Nude beach - Definition and Overview

A nude beach is a beach where the users generally wear no clothing because of any of numerous reasons: that doing so feels and looks good, that it is practical, for philosophical or religious reasons, or simply because there is no reason for clothing (see nudism). Also, with nude sunbathing, an even sun tan can be obtained.

Most existing nude beaches have been used as such for many years and thus have become "traditionally nude". Many are "unmanaged" beach areas that have been adopted by the local users in the effort to maintain the beach's quality.

One can distinguish between different types of nude beaches:

• official nude beaches
  • nudity is compulsory unless the weather is bad, etc.
  • clothing is optional
• those tolerated by the authorities
• those where nudity is illegal, and users risk a fine or worse

In each case the nude areas tend to be in isolated sections, where encounters with clothed people are less likely to occur.

In the United States, the number of traditional nude beaches has declined somewhat over past decade due to the influx of abusive users. However, the number of "official" nude beaches has, in fact, increased during this period. Most of this increase can be attributed to the ongoing stewardship of local nudist organizations and the establishment of working relationships with local municipalities and law enforcement agencies.

The users of nude beaches are often the target of legislation to ban public nudity, often because of broad language included in bills intended to target sexually oriented businesses. Nudist organizations such as the Naturist Action Committee have worked to prompt rewriting or rejection of such bills.

See also

• Nudism

External links

• South Beach Magazine (http://www.southbeach-usa.com/features/features1/nude-beaches/top-nude-beaches.htm) Article "Slow Burn: World's Top Nude Beaches."

• The Naturist Society (http://www.naturist.com)
• Naturist Action Committee (http://www.nac.oshkosh.net)
• International Naturist Association (http://www.clothesfree.com)
• Bare Beaches (http://www.barebeaches.com/wp/) - news on nude beaches worldwide, in the form of updates to a book