No More Nude Sunbathing on Fire Island [Updated]

Two Scruff-tastic gents enjoying some free time on the beach.

If you’re planning a trip to Fire Island this summer, don’t expect to come home rocking a full-body tan. Officials for the Fire Island Seashore have announced they’re going to begin enforcing laws that ban nude sunbathing on its beaches — laws that, up to this point, have usually been ignored.

In an article on Popnography, Fire Island chief ranger Lena Koschmann says the decision stemmed from the rise in popularity of Lighthouse Beach. But while Lighthouse isn’t the gay place to sunbathe (ahem, that glorious stretch of shore between Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove), she says the rule will be applied island-wide. Womp, womp.

If your part is deadset on a little toosh-on-sand action, there are still plenty of options — some even close to home. Find a spot on Queerty’s list of the 10 Best Nude Beaches in the World. It includes Gunnison Beach in Highlands, N.J. and P-Town’s Herring Grove Beach. I’ve reached out to some people in Fire Island to see if there are any secret spots there where gay vacationers can go au naturale. I’ll let you know what I find out.

Updated [3/28/13, 6:09 p.m.]: Officials say they will not be enforcing no-nude-sunbathing laws on traditionally gay beaches. Read more here.

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