Book Review: The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts

The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts

By Mike Charles, Judy Ditzler, and Nicky Hoffman-lee

The Naturist Society’s long-awaited sequel to the New York Times bestseller ‘The World Guide to Nude Beaches and Resorts’ is a satisfyingly substantial book which takes you on a whirlwind tour of the world’s best nudist spots.

Reviewing 1000 “beautiful places to get naked” in more than 50 countries ( I’ll take their word for it. I didn’t count), it feels more like a TV documentary than a book and certainly covers an immense amount of ground. Such an ambitious project could easily have been a disaster, but it has to be said that on the whole the production team have pulled it off pretty well.

Given the scope of the book and the limitations of the medium it is inevitable that some of the entries are almost brutally concise, but even so all the salient points are clearly set out, including a brief description and “Practical info”, which gives directions, additional information and contact details where appropriate. The authors have even allowed for the probability that some of the information will become out of date over time, promising to publish updates on their website as and when they become necessary.

This is a very handsome book, beautifully designed and with nearly every one of over 300 glossy pages enlivened by superb photos from the likes of Charlie Simonds and others. Ironically, it’s these very photos that provoke my only criticism of this otherwise splendid book.

We in the naturist movement are constantly banging on to anyone who is listening that you don’t need a flawless body to become a nudist, and that naturism can be enjoyed by everyone, whatever shape or size. And yet nearly all the photos in this book feature beautiful young people who look like they’ve just walked off a Playboy photo-shoot. Aren’t we in danger of, at best being hypocritical, and at worst, alienating potential newcomers who may have body-image doubts? Surely a liberal sprinkling of wrinklies and wobblies amongst the firm young bodies would be more truthful and accurate, and might encourage more first-timers? But then I suppose beautiful people sell more books.

Ah well. Perhaps I’m being a little curmudgeonly. It must be my age. Because that one caveat aside, this really is a very fine book indeed, and should be on every nudist’s bookshelf. The authors and production team deserve our thanks.

The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts by Mike Charles, Judy Ditzler, and Nicky Hoffman-lee
ISBN-13: 978-0934106221 Available from Amazon

Flesh Dance? No Thanks!

Flesh Dance.

I’ve just turned down an invitation to this Friday’s naked party at Starkers nightclub.

I’ll say that again. I can’t believe it either.

I, a confirmed nudist who will normally lose my clothes quicker than a stripper on speed, have just turned down a night out at London’s only nude disco. My hosts were paying for everything too, dammit.

Am I getting that old?

Actually I don’t think it’s to do with age.

For me it’s about ambience.

Dancing in the buff on a warm summers’ evening on an exotic beach is just perfect. Having a Big Night Out in a city centre disco where everyone else is naked doesn’t hold the same attraction.

It’s true that that my disco-dancing nights are long gone now, but I don’t think the idea would have appealed to me even back when I was a 18 year old disco diva.

I suppose it would have stopped my mum complaining-as she always did, bless her-that my skirt was WAY too short

But wherever would I have kept my lipstick and make-up?

Go Nudist’s Guide To Free Nudist Beaches – Morfa Dyffryn, UK

Another of the world’s notable nudist beaches.

Morfa Dyffryn Nudist Beach, Gywnedd, N Wales UK

Google map here.

Description:

Morfa Dyffryn nudist (naturist) beach forms part of the northern end of the majestic Barmouth Bay beach. It is a beautiful spot, consisting of 1 km of fine golden sand gently sloping to the clean, clear ( if sometimes chilly ) waters of the Welsh coastline. The beach is backed by acres of sand dunes, Morfa Dyffryn is considered by many to be Britain’s best nudist beach.

Directions:

• Drive north out of Barmouth on the A496
• After 4 miles you’ll come to Talybont. Proceed through the village and over a narrow bridge.
• Just after this bridge you’ll come across a road on the seaward side next to a small chapel, signposted ‘Treath Beach’
• Turn down this road ( actually a lane – very narrow in parts)
• One mile down you’ll come to toilets, beyond which is a free car park. This has height barriers which makes it unsuitable for van/campers etc
• From the car park follow the marked path through the dunes for about 1 mile to the nudist beach.
• ALTERNATIVELY, nudists may want to turn right at the toilets and drive into the Dyffryn Seaside Estate and park there. It is a shorter walk to the nudist beach, but the Estate may make a nominal charge in high season.

Nearest air / rail links.:

The Welsh Coast railway line from Barmouth to Porthmadog runs just inland from the beach, with stops at Dyffryn Ardudwy and Llanbedr.

Also the Shrewsbury-Machynlleth-Pwllhei railway stops close to the beach.

Facilities:

None on the beach itself, but there are shops and a pub at the nearby Dyffryn Seaside Estate. There are public toilets at the car park.

Camping and caravanning is available nearby at Benar Beach Caravan Park.(mostly textile, but with a small nudist area), and tents and small campers at “Glyn’s Field”( on the right of the road to Dyffryn Seaside Estate, off the side road down from the A496 on the edge of Dyffryn Ardudwy.)

Disabled
A boardwalk runs from near the National Park Car Park through the dunes to the beach to allow disabled access, although it is still a long but level trek over hard sand from there to the nudist section. The board walk is also good for cyclists.

Designation:

Official since 2000

Who goes there:

Up to 500 nudists on a sunny Sunday in summer , including a substantial homosexual community who tend to congregate at the northern end. The main nudist beach attracts a good mixture of couples, families and singles.

Other nearby attractions:

For directions, links and more information to all the following attractions, see our Morfa Dyffryn map here.

Snowdon:
Snowdon is the highest mountain in England and Wales.

Centre for Alternative Technology:
Machynlleth.

Demonstrating practical ways of dealing with some of the most serious challenges facing our planet and the human race, such as climate change, pollution and the waste of precious resources.

Caernarfon Castle.
Castle Ditch, Caernavon

Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales’s castles. Its sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest, and to this day, still trumpet in no uncertain terms the intention of its builder Edward I.

Ffestiniog Railway Co.

Porthmadog, Gwynedd,

A must for railway enthusiasts. The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the World – being founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832.Over the last fifty years, the Ffestiniog Railway has become a leader in railway preservation and is now one of Wales’ top tourist attractions.

Lloyd George Museum

Criccieth, Gwynedd

Discover the life and times of David Lloyd George, the cottage bred boy who became Prime Minister during World War 1.

More information:

The beach can attract several hundred naturists in summer during fine weather , mostly from North Wales and North West England, although visitors from mainland Europe are frequent..

Although the official designation was resisted by some local residents, complaints of indecent exposure and related behaviour have markedly decreased since 2000. The naturist section of the beach is now clearly marked by signs at both ends. Some naturists complain that the official section is too small – the traditional naturist area was 1,6km (1 mile) in length.

GoNudist says…

Although Morfa Dyffryn nudist beach suffers, like most UK beaches, from the attentions of a small number of voyeurs and other undesirables, it is large enough for most genuine nudists to enjoy themselves without problems. Families may want to avoid the northern end of the beach which is gay orientated.

It’s certainly a contender for the title of the best nudist beach in Britain, but, be warned – the breeze can be chilly, even in summer.

Do you know this nudist beach? Is it nudist family friendly? Are pets allowed? Is it suitable for the infirm or disabled Please help us help the nudist community and make any helpful additions or corrections or comments.

Go Nudist’s Guide To Free Nudist Beaches – Tambaba Beach, Brazil

Another of the world’s notable nudist beaches

Tambaba Nudist Beach, Paraíba N.East Brazil

Google map here

Description:

Tambaba , 45km south of Joao Pessoa, is the only nudist beach in north-east Brazil, and is regularly voted one of the top 10 beaches in the country.
Situated in an area of great natural beauty, the 600 metre, palm dotted, sandy beach is backed by steep cliffs up to 20 meters high, which can make access difficult but which deter the casual gawker. The sea is crystal clear, quiet, with small waves and always warm. In some places, during the low tide, small natural swimming pools are formed, which are excellent for children. There is a permanent breeze
The beach is divided into two areas. One is open to everyone, and clothing is optional. The other is restricted to families and couples and nudism is obligatory.
The region enjoys a tropical hot, semi-humid climate. The annual average temperature remains around 24º C, with a maximum of 30º C and minimum of 21º C.

In September 2008, Tambaba will host the 31st INF World Naturist Congress.

Directions:

Tambaba is about 40 km South of João Pessoa on the Atlantic coast of Brazil.

• Take the PB-008 south from João Pessoa (this is the highway which passes right beside the Cabo Branco Lighthouse)
• Keep on driving about 30 km to Jacumã and then another 10 km to Tambaba.

• Alternatively, from João Pessoa get onto Federal BR-101
• Head South for about 15 km
• Take the State PB-018, which will cut across the city of Conde and will eventually reach the beach of Jacumã (about 16 km from the BR-101);
• From there, take State PB-008, for another 10 km south to Tambaba.

There is a small parking area at the beach.

Nearest air / rail links. João Pessoa’s Castro Pinto International Airport (IATA: JPA – ICAO: SBJP) receives daily flights from most Brazilian capitals. From there you can take an inter-state bus and then continue to Tambaba, in Conde District.

Public transport. You can get regular ( and cheap ) buses from João Pessoa to Conde, and from there take the local bus to Jacumã and Tambaba.
It is easy to find taxis for hire in the Tambaú area of João Pessoa willing to do this trip. Prices and conditions are negotiable.

Facilities:

There is a bar / restaurant on the nudist only section of the beach, and there are variously sized (and priced!) hotels next to the beach itself.
The nearest town of Conde is small, but offers all the usual facilities and has a good range of restaurants, bars, hotels and accommodation

Designation:

Official

Who goes there:

In the summer there are hundreds of visitors from other parts of Brazil and from around the world.
In September 2008, Tambaba will host the 31st INF World Naturist Congress, so expect it to get very crowded.

Other nearby attractions:

Recife 115 km south is the 4th largest city in Brazil, and it might be considered as the capital of the northeast with more than 2 million inhabitants. Recife is also known as “the Venice of Brazil”.

Olinda Due to its exciting past, its beautiful and important architectural and cultural heritage as well as its outstanding natural beauty and its unique topography the town became a National Monument of Brazil in 1980 and 2 years later was declared World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Today, Olinda is one of Brazil’s most popular tourist sights visited by people from all over the world. They love its natural and cultural beauties, its grand festivals, above all its Carnival with its outsize puppets.

João Pessoa 40 km north is the first city to receive the sun rays on the American Continent, at the beach of Ponta do Seixas. It is the state capital of Paraiba and is Brazil’s 3rd oldest town is situated in the northeast of Brazil, 150 km from Recife.
According to the United Nations, João Pessoa is considered to be the world’s 2nd most tree-covered city, with many parks.

More information:

The best time to visit Tambaba nudist beach is between October and May, when temperature is higher and the sea acquires a beautiful colour. Between the months of May and August, the rain makes access to the beach difficult as the 9 km connecting the beach to Jacumã resort are of soft sand.

A noticeboard situated on the approaches to Tambaba contains a long list of rules and regulations which are strictly enforced. These are basically the common sense strictures against nuisance, indecency and environmental vandalism which are found world-wide, but Tambaba goes a step further.

At Tambaba nudist beach,

• Nudity is compulsory in the nudist area.
• Men are not allowed in the nudist section unless accompanied by a woman. Lesbian couples are permitted but gay male couples are not (unless accompanied by women)

Dogs or other pets are not allowed.

GoNudist says…

The compulsory nudity rule and the exclusion of single men make this a very popular destination for nudist families and other nudists who are worried about voyeurs or a male dominated beach. Whilst the single man rule does seem unfair and discriminatory, single male nudists are allowed on the adjacent clothing-optional section, so they needn’t feel too excluded. The mandatory nudity on the nudist section is an excellent idea which should be swiftly adopted worldwide.

All in all an excellent, if sometimes crowded, little beach.

Do you know this nudist beach? Is it nudist family friendly? Is it suitable for the infirm or disabled Please help us help the nudist community and make any helpful additions or corrections or comments.