Looking to get rid of tan lines? Or do you simply enjoy swimming in your very own birthday suit? Oahu has got you covered, even though there are no official nude beaches on the Island. Just be respectful of local customs and state laws, and you will likely not run into trouble. Hawaii has plenty of tanning opportunities, accommodations and social activities for nudists, but on crowded Oahu, your options are somewhat limited.
Legality
The answer to whether nudity on Hawaii’s beaches is legal in the first place is, unfortunately, somewhat complicated. It also depends on your definition of naturism.
Topless sunbathing is always legal.
Topless sunbathing is permissible by Hawaiian law because there are no state laws or regulations that prohibit women from going sunny side up. While there are strict laws against lewdness or indecent exposure, these do not extend to the act of going topless on a public beach.
On most beaches, however, it is quite rare to see topless sunbathers. If you do decide to go topless on a crowded beach, be prepared that you might draw the attention of other vacationers.
Complete nudism is banned on state beaches.
The state of Hawaii has an obscenity code that bans naturists from sunbathing on state beaches. However, this has never stopped locals or visitors from getting rid of those nasty tan lines, as there are several non-state beaches, where nudists can sunbathe easily. And even on public beaches on Oahu (the island with the most police presence), these laws are rarely enforced.
Unfortunately, Oahu is pretty crowded, so your chances of finding a secluded beach for yourself are quite slim. This makes Oahu less suitable for naturists than Maui or Big Island, for example.
How to behave on Nude beaches in Hawaii?
If it is your first time sunbathing as a nudist in public, please read through the following basic etiquette to avoid making yourself or others feel uncomfortable.
- Beaches in Hawaii (and especially Oahu) are often crowded, so be respectful of other people’s space. Naturists are often very comfortable with their bodies and with being close to others, but not everyone is. Give people their space.
- Don’t be a creep and avoid staring or pointing at others.
- Naked or not. Do not fly your drone up close to beachgoers like this guy.
- Respect the local culture and customs. Be respectful of people’s modesty and don’t do anything that would make someone feel uncomfortable.
Best Nude beaches on Oahu
As mentioned earlier, there are no designated public naturist beaches or naturist areas on any of the Hawaiian islands. On Oahu, however, the following beaches are very popular with nudists , who strive for more than simply going topless. As a rule of thumb, the further you get away from Honolulu, the more likely you are to encounter naturists.
1. Polo Beach
Polo Beach is the most popular “clothing-optional” beach on the North Shore and is frequented by locals and tourists alike. While it may not be quite as secluded as some of the other beaches on this list, it’s still a great place to enjoy a day in the sun… wearing nothing but what god gave you! The Beach is located in Molukeia, just west of Wailua towards the Farrington Air Field. Walk down the trail next to the horse pens, then turn right.
2. Kahuku Beach
Kahuku Beach by the old Kahuku airstrip is unofficially clothing-optional, just like Polo Beach, but much less crowded.
Kahuku Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet day by the water. This secluded spot is located away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, making it ideal for those looking to escape the crowds. The beach is also incredibly scenic, with beautiful turquoise waters and white sand beaches.
Visitors can find plenty of peace and relaxation here, and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. For nudists looking to sunbathe, swim, or simply take in the stunning views, Kahuku Beach is the perfect place to do it. If you swim here, avoid diving and be aware of the surf, as there are some fierce limestone rocks at the bottom that are barely noticeable when entering the beach.
3. Mokulē‘ia Army Beach
This beach is rather off the beaten path and frequented by local naturists, but beach patrols here are a rather common occurrence. They won’t typically fine naturist beachgoers, but simply ask them to be compliant and dress up.
4. Goat Island aka. Mokuaia Islet Seabird Sanctuary
Due to its remoteness, many nudists visit Goat Island to take advantage of its secludedness and lack of patrols.
5. Near Kahuku Point
The western side of Kahuku point (around a mile east if you’re at Turtle Bay Resort) is a nice, secluded area, that features a swimmable beach. It is not an official naturist beach, but there are usually other naturist or topless sunbathers and swimmers around.
6. Diamond Head Beach
Diamond Head Beach is secluded thanks to its surrounding cliffs and is an unofficial naturist beach, and some people consider it gay-only, even though that hasn’t deterred female naturists from going there. Getting there requires a bit of a walk, and parking options there are severely limited. It’s a great beach for swimming and surfing as well, but watch out for treacherous rip currents!
You can also visit this beach as part of the Diamond Head Hike. We recommend this tour, which includes admission fees and transportation to and from the hotel. The guides took great photos of us and also cracked some great jokes!
The infamous Black Point Pool is also close to Diamond Head, but it is definitely not for naturists!
Local Naturist beach groups in Hawaii
There are several naturist beach groups that organize clothing-optional retreats in Hawaii. Some of the most popular groups include:
- The Kauai Naturists
- The Kona Sun Klub
- Friends of Little Beach
- Friends of Kehena Beach
Unfortunately, we could not find a beach group for Oahu.
Nude resorts and accommodation options on Oahu
There are not many dedicated accommodation options on Oahu, that explicitly permit naturism. The only one we know of is the Paul Mitchell Villa at Lanikai Beach. But at up to $10,000 per night, this is villa is not a viable option for most naturist tourists.
