this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2024
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It’s a Tuesday morning, the infinite blue sky of Byron Bay has opened up and the six naturists – four men, two women – have stripped down to their birthday suits for a quick dip in the buff.

This section of beach – an 800-metre stretch along the vast coastline – forms the only legal clothing-optional beach in the shire. Among those taking advantage of the opportunity to be out in the open is Duncan James, vice-president of Northern Rivers Naturists, who is something of an evangelist for “embracing the beach as Mother Nature intended.”

“Many of the beach users have described the clothing-optional beach as their happy place, a place where they can disconnect from modern day stresses, a place they can feel at one with nature,” he says.

There is, however, a metaphorical cloud on the horizon. On Sunday, Tyagarah is set to be stripped of its status as an official clothing-optional beach.

“I guess these values aren’t shared by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS], who are hell-bent on closing one of Byron’s last alternative community hubs and experiences,” James says.

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[–] clearedtoland 86 points 5 months ago (5 children)

Someday I hope to build up the courage to visit/participate a nudist beach. It seems far more comfortable and “normal” in Europe than in the States from my travels. Remarkably humanizing.

[–] Num10ck 50 points 5 months ago

its surprisingly a nothing burger. from 50+ feet away a nude elderly man looks quite similar to a nude elderly woman. the breeze is the best part.

[–] [email protected] 43 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Went to one while in Spain. The spectrum was roughly the same as you would see at any beach. There were no creepers hanging around or anyone who was judgy.

[–] clearedtoland 37 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I experienced the same at “regular” beaches out in Greece. Topless women and Speedos were just as normal as any other beachgoer. It was really rather relaxing thinking back to it now.

[–] PrimeMinisterKeyes 10 points 5 months ago

Because topless != nude in most of Europe. Hell, you can see topless women at pretty much any seashore when it's warm enough.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 5 months ago (1 children)

The Speedos were the French. They do love their budgie-smugglers for some reason

[–] [email protected] 7 points 5 months ago (1 children)

It used to be required at a lot of camping pools because the longer shorts would take too much water out of the pool.. nowadays it's not often required anymore in my experience.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

It's still required at pools because the downhill (VTT) bikers will wear board shorts, get covered in mud then try to just walk into swimming pools with them

[–] [email protected] 1 points 5 months ago

I also remember being told it's because they're more hygienic (less pubic hair escaping). Always hated them though and would avoid places that enforced that.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 5 months ago (1 children)

There's one in my area of Florida. It's the busiest part of the beach lol. Other people get judgy if you tell them you go, but the people there are super normal. It's really more about yourself being free in nature. If you go to ogle at people you'll be disappointed and also unwelcome, naturists don't generally tolerate creeps. They like to keep it chill and everyone interacts like any other beach. Occasionally there's even kids there.

But it's technically illegal in the state... But the cops turn a blind eye and haven't gone after it (it's been this way for decades). The (federally run) park even put up signs to warn that you made encounter "nude sunbathers" at a certain part of the beach.

[–] Bell 5 points 5 months ago (43 children)

North Fla resident here, where's the beach you're talking about?

[–] [email protected] 14 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (2 children)

Playalinda beach on the space coast, near Titusville and next to the launch pads. Last parking lot is clothing optional. Really clean and natural beach. Also great for watching rocket launches, if they keep the beach open for it.

(The structures in the distance are rocket launch towers, it's legitimately the closest you can get.)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Hang on, are you saying that at Playalinda, one could watch a rocket launch and be naked at the same time?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago

Yes, however the nude section is the furthest parking lot, which is 4 miles north of where this was taken. Still a spectacle and much closer than most people will see a rocket launch, but if you came to see a launch then you probably want to be as close as possible

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago

I've never had the opportunity to go to Playalinda, but I do really miss Paradise Beach before the tourists found out about it.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago

They are really good. And tbh, they feel pretty normal once you get used to it, usually takes about 15 min. I prefer them now, since you dry off a lot quicker and don't have to deal with a wet bathing suit. The US has some good ones, as does Canada.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Beaches are tougher but I believe there's a nudist resort in every state in the US. You can visit the AANR website and find the closest one. If it's a "family resort" that means it's probably very welcoming, if a little boring depending on location.