Brunswick Beach is a large crescent-shaped sandy beach located just north of Lions Bay, a small community north of Vancouver (toward Squamish) that is nestled against the coastal mountains. The beach stretches over 500 meters, and the north end abuts a residential area. However, the remote south end has long been used by nude bathers, despite some local opposition and difficulties of access that stem from anti-nudity sentiment. A small beach parking lot was closed some years ago, and the closest streetside parking is restricted (and towing is strictly enforced). Despite the lack of easy access, the south end of Brunswick still attracts a small number of nude bathers, with several dozen nudists on peak days.

Parking restrictions in the neighborhood north of the beach mean that walking north from Lions Bay is the only way to reach the beach. Most visitors walk alongside the train tracks, which, although illegal, seems to be safer than walking along the highway. (Being caught on the tracks by authorities may net you a fine, but you'll most likely just get a verbal reprimand.)

Despite the fact that curmudgeonly locals have restricted access to the beach, authorities seem to leave nudists alone. Perhaps they are content that the number of nudists is kept in check by the effort required to get to the beach. Of course, the difficulties of access mean that the entire stretch of the beach is barely used at all except by a few locals. However, despite the temptation to strip down on other parts of this mostly deserted beach, regulars warn that nudists should not venture beyond the traditional nude zone lest they spur complaints from homeowners at the north end of the beach. Nudity should not take place on the broad, sandy beach, but rather on the narrow, pebble beach at the south end of the crescent.

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 49.4690, -123.2406

city, district, province, country  Lions Bay, Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

classification  2 (traditionally nude)

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