Nude Beaches
Who needs tan lines when there are nude beaches in so many cruiseable ports of call?
WHETHER VISITING A NUDE BEACH IS A SPONTANEOUS WHIM OR a long-planned rite of passage, that thrill of disrobing can be every bit as addictive as the feeling of the wind, sun, and water on your unclothed body. Fortunately for thrill-seekers, there are clothing-optional or fully nude beaches all around the world, many of which are surprisingly near where your ship has anchored.
But what do you need to know before committing? For starters, you should know whether the nude beach is legal or official; as Philip Carr-Gomm warns in his 2010 book, A Brief History of Nakedness, “If you take off your clothes in the wrong place at the wrong time, you can be fined, deported, or thrown into jail.”
Depending on the country you are visiting, you may see signs or words that could be unfamiliar. FKK (from the German, Freikörperkultur, meaning “free body culture”) denotes a nude beach or area of the beach. “Clothing optional” is self-explanatory, and the word “naturist” or “naturism” is often used outside the United States to refer to a nudist and nudism. In the U.K., you’ll hear of nude and “textile” beaches, where swimsuits are worn.
Carr-Gomm’s book delves into the wide range of activities one can enjoy today now that nude events and participation are more accepted as liberating and fun, including such extreme ones as nude skydiving and nude bungee jumping. If that level of thrill seems a bit much, perhaps a more relaxed day at one of these beaches might be of interest:
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
A long-established resort, Hawksbill by rex resorts is five miles from the cruise ship terminal in St. John’s. One of its beaches, Eden, is naturist. Take a taxi to the main building and ask for walking directions. There are few amenities; do bring your own towels as well as drinks and food. ( The front desk staff at the hotel may offer an all-day meal plan, although the beach is at least a 10-minute jaunt from the main hotel buildings.)
SAINT BARTHÉLEMY (AKA ST. BARTS)
From the port of Gustavia, both Gouveneur and Saline beaches are for nude use. Inquire at the dock from a local; taxis can be expensive and there are few amenities (if any) at either beach. Ensure you have a pick-up time from the same taxi driver.
ST MARTIN/SINT MAARTEN
This dually owned Caribbean nation was badly damaged in the hurricanes of 2017, and its most wellknown naturist resort, Club Orient, was decimated. However, a large portion of Orient Beach remains very popular with land nudists and day-trippers from the cruise ships that dock on the Dutch side in Philipsburg. Umbrellas, chaises longue, washrooms, and food and drink are available.
MEXICO
If you are spending time in either Acapulco or Huatulco before or after your cruise, the little town of Zipolite in Oaxaca boasts the country’s only legal nude beach. It is approximately 36 miles from the cruise port in Huatulco, and is lined with restaurants and small hotels in a bohemian atmosphere.
SAN DIEGO
Black’s Beach, which is about a half-hour from the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal, has also been accepted for nude use for decades, but it takes very fit people to get down a cliff of many steps and back up again. There may be a volleyball court set up on the sand, but bring your own towels, food, and drink. Nude use is north of the Glider Port Trail.
SOUTH FLORIDA
Arguably the most famous nude hangout-bythe-sea is Haulover Beach, located almost equidistant between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. It’s actively promoted by the state’s tourism office, so one can be assured it has many amenities … and can get quite crowded.
CANADA
In Vancouver, British Columbia, Wreck Beach, which is near the University of British Columbia, is a much-loved public nude beach. There may be beach vendors selling food and drink, but don’t expect much more than that. In Nova Scotia, Crystal Crescent Beach, a provincial park outside of the port of Halifax, has also been long-established, but not all of the beach is for nude use.
SPAIN
There are many European countries that have very relaxed attitudes towards public nudity, including France, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries ( you can be nude on any beach in Denmark), and Portugal. Some of the port cities of England, Italy, and Greece do have nude beaches, but may not be as overtly advertised as in some other countries.
By far, Spain has many ports-of-call and a welcome attitude to naturist beaches. On the Balearic Islands, Mallorca, Ibiza, Minorca, and Formentera all boast 10 nude beaches among the four sparkling islands. Rev up your search engines before you depart to find out if one would be appropriate for your shore excursion.
The closest nudist and textile beach to Barcelona is Mar Bella Beach, although a taxi may cost north of $20. If you’re stopping in Malaga, check out nearby Gaudalmar Beach, the only sanctioned nudist beach in the city. In the summer months, expect to find a restaurant, lounge chair, and umbrella rentals.
OCEANIA
The continent of Australia and the country of New Zealand, both being islands, have many beautiful ports of call. Public nudity laws are loose in Oz, and Queensland is the only state with no public nude beach.
If you stop in Sydney, Lady Bay Beach is the oldest and most well-known; amenities are limited, but there is a food kiosk and washrooms.
In New Zealand, you have several options from Auckland and Wellington, so it’s best to do a search and check the date on the websites to ensure the beach’s status is up-to-date.
Wherever your next cruise takes you, should you decide to visit a clothing-optional beach, just remember that adult behavior on the beach should be the same as on a “textile” beach. That means no staring, no overdone displays of affection, and no picture-taking without another’s consent. Treat others with respect and how you would expect to be treated. Most importantly, remember to bring sunblock.• a hat, a towel, and, most importantly,
For starters, you should know whether the nude beach is legal or official; as ABriefHistoryofNakedness warns, “If you take off your clothes in the wrong place at the wrong time, you can be fined, deported, or thrown into jail.”