Port Burwell Beach

Tags: Canada, North America, and Ontario

No

No

Yes

Nudity is not mandatory

Beautiful Atmosphere: The beach offers a lovely and peaceful environment, with fresh water and plenty of space for everyone.
Friendly Crowd: Community atmosphere and friendly people, making it a great spot for socializing if that is your thing.
Nude-Friendly Area: The private landowner's acceptance of nudism allows for a relaxed and free atmosphere without any park regulations.
Long Shoreline: The sandy beach extends over three kilometers, with the western third being clothing-optional.
Cleanliness: The beach is noted for being spotless, thanks to the efforts of visitors and the landowner’s conditions.
Ample Parking: With five parking lots, there are usually spaces available, especially if you arrive early or later in the afternoon.
Dogs Welcome: The whole beach is dog friendly - so bring your furry friend for a nude day out!

Limited Amenities: The clothing-optional area has no amenities like restrooms, showers, or shade, so you'll need to come well prepared.
Busy Weekends: The beach can get crowded on weekends, making it less peaceful and harder to find parking.
Biting Flies: When the wind is from the north, northeast, or northwest, biting stable flies can be a nuisance, and bug spray is ineffective.
Access Issues: The walk to the clothing-optional area can be long (about 15 minutes), and parking lots can fill up quickly on busy days.

The Naked Truth

Port Burwell Beach is a lake oasis for nude beach lovers, offering a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere on the private land west of the provincial park. The beach is clean, spacious, and frequented by a friendly and respectful crowd. While the walk to the clothing-optional area can be a bit long and the lack of amenities requires visitors to come prepared, the overall experience is worth it. Just be mindful of the biting flies and make sure to leave no trace. The $12- $24 entry fee to the provincial park is annoying, but a small price to pay for a day of freedom and relaxation on one of southern Ontario’s best-kept secrets.

Watch out for biting stable flies when the wind direction is from the N, NE or NW. Bug spray doesn't work on them!

Mostly local couples and a few singles. Also families.

Sand

Medium - a 15min walk on the sand is required

Booking.com

Vritomartis Mobile Ad

Photos

One of a few places to get naked (legally) on Lake Erie

One of a few places to get naked (legally) on Lake Erie

The trail to Port Burwell Beach.. the nude section is 15mins to the right

The trail to Port Burwell Beach.. the nude section is 15mins to the right

Expect lots of birds and geese on the beach - Port Burwell nude beach

Expect lots of birds and geese on the beach - Port Burwell nude beach

The beach gets larger and water levels lower as summer progresses

The beach gets larger and water levels lower as summer progresses

Summer days at Port Burwell nude beach are magical

Summer days at Port Burwell nude beach are magical

Map

Our Visit

Contributor Review – Christine Penner
Local Expert. Visited 2024

We visited Ontario’s Port Burwell Beach on a busy long weekend and had to pay the higher $24 day-use fee. There’s no way around this fee, so be prepared. Initially, we tried walking to the beach by following Google Maps and got lost. It’s better not to try and take shortcuts through private property. Instead, follow the clearly marked signs to the beach.

When you reach the sand, you won’t see any naked people right away. You need to turn right at the beach and follow it as far as you can. Once you leave the Ontario Parks boundary, you’re entering the nude zone. If you go on a busy day like we did, you’ll see LOTS of people here! It’s quite a sight to see the beach suddenly transform into a vibrant naturist community.

Click to see more

The landowner permits nude use of this section of the beach, so it’s essential to be respectful. The landowner’s generosity has allowed this beautiful stretch of beach to be enjoyed freely by naturists for years. We should all do our part to keep it clean and respect the no overt sexual behavior rule to maintain the positive atmosphere. There have been no reports of ‘funny business’ at this beach which is great to hear.

The water was icy cold at the start of the season but very refreshing. Generally, you’ll find the water level high at the start of summer and lower as the season progresses. However, there’s always enough beach space to fit everyone comfortably! Lake Erie’s freshwater is incredibly refreshing, especially on a hot day. Fun fact: Lake Erie is the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes in North America. It’s also the shallowest, which means it warms up quickly in the summer but can be quite cold early in the season.

Everyone here was respectful and super friendly, which was especially important since I went as a solo woman. There was no awkwardness, and there were lots of families, couples, and no creepy singles! It’s such a welcoming atmosphere that you quickly feel at ease. The sense of community is strong, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with fellow beachgoers.

I didn’t get bitten by horseflies, but regulars warned they can be a problem during certain times of the year. It’s a good idea to bring bug spray just in case. The beach itself is spotlessly clean, thanks to the efforts of the regulars who make sure to pick up after themselves and others.

What really stood out to me was the down-home feel of Port Burwell Beach. It’s much more relaxed and intimate compared to Toronto’s busy Hanlan’s Point Beach. Here, you can enjoy the freedom of naturism in a serene and beautiful setting without feeling overwhelmed by crowds. The lack of amenities means you need to bring everything you need for the day, but it also adds to the rustic charm of the place.

Despite the steep day-use fee, I highly recommend Port Burwell Beach. It’s a hidden gem that offers a unique and liberating experience. Surely it is one of Ontario’s best nude beaches, if not the best! Even if you live in the area or are just visiting, it’s definitely worth checking out. Just remember to follow the parking instructions, respect the landowner’s rules, and enjoy the natural beauty of this special place.

Questions? Comments? Add your thoughts or photos below!

Getting There

The beach is well-signposted and the walk is relatively easy. Once you arrive, you’ll find clear signs marking the start of the clothing-optional section.

After parking in Lot 5, walk to the beach and head to the right. It’s about a 15-minute walk to the park boundary. Continue walking for another 10-15 minutes beyond the park boundary sign to reach the clothing-optional area. You will recognize it by the presence of other nude sunbathers.

By Car:

From London: Take Highway 401 East towards Woodstock, then exit onto Highway 19 South. Follow the signs for Port Burwell Provincial Park.
Parking: There are five parking lots in the park. For the clothing-optional area, park in Lot 5 or Lot 4 if Lot 5 is full. Note that during peak summer days, these lots can fill up by noon, so it's best to arrive early or later in the afternoon to secure a spot. Parking fees range from $12 (off-peak) to $24 (public holidays and weekends).

Public Transport:

Bus: While there are limited public transport options, the beach is primarily accessible by car, making driving the most convenient way to get there.

User Comments

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Nearby Nude Beaches