Nude Beach Etiquette

The trend of going nude on the beach appeared in Europe in the late 19th century and is popular all over the world with hundreds of beaches requiring visitors to go without clothes.

Nudism experts suggest rules of conduct, dos and don'ts for novice visitors to follow when visiting clothing-optional beaches.

A Closer Look at Nudism

Stéphane Deschênes, President of the International Naturist Federation (INF-FNI) - the world's only naturist (naturist) organisation, says naturism means different things to different people and the term is sometimes misused.

"You need to understand what you're looking for when pursuing nudism," says Stéphane Deschênes.

INF-FNI aims to help people find consistency and reliability when choosing resorts and beaches that allow them to take off their clothes and blend in with nature.

No worries

Some first-time visitors to a nude beach may feel like everyone is staring at them, but that's not the case.

“No one will know it’s your first time,” says nudist professor Ronna Krozy, who has been practicing nudism for more than 30 years. To avoid embarrassment, she suggests jumping straight into the water.

Keep your distance

"Act like you're at a church picnic," says Krozy, public relations director at the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

Krozy says not to put your chair or blanket too close to other people. Anything that looks like sexual harassment or touching in sensitive areas like nude beaches is off-limits. She adds that naturists tend to pack light, but one thing visitors should never be without is a towel to sit on, as it ensures everyone’s hygiene.

No staring or taking pictures

Krozy says eye contact or starting a friendly conversation with a stranger on the beach is welcome. She advises visitors to look at the eyes of others to avoid losing focus and accidentally looking away from other parts of the body. "However, don't gawk or stare, as that is considered rude and impolite," Krozy says.

If you are shy about eye contact, you can wear sunglasses, but you should not abuse them to do anything impolite at sea.

Taking photos or videos without people’s permission is also a big no-no. Deschênes says that just because visitors on public nude beaches can strip doesn’t mean they have to abandon their decency.

No body comments

Experts advise tourists not to comment on anyone's body, even if they think it's a compliment.

“We live in a society that is more open when it comes to showing the body, which is a double-edged sword,” says Deschênes. He says people are no longer shocked by nudity, but sometimes it becomes sexualized and objectified. A common misconception is that naturism is about not wearing clothes. That’s not the ultimate goal for naturists, but simply a way to accept the body.

Egocentrism aims to create better relationships between people, helping them to be more open, honest, and accepting of who they are inside.