The shifting landscape of naturism in Florida and beyond

An arrest at Playalinda Beach raises concerns over changing enforcement priorities and the future of nude recreation on federal lands across the U.S.

Playalinda Beach | Photo by Linda Gillotti on Unsplash

The recent citation of a naturist at Playalinda Beach—the first known in over two decades—is raising urgent questions about the future of nude recreation on federal lands, as shifting enforcement priorities and political changes create new risks for naturists nationwide.

Martin Novoa, an active Florida naturist and president of the B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute, first reported the incident on X:¹

“I had a greatly disturbing conversation tonight with a good friend who was detained by the police on Playalinda nude beach last week. He was with his 8-year-old daughter, who was building a sandcastle, in the current naturist section by parking lot 8. Federal park rangers approached him and told him that he was being cited for violating Florida state law criminalizing being nude in public near a child or allowing a minor (under 18) to go nude in public. [There is no such law.]”

Screenshot of a post by @martin_desnudo on X

Sources familiar with the incident say the man was ultimately arrested and charged with disturbing the peace, an offense that is unrelated to nudity. However, the details of this charge remain unverified, and inquiries to the Canaveral National Seashore (CNS) have not yielded any official information. When contacted by Planet Nude, Park officials declined to provide details and directed all inquiries to the Freedom of Information Act request process, stating that no information was available for public release. This being a developing case, little information is yet available. The naturist involved also declined to comment to Planet Nude on the ongoing legal matter.

Importantly, mere non-sexual nudity is not illegal in Florida at either the state or federal level, and prior to this event, Playalinda Beach—an established naturist beach for decades since WWII—had not seen a reported citation since 2000.

According to sources, the recently arrested naturist is a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR)—a national organization that has promoted family naturism for over 94 years and provides legal resources for those facing citations or arrests related to naturist activities—and has reportedly been in touch with the organization regarding the incident in question. AANR has also declined to comment on the situation at this time.

Whatever led to this moment, the result was the same—a father and his daughter subjected to an alarming ordeal over something that had long been accepted at Playalinda. Later in his post on X, Martin Novoa highlighted the gravity of the incident:

“The rangers repeatedly yelled at my friend and his young daughter to leave the beach... He was too flustered to push back against their demands and lies, yet they still handcuffed him in front of his sobbing daughter.”²

While troubling on its own, this incident highlights a deeper issue. Federal staffing cuts and shifting policies are raising broader concerns about the future of nude recreation on public lands, even where it has long been accepted. At the same time, weakened political advocacy in Florida has left fewer resources to push back against potential threats.

The history and legal status of nude beaches in Florida

Florida is home to four recognized nude beaches: Blind Creek Beach, Haulover Beach, Playalinda Beach, and Apollo Beach. Playalinda Beach, located within the Canaveral National Seashore, has a long history of being used as a nude beach, with naturists traditionally gathering near parking lot 13, at the far end of the beach, separated from the textile section. Following hurricane damage that temporarily closed half of Playalinda Beach last year, naturists relocated to the area near parking lot 8. While this was a practical move to avoid user conflict, the shift also renewed concerns that long-standing cultural norms could be disrupted. Nudity has been tolerated at Playalinda for decades, and there is official signage warning that you may encounter nude beachgoers. However, enforcement of local and federal policies has varied over time.

While Blind Creek and Haulover have clear local support for clothing-optional recreation, Playalinda and Apollo Beaches are part of the federally managed Canaveral National Seashore (CNS). Because Playalinda and Apollo Beaches fall under federal jurisdiction, their clothing-optional status has remained unofficial, leaving visitors subject to shifting enforcement priorities. Playalinda Beach has a history of inconsistent enforcement, particularly following Brevard County’s enactment of an anti-nudity ordinance in 1995. While there have been instances of arrests, including a notable case in 1995 involving a political protest,³ the last known issue was in 2000, when a small number of citations were issued by Brevard County law enforcement, before enforcement efforts largely ceased.

Longtime Playalinda activist Marv Frandsen, who was one of those cited in 2000, told Planet Nude that, based on the publicly available information about the recent incident he believes the case will have little-to-no standing. “Every once in a great while a ranger would cite a (usually isolated) naturist with the federal disorderly conduct regulation that cannot be applied,” he said. “It is an invalid arrest. If the charged father challenges the citation it will get thrown out of court or dropped by the federal prosecutor.”

Despite the recent incident, the beach is still open for naturists, and Frandsen encourages people to continue using the nude beach. “I am very grateful despite this isolated incident the scene stayed quiet and no provocateur appeared to incite the usual mayhem,” he told Planet Nude. “All crossovers are now back in operation so naturists can be back where the signs are. […] Naturists continue en masse to enjoy the seashore.”

A national crisis for national parks

Since Playalinda and Apollo Beaches are part of the Canaveral National Seashore, they are under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS) and are subject to federal oversight. Thus, enforcement actions are more likely to involve federal or state charges rather than county ordinances.

The current administration’s aggressive push to shrink federal agencies has left the NPS severely understaffed, creating uncertainty about enforcement priorities on public lands. Notably, the Interior Department has reportedly experienced layoffs of approximately 2,300 employees, with around 1,000 from the National Park Service alone.⁴ The effects of these cuts are already being felt nationwide. Just last week, a group of staff members from Yosemite National Park in California staged a dramatic protest, unfurling an upside-down American flag from El Capitan—a towering 3,000-foot granite cliff—to highlight the deepening crisis. Park workers warn that staffing cuts are reducing their ability to manage park operations, respond to visitor needs, and maintain oversight of protected areas.⁵

Marv Frandsen, who has spent years tracking federal enforcement issues at Playalinda, sees the situation as part of a broader crisis within the NPS. “The National Park Service is in a lot of turmoil right now as DOGE wreaks random havoc on them in the name of fictional efficiency,” Frandsen told Planet Nude. “Seasonal hiring was stopped and personnel were decimated. Morale, discipline, operations—and one might say efficiency—will not be ideal.”

With fewer rangers and increased political pressure, fears that longtime policies of tolerance toward naturist recreation could be shifting toward stricter interpretations of public decency laws are not unfounded. However, Laura Henning, Public Information Officer for Canaveral National Seashore, told Planet Nude that she was unaware of any changes in how nudity is policed at Playalinda Beach or any new directives issued to rangers, stating, “Not to my knowledge.”

Despite this, the ongoing administrative upheavals across the federal government have raised concerns within the naturist community about how shifting policies and enforcement priorities may impact public lands. The current administration has shown a clear preference for governing by decree, rapidly reshaping federal policies through executive orders. With public lands and regulatory enforcement subject to shifting agency priorities, the naturist community faces new risks, as policies affecting access and legal interpretations can change overnight with little oversight or public debate. In times like this, having political representation for nude recreation is imperative—but recent developments have put it at risk.

Growing risks for naturists in Florida

For years, Florida naturist organizations have relied on lobbying efforts to monitor legislative threats and advocate for naturist rights in Tallahassee. One of the key figures in this work has been Ramon Maury, a passionate naturist and advocate with deep experience in legislative affairs. His retainer has traditionally been covered through contributions from multiple organizations, but shifts in funding and strategy have resulted in a temporary lapse, leaving questions about the present state of political representation for naturists in Florida. Conversations are ongoing about how to ensure continued lobbying representation, though no final decisions have been made.

Shirley Mason, a veteran naturist advocate and founder of B.E.A.C.H.E.S., expressed concern about the uncertainty, telling Planet Nude, “We need lobbyists throughout the country, in every state, and they have to be educated [about naturism]; Ramon should be the instructor for this.”

The combination of an increasingly aggressive legislative climate and uncertainty surrounding future lobbying efforts leaves Florida naturists particularly vulnerable in this moment. Organizations that advocate for naturism must remain vigilant and proactive, ensuring that both their members and lawmakers are informed about naturist rights and proper enforcement practices.

Mason agrees, emphasizing that if the Florida naturist community fails to be proactive in advocacy efforts, cases like the Playalinda arrest could set a precedent for more aggressive enforcement in the future. “I really don’t like being on the defensive all the time,” Mason says. “We should have learned over the years—you have to be on the offense.”

Guidance for naturists: interacting with law enforcement

Given the current climate, naturists in Florida—and all over the United States—are advised to exercise caution and be well-informed about their rights and responsibilities. Here are some recommendations:

• Choose locations wisely: Opt for beaches and resorts that officially permit clothing-optional recreation. Be aware that areas without official designation may carry increased risks.

• Be discreet and respectful: Always consider the presence of others, especially families and children. Ensure that your activities do not cause discomfort or attract undue attention.

• Know how to respond to law enforcement:

  • Remain calm and polite: If approached by authorities, maintain composure and show respect.

  • Understand your rights: Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding public nudity.

  • Avoid self-incrimination: You are not obligated to provide statements that may be used against you.

  • Seek legal counsel: If cited or arrested, promptly contact an attorney familiar with public decency laws in the relevant jurisdiction.

A call to action for the naturist community

The Playalinda arrest is a wake-up call. Without immediate action, more naturist spaces could be at risk. The naturist community must act now to protect its rights before selective enforcement and political shifts become the norm.

There is a tendency to “lie low” in less favorable political climates. Avoiding attention in uncertain times is a mistake. Visibility and proactive advocacy are essential. Naturist organizations must remain vigilant against new legislation or executive actions that could threaten access to public lands. Retaining effective lobbying representation is crucial, as is engaging with the National Park Service and other federal departments like Canaveral National Seashore to ensure fair and consistent law enforcement.

But Florida is only one battleground. A broader effort is needed to protect naturist rights on federal and state lands across the country. For individual naturists that means getting involved—supporting advocacy organizations, educating the public about naturism’s values, and strengthening community networks to share strategies and resources.

Political landscapes shift, and enforcement priorities change, but naturists have always faced challenges with resilience. By staying informed, engaged, and united, the naturist community can defend its rights and ensure its spaces endure—now and for the future. 🪐

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Disclosure: I serve on the Board of Governors for the B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute and the public relations committee for AANR. This article is written in my personal capacity and does not represent either organization. Any views expressed are my own or those of the individuals quoted.

1. Original post by @Martin_Desnudo on X: https://x.com/martin_desnudo/status/1891699980974354624

2. Ibid.

3. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/11/08/vendor-mocks-anti-nudity-law-is-arrested/

4. https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/agencies-federal-workers-fired/story?id=118901289

5. https://www.sfchronicle.com/outdoors/article/yosemite-protest-job-cuts-20180229.php