Naturalist resorts for a liberating vacation
My grandparents and I loved camping when I was younger. During one of our trips in our little camper, we drove to our favorite beach in all of Michigan. I don’t remember how old I was and the memory is hazy but I distinctly remember the notoriously long walk across hot sand from the parking lot to the water. I was so excited because swimming in the unsalted water with my grandpa was my favorite activity. I couldn’t wait to jump in! We were so close to having a fun beach day when my grandmother’s hand abruptly covered my eyes and stopped me in my tracks. Their chorus of “Oh my God” and “Don’t look!” rings in my mind as I recall being rushed back to the camper. I was way too young to understand that being naked in public was taboo. All I saw was people playing volleyball–strangely without any swimsuits! The urgency in my Lutheran and Catholic grandparents’ voices did enough to keep my eyes closed until the beach was far in the rearview mirror.
Today, I’m a 28-year-old sexually liberated woman and I have, admittedly, been publicly nude in several designated naturalist spaces. Sorry, grams and gramps.
The naturalist resort featured in Disney’s Zootopia
If you’re someone who enjoys a little extra breeze on vacation, a nudist resort may be a thrilling destination. If clothes feel too confining and you long for freedom, try out your adventurous side on any of these sunny beaches around the world. Hopefully you and yours can find the best international places to go au natural, but please remember to apply extra sunscreen.
**Take note that most but not all of the resorts listed here are adult only. Europe tends to have a far more relaxed culture on nakedness than practically puritanical Americans.
Negril, Jamaica
This all-inclusive 21+ resort is fancy, but I guarantee there’s no strict dress code. Luxury is around every corner of the private adult-only beach in the beautiful tropic climate. Prices include poolside drink services, private beach cabanas, nightly hors d'oeuvres, and more. All kinds of activities are available, like snorkeling, scuba lessons, and beach volleyball. A full indoor wellness spa welcomes all those hoping for an even higher level of peace. Exclusive upgrades are available, such as a private jacuzzi overlooking the ocean, a full-time butler service, and private airport transfers for the discerning visitor.
One 5 star Google reviewer says, “my wife and I were intimidated by this nude vacation on arrival.” After a couple hours of familiarizing themselves with their surroundings, their stay began to feel “absolutely liberating.” One thing to consider when visiting nudist areas: not everyone is going to be a supermodel. As the reviewer points out, “it’s just normal everyday people… Don’t keep yourself away from an adventurous moment in time.”
Because the Grand Lido resort is a small compilation of 28 suites, be sure to book well in advance and expect luxury prices. For a long weekend, 3 nights in their smallest suite will run you $700 per night.
Mallorca, Spain
Want an experience that is a little more… intimate? Skinny Dippers Apartments on the island of Mallorca offers rooms gathered around a 10-foot pool. This setup is a traditional farmhouse divided into 5 living spaces. All areas are fully equipped with comfortable beds, air conditioning, and full kitchens. Additionally, a covered outdoor cooking station and BBQ pit is also available to all guests. Skinny Dippers is easily accessible from the island’s Palma Airport which offers flights to all major European cities.
Mallorca is a self-governed province, meaning the laws of Spain are not always the same on the island. Because of this, Mallorca has a relaxed approach to nudism and offers many beaches reserved for unclothed frolickers. The island is brightly decorated with beautiful countryside nature and a delightful Mediterranean climate. With well-tended gardens and terraces, Skinny Dippers offers an idyllic look into the rustic beauty of the Balearic Islands.
Due to the divergence of Mallorcan and Spanish laws, please note that a local tourist environment tax is added to the price of your stay. These taxes range from 3 to 5 euros extra per night. Hopefully this amount won’t break the bank; these taxes go towards protecting and maintaining the island’s natural resources and beautiful landscape. Averaging at 160 euros per night, this is definitely a beautiful spot to visit while they are open May to October.
Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Mexico
Go “as bare as you dare” and “kiss tan lines goodbye” at the 18+ au naturel Hidden Beach Resort. Another getaway in the tropics, this is the only resort in the world with a Gourmet Inclusive Experience, meaning the gourmet cuisine options can be tasted with a very relaxed dress code. All you need for dinner is your birthday suit! The same dress code goes for any wedding events planned there. The resort boasts that their wedding events are the perfect way to exchange vows in the most liberating way possible, allowing nature to be your witness. The tropical foliage surrounds every inch of the provided venue, adding a backdrop of sunny beauty to complement the elegance of the human figure.
One major thing is made clear on the Hidden Beach website: they take privacy very seriously. In a list of rules guests are required to follow, these guidelines are set to ensure the proper etiquette in a nudist resort. For example, no photography, video recording, or cell phones are allowed. This protects other guests from sneaky footage being leaked to porn websites. Gawking and staring at other guests is also prohibited, especially if sexual advances towards other guests is initiated. These resort laws are for the safety and comfort of guests and are likely grounds for your stay to be terminated without a refund if these boundaries are crossed. Personally, I find it incredibly comforting when these rules are laid out clearly to every guest because it avoids unwanted attention and keeps strangers on their best behavior. I have experienced too many unwanted physical advances in clubs where the rules are unclear. I would feel much safer at a strict au naturel resort like this one.
With all these activities, high-end suites, and gourmet dining services, expect a stay at the Hidden Beach Resort to put a dent in your wallet. On average, a single night can cost between $500-700. It’s up to you if this is an adventure you want to invest in, but the Google reviews don’t lie. With a 4.6 rating, most 5-star reviews mention an interesting staff member named “Sexy Carlos.” That’s enough of a reason to investigate the Hidden Beach Resort for me!
Naturist Camping
Istria Peninsula, Croatia
Are you interested in something a little more private? Croatia’s Istria peninsula is surrounded by the breathtaking Adriatic Sea and provides visitors with sweeping sea views, Roman ruins, and rich history. Consider packing up camp and heading to the stunning white, sandy beaches of southeastern Europe. You will know which campgrounds and beaches along the coast are designated nudist areas due to signs marked FKK. This is a shortening of the word freikorperkultur, meaning Free Body Culture. To Croatians, this culture is dedicated to living in harmony with nature, a philosophy adapted by citizens in the early 1930s.
Two of the most famous naturist beaches in Istria are Koversada and Valata, the former being the largest in Europe. If you would rather be secluded while in the nude, it seems your best bet is to get yourself onto one of the peninsula’s many tiny islands. Sveti Jerolim Island is off the coast of the town of Hvar and has been praised for the many flat rocks chosen for sunbathing. Recently, Jerolim beach has been criticized for becoming a mixture of naturist and clothed visitors. However, there are plenty of hidden corners where you can find peace and privacy. Alternatively, you could take advantage of choosing when you wish to be clothed or bare.
Because these beaches are open spaces, there is little to no knowing if children will be present or ensuring that a beach will be adults-only. Additionally, while naturist areas are most common on the Istria peninsula, topless swimming is common across the entire country. If you wish to ensure you are away from the public eye, I would suggest asking locals or tour guides which spots are right for you.
Robe, Southern Australia
Sunland Holiday Village is Australia’s only ocean nudist resort. This rustic community can be found on the southwestern coast, living among the classic Australian fauna. Visitors will be surrounded by kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, and more while spending time on the hiking trails surrounding the village. The village itself is located right where sand dunes and the wild bush collide, consisting of a collection of small buildings with a central clubhouse. The clubhouse is the central meeting point for all guests. Shared meals, game nights, and dancing are all offered as a way for guests to break the ice and make new, lifelong friends.
There are several levels of pricing for the village, as it is less of a resort and rather a campground with optional building rentals. This is also the most affordable option on this list! Unpowered campsites run for $35 per night for 2 guests and powered sites are $10 more. To rent a trailer for 2 guests expect $85 per night, but if you’re interested in en suite accommodation, the different buildings can cost anywhere between $95-150. All accommodations come with access to a spa, sauna, pool, hot showers, and the full suite of facilities in the clubhouse. If you just want to check out the facilities before committing to your stay, a day visit only costs $20 per person.
Please note, this is not an adult-only resort as children under 18 are permitted. If that arrangement simply doesn’t sit right with you, there are very limited options for other naturist resorts on the continent.
Vritomartis Naturist Resort
Crete, Greece
If this is your first time trying the naturist lifestyle, Vritomartis Naturist Resort ensures all newly-nudes a warm welcome. Resort staff offer a walk through of the space and introductory literature on the naturist ways of life. Once newcomers are settled in, it's time to start discovering all Greece has to offer. Vritomartis offers excursions such as boat trips to Gavdos Island, walking tours to visit scenic gorges, and wine tasting. The only experience you will need to get dressed up for is a visit to the Notos Mare Diving Center where you can don a wetsuit and begin snorkeling off the shores of Crete.
If you prefer to stay above sea level, Vritomartis has a combination of a nude pool and a private beach decorated with sunbeds and umbrellas perfect for sunbathing. Enjoy a snack, cold drink, or salad at the snack bar located under a shady terrace. Nothing sounds more luxurious than this! Within the hotel, clothes are compulsory but all other places are free for you to roam about with your body out.
From personal experience, I can tell you that being naked in public is absolutely liberating! Clothes help us represent ourselves in any casual, business, or formal way we desire, but being reduced to the skin we were born with is a whole new kind of self expression that can only be found in these enchanted spaces. If you’re still nervous, you could read customer testimonials for each resort and/or call the resort itself and speak to an employee who can surely guide you through the process. This definitely isn’t for everyone, but if there is a little adventure in your blood, I highly recommend a trip on the wild side.
**It has come to my attention that throughout this article I have been using the terms “nudist” and “naturist” interchangeably. I have since been informed that these are two different philosophies on nakedness. While nudists are typically people who enjoy the occasional thrill of being naked in public, naturists subscribe to a deeper anti-clothing philosophy.
