Location
Canada
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
July to August
About Kellys Nude Beach
Kelly's Beach is the main swimming beach of Kouchibouguac National Park on New Brunswick's Acadian coast, facing the Northumberland Strait between Richibucto and Miramichi. The beach is a long barrier-island sand spit, roughly 7 km of dunes and sand separated from the mainland by a lagoon and salt marsh, and is reached by a boardwalk from the Kelly's Beach parking area. The supervised area and park facilities are at the end of the boardwalk. Naturists turn right and walk about 1.6 km south along the sand, past the last clothed groups, where nude sunbathing has long been tolerated; the beach is long enough that clothed and nude visitors rarely overlap. The Federation of Canadian Naturists lists it as one of Canada's unofficial nude beaches and describes a family atmosphere. The water is shallow and, for Atlantic Canada, warm in midsummer, and the dunes and lagoon hold plenty of birds and sea life. Parts of the dunes are protected habitat, including for piping plovers, so stay on the beach rather than in the dunes. There are no facilities on the nude stretch itself.
Getting there
Kouchibouguac National Park is off Route 11 between Shediac/Moncton and Miramichi; follow the park road signs to the Kelly's Beach parking lot. A Parks Canada admission pass is required to enter the park. From the lot, take the boardwalk across the lagoon and marsh to the beach, turn right, and walk about 1.6 km south on firm sand to reach other nude sunbathers. The boardwalk is level, but the walk along the sand is not wheelchair friendly. No public transport into the park.
Amenities
Legal context
Canada's Criminal Code (s. 174) makes nudity in a public place an offence, but a prosecution needs the consent of the provincial Attorney General, which is why tolerated beaches exist. Only Wreck Beach and Hanlan's Point are officially clothing-optional (FCN, 2026); Kelly's Beach is inside a national park and is not designated; nudity is tolerated on the remote southern stretch. Respect any dune or nesting-area closures posted by Parks Canada.
Naturism at Kellys Nude Beach sits under Canada's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Canada public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 46.8205, -64.9524
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Canada
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity allowed at Kelly's Beach?
Not officially. It is an unofficial nude area within Kouchibouguac National Park where nude sunbathing on the far stretch has long been tolerated.
How do I find the nude section?
From the end of the boardwalk, turn right and walk about 1.6 km south along the beach until you see other nude sunbathers.
Do I need to pay?
Yes, a Parks Canada admission pass is needed to enter Kouchibouguac National Park.
Are there facilities?
Facilities are at the boardwalk end of the beach, not on the nude stretch.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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