Swimming at Aberlady Nudist Beach

Aberlady Naturist Beach (unofficial), East Lothian



Parking:

Park at Gullane Bents Car Park. Nearest Post Code is EH31 2BE (though don't follow it all the way as it sends you down Hill Road... Just come off the A198 onto Sandy Lane and turn left into the car park at the bottom of that street). Best using Google Maps.
Cost £3.00 via cash machine (also takes card via RingGo 21003). If you are intending to use East Lothian beaches a lot then they offer a season ticket for £50 (order online). The car park is very busy at weekends so it is recommended to avoid going between 9:30am and 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays when the weather is hot and sunny.  No parking is permitted between 10pm and 6am.pm on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer. No parking is permitted between 11pm and 4am. 

Swim Spot:

The Naturist Beach (unofficial) is on the north side of Aberlady Bay and so a 2.2km walk (30min) is required through a nature reserve to get to it. On hot summer days there are usually several other Naturist enjoying the beach. Many are not swimmers and just prefer to lurk in the dunes. As the site is so remote there aren't too many textiles walking past.

Best Time To Go:

Any hot day in the summer is perfect for this beach. The tide goes out for over 500m and so you need to time the tides if you are intending to spend the day sunbathing and swimming - otherwise you'll be waiting for ages. But even if the tide is completely out you can still put your clothes on the rocky headland and run in from there - Check the Tide Times.

Safety:

The water moves really quickly. Be careful when it is going out that you can still stand up as you may be taken out with it. 
The water is fairly clean... but there is 1 sewage pipe going into the water a little further along the bay - (see sewage pipes map)

Page Suggestions:

Skinny Dipping Events:

Friday 29th May 2026: 7:45pm: Golden Hour Skinny Dip at Aberlady Bay (Meet at Gullane Bents Car Park 6:55pm)

Register interest here >> Golden Hour Skinny Dip - 29th May 2026   

Come and de-stress with a Skinny Dip at Aberlady Nudist Beach. Meet at 6:55pm at the far end of Gullane Bents Beach car park (Don't rely on map or postcode for directions -- just come off A198 down Sandy Loan and turn right into car park).

We’ll walk for around 30 minutes along the coastal path to Aberlady Nudist Beach (sturdy footwear recommended).

 # All swims at own risk # 

Sunday 7th June 2026 (World Naturist Day): 7:45pm: Golden Hour Skinny Dip at Aberlady Bay (Meet at Gullane Bents Car Park 6:55pm)

Register interest here >> Golden Hour Skinny Dip - 7th June 2026   

Come and de-stress with a Skinny Dip at Aberlady Nudist Beach. Meet at 6:55pm at the far end of Gullane Bents Beach car park (Don't rely on map or postcode for directions -- just come off A198 down Sandy Loan and turn right into car park).

We’ll walk for around 30 minutes along the coastal path to Aberlady Nudist Beach (sturdy footwear recommended).

 # All swims at own risk #