Sanibel Island, off the Gulf Coast near Ft. Myers, has a tiny, hidden beach that has been frequented by nudists for years. Most often associated with Bowman's Beach, the nude beach is actually located between Bowman's Beach County Park and the Blind Pass Bridge which connects Sanibel Island to Captiva Island. More specifically, the beach is at the end of Silver Key, a forested land mass almost completely encircled by a network of lagoons. In this area, the beach widens and forms a crescent that stretches a few hundred feet.

Silver Key is yet another Florida nude beach that has seen better days and has been subject to interference by authorities since the early 80's. Nonetheless, nude bathing continues—discreetly—at this isolated spot. The beach is visited mostly by gay men. Often a scattering of men attired in G-strings or thongs wait for a brave soul to bare all. Once someone does, there is usually a chain reaction.

Cops do patrol the area by boat and sometimes by ATV as well. They are likely to issue a verbal warning but have the authority to be more heavy handed. Furthermore, be advised of non-like-minded people who pass through, especially since a report from 2007 indicates that a local woman considers it her moral duty to walk the beach once a day and call the cops whenever she sees nudity. Keep a covering handy.

GPS: 26.4720, -82.1750

city, county, state, country  Sanibel, Lee, Florida, U.S.A.

classification  4 (potentially risky)

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