I’ve never tried skinny-dipping. The law won’t let me. Going nude in public is highly illegal in the Philippines; Many places in the Philippines will penalize public nudity, and you can get fined up to 5,000 pesos, or worse, sanctioned with community service. Anything but community service. But either way I don’t think I’m ready to skinny-dip just yet because I just don’t think I’m that beach-bodded enough. The beach can see me in these apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur.
Nudity is wholly subjective and it definitely depends a lot on context, an understanding of different cultural norms and history, for one to form perspectives around it. For one, humans originally did not have the concept of shamefulness towards nudity and were in fact ambiguous, did not even particularly care towards it. It was not until the influence of Abrahamic societies that nudity had become associated with sin.
But it goes without saying that going clothesless doesn’t always have to be sexual. Naturism embodies this belief. People who practice naturism believe that nudity is a return to one’s most natural and primal state. I think that could really be beautiful.
If I ever wanted to try skinny-dipping, here’s my bucket list.
Black’s Beach, California
This is whatever Katy Perry meant by sex on the beach, not minding a little sand in her stilettos. Located beneath cliffs of Torrey Pines in La Jolla, San Diego, California, the beach was named after the Black family who sold the land. It’s important to note that the northern part of Black’s Beach is where naturism is practiced; the southern part is under the jurisdiction of the City of San Diego, where nudity is not permitted.
Black’s Beach is the first on my list because I’ve never really been to California and California has always been this picture-perfect eternal summer. Joan Didion would strike me down from her grave because I could be deeply mistaken about California hedonism.
Barefeet, Bangkok
In Thailand, public nudity is not culturally accepted and is prohibited by the law. Some nude beaches are therefore only informally recognized as such. There are numerous other nude beaches in Thailand but I’m really keen on visiting this one, only because I find the name amusing, which by all means I think I am just immature.
Levant Island, France
France to me always struck me as very fashionable, so it was surprising that France actually has a huge naturist community. So much for clothes and couture. I think this is one of those things you’d say aren’t mutually exclusive.
Also known as Le Levant, the island is located in the Mediterranean off the coast of the Côte d'Azur. The island is actually controlled 90% by the military; since 1948, it’s been the launch and test site for missiles and other pointed objects. Only 10% of the island is open to civilians. I’m not entirely sure how to feel about it but I doubt there will be misfires. I hope so.
You are obligated to be nude at the Bain de Diane and at the Plage des Grottes, except for the harbor area. At the harbor, it’s necessary to wear what the French would call “le minimum,” which is just a pareo or a string.
Playa Zipolite, Mexico
Located in San Pedro Pochutla on the Oaxaca state in Mexico, Zipolite is known as Mexico’s first and only legal nude beach. Does that count as a monopoly? It was only in 2016 that nudity was declared legal at Zipolite. The beach is also infamously known as “The Beach of the Dead” due to its heavy current which takes around 50 swimmers per year.
Zipolite was featured in the 2001 film Y tu mamá también. That’s something for your watchlist. It made me cry. It was so—what’s the word for it—poignant. You don’t necessarily need to go on a tense argument-filled road trip with your friends to see Zipolite. We’ve seen enough life imitating art these days.
The beach draws a steady influx of tourists, many of which are backpackers, as well as Mexico’s middle class. Crowds peak during Holy Week and again on the first weekend of February for the annual Festival Nudista Zipolite, organized by Federación Nudista de México.
Maslin Beach, Australia
Located in the City of Onkaparinga, spanning almost 3 kilometers long, the Maslin Beach is Australia’s first official nude beach, inaugurated in 1975.
The beach also holds the annual Nude Olympics, which started in 1983. Although, the actual Olympics prohibited them from ever using “Olympics” from what I can only assume was a lawsuit waiting to happen, so it was later renamed to the “Pilwarren Maslin Beach Nudo Lympics.” One of the competitions has the judging of the “best bum.” If I ever do get to visit, I hope I win. I’m very competitive, if you must know.
So now onto the actual nude-beaching. When I was doing research for where to go, I realized that I would actually have no idea how to go about it. But I’m writing this either way just in case. I’m very Type A and I’d like to be prepared.
-
Do your homework and know the beach you’re going to.
It would seem that not all beaches are created equal. Some are fully legal, but some are “unofficial but tolerated,” whatever that means. Look up the local laws, check where the clothing-optional areas actually begin and end to spare yourself the headache of a trip to the local police station. A little reconnaissance goes a long way when the margin for error is literally nothing.
-
Get packing!
You would think that going to a nude beach means bringing less. Not quite. For one, a towel is essential. It’s your seat, your dignity-adjacent layer. Sunscreen is another big one: be sure to apply it thoroughly, thoughtfully, most especially to areas that never see the sun—because trust me, they will be getting sun for once. Also sandals. Bring and wear sandals. Even though that’s a technicality, you’re not actually, really, nude when you wear sandals, the sand is objectively scorching.
-
Etiquette, of course. No photos, no staring, and personal space.
The golden rule of nude beaches is that, apparently, they’re surprisingly unsexy. So: no photos, even accidental ones; no staring, which is to say that quick glances are human, but lingering isn’t. Of course set up your spot with intention, keep a respectful distance, and follow the universal rule of always sitting on your towel.
-
Choose your company wisely.
A nude beach is not exactly the setting for every relationship in your life. This is not a “family reunion” situation, nor is it the place to test unclear dynamics. You wouldn’t bring your mom, your dad, your aunt, would you? That’s horrifying to even think about. And also, go with people you’re comfortable being fully yourself around: friends who won’t make it weird nor will tease you into self-consciousness.
