Most of us have felt the freedom and enjoyment that comes with stripping down to nothing more than a bathing suit on a sunny day and wading into a cool sea, with the horizon shimmering in the distance.

But what about shedding those last few strips of fabric and being naked? The “birth suit” is, after all, the oldest costume in the world and one that never goes out of style.

The nudist movement emerged in Europe in the late 19th century and is now popular all over the world. Worldwide, there are hundreds of beaches where clothing is optional. There it is perfectly legal to leave behind not only your shorts, but also your suspensions.

Nudist lovers can now take nude cruises in the Caribbean or plan a nude wedding on an Italian island.

If you’re taking your first steps as a nudist but are interested in learning more, we’ve got some tips on beach and resort etiquette from nudist experts with ten years of stripping experience. Here are the dos and don’ts.

  • Do your research

“Nudism means something different to everyone and the term is sometimes misused,” says Stéphane Deschênes, president of the International Federation of Nudists (INF-FNI), the only global nudist organization in the world. “So you have to understand what you’re looking for.”

There is no single ideology of nudism, but usually the lifestyle is about non-sexual social nudity in a family-friendly environment.

“Luckily, nudism has always been very well organized,” says Deschênes. INF-FNI aims to help people find consistency and reliability when choosing nudist resorts and has been doing so for over 70 years.

  • Take the step

So you arrive at the beach or nudist resort and feel like everyone is staring at you? Not valid.

“No one knows it’s your first time,” says Ronna Krozy, a retired teacher in her 80s who has been a nudist for more than 30 years. In 2023, he showed CNN the ropes at Solair Recreation League, a family-friendly nudist and camping resort in Woodstock, Connecticut.

“In fact, it might be easier to go somewhere with a lot of people and just go ahead, or even better, take it all out,” he says.

Like entering the water itself, sometimes it’s best to dive right in.

  • Keep your distance

Act like you’re at a “church picnic,” says Krozy, who is also the president of public relations for the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), the leading nudist organization in the United States.

“Don’t park your chair or blanket too close to anyone,” she adds. “Anything that looks like sexual activity, like sticking your body to someone else’s, is not allowed.”

And although nudists are known for packing light, there’s one item you should never forget.

“Always carry a towel to sit on because this is for everyone’s hygiene.”

  • Don’t stare or take pictures

Eye contact? A friendly conversation? All this is more than welcome, says Krozy. “Look people in the eye, because that can help you know where to focus your attention, and don’t laugh or stare because that’s considered rude.”

Sunglasses are, of course, a common beach accessory, but don’t try to hide behind them to take a look around.

Taking photos or videos without people’s permission is also a huge no-no. Losing your clothes doesn’t mean you have to lose your manners.

It’s just decent human behavior not to be “too pushy” or “not to make people uncomfortable by not giving them enough space,” says Deschênes. “These are all reasonable things to do in all situations.”

  • Don’t comment on people’s bodies

“You shouldn’t talk about someone’s body, even if you think it’s a compliment,” says Krozy.

While we live in an increasingly open-minded society when it comes to showing off the body, it’s a double-edged sword, says Deschênes. “Somehow, on the one hand people are less shocked by the idea of ​​nudity, on the other hand, that nudity has generally been hypersexualized and objectified.”

A common misconception, she says, is that “people often think that nudism is not wearing clothes. But that’s not the goal. This is just the tool we use to achieve body acceptance.”

The happy result of this, he argues, is that it “creates better relationships between people because they are more open, honest and true to who they are on their own.” Clothing isn’t just about protection, says Deschênes. “Mostly clothes are about social class and status and hiding who we really are and trying to make ourselves look in a way that society tells us we should be.”

  • Unwanted erection is not the problem you think it is

Both Krozy and Deschênes say one of the questions they get asked most often is what happens if a man gets physically excited. The truth is, it doesn’t happen that often.

“It’s a big fear,” says Deschênes, “and it’s understandable since most men have spent their whole lives associating nudity with sex.”

However, the non-sexual nature of the environment generally means it’s a rare occurrence, he says, and also, “when you’re very nervous as a man, it doesn’t work very well.”

Krozy has this advice, however, for any man who finds himself captured: “Take your towel and cover yourself. Turn over in the sand. Run into the cold water.” If all else fails, focus on boring thoughts like “taking out your trash.”

Similarly, a common question from women is what to do if they have their period. The answer is that they should do whatever makes them feel most comfortable.

They can wear underwear if they prefer tampons, they can use menstrual cups if that’s their style, or if they like tampons, they can use those too. “You know, if someone sees the tampon thread, it’s okay,” says Deschênes. “Having your period is a normal part of life.”

  • Don’t confuse alternative lifestyles

In our globalized, hyper-connected world, like-minded communities can find each other more easily than ever before, making it a golden age for alternative lifestyles. But don’t be tempted to think of the distinct communities of nudists, polyamorous, ethical non-monogamists, and fetishists as one big package.

“There’s nothing wrong with all these other communities, my only problem is when you mix them up. A friend gave me a very good analogy. He said, “You can play tennis and you can play baseball, but you don’t try to play baseball on a tennis court,” Deschênes says.

  • Did you enjoy the experience? Then explore more

So you’ve explored your local options and now you want to go further afield. “In terms of scale. France is by far the No.1 destination for nudism and has been for many years,” says Deschênes. “They’ve always had the advantage of having a lot of nice beaches, the ocean and the sea.”

Germany also has many excellent nudist opportunities, and due to the long-standing cultural acceptance of nudity, you can sometimes shed your clothes in less formal places such as parks. It is also very common in spas. He recommends the Taunus Thermae, just outside Frankfurt.

“You might not think of Thailand, for example, as a nudist destination, but there are some great resorts there,” says Deschênes. “It’s very limited in these resorts because the culture is generally not conducive to nudism. But there are some beautiful resorts and the country is very accepting of them. Then, of course, there are many opportunities in the Caribbean and even in South America.”

With this advice in hand, all you need to do is start packing. Don’t forget the sunscreen.