern end of the beach. While there have been no major mishaps, concerns have recently been raised about an abnormal amount of wear and tear on reactor pipes which, if breached, could lead to a release of radioactive material (see: “Cooling tubes at F.P.L. St. Lucie nuke plant show significant wear”; Tampa Bay Times, Feb. 22, 2014 at tampabay.com). Nuclear power plant safety, as you know, is an extremely complicated topic.
Enjoy-ability (A)
B.C.B. is part of an over 400 acre federal preserve that contains both “uplands” and ‘wetlands”. The beach itself is a mile and-a-half long and is lined with sand dunes. It is best described by the adjectives: “remote”, “primitive”, and “pristine” due to the absence of public improvements. However, there are biking trails, crushed shell hiking trails, and an observation tower that offers breath-taking ocean views. The beach is also a popular destination for fishermen. At the trail head, the T.C.N. does offer souvenirs and beach gear. According to their website, they use the proceeds for maintenance and nude beach advocacy before local governing bodies. I found them to be extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The beach-goers themselves were of varying degrees of friendliness owing to the wide diversity in their origins. B.C.B. is also a favorite with the European traveler who feels entitled to bare-all at the beach.
Finally, from the medical perspective: similar guidelines issued by Spanking FIT for Miami Haulover Park (see:”Legally Bare-A Nude Beach in Haulover Park!” March 2, 2017) also apply at H.S.B. and B.C.B. They are: fair-skinned individuals of Type I or II Fitzpatrick skin tone should limit the amount of exposure time to the intense Florida sun. They may prefer to visit nude beaches of the U.S. and Canadian Pacific Northwest instead, if desiring lengthy beach “hang outs”. (See: “International Nude Beach Evaluation, Part IB”, Spanking FIT, Aug. 2015). On the other hand, individuals of darker skin tone (Types III through V) who reside in less sunny environments will benefit by visiting Florida and the nude beaches of Mexico and nearby Cuba. This will allow them to compensate for possible deficiencies in cutaneous vitamin D. (See: “Dangerously Naked, Nude Beaches of Mexico”, Spanking FIT, April 2016 , “Fellow Travelers-Hit the Nude Beaches of Communist Cuba”, Spanking FIT, Nov. 2016) and already cited “Legally Bare-A Nude Beach in Haulover Park!“, Spanking FIT, March 2, 2017. Thank you very much for your interest. As usual, I look forward to your valuable feedback. Dr. Garrett