Wreck Beach
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Wreck Beach is one of the largest officially clothing optional beaches in the world. It is part of Pacific Spirit Regional Park located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The clothing optional section is clearly marked with signs and stretches approximately 6.5 km from Acadia Beach in the north, down to the Booming Grounds Creek on the north arm of the Fraser River.
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Acadia Beach - Tower Beach - Point Grey
The shore throughout this area is mainly rocky, but there are sandy areas. Consequently, this area is typically less used than others. During the smelt season, there are often lots of fishermen and their families in this area, and this tends to limit the number of naturists. Access this area from Acadia Beach, Trail #3, or Trail #4.
Along this section of Wreck beach are two searchlight towers that are relics from the second world war. Various wildlife can also be seen, including nesting herons, seals, sea otters, and occasionally, bald eagles.
Wreck Beach Proper
The large sandy area on the north side of the North Arm Breakwater at the base of Trail #6 is what is most often thought of as "Wreck Beach." The trail is the most developed of the trails down the bluff and consists of 399 wooden steps. This beach is the most heavily used. Despite police patrols, vendors sell everything from snacks, sunscreen and alcoholic beverages to recreational drugs.
Some beach-goers have used logs to section off a part of the beach as "Nude Only" (indicated with small red signs). While nudity is optional throughout Wreck Beach, those who choose not to undress are often greeted with calls to join the unclothed.
Trail #7
The area inside the North Arm Jetty, where the breakwater begins, is known as the "gay section." This part of the beach is more polluted and is usually not considered suitable for swimming. There is a sandy spit to the northwest of the base of the trail, and there are numerous small pockets of sand on either side. The trail has not been developed to the same extent as Trail #6.
There are numerous small trails that lead into the woods all along the shore behind this area which, while it violates strict naturist ideals, are sometimes used for sex.
Access
Wreck Beach is accessible by road and transit, but, except from the UBC campus, is too far to walk from most places in Vancouver.
From Highway 99 turn west on S.W. Marine Drive, 41st Avenue (from 41st Avenue, turn right onto S.W. Marine Drive), 16th Avenue (from 16th Avenue, turn right onto S.W. Marine Drive), or 4th Avenue (from 4th Avenue, turn right on N.W. Marine Drive). From Highway 1 take the Grandview Highway exit (this eventually becomes 12th Avenue), turn right on Clark Street, left again on 6th Avenue (this eventually becomes 4th Avenue), and then turn right on N.W. Marine Drive.
Public transit is also available. TransLink runs a number of bus routes (4, 10, 25, 41, 43, 44, 49, 99, 258, and 480) to the UBC bus loop. From there it is a five minute walk west down University Boulevard to UBC Gate #6 (from which Trail #6 takes it name). Turn right on S.W. Marine Drive and the trail is immediately to the left.
Wreck Beach lies at the base of a cliff face, therefore, the numbered trails all are fairly steep. Trail #6 and Trail #7 both have stairs, Trail #6 being the better developed of the two. The pathway from the Acadia Beach parking lot is the most gentle slope and provides the easiest access to the clothing-optional area. It is possible to walk along the shore and trails from Acadia Beach past the base of Trail #7. Erosion can make the route south of Trail #6 a bit tricky, and it can often be quite muddy. High tides can also hinder passage along the shore.
Parking
There is a small parking lot at Acadia Beach and a pay parking lot just south of Trail #6. Parking is also allowed all along S.W. Marine Drive on the east side of the road. Illegally parked vehicles are often towed away. Parking is also allowed along Old Marine Drive.
Washrooms
There are outhouses by the Arcadia Beach parking lot and at the head of Trail #6 and Trail #7. There are usually porti-potties at the base of Trail #6. Additionally, the south side of the rocks that comprise the North Arm Breakwater serve as an outdoor latrine.
External links
- Pacific Spirit Regional Park (http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/PacificSprit.htm)
- Translink (http://www.translink.bc.ca/) (Vancouver and area bus information)
- Wreck Beach Preservation Society (http://www.wreckbeach.org/)fa:دریاکنار رک