In Thailand, public indecency laws forbid nudity and parting with your swimsuit is a legal grey area in Bali, Indonesia. Officially no nudist beaches exist, but that does not stop tourists from going topless or fully naked on isolated strands of sand.
9 of the best city destinations with beaches, from Miami to Sydney to Rio
9 of the best city destinations with beaches, from Miami to Sydney to Rio
Public nudity is also outlawed in the Philippines, although shedding one’s clothes is allowed at private hotels and resorts.
If you do not want to be constantly looking over your sunburned shoulder, it is probably best to venture further afield. Here are eight beaches worldwide where people let it all hang out.
1. Haulover Beach, Florida, US
Besides its status as Florida’s largest and most famous nudist-friendly venue, Haulover Beach has been hailed as the world’s best, based on research conducted by British lingerie brand Pour Moi.
In 2023, Pour Moi compared hundreds of sandy locales that permit nude sunbathing and used Google data to rank each out of 100. Translucent waves lapping gently onto washing powder-white sands and a lively party vibe helped the clothing-optional hot spot garner a total of 97 points.
Floridians joke that the best way of distinguishing between Miami’s stylish, sophisticated South Beach and Haulover Beach is that the former is renowned for what people wear while the latter is celebrated for what they do not wear.
2. Maslin Beach, South Australia
Staff at Pour Moi were also keen to see which nationalities reveal a secret interest in stripping off – regardless of whether they’ve dipped a toe in before.
By analysing Google searches for “naked sunbathing” and cross referencing by population size, they discovered that Australians are the most eager to find out where they can get their kit off.
In fact, the Aussies have a history of organised nudism dating back to the 1920s.
The Australian Sunbather magazine first appeared in 1946 and since then, naturism has been generally accepted in designated areas, although it is not universally legal in all states.
Locations where clothes are regarded as an unnecessary burden include Maslin Beach, South Australia.
Each year, local naturists host a nude Olympics-style event featuring three-legged and sack races, water balloon throwing and the highlight of the day – the Best Bum contest.
3. Praia do Abricó, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
With the possible exception of Australia, there can be few nations that epitomise beach culture more than Brazil.
You’ll need to don your thong, G-string or budgie smugglers if you plan to spend the day at iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, but there are locations in Rio de Janeiro where you can sunbathe and swim sans Speedos, although Praia do Abricó is the only spot in the city where nudity is legal.
Asia for nudists: the best places to bare it all on holiday
Asia for nudists: the best places to bare it all on holiday
Concealed in a conservation area, the secluded stretch of powdery sand is ideal for relaxing in the buff.
Inaccessibility means your fellow clothes shedders are likely to be car-owning locals rather than curious tourists. Amenities include a restaurant, sunbeds, umbrellas and public toilets.
4. Wreck Beach, Vancouver, Canada
The people at nudebeachmap.com have also been making lists, although theirs are limited to urban bays where visitors can ditch all that cumbersome clothing.
After crunching the naked numbers and perusing Google ratings and reviews, each beach was ranked according to its proximity to a city or large town.
The resulting 10 sweeps of sand are led by Vancouver’s Wreck Beach, which the compilers describe as offering the “best of both worlds”.
Reached through a dense rainforest via 500 wooden steps, the hideaway offers convenience (25 minutes from downtown) combined with an away-from-it-all ambience that includes views of snow-capped peaks.
5. Mar Bella, Barcelona, Spain
Haulover Beach makes another appearance, this time in second place, while in third, the Nude Beach Map website takes us to Barcelona and the former industrial suburb of El Poblenou, where we find Mar Bella.
Created during the urban renewal initiative that accompanied development for the 1992 Olympic Games, the sands are usually very busy.
Not all sunbathers are in a state of total undress, however, so pay attention to signage to avoid embarrassment. Fortunately, Spain has a long history of naturism so you’re unlikely to faze anyone if you suddenly find yourself in the wrong zone.
Best of all, when you’ve finished on the beach, it’s only a brief stroll along the promenade to the heart of the city.
6. Lake Wannsee, Berlin, Germany
Naturists in Berlin get naked at Lake Wannsee, described as Europe’s largest outdoor swimming venue on an inland body of water.
It’s a short train ride from the centre of the German capital, and those in the know alight one stop before Wannsee and amble along a charming wooded path for a more picturesque approach.
The 1,250-metre (4,100-ft) beach has a capacity of around 30,000, including a dedicated nudist section that attracts straight men, exhibitionists, cruising gays and bare naked ladies.
Energetic types dispense with their clothes and play volleyball and football or rent paddle boats and enjoy the tranquil aquatic scenery in their birthday suits.
7. Knoll Beach, Dorset, UK
A kilometre-long section of Knoll Beach at Studland, Dorset, has been used by naturists since the 1920s. Situated on England’s south coast, the area was officially recognised as a nudist beach in 1984 and is clearly marked to prevent any awkward encounters such as when non-naturists inadvertently wander into the sand dunes.
During World War II, Studland played an important role in military preparations for the D-Day landings, because of its resemblance to the beaches in Normandy, France. Studland Bay was used for Operation Smash, a training exercise that involved 10,000 men. Tank obstacles and pillboxes still dot the rugged coastline and heathland.
8. Little Banana Beach, Skiathos, Greece
If you like your nudist colonies to come with a saucy splash of innuendo, hotfoot it to Skiathos. The Greek island is home to snigger-worthy Little Banana beach, which is much loved by naturists.
Nearby is, you’ve guessed it, Big Banana Beach, where more traditionally attired sunbathers gather. To avoid ending up on the wrong stretch of sand, don’t confuse the Greek words for little (“mikri”) and big (“megali”).
It’s a 10-minute walk to what many describe as the best skinny-dipping spot in the country.
The Aegean Sea is warm and inviting; the sun shines for more than 3,000 hours a year, and if you fancy a break from bare-bottomed beachgoers, retreat to the Big Banana taverna for souvlaki and a glass or two of retsina. Remember to get dressed first.
