redmaria

Just returned from St. Martin/Sint Maarten. Enjoyed bathing in the nude under the sun, but hated parading nude typically found in nudist resorts. Could somebody give me a list of topless/clothing optional beaches NOT resorts in the Caribbean? Would like to go topless or nude again but without the gawkers...

Thanks in advance.

Diana

We just got back from 3 weeks in Caribbean Mexico.
Isla Mujeres is very laid back and topless is quite common all over.
But, you're still going to get the occasional "Polly Prude" who will feel compelled to make a nasty comment, or the frat-house mentality guys who are going to act like they're just off the set from Animal House with their winking and leering and gouging each other in the ribs.
I put my top on to walk on the beach or go into the water, but usually leave it off when lying in the sun.
Anytime you get American tourists going anywhere (I am American) that there is topless or mude sunbathing, you will always find people behaving like Jr. Hi students at the sight of a errant boob.
Cozumel also has a topless/nude beach on the other side of the island beside Mezcalito's beach bar.
Parts of Playa del Carmen are also topless, but it's become less common now that more Mexican people are vacationing there and tourists are more thoughtful about the conservative views of most Mexican nationals.
Basically, all of the French-influenced islands have no hang ups about it, but the most important thing is to take into account the feelings of the people whose country you are visiting.

caribcouple

St.Barts! ALL beaches, hotel terraces, and yachts are classic French topfree Saline and Gouvenier are nude as well. No gawking like St. Maarten or US beaches. Most rooms on the Island are in private Villas and most you can be nude as well. In the off season the Island becomes even more European.

me

Hawksbill Beach resort in Antigua is on a scallop-like shoreline.The resort is surrounded by 4 beaches ,one of them (also the most dramatic , vast ,very beautiful and secluded) is clothing optional -(The only nude beach in Antigua) No gawkers there ,no bars on that beach ,no music ,activities ,the only noises you hear are the ones from the ocean.Very special , natural place , but the food at Hawksbill we didn't care for.Most people stay there are from Europe , British , Dutch ,French...

ejcrowe

I agree with the poster about the French islands. Definitely St. Barth's. And though I've not traveled to Guadeloupe or Martinique, from what I read, their attitudes are similar. My one vacation on Orient Beach felt similar to your scenario. We were just up the beach from CLub Orient, and while I didn't particularly care one way or the other, some of the European guests and people who worked at my hotel were commenting on the Americans who paraded around nude the whole time. In their estimation, topless is de rigeur, but full nudity is tacky.

That said, I also agree with the poster about Hawksbill Beach on Antigua. It's very secluded, as it takes about 7-10 minutes to walk to the clothing optional beach from most of the rooms at the resort. We stayed there last year and saw only one other couple on the CO beach (they were from Germany). Th beach itself must have been nearly a mile long, with sections with calm water and other sections of crashing waves. Lots of thatched umbrellas for shade and nothing but the sound of goats grazing to detract from the beautiful horizon.

redmaria

Thank you guys for all the advice...I am aware of St. Barths and Hawksbill Beach, but didn't know about Isla Mujeres and Cozumel. I was hoping for any other if there are any more.

Thanks again.

dmotl

Just a point of clarification from someone in the know--topless on Isla Mujeres (in good taste) is considered normal. Nudity is a total no-no and will invite the "policia". Cozumel is more conservative than IM but has more secluded beaches.

Jed

On St. M, Baie Rouge is a long beach without a resort which is topless, and may be nude if you go to the far end. Punta Cana in DR is topless, a very long beach, most places not with a resort. Martinique has topless beaches not associated with resorts.

me

You might not want to go back to St.Martin since you'd just been there , but now I remember there was another beach in St.Martin that also has topless and nude bathing is Couper Coy beach , it's pretty rugged and seclude ,can't see it from the road , you have to walk down the cliff to the beach( hurricanes might have wiped out that beach?) no gawkers either.I liked that much better than at the Orient.

bigguy

Most of the beaches in Cuba, are top-less,Varedero the most popular, even around the pool areas at the adults only resorts such as Sandals and Beaches. No gawking ,leering or problems.Mostly Cdn"s and Europeans.

bothnudists

Hi there, We have gone to Desire Resorts in Cancun for the last 3 years, it's clothing optional and nude beach, no gawkers. We love it and are going back in May for our 4th
year there.

lmoneylsauce

Martinique has many nude beaches since it's French, but the beach at Ste. Anne had many topless/nude bathers and no one was gawking. There really aren't any frat guys there---mostly people in their late 20's to early 60's--lots of couples and families. The beach there was GORGEOUS but the island is an acquired taste. There is not much real nightlife to speak of and there are cultural things to do during the day if you don't want to go to the beach if you don't mind driving.

smbj

Couples Negril has a clothing optional beach and many topless sunbathers. This resort is for couples only and had few gawkers although there are many people walking on the beach. Other resorts on the bay also had topless or clothing optional beaches.