Travelers tend to enjoy ultimate freedom on the road, though jumping the psychological hurdle of experiencing nude beaches can remain a challenge.
Painting: iamcootis
Everyone has one opinion or another about nudity in public places.
There are nudist beaches, there are nudist saunas, and there are life-drawing classes, where models pose naked.
My own opinion about public nudity was rather controversial until recently. I come from a family where modesty was a virtue, and was shocked when I moved to the Netherlands and found an open approach to public nudity. (I once saw a naked man in Amsterdam, riding his bike to work).
I felt outraged and insulted.
“Never, never in my life will I be naked in public,” I told myself. However, since then, some things have changed.
I became a nudist. My current boyfriend happens to be a nudist and on our first holiday he introduced me to the joy of being naked on the beach.
And I rather liked it.
Being naked on the beach gives you the feeling of being free and in union with nature. And it is rather natural, considering that humans only started to wear clothes 72,000 years ago. For more than half of our existence we have been nudists.
What I noticed at the nudist beaches is that people come in all shapes and forms, and rarely do they resemble Kate Moss
However, being natural with nature is not that easy nowadays. It is still a controversial issue. Some regard public nudity as exhibitionism. Others say that nudity sets a bad example for the children. In most states of the US, for a woman to be topless can result in a fine.
Woman are paradoxically bombarded by glossy magazines with pictures which depict thin, beautiful and mostly naked women. Even if you would like to be a nudist, you might avoid going to a nudist beach for the reason that your body doesn’t correspond to the beauty standard.
But curiously enough, what I noticed at the nudist beaches is that people there in all shapes and forms, and rarely do they resemble Kate Moss. It can be indeed a liberating experience, especially if you have some confidence issues.
I started my nudist experience when I considered myself slightly overweight, and it helped me to realize that human body is beautiful as it is. And I certainly recommend everyone try it at least once.
Here are some tips, which could come quite handy if you are ready to try it yourself.
Photo courtesy the author
Tip #1 – Lather Up
Don’t forget to put sun cream on those parts of your body about which you might otherwise forget. It’s really not pleasant to get sun burn on some vital parts of your body!
Tip #2 – Watch the bend
Don’t bend over when adjusting your towel or picking something up from the sand (unless you’re Brad Pitt, of course).
Tip #3 – Eyes to yourself
Don’t stare at other naked people!
Tip #4 – Incognito
In case you do want to stare, two best ways to do it is: (a) wearing sunglasses, (b) pretending to read a book (but then, don’t forget to turn the pages!)
Tip #5 – Ditch the camera
Be respectful to other people when you take our your camera to make some pictures of the beach. It really does make all naked people suddenly very nervous.
Tip #6 – Cold water syndrome
If you are a man, be aware that even if you are lucky to possess a giant male organ, it will shrink to tiny proportions when you emerge from the sea. Don’t feel bad about it…
Tip #7 – To shave or not to shave?
This is a difficult question, since enjoying a nudist beach is all about being very natural. However, think twice, as it’s nice to be well groomed.
Tip #8 – Avoid philosophy
Try to avoid deep philosophical conversations with you naked neighbours. It does sound (and look) rather weird, when a naked person talks about Foucault.
Tip #9 – Keep your suit handy
Take your swimming suit with you just in case. For instance, when all other nudists decide to leave the beach and you are the only naked person remaining.
Tip #10 – Top of the morning
What to do in case of erection? Quickly lie face down on the sand, but don’t forget to fill in the imprint when you stand up!
Hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy your next nudist beach with wild abandon, setting your body and your mind free.
Do you have any tips for nudist beaches or settings? Share your tips/stories in the comments!
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33 Comments... join the discussion!
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Great article.
You left off #11. Have Fun!
That’s the best part of nude beaches. Eveeryone has so much fun.
Here in the US there are only a couple of legal nude beaches. However, our country is lucky and has some fo the best clothing optional resorts.
For instance, here in sunny Palm Springs, my wife and I own The Terra Cotta Inn http://sunnyfun.com. We have guests from around the world that stay with us. We are perfect for couples trying topless or nude sunbathing for the first time.
So put on the suntan lotion and HAVE FUN!
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ha-ha, thanks Nancy and Tom!
if I am ever in the US, I will certainly try to visit your inn, Tom! And yes, ‘having fun’ point is very relevant, that apart from when a gorgeous naked woman enters the beach and you are lying there next to your boyfriend concerned about your (probably even non-existent) cellulite. lol
I guess, for women it’s more controversial indeed…
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Nice post.
Just one little quibble: if we are acting naturally, then conversations with our nude neighbors should be whatever the flow is — even if it is philosophy. The same rules should apply here as apply to any normal conversation: be polite, don’t interrupt and try not to get into any arguments.
Best,
Buzzy↵ -
Hello Buzzy,
you are right. It doesn’t really matter what do you discuss when you act naturally.
I suppose I was mostly speaking from personal experience. Twice already I took with me philosophical books on the beach, and twice I ended up reading some glossy magazines instead.
But my boyfriend reads Foucault for pleasure, even on the beach.
I guess I am simply jealous when people manage that…↵ -
Our nearly adult children stumbled onto our pictures of our honeymoon in Korcula (Adriatic Sea) where we were able sunbathe and swim in the beautiful waters without swimsuits. They were surprised and a bit shocked but indeed I hope they get the pleasure on swimming nude in warm waters sometime in their lifetime.
Unbeknownst to us at the time (1978) this area was very very popular with Northern Europeans seeking nudist resorts mid winter.
Great post!↵ -
Hello Andrea,
thank you for your comment.
We had the same problem the other day when kids of my boyfriend wanted to see our pictures from our holiday. We had to hide some of them.
Which actually raises an interesting point for me when I have my own kids: take them to the nudist beach, and if yes, till what age?↵ -
Hi Ekaterina,
I hope to meet you someday too. IMO, women are more nervous about topless or nude sunbathing than men.The Women’s magazines constantly say unless a women follows this diet, buys these cosmetics and clothes, gets this plastic surgery she will never measure up to other women and get/keep a man.
The women’s magazines make women feel so insecure about themselves. That’s is why so many women don’t try topless or nude sunbathing. Insecurity!
Of course once they try it, they see how much fun it is and will vacation at clothing optional resorts the rest of their lives.
Again gret article.
Tom
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If you introduce your own kids to the nudist lifestyle, simply include them until they don’t want to go anymore (or they may be hooked for life!) Toddlers and babies don’t care – don’t let them sunburn – then elementary age love it (so hard to keep them in clothes anyways) … tweens and teens may be self-conscious and may not go, else may always wear a suit … high-school say “never with the folks” … college consider it but only with same age friends … young marrieds wonder when they will ever have such fun again and skinny dip on vacations only … until at mid-age, they’ve joined their own resort and never realized that you were life-long members, too. LOL. Even if you only practice nudity at home/backyard, be casual about it and never press the issue one way or the other. Don’t be anxious about vacation pictures – if you’re up tight, they will be, too. Show them as appropriate (sexy silliness at the correct age you decide) but don’t have to hide them because you’re topless or fully nude. Wif and I went to Black’s Beach 1st year of marriage (no kids for 2 more years) and enjoyed it. 18 years later, found old photos and kids could not believe it years later but we still showed them those photos. Still working on a no-tanline tan in private backyard when possible on the weekends and trying to get that 1st year body back again, too! Kids don’t join, but that’s their choice and we both respect that.
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Hello James,
thank you for the advice! I suppose when we act naturally and don’t make an issue out of it, – there should not be a problem. And indeed, kids love the sea and the beach as it is!
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While I really appreciate hearing about a person opening up to nudism, and I am also really grateful for any mainstream positive coverage, I found this article really offensive. I live in a nudist camp full time, was married in the nude, raised my kids in nudism, etc. From the persepctive of an American nudist/naturist, some of these points are just silly, and really miss the pont.
Traditionally, when a man gets an accidental erection, the solution is to cover up with a towel until it goes away. No problem. Diving face first, and penis-first, into the sand sounds really unpleasant, and no one does this.
Bend over any way you want. On our beach we do naked yoga, hooping, volleyball whatever. Exposing one part of the body is no different than explosing another part of the body. That’s what body acceptance is all about.
Further, converse about anything you want. I teach Tarot in the nude. The fellowship that is developed with nudist friends is priceless.
Of course we look at each other, and of course we don’t stare. Just like in the clothed world.
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Hello Christiana,
the article wasn’t meant to be a serious debate about nudism and what it is, but as funny piece with some jokes to talk about nudism in a slightly different way.
I do understand that you can find some things as ‘offensive’, but this was not to meant to be offensive towards anyone, less the nudists.
And I think I already answered the question about ‘philosophical’ debates if you bother to read other comments.↵ -
I have a better solution on how to deal with an erection, from personal experience quickly head into the sea and have some fun with your girlfriend, it worked wonders for me…..
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ha-ha,
thanks for your comment William. I hope Christiana won’t read it (see the comments above).
I can agree with your comment, even if my article wasn’t inteneded to turn into an erotic story or be provocative as it turned out to be, lol.↵ -
#10 was funny. However, I think nudist culture is hypocritical when it chants the mantra, “BODY ACCEPTANCE,” over and over again, and then tells a man to cover up that hideous erection. In my view, erections should not need to be hidden. Erections are not behaviour. They simply happen, often spontaneously. Of course, you can engage in bad behaviour with an erection, but you can also engage in bad behaviour while breathing, but we don’t ban breathing. There is a difference between simply “having” and erection and “playing with” an erection. Simply “having” an erection should be a non-issue in nudist culture, unless we want to take back our “BODY ACCEPTANCE” mantra, and tell a man who obviously doesn’t need Viagra, “Put that hideous thing away!” Erections are NOT a threat.
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Hello Tad,
I do agree with you. Actually your comment brings me back to the comment made by Christiana about which I was thinking and to the politically-correct culture debate.
There is nothing wrong with erections indeed, as it’s natural (and I suppose from a man’s point of view, it’ better when you have them rather than not), but it’s this bahavioural thing we have in our society, which tells us how to behave and teaches as impression management. Erections are somehow considered to be embarassing when happening in public. As well as (and this is the point made by Christiana, with which I disagree now) staring at or admiring another’s body.
We stare at other people either clothed or not clothed and there is nothing wrong with it either. But in a poticially-correct culture, it’s ‘wrong’ to admit that you stare.↵ -
I think some people get too hung up on how much skin is showing. Unfortunately, in the USA, places to go clothing optional are becoming a dying estate, especially on the West Coast. Blacks Beach in San Diego is still OK, but it is a LONG walk to get there and the beach conditions are not always optimal and voyeurs/stalkers are common. The user maintained cliff walk is “easiest” but it is like a stair-master (good exercise, though.) the south walk from the college is about 1 to 2 miles and bad parking. San Onofre is undergoing legal challenges again after decades of no problems and status is in limbo. Several Los Angeles beach sites are gone as well as Ventura. Possibly up in SF, but then it starts getting cold. Canadian sites are there, but I’m not going to Canada any time soon. Ha.
I remember going on a cruise to Tahiti and most of the boat was a body style you did not want to see unclothed. Topless was common on the beach in Bora Bora, Moorea and some parts of Tahiti. Carnival used to have its top-deck topless tanning, but seems that is falling out of style or changing rules. No other cruise line I’m aware of, less one that is all clothing optional in general, approves or condones CO anymore. Many places that allow resorts to be CO or have CO facilities are having financial issues or just too expensive to get to or changing rules and getting rid of CO facilities (Couples, some Beaches, etc.).
And it seems that Americans are more one side or other … no gray areas or compromise. Kids are irrevocably tramatized by sight of a pair of breasts or some uncovered buns (but violence on TV/video is no problem) … or “here is my naked body on display – either like it or leave.” Seems a militant attitude either way. Looking at Florida’s beach policies – topless allowed or CO (Haulover Beach) – get all the tourists, all the city protected services and all the revenues that other places with fantastic beaches disdain. There should be room for everyone – and publically designated areas to go as you like.
We can only hope for a better future.
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Hello James,
thank you for your comment and very interesting points.
It reminded me of kids of a friend of mine who walked on his girlfriend once when she was topless in the bedroom (not even naked) and it indeed tramatized them, – while at the same time they are constantly exposed to much worse things on television.
It’s indeed a hypocrticial and too politicially-correct society where we are too afraid to admit certain things and face the truth. And we are ashamed of our own bodies from the early age.↵ -
Hi James,
The nicer CO facilities such as ours in Palm Springs, CA (The Terra Cotta Inn http://sunnyfun.com ) and Cypress Cove in Florida are doing great. Others that are overpriced or need to upgrade are not.But, that is no different than any other hotel nudist or not.
As for nude beaches, that is a government issue. California could have a fantastic beach like South Beach or Haulover if they opened their eyes and minds.
Tom
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Tip #6 seems like it is a bit joking but that is one of the most embarrassing moments for a man. Is it appropriate to cover up when coming out of the water and walking back to the towel?
Also, women think they are the most self conscious because of what the media portrays as an “accepted” figure but there is an equal amount of pressure for men, we just don’t talk about it. A good figure and being “well-endowed” can eat a guy up inside. And women really aren’t revealing much more than what a bikini already would, while men have a huge step to take revealing their mysterious parts. I am not saying it is less difficult for women, just that men’s nervousness is overlooked.
And how do you convince your very conservative girlfriend to try it for the first time? We live close to Blacks Beach and I want to give it a try.
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Hello Hansen,
I absolutely agree with you about the pressure on men. Actually, – it’s quite a good idea for an article!
Since I wrote this article from my own perspective, – I talked about women’s image in the society. But the same applies to men, – for men it’s also about the looks, status, athletic figure, going to the gym, etc, etc. The glossy magazines target not only women but also men.As to how to convince your girlfriend…well, I was quite conservative myself (at least I thought so). I think a lot depends on where will you take your girlfriend. I was introduced to nudism in the Canaries, – where it’s natural, while if I were to try in the UK I would rather feel uncfortable as there are these ‘voyeurs’ who just walk around to get a view.
You could just take her along without obligation that she is naked. As soon as she sees that nudists indeed are even friendlier than non-nudists (it’s true I must admit that at nudist beaches people stare less and care less about the perfect image of the body) she will probably feel more relaxed about it.
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Hi Ekatarina,
I enjoyed reading your article and agree with most of what you have said.
I have experienced something different though, regarding the ‘body acceptance’ reason most nudists give for being nudists.
In my case I am fit, toned and in-shape man and very well endowed in the genital area and it seems that when being a well endowed man on a nude or clothing optional beach some think I am trying to show off my ’size’. I have learnt that it is easier to be average endowed on a nude beach for it seems to be easier to be accepted when being ‘average’ or like any other person. Being a well endowed man is not so easy to blend in with others on the beach. They tend to shy away from me even though I am a very open, well mannered man enjoying being nude. I do not look at other people in that way, assessing their endowement I mean,yet it seems the ‘body acceptance’ part seems for most to come from seeing other ‘out of shape’ people that makes them feel better about themselves
I am generalizin here since I have met many wonderful people and not all do this. What do you and your eaders think?
Regards↵ -
ha-ha Steven,
you made me laugh.
Well, honestly, now that I am myself thin and fit, I feel myself quite better on the nudist beach (as well as on any other beach for that matter) rather than I was when I was 5 kilos more, even if going nudist helped me at that time to still feel great about my body.
I wouldn’t think that you were showing off if I saw you on the beach (from your description). I mean, everyone has the right to go to the nudist beach….↵ -
Great post! Thank you for sharing!
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To Hansen,
If you would like to try the naturist lifestyle with your girlfriend, you may want to start out first in non-threatening environments, rather than the beach right off. That could be at home, even with the curtains up for privacy (don’t need a neighbor reporting you for public indency) or if you have a private backyard. Getting out of the shower and not dressing for a while. Or doing the laundry and/or house work, and throw your clothes in with the dirty ones (assuming this is not a public laundramat), and don’t get dressed in anything else. Make it casual, non-threatening, non-sexual (though it can be sensuous) and she is not threatened. If you have a private (not community) pool where you can go skinny dipping together, at night then later during the day. Suntanning and going for strap free, then not tying the straps back later. I’ve done backyard gardening with only sandals on, including mowing the back lawn with a power mower. (Don’t forget to apply lotion at regular intervals to all areas, especially inside prior tanlines.) Just do your normal stuff around the house and just don’t include clothing in it. Lots of other suggestions on reputable naturist websites. See the links off the Terra Cotta Inn website for those.
Then there are fantastic places locally, like the Terra Cotta Inn in Palm Springs, where it is clothing optional and everyone is that way. Palm Springs is only a few hours or so a way from San Diego and perfect for a weekend trip since we have such “lousy” weather here all year long in Southern California. See the link in one of the above replies from the owner. My wife and I rented a pool house from a prior clothing optional inn – we didn’t stay there, but they owned a separate private house nearby that had a fenced in private pool that we enjoyed on our first anniversary au naturel.
The biggest issue already brought up is body-acceptance, especially your own. Not too many ladies are comfortable with their own body image (and guys too) in regular clothes or bathing suits, much less with nothing on. Compliment her all the time and encourage her that she looks good every single day! Even when she doesn’t! Attitude alone can make a person shine on the worse hair day! My wife and I had gone to Jenny Craig our first year and celebrated our 1st anniversary after we’d both lost a lot of weight and feeling very good about ourselves. My wife and I have gained a bit over the last 20 years and we’re working on losing it again together. She said she would be more receptive again to naturist adventures after she lost some again. So we encourage each other whenever possible and support each other. But isn’t that what we should be doing anyways in any relationship?
)
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tip # 10 should be referred back to tip #6 – run into the ocean
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This is an interesting and informative post. I had my first surprise experience with nude swimmers in Croatia. Unfortunately, at the time, I was embarrassed of my body and envious of their freedom. Thank you for your honest and helpful tips! I will definitely seize the opportunity next time. Any suggestions for nude-friendly beaches in the U.S?
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Hello Jenn,
thank you very much for your encouraging comment!
Regarding nudist beaches in the US, – as far as I know the choice isn’t great. Please, see the comment of Tom (the second comment) on more information on this issue. You can also have a look at his site, – they run a friendly hotel for nudists, http://sunnyfun.com
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Hi Katia,
I thought I’d get in on the debate. I have been going to nudist beaches and camps for around 10 years now, and I find the beaches more relaxed than the camps.
I am a spontaneous nudist, in that when I find I am on a beach in the UK, the weather is ok and the beach fairly deserted I will get naked. I find that the planning takes the fun and the freedom out of being naked. One problem I often have, however, is that I will often encounter strange curiosity from people walking on the beach trying really hard not to look, or i get asked to put my clothes back on by someone pretending to be offended, even though I got there first, the beach is an unofficial nudist beach and you have to walk miles to get there! I am not an exhibitionist, just impulsive and I really enjoy swimming and sunbathing without clothes.
I am also a life model and have almost no hang ups about my body as my friends will testify!
My tip, enjoy your body, whatever glorious shape nature gave you.
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Hello Sam,
thank you for your very interesting comment!
I do agree with you that we should learn how to enjoy our bodies whatever is the shape, size, etc.
Unforunately, media and media industries are so powerful and ideologically overwhelming that it’s very hard sometimes to escape the image of perfection portrayed everywhere. I am myself sick and tired of it, as in my case I do feel that I am being let into brainwashing about how I should look…Though as I said previously in one of my comments, – nudist beach and also life-modelling helped me to start enjoying my body on all occasions.
I guess I am also very lucky with my boyfriend who doesn’t think that a woman should correspond to some standards in order to be judged beautiful.↵ -
Great post. Very funny tips. I just don’t think I could do it, I dont mind others doing it at all but I was at a resort last year in Spain, a family resort and there was a lady who arrived mid week and waled around naked at the pool. Needless to say we were all a little uncomfortable but looking back fair play to her for having that confidence.
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That was meant to be walked* around the pool.
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To Erin,
Interesting how Americans are caught unaware of what Europeans have always been doing. I’ve read how in some pools in Europe and Russian, it is “scandalous” to wear a bathing suit in pools or hot tubs or saunas and everyone just “knows” you don’t do it. Social norms differ. Some underlying reaons I’ve seen are threads and clothing fiber getting in the filters as well as left-over dyes and detergent soap getting in the water too. We had mentioned to our hot tub supplier one time about massive amount of suds in our tub when the jets were on and he mentioned that we should have one set of bathing suits that were thoroughly cleaned and no soap residue, different from other bathing suits for regular pools and sun tanning. I mentioned it was a good reason not to have any suit on at all and he looked like he never considered that option before.
Some resorts in other countries that have mineral baths as well as natural pools of bubbling clean waters do not allow any bathing attire and using showers entering the water is required. Some middle eastern countries have further segregated pools and saunas by gender, but then clothing is not expected to be worn either. I’ve been told that wearing a bathing suit into a private sauna and keeping it on the entire time could even be insulting to the host family! Imagine that!
Going to Los Angeles beaches as a teenager, I remember one summer when I saw a couple there and going into the ocean waves and the woman removed her bikini top going in the water. I later struck up a conversation with them and they were very friendly. I remarked how nice it was to be so free and open on the beach and the man was surprised and replied, “This is how we always do it in Germany.” Later, just before they went home, both stripped off their bathing suits on the public beach and got into clean dry clothes to go home in, comfortably.
You probably were surprised to see the one lady without anything, but she might have been more surprised to see you always in your own, or else she just didn’t worry about it. Many vacation photo albums on-line show families from foreign countries where the mom may or may not have a top on and kids might not have any suits on at all. Toddlers and babies hardly ever have anything other than a diaper, depending on age. Fathers have on much briefer swim suits than even I would be daring to wear – LOL. And the kids are not traumatized seeing their parents without anything on because there is no taboo being broken that they were raised with.
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