My wife and I are new to the island. We are looking for clothing optional sailing / snorkeling trips. We know about Gouvenour and Saline for nude sun bathing. Are there any other options? We are not nudists, but enjoy being "free" on vacations in the sun. We have enjoyed the clothing optional opportunities on SXM but we opted to try SBH because it is safer.
Clothing Optional Activities
- Thread starter Bobby$m
- Start date
tim
Moderator
Nude sun bathing is tolerated in some areas of Gouverneur and Saline; however, it's my understanding that it's really illegal. Discretion is advised. I know of no clothing optional adventures as you described. Maybe others will join the thread with a greater range of knowledge than have I.
P.S. I changed the title of this thread because it went in a clear direction that will probably interest many readers, and not just the O.P. The new title should be easily located with our search feature.
P.S. I changed the title of this thread because it went in a clear direction that will probably interest many readers, and not just the O.P. The new title should be easily located with our search feature.
Bart -my real name-
Senior Insider
Make sure your villa is private, or as private as you're comfortable with! That type of info is usually included in reviews in here and on the villa company sites. They all seem to be pretty private with the exception of the beach front places.
I have no firsthand knowledge of this, but I imagine you could contact the snorkeling trip operators and see if they have anything like that. Or maybe they have a small (semi affordable) boat you can either rent or charter. If you're not a boater, maybe you can rent jet skis and snorkel off of them........don't know if that's even allowed by the rental company or even a good idea as they may drift away!
Caroline D
New Member
St-Barth is a French Island and being totally "free" on some beaches is seen and accepted by the locals and the French people. It is part of the culture. It has always been the case.
People however are careful and try not to offend others. They generally go at the end of Saline's Beach, at the end of Governeur's beach and at the complete end of Colombier. If it is not strictly legal, it is tolerated. Don't consider going "free" on other beaches.
Also, all beaches are fine for going topless. Topless again is part of the French culture.
That being said, don't go off the beach topless or don't go nude at the entrance of the beaches were you will see many families.
Caroline D
New Member
Could be tourists, american or from other countries. The question is to keep in mind that it might not be accepted by all, so to use caution and go to the end of the beaches if you want to go naked.
It's surprising that the island is a bit prudish on the beaches. It is French for goodness sakes. St. Martin is much more liberal with this. Almost all French beaches on SXM allow clothing optional opportunities.
That being said, thanks for the heads up on where it can be OK.
cassidain
Senior Insider
Not sure about the prudish comment part, but we adore a little place in the South of France right next to a naturiste plage. Chez Jo near Le Lavandou on the plage du Layet. If you're in that part of the world you owe it to yourself to experience it.
Bouillabaisse
View looking East
The dining room at Chez Jo (the late Jo Bonacorsi)
Bouillabaisse
View looking East
The dining room at Chez Jo (the late Jo Bonacorsi)
KevinS
Senior Insider
Dennis, the sign still resides on the island. It is now in the hands of a private individual. How it got there, I cannot say. Well, perhaps I know, but I still cannot say, LOL.
I liken it to my ownership of the old Gate 10 sign from SXM, a gate which old hands know well. I call the Gate 10 sign the cornerstone of my Industrial Art collection. The Nudisme Interdit sign doesn't exactly fit in the Industrial Art category, but I do believe that it is in excellent hands.
I liken it to my ownership of the old Gate 10 sign from SXM, a gate which old hands know well. I call the Gate 10 sign the cornerstone of my Industrial Art collection. The Nudisme Interdit sign doesn't exactly fit in the Industrial Art category, but I do believe that it is in excellent hands.
cassidain
Senior Insider
Les Saint-Barths are very conservative people, among the most conservative in France. Furthermore, they don't aspire to be like Saint-Martin.
Dennis
Senior Insider
marybeth
Senior Insider
Agree, his comment was well-put.
IMHO, while nudity is tolerated (and practiced) on St. Barth, it's discreet...not the "nude sailing/snorkeling" type.
Hmm.... to my knowledge, really it's only found in Orient Bay (South east side of the beach where the Club Orient is). IMHO It is a little disturbing to see naturist people walking in front of the beach restaurants totally naked. These restaurants are located on the "non-naturist" side of the beach with many families and children.
I respect everyone's choice but naturists should stay in the area where it is allowed.
As we say in French: La liberté des uns s'arrête là où commence celle des autres.
As far as "top less" sunbathing goes: nowadays it is not so much practiced any more.... maybe is this generation more aware of the skin cancer risks?
