Sandy Bay’s history as a clothing-optional haven span over eight decades. It all began back in 1942, when the first documented visits were made by Boy Scouts swimming au naturel in the secluded cove behind Karbonkelberg.
By Phlip Volschenk
By the 1950s, regular mixed-gender sunbathing and swimming had taken firm root. Over the decades, a self-policing community formed to maintain order and keep the space body-positive and respectful.
In February 1975, Scope magazine published its famous feature on the bay, when over 500 bathers were counted on the sand, with an estimated 10,000 South Africans routinely practicing beach naturism.
With visibility came legal pushback, but our community stood firm:
1981 (State v. Schultz): Following mass police raids, Annette Schultz challenged an admission-of-guilt fine. The Cape Supreme Court set aside her conviction, ruling that non-sexual social nudism lacks criminal intent (mens rea) and does not constitute public indecency.
1985 (State v. King): Hilary King was acquitted after being arrested under the Immorality Act, establishing that nude sunbathing in an isolated spot on a public beach is not immoral or indecent.
1991: An attempted municipal ban collapsed when local authorities admitted it was unenforceable and chose not to prosecute.
In the 1990s, when private property developers (Costa Areosa and later ABSA) threatened to build hundreds of luxury homes over Sandy Bay and its surrounding dunes, naturists joined forces with environmentalists. On July 20, 1993, the landmark ABSA Compromise was struck. Development was limited to just 16 hectares, while 250 hectares were donated for conservation.
When the land was formally handed over to WWF-SA and SANParks on April 4, 1997, to form Table Mountain National Park, press reports across the country—including The Citizen, Rapport, Sowetan, and Beeld—confirmed that the state recognized the beach’s traditional use and that nude sunbathers could continue using the bay.
Fast forward to today, and we face a new set of challenges. SANParks recently erected prohibition signage threatening criminal prosecution under Section 19(2) of the Sexual Offences Act and warning of aerial drone surveillance. Conflating peaceful, non-sexual naturism with sexual misconduct is legally incorrect and ignores decades of binding court precedents. Furthermore, threatening visitors with non-consensual drone recording directly breaches privacy rights under POPIA and civil aviation regulations. Such an act violates multiple laws simultaneously and SANparks, the perpetrator can be prosecuted.
SANNA is actively challenging this procedurally unfair action through formal administrative and legal channels. We are advocating for a collaborative Co-Regulation Framework where volunteer stewards, joint etiquette signage, and organized eco-drives keep Sandy Bay safe, clean, and respectful for everyone.
We need your voice and support to preserve this piece of South African heritage.
Visit sanna.org.za today to find your Provincial Naturist Association! Every single association has membership application forms ready to go. Fill one out, step up, and get involved.
Come to our events, stand with us, and fight for the freedom of nude spaces and dedicated nude beaches.
To donate financially, do get in touch with myself, Phlip at:
For decades, other social movements have pushed through the noise to achieve real cultural acceptance and normalization—and naturism is the next major frontier!
Together, we can break down old taboos, normalize body positivity, and secure a place where everyone can enjoy body freedom without judgment. Head to www.sanna.org.za to join your local group and help us lead the charge!
