Going Au Naturel in the Caribbean

Americans looking for an all-over tan in the Caribbean have plenty of choices. Topless beaches are practically de rigueur on most of the Dutch and French islands, such as St. Barts and St. Martin, while the British islands are a bit more buttoned-up. If you want to go full naturist, we’ve hunted down the best places to bare your birthday suit. Just do us a favor: Don't forget the sunscreen.

Orient Beach, St. Martin

Orient Beach is the grande dame of nude beaches in the Caribbean. Situated on the southern end of this famous public strand, the clothing-optional portion is part of the 137-room Club Orient, a nude resort. Don’t be surprised to see entire families running around in the buff at the hotel’s swimming pools, water-sports center, and even restaurants.

Grand Saline and Anse du Gouverneur, St. Barts

Old-school naturists prefer Orient Beach on St. Martin, but hip, young Europeans know that St. Barts is the place to be. Beautiful people bring their firm buttocks to these pristine strips of strand to see and be seen. Two of the best beaches on the island, Grand Saline and Anse du Gouverneur, attract nudists from around the world. St. Barts does not officially sanction clothing-optional beaches, so it’s a good thing these 2 strands are secluded, accessible only by short hikes through dense foliage.

Hedonism II, Negril, Jamaica

Seven Mile Beach on Bloody Bay is home to the Hedonism II resort, which has its own designated nude area on one of Jamaica’s most delicious strips of white sand. The complex is separated into "nude" and "prude" sections, with separate facilities for swimming, sunbathing and sports. 

Hawksbill Bay, Antigua

This crescent-shaped public beach boasts the only sanctioned nude sunbathing spot on the island. Named after an offshore rock formation, Hawksbill Bay is divided into sections, with 1 reserved for naturists. Hawksbill, near the more well-known Galley Bay, is one of Antigua's legendary 365 beaches — 1 for each day of the year.

Tower Isle, Ochos Rios, Jamaica

This unique private island, part of the Couples Tower Isle resort, is not clothing-optional. In fact, clothing is entirely off-limits here. A small boat takes resort guests about 100 yards offshore to the fully au naturel hideaway, where they can enjoy a pool, cozy nooks for lounging, a cabana bar and, of course, a pristine beach.

Nude Sailing and Cruising

A few charter yachts in the Caribbean specialize in nude cruises. Try the Billy Jean or Endless Summer II, both of which sail out of various ports in the British Virgin Islands. Nudist groups often charter large cruise ships for Caribbean cruises. Castaways Travel will book all sorts of clothing-optional cruise options, from catamarans to tall sailing ships to a 2012 sailing of Royal Caribbean’s 3,700-passenger Freedom of the Seas.

Pointe Tarare, Guadeloupe

Most of the beaches and resorts in Guadeloupe are filled with topless sunbathers, but if skinny-dipping is a priority for you, head to Pointe Tarare. This secluded slice of heaven, located about 45 minutes from the big hotels around Le Gosier, has no services and very little shade, so come prepared.

MORE: Shed Your Clothes on the World's Best Nude Beaches