Although it’s still illegal to be naked in public in most parts of the world, there are exceptions.

Nudist beaches, which used to be something you associated with Europe, can now be found across the globe, as more and more shores have opened themselves up to folks who want to let it all hang out and avoid tan lines.

Personally, I don’t want to look up from my holiday reading and see random dongs, but each to their own. If nudism is your thing, then you’ve come to the right place.

CNN has condensed the list of the top 15 best nudist beaches in the world, with the help of Nicky Hoffman of The Naturist Society, who’s also the managing editor of Nude & Natural magazine.

You can see the full list here.

Before we get going, if you’ve only come here for the pics, sorry – I’ve kept it PG13 (see prior comment about random dongs). You’ll have to get your fun elsewhere or visit the beaches yourself.

Coming in at number 1:

1. Black’s Beach, La Jolla, California

Black’s Beach has been a destination for naturists for over 50 years and was once the only legal nudist beach in the United States. You can reach the beach via the zig-zag Ho Chi Minh Trail from the cliff-top Torrey Pines Gliderport near the University of California, San Diego.

2. Lady Bay Beach, Sydney, Australia

Most Australians take the ‘clothing optional’ thing as a given on any beach. Despite this, there are a few official nudist beaches.

Although, if you’ve seen some of the bugs that live in that country, the fact that everyone doesn’t go around in HAZMAT suits totally baffles me.

Lady Bay can be found just inside the South Head of Sydney Harbour – it’s small and narrow, but incredibly secluded for such a big city location.

3. Buhne 16, Sylt, Germany

As Nicky Hoffman puts it:

“Grin and bare it” might well be the motto for nudists on this North Sea island, where the average water temperature in summer is a chilly 17°C (63°F).
Technically all of the beaches on Sylt are clothing optional, but Buhne 16 was the first and is still the foremost location for nude sunbathing along the German shore.
It’s a place where beachgoers can chill in the famous blue and white striped wicker beach chairs or let it all hang out at summer beach parties.

All I’m going to say about the combination of nudity and freezing water is this: From three corks to one cork.

4. Wreck Beach, Vancouver, Canada

This is the worlds longest nudist beach at 7,8 km from end to end. The University of British Columbia is just across the street, so a steady stream of students and teachers have shed their clothes on this beach since the early 1970s.

5. Red Beach, Crete, Greece

This secluded beach can be found on the south side of Crete.

Pioneered by Euro hippies during the 1960s, the beach offers chair and umbrella rentals and is home to a funky little bar called Yiannis that’s renowned for its mojitos.
Note: the mysterious rock carvings at the end of the beach are a modern creation and definitely not ancient Minoan relics.

This beach is a famous hotspot for topless sunbathing.

6. Anse de Grande Saline, St. Barts

Although the Caribbean is known for its super chilled beaches, this is one of the few where nudity is tolerated – naked sunbathing is technically illegal in St. Barts.

Anse de Grande Saline (or Saline Beach) is another self-catering beach. Visitors will need to bring along everything they need for a day at the shore, especially sunscreen, as there is no shade to speak of.

L’Esprit, an excellent French restaurant, is within walking distance of Grand Saline and well worth a visit. Just make sure to put your clothes back on before heading over.

7. Platja des Cavallet, Ibiza, Spain

You can find this beautiful beach between the Mediterranean and the multi-coloured salt pans near Ibiza’s southernmost point. The beach is divided into different sections including a beach club party section, a gay scene and a more secluded, middle section where the clothing-free crowd hang out.

8. Little Beach, Maui, Hawaii

This beach forms part of Makena State Park on the island’s southeast coast. It overlooks a national marine sanctuary renowned for its sea turtles, dolphins, whales and tropical fish.

To up the hippy, you can enjoy the repetitive sounds of a drum circle and fire dancers on Sundays.

Not sure nakedness and fire should mix, but sure…

9. Cap d’Agde beach, France

This is more than just a beach. Sometimes referred to as ‘Naked City’, this is an entire naturist village complete with shops, restaurants, post offices and banks.

Visitors are free to be naked wherever and whenever they like. In fact, nudity is obligatory on the beach.

And finally, for those of you who want to get publicly naked a little closer to home, we have our very own world’s best nudist beach:

10. Mpenjati Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

This is South Africa’s only official nude beach and possibly the only place where you can legally be naked in public.

It achieved legal status in 2014, but this came with a list of prohibitions. The rules for behaving yourself on a nudist beach are actually fair, all considered.

Here they are, so that you can maintain etiquette when visiting one on your next vacation:

The legality of nude bathing at Mpenjati remains hotly contested, with court cases having taken place last year, but the South African National Naturist Association (Sanna) is confident they will win out in the end.

Happy sunbathing.

[source:cnn]