shy but for real

Ok, let me first say that this is a real fact-finding post. I want to hear from those who have found the best topless or nude beaches in the caribbean. Not only would I like to hear where (exactly) they are located, but why you have felt they are the best? Please indicate if you think "newbies" like myself were made to feel comfortable on your special beach? Case in point, I was in Jamaica where some people were fully nude while others had just their tops off. Me, I stayed clothed, but I think it's time that at least the twins get some sun.

xxx

Go to any of the French Islands. Many topless women on all (and occasional nudity on some) beaches. No one will care what you wear.<BR><BR>

dous

There is a lot of toplessness in Punta Cana. Thankfully, no bottomless. Sorry but overweight, aging and flaccid naked men are NOT attractive.<BR><BR>And please, if you are considering going topless, have the body for it. The thin, young, smaller breasted woman looked great topless. The fat, pendulous or sagging breasts were just an eyesore. When topless, bigger is NOT better.

Statia

Yes, as xxx said, most French islands are topless, but only a few beaches actually have total nudity. So, the French islands are probably where you want to look.<BR><BR>Orient Bay in St. Martin might be what you are looking for. It's clothing optional, rather than just topless.<BR><BR>Or, if you prefer topless only, Grand Case in St. Martin is nice.<BR><BR>Also, you can be fully clothed on either beach and still feel totally comfortable and not out of place.<BR><BR>

Nancy

I feel what is important as travelers to - and whether we want to be or not - representatives of wherever it is we're from, we should pay close attention to what is acceptable for the people who live where we are traveling to as guests in their home.<BR>If nude or topless sunbathing are common or acceptable in a particular locale, and you want to do it, then go for it.<BR>Many people do not realize that much of the Caribbean is very conservative and people find even short shorts or bikini tops in town extremely offensive.<BR>Just because no one says something to a nude or topless sunbather guest at a resort about covering up does not mean they accept it. It may mean that they are too polite to say anything about it.<BR>If it is something a tourist is interested in, it is that person's duty to search out an island that finds it acceptable - as "shy" is trying to do. <BR><BR>

jdm

As usual you won't get much real information on this forum. Just a bunch of pompous lectures and worthless opinion. You will get better information on almost any other forum.<BR><BR>There are many nude beaches in the Caribbean. You have already been to Jamaica. Other than that I have been to beaches in St. Martin and St. Barth's. <BR><BR>St. Barth's is very upscale and the beaches are not crowded. Saline and Gouvenor are popular with nude sunbathers. It is unlikely that you will have much contact with anybody on those beaches if you do not want to. However as a rule people on nude beaches are very polite and collegial to other nude sunbathers and very suspicious of those who stay dressed but intentionally park close-by. <BR><BR>St. Martin has several nude beaches. Orient is the most popular. You will find a real sense of community there. All who behave responsibly are accepted regardless of age or appearance. You will find everything from young singles, families to retirees there. The nude side of the beach is always crowded. The restricted side is crowded when the cruise ships come in, otherwise not as crowded.<BR><BR>Cupecoy is a beautiful beach on St. Martin with cliffs and at least one cave. It's not as crowded. The surf can be rough. There are no facilities on this beach.

marisol

Be aware that in many of these beaches, if you stay clothed on a nude beach, you are thought of as a "looky-lu" and will not be comfortable or even welcome.

willthereal

Funny jdm, the information you gave was no different or "better" than the information given by other posters. Why is your information "real" and theirs is not? Talk about pompous.

Billybob

Hey jdm, got a news flash for ya. You are the pompous one. <BR>Shy find a place they allow it and go for it. <BR>Its nice of you to ask and just not go somewhere and do it.<BR>My wife and I went to Anse Chastanet on St Lucia a few years ago. <BR>Right in the booklet they give you when you arrive, it says NO nude or topless sunbathing. But there was this one French couple who thought this did not apply to THEM. She went topless the entire time and the staff was too nice to say anything to them.

Respect

Shy, there is a web site, www.topfreedom.com , which has trip reports for beaches all over the world and their topless/topfree status.

Just Asking

Author: dous ([email protected])<BR>Date: 07/26/2002, 06:18 pm<BR>Message: "There is a lot of toplessness in Punta Cana. Thankfully, no bottomless. Sorry but overweight, aging and flaccid naked men are NOT attractive".<BR><BR>Ummmm, so if the overweight, aging men have erections they'd be less unattractive? Is that what this means? Being flaccid is part of the unattractiveness?<BR><BR><BR>

dous

No, they wouldn't be any less attractive. Naked men in general aren't attractive. Don't get me wrong, I love men, but I'd rather see one dressed nicely or, if they have a great body, wearing a nice pair of swim trunks.<BR><BR>It's just that there's something so sad about a shriveled little appendage flopping around under a bulbous stomach that makes me wonder, do these guys have ANY idea of how horrible they look?

Been There

Some people just don't get it! They are hung up on sexuality and that is not what nude sun bathing is all about. It is about a choice of freedom and not about how you look. In Europe from infancy you are taught this and therefore grow up with not the usual hangups. But, as mentioned just because this is 'your' lifestyle you must check to see if it is acceptable on the beaches you intend to visit.

dous

Been there, You're misinterpreting me. I am not "hung up", sexually or otherwise. It's just unnattractive and , well sometimes repulsive. If a person is very overweight, or wrinkly, or dimply, the less skin showing the better. It's not about being repressed, it's about not letting all that unnatractive skin "hang-out". <BR><BR>No one wants to look at nasty looking people. I also don't think overweight people should walk around in belly shirts and short shorts. Some bodies are a thing of beauty, and add to the scenery rather than detract. Some people should buy a nice, summer weight Burka.

Katie

Marisol,<BR>I disagree with you about clothed people on a nude beach not being welcomed..I just spent 9 amazing days on ST Barths and went to Saline and Gouverneur (the 2 C/O beaches ) and never did I (who did take my top off) or my husband (who kept his bathing suit on)ever feel unwelcomed..About half the people on the beach were either topless or nude and the other half was clothed..Maybe ST Barths is different than other islands but there is absolutely no animosity towards clothed people on a nude beach there...Of course there also were no old dirty men getting a free show either..Different class of people I guess....

Statia

Katie,<BR><BR>I have had the same feelings on beaches in both St. Bart's and St. Martin. My French friends also seem to have no problem with my staying clothed while they choose to go "au natural."<BR><BR>I think it makes a difference as to whether or not you are enjoying your time at the beach, or you're there for obvious "viewing" purposes.<BR><BR>

zzz

"been there" is absolutely right,I totally agree & understand that nude bathing issue(been to Europeans beaches enough),For the people who's offended by it :GO Somewhere else that have no nudes!why go there and huff & puff ? -and for those who don't want to flash your own fat,sags,wrinkles...you always have your rights to cover yourselves ?none of your bussiness what others do.

Moi

We need to "dous" Dous out of the beaches.

ouchmy

For all of you who think those of us who don't appreciate some fat slob littering the beaches (the way some of you look, it IS littering) should go elsewhere, Why?<BR><BR>We have just as much right to enjoy a beautiful beach as you do without your fat a** marring our view. I'm no "looky-lou", and don't gawk. Why is your right to be free greater than my right not to have to see your naked body? There's nothing wrong with masturbating, but doing so publicly might offend people. Why should we be forced to see you naked just because it feels good?<BR><BR>So cover up ugly people, you are hurting my eyes!

DontUWish

All of you doing your major bellyaching about wanting only the young and trim topless/bottomless/nude on the beach probably need to take a long look in the mirror yourselves. I'd bet dollars to the donuts you eat every day that you are the pot calling the kettle black.