Cover up, at least with sunscreen!
I had a perfect day yesterday. I managed to go the entire day without putting any clothes on. That’s pretty easy to do on a boat, as long as neighbors don’t come calling!
Note: When you pull up to a boat to speak to those on board, don’t be surprised if it takes them a moment or two to come outside. They’re likely looking for a pair of shorts or a T-shirt to put on.
While being naked in your own home, which in our case is a boat, is cool, walking around naked outside is not necessarily OK. Contrary to what many people think, the residents of most of the Caribbean islands are quite modest, and even walking around town in a bathing suit is considered inappropriate by many.
Me, yesterday. 🙂
So, where can you go if you feel like going for a swim, sans suit? Well, you can either anchor somewhere remote, away from any neighbors, and jump in discreetly, or go for a sail offshore and jump overboard when away from others (better leave someone on board so that you don’t end up like the people in this movie). If you’d rather head to shore, your options are significantly more limited. The following is a list of both official and un-official Caribbean nude and topless beaches that, some time ago, I saved from the Conch Republic Bikinis blog (no longer online).
- Grande Saline and Gouverneur Beach, St. Barths – The French West Indies are your overall destination if you are traveling to seek topless beaches out. I love St. Barths and if you happen to let your eyes wonder the topless and nude beaches, you will see more pretty people here than most other islands.
- Orient Beach, St. Martin/St. Maarten – You have to love that the French and Dutch cultures embrace the laid back Polynesian approach to enjoying the sun. You are good topless at virtually all the beaches and pools on this island. If you want to go full nude head over to Orient Beach, where entire families will be in the buff.
- Hawksbill Bay, Antigua – This is a great starter beach to go topless or even nude because it’s broken up in sections. You can start clothed, gather some courage, and slide over to the topless section. The next thing you know you’re frolicking in the surf naked. Good for you, now don’t those parts feel nice and cool in the salt water?
- Point Tarare, Guadeloupe – Guadeloupe is easy going about topless all over the island, which is why I’ve chosen it. If you want to go nude then Point Tarare is your place. Personally, I share this beach with you but it’s not my tops because it’s out of the way making it harder to get to. Also there is no shade or services out here so it just feels difficult. You need to be motivated to get here. The positive side is you won’t be close to town or other non-nude sunbathers, which may make you feel more comfortable.
- Anse Traubaud, Martinique – What an amazing island and destination. Topless is the rule on Anse Traubaud but nude in general won’t fly on most beaches in Martinique. Enjoy the beautiful blue water as your tan lines disappear.
- Salomon Beach, St. John, USVI – You will see a “No Nudity” sing posted here but go ahead enjoy going topless, many visitors will also go nude here. Your call but this is the spot in St. Johns.
- Seven Mile Beach, Negril Jamaica – Topless is the rule of the day along this beach and sometimes even nude. This is a party destination beach with lots of clubs and hotels right up on the sand. Warning here, if you go topless expect to be stared at or even photographed. There are some more undeveloped locations to the south end with Hedo II anchoring the far south with their all-nude beach. You’ll need to have a day pass or be a guest to join in.
We’ve visited some of these spots, but not all of them. The info may be out of date so if you want to be safe, check with some residents to get the most recent intel. Be respectful of local customs, and your neighbors, and if you do decide to shed your clothing, be sure to wear sunscreen!!! 🙂
We honeymooned in Negril, staying at theSandals owned small all inclusive, Negril Gardens. My wife went topless but during our entire week there we saw nobody else doing any C/O and we walked the entire beach. We went to Hedo to join their rum cruise which was naturally was au natural. There are better beaches to go to than Negril IMO as it is over built and in the 20-30 yards between your resot chairs and the water’s edge you are fair game for the “heh mon, you wanna parasail, scuba, taxi, tour, glass bottom boat, ganja, etc. etc.” It was cute the first time but after 7 days of it we decided that we will never return to 7 mile beach.
In the BVI’s we found some quiet spots where as long as you are respectful of the locals you can eliminate tan lines. Now it has been 5 years since we last went but what we found back then were:
1. From Trellis Bay or Marina Cay dinghy over to Little Camanoe which is usually deserted. Lie on the beach and watch the nude sailors pass by as they cut between LC and Great Camanoe.
2. Long Bay (between Cappoons Bay and Belmont Bay) at the opposite end from the Long Bay Beach club we found a small group of like minded C/O who covered up as we approached and relaxed once we doffed our clothes.
3. Joisah’s Bay: opposite end from the refreshments stand is usually empty.
Or you could come to the largest Caribana parade in North America on Jul 30 this year (http://www.caribanatoronto.com/event/caribanaparade) and while you are here visit Hanlan’s Point Beach , the City of Toronto approved C/O beach . (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanlan%27s_Point_Beach)
It’s worth noting for new cruisers that, at least to my knowledge, none of the places you listed are “official” clothing-optional beaches, other than Hanlan’s Point, and that’s a long way from here. 🙂
That movie was so frustrating to watch!
Also, miss Conch Republic Bikini site. As a courtesy to others, I always wear shorts and a shirt in public.
I agree about that movie!
Even though I prefer sleeveless shirts, even they are considered inappropriate in certain spots.
I subscribe to the idea of wearing sunscreen.. 🙂
Good to know! 🙂
Even w complete privacy and sunscreen outside I would feel weird walking around w my baloney hanging out. 🙂
I get it, but read this:
http://www.bustle.com/articles/161285-i-was-naked-in-front-of-strangers-for-4-days-heres-what-happened
{{{banging my head on the desk}}}
It is St. John, USVI, not “St. John’s”. That’s in Antigua (yes, it matter)
Believe me, I know that. That section was copied and pasted from a text file that I had saved ages ago, and we didn’t really proof it. My bad. I’ll fix the typo. Thank you.
But since we’re complaining about the letter S, the last part of your comment should read “yes, it matterS.” 🙂
Mike, you are correct. In the BVI’s nudity is illegal…that’s why we were always respectful of any locals being present. Bombas and the Willy T are the exception. (We cannot be the only ones who tested the “topless women get free drinks” sign at Bombas.)
Interesting link on the female reporter’s visit to Hedo II. Like any other resort, people need to do their research so that they don’t end up at Hedo during a lifestylers week (unless they are looking for that party)
Like the reporter, if people got over their hangups about nudity they would feel better about themselves and perhaps get along better with others. Nude people cannot hide much.
I am going to take a wild guess that you did not go into town yesterday.
🙂
Did not leave the boat!
Maybe too personal of a question – where do you (Rebecca) find a place to get waxed? Or did you think ahead and get laser hair removal?
Rebecca says yes, too personal.
We’ve been to every nude beach we could find in the Caribbean. Found most of them through this web site:
http://www.nakedplaces.net/mex_cenam_carib_2.html
The great thing about Nakedplaces.net is that it is Google Earth based. That not only gives us a lat/long to drive the boat to, but also an idea of what the approach and shelter is like. For instance, Hawksbill beach is a long and suitable anchorage but only the north side has a good dingy landing.
For land based travelers, the travel descriptions help to find the sometimes elusive nude beach parking and trailhead. The site also rates the beaches by just how naked they are.. Legal, not legal but accepted, not legal or accepted but remote enough not to matter, etc.
LOL. Here in Fiji however, our tan lines are pronounced!
Wayne & Dana
Hope you’re enjoying yourselves there, tan lines or not.
In this day and age,with so many overweight,and morbid obesity,I think a lot of people should keep their clothes on!
Well, you are entitled to your opinion, but I’m guessing it’s one that people who enjoy being naked don’t really care too much about.