NUDE BEACH

Nude Beach

2009-01-30T23:45:00.000-08:00

Nude Beach or nudist beach is all what you want to know about? Let us start first to find out the meaning of nudism or nudist itself. The very mention of these two words often arouses feelings of titillation, embarrassment, outrage or even a combination of the three. For the thousands of people involved in the naturist movement worldwide, however, the idea of a nude beach seems, well, natural. After all, we all come into this world wearing only our birthday suits. Nudism or nudist are ideas that believe about being the way we were born and the way human kind was for most of our history: nude except when the weather dictated otherwise. It brings everyone down to the same level. You never know if the person you are talking to is a janitor, a doctor, or the CEO of a Fortune 100 company. Nudists are extremely accepting of everyone no matter the gender, race, sex, size, etc. Whether you shop at Wal-Mart or Brooks Brothers, no one knows and no one cares. It allows us to relax and just enjoy good company.

A Nude Beach is a beach where the users generally wear no clothing. If clothing is optional then, to emphasize that, also the terms clothing-optional beach and free beach are used. It is one of the most common and traditional forms of public nudity. A nude beach should not be confused with a topfree beach or topless beach, where upper body clothing is not required for women or men, although a swimming costume covering the genitals is required for both men and women.

There are unofficial several criteria that must be met for a beach to be categorized a nude beach, that is, not a part of private club or resort. Nude and topless beaches first became popular along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of France in the 1950s. Since then, several beaches from Crete to the Caribbean have become "clothing optional." All over the world, you can find a nude or clothing-optional beach that will meet your needs. A wide variety of venues can provide you with the kind of nude beach you seek: Certain bed and breakfasts, resorts, camp sites, private clubs, and spas all cater to customers who feel more comfortable in the nude. At some you'll find total privacy. Others attract a community of like-minded sun worshipers who have a fondness for a nude beach.

People visit nude beaches for many reasons, including because they enjoy being nude or partially nude, because they enjoy looking at people who are nude, because of curiosity, because of personal philosophy, or simply because they believe that there is no reason to wear clothing (see naturism and nudism). Sunbathing with little or no clothing allows a more even sun tan, eliminating tan lines.

Nude beaches are variously known as "FKK" (from the German Freikörperkultur), "clothing optional" (C.O.) or "free" beaches; they are also described as being "au naturel." Though the latter term is nominally derived from French, it is, not used by speakers of the language to describe nudity (in French, au naturel is used only for food cooked without preparation). In French, nude beaches are called plages nudistes "nudist beaches" or plages naturistes "naturist beaches." In British English the terms "topless beach" and "nudist beach" are most common.

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 an effort to maintain the beach's "quality". Others' right to existence has been recognized as such by one or another legislative body—municipal, regional or national, and are termed "official" (although not necessarily legitimate). One can distinguish between different types of beaches:

* Those where nudity is illegal and/or not tolerated. Nudity may result in requests to cover up, uncomfortable glares, a fine or arrest.
* Those that are unofficially tolerated by the "authorities"
* "Official" nude beaches
o Nudity is compulsory unless the weather is bad, etc.
o Clothing is optional (i.e., nudity is permitted but not required)

The clothes free areas tend to be segregated or isolated physically from the non-nude areas. In other instances people maintain a comfortable space between people dressing differently. Signage is often used to inform beach visitors about what to encounter and/or to segregate different areas on the beach. This accommodates people who are not comfortable with nudity. This also accommodates beach users who do not like to be watched too much, especially by clothed individuals.

In the United States, the popularity of traditional nude beaches has declined somewhat over past decade due to the influx of abusive users[citation needed], the aging of the nudist community, and the efforts on the part of religious groups, usually Christian fundamentalists, to close them down. 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—or lobbying of—local municipalities and law enforcement agencies. In fact, clothing-free attractions are increasingly being recognized as being a good source of tourist income. The users of nude beaches are sometimes the target of enforcement relating to legislation banning public nudity, often because of broad language included in laws or bills intended to target sexually oriented businesses. Clothes free organizations such as the Naturist Action Committee have lobbied against such bills.

In the United States, nude beaches stretch from Santa Cruz, California (home of the Red, White, and Blue nude beach) to Moshup nude beach in Martha's Vineyard. Nude beaches in Europe can be found everywhere from Pori, Finland (Yyteri nude beach) to Banana nude Beach in Greece. Wherever you do, know that a visit to a nude beach is a natural experience. And that the pleasure of sunning and swimming at a nude beach is one you will long remember. So pick your favorite place, check to make sure your nude beach is open to the public, and get ready to shed your cares and your clothes at the nude beach. There are almost 50 places where nudity or topless sunbathing is allowed or tolerated. These nude beach locations include Blacks' Beach, the most popular nude beach in the country and the nation's oldest nude beach (San Gregorio, where people have been going topless since 1967)

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Egiali Nude Beach

2008-12-28T08:02:00.000-08:00

Egiali/Aigiali

Egiali is a pleasant village in the north of the island accessible by ferry and by bus from Katapola. It is still pretty low key but is beginning to wake up to tourist possibilities. There are ample tavernas and some pleasant bars.

It has a large, textile beach and a beach where nudism is practised. The path to the beach was along the village beach to the north and up to the right and along the cliff until you see a cove below. This was the first big cove north of the main beach. The walk to the beach would take about 10-15 minutes from Egiali. Follow the path around the back of the cove until you see signs pointing "to the beach" - the path goes though a new taverna which overlooks the beach.

This beach is called Levrossos. It is composed of golden sand and is undoubtedly pleasant. Previous correspondents reported that some days this cove was 99% nudist and the next 10%. The Captain visited in June 2003 and found this report to be correct (we were able to go nude comfortably on the second day but not on the first). There is, however, a large sign there which includes "nudism" as one of the don't-dos but nonetheless the practice is as I have reported. A report from July 2007 says the beach was mainly textile but the far end, nearest Egiali, was 100% naturist, with a few single girls and couples and it rated 80%. Swimming was pleasant.

The next two beaches along the path are not very difficult to get to, the Captain is assured the path is easy. When going to the first of the two it is important to stay above the stone wall immediately after Levrossos. The beaches are mixed sand and stones. They are both very beautiful spots. A Barefoot reporter has visited them in the months of June, the beginning of July and September. They have always been nudist and, better yet, completely deserted.

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Katapola Nude Beach

2008-11-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

The black and white map says that naked bathing is "tolerated" on the westernmost beach of northern side of the bay of Katapola. This presumably refers to the beach named on local signs as Plakes beach. Plakes is the last stop of the small boat that leaves Katapola every hour from 9-10:00 till 17:00. Where people disembark most people are with their bathing-suits, but you then walk (and climb) to the left and you can immediately take off your clothes.

Plakes "beach", AmorgosPlakes is not so much a beach, it is actually a series of flattish rock platforms next to deep water. There is nowhere where you can simply wade into the sea there. But the rocks are smooth and they dive vertically into the sea, providing excellent bases from where one can jump or dive into the turquoise sea. Also, because they are very much like cubes, the rocks provide very good cubicle-like spaces just for 1-3 people, where you can be just with yourself. A last and very important thing, is that Plakes looks to the West and so one can enjoy there all the sweetness of the late afternoon sun, while protected from the winds of the Aegean.

It's not too difficult to scramble around, and you can find a nice place for some sun and a dip into the water. You just have to find a good spot to climb out. Bring your snorkel, not a bucket and spade! It was 95% nude in September 2005.

A boat sails from the south side of Katapola, near where the ferry berths, to what is described as Maltezi beach.

Beyond the rocks was the beach visited by the boat - a busy, entirely textile beach with a beach restaurant. There have been reports or nudism here in the off season but by June it would have been out of the question.

There are said to be numerous coves around the island reachable only by boat which may well be suitable for nudism.

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Mouros Nude Beach

2008-10-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Barefoot reporters arrived there around 12:00 on a day in June 2006 and there was only one couple there at the far end. My contributors stayed there until 18:00. The maximum number of people there was 15 people, where 5 of us were nude on the far side, and the other were wearing bathing suits. The beach has very clean waters, pebbly. The only problems is that as it is facing eastwards, after 18:00 there is no sun, so if there is a breeze you cannot support staying there for long. The other thing is that there is relatively a hard walk back. On the top there is a restaurant that serves everything. The Captain understands this beach gets crowded in August, and that the few naturists are all on the far end of the beach.

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Gramvoussa Island

2008-09-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

The island of Gramvousa is across from the beach at Kalotaritisa. During July and August there is a regular service with boats (3.50 Euros per person in 2007) who can take you back and forth. There are two main beaches on the island, which you can access from the boat that takes you there and there are several other private beaches which one can reach by renting a canoe or a pedal boat from Kalotaritisa. In June there was no regular service with the boats, but intrepid Barefooters found a guy at the canteen in Kalotaritisa beach, who for 15 Euros was willing to be their private captain. The first day there were three sail boats on the beach, most of the people were without any bathing suits. The second day another 7 people came later with a boat, and the beach was 100% naturist. The third day, our reporters had the whole island to themselves.

Barefoot reporters who were there in June 2007 liked this beach most of the 9 they visited on 5 islands. The road to Kalotaritisa is perfectly accessible with a small hire car. On the boat to Gramvoussa Islet, they simply told the skipper when we wanted to be picked up (and he was there on time). The trip across took about 10 mins and they were the only ones on the boat. Apart from the odd visit by people with their own boats (who didn't stay long), at most there were 3 or 4 other couples on the beach when my reporters were there - mainly naturist. Beautiful clear water (you didn't need a snorkel to look at the fish), nicely shelving, secluded, sheltered sand/shingle beach with enjoyable walks along the water's edge. Obviously no facilities of any kind (and little shade). Fantastic - and it rated 100%!

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Agia Anna Nude Beach

2008-08-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Amorgos is an island for walkers with a good, really good, black and white specially drawn walkers' map. On it Agia Anna is described as suitable for naked bathing.

From the bus stop at Agia Anna there is either a concrete path down to the left to the textile beach with the chapel on it (no nudism here). About 50ms down this path one can go right and scramble across the rocks to a lovely ledge where an afternoon naturist set hangs out. It is however overlooked from the car park and is at best 50% nude. Alternatively you can go right from the car park past the canteen and down the zigzag path to the beach facing the rock shelf. It is heavy gauge rocks but on a still day it is like a scene from the big blue. Probably only 25% nude at best and overlooked again from the car park. The "real" naturist beach is about 250m further to the right in a scramble along a very rocky path at the waters edge. This beach is 100% naturist and maybe 20% gay as well. All medium size rock it also has a fresh water spring (don't drink it but it is good to wash off the salt after each dip).

It is quite a rough scramble over the rocks. This beach is stony and definitely nudist.

The Captain finally made it here in June 2003 and thought that it's without doubt a beautiful spot but access is difficult and the apart from the view the beach is, frankly, nothing special. This view has been endorsed by some other Barefooters.

But the Captain has been taken to task by a Barefoot reporter who is clearly a true fan of the beach. He disputes that it is a scramble to reach and says that the view of the monastery and the mountains in the distance makes one of the most spectacular beaches anywhere. There is no Caribbean sand (or Naxos sand) but the pebbles are quite comfortable, says my reporter. The Captain can only recommend that you try it for yourself.

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Amorgos

2008-08-26T07:59:00.000-07:00

The ferry journey from Pireus to Amorgos can take 12 hours (and this assumes you can find a timetable, but that's another story). Some of the Captain's contributors return year after year, such is the pull of Amorgos.

Boats usually stop at the two ports, Katapola and Egiali (shown on local signs as Aigiali). There is now a good road between the two ports and a regular bus service. One contributor says the boat berthed in Katapola for at least an hour and a half before moving on to Egiali, but the trip was worth the wait. The landscape of the sheer cliffs was eerie and coming into Egiali was an experience.

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Balos Bay

2008-08-25T07:57:00.000-07:00

Balos Bay (Gramvousa)

Pictures of the beach appear nearly in all Crete postcard photosets, and my reporter had read a lot of comments on how excellent the beach is so they decided to visit it. Road to the beach is not good, but is acceptable, we used small, not 4x4 car and there were no problems. Indeed, the beach is really scenic! After climbing down in 150 meters they found it as fully textile. But after a short walk around the beach we found a nude couple in far side and decided to stay not far away. We spent excellent one hour there. In one hour a ship with 200-300 people tied up near the place where they sat... Later another ship came. As a result, it turned into a crowded textile beach. It is sad to say, but the beach is not nude anymore, at least in high season. Perhaps one can found a hidden place here to swim nude but definitely not in the main bay and it is not worth to take so long and difficult way to the beach. The place can be recommended for sightseeing but not as a nude beach.

A Barefooter who was there in summer 2007 confirms the above. Hundreds of tourists are arriving with the ships from Kasteli and all of them are textile. It is even rare that women are topless. It is pity, because the beach is really very, very beautiful (perhaps the most beautiful in Crete, says my reporter). It is worth to see it, but only textile sunbathing is possible.

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Tigani Nude Beach

2008-08-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

Tigani (also known as Balos Bay): To the far north of Falassarna. In the past, a long hike. A new road leads almost all the way, leaving just a short walk down the stairs. A 4 wheel drive car is recommended. The road is not easy: 8 kilometres of mountain road along a very stony road and later 8 kilometres back, but it is possible. At the end of the road you follow the path over the mountain (you cannot miss it, says my contributor) to the steps down to the bay. It takes approximately half an hour. Down you go to the right side of the beach, where the sand is less clean.

It is a beautiful place with a lot of rocks to "hide" behind. The water is no deeper than approximately 1.5 metres at the most - but this means a long walk before it is possible to swim. There is said to be room for everybody. Lovely sandy beach - peaceful until the sight-seeing boats arrive.

A report from September 2002 says that this beach was mainly textile and spoiled by a "lot of garbage" at the back of the beach.

You can go from the Falassarna harbour to Balos Bay by boat, taking in the island Nisos Gramvousa (and its castle) for some hours, before you come to the bay.

At the other end of the beach, next to the restaurant, there are also quiet places.

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Falassarna Nude Beach

2008-08-23T07:54:00.000-07:00

This is on the west coast near Platanos, usually approached from Kastelli, as you come into for sign to Falasarni Beach Hotel. Follow long windy road which descends to long sandy beach. Goes to end of road and continue 300 mtrs on dirt track to parking. The area at the northern end of the beach was used by a few couples when we went in June, mainly Germans and no single men, but discretion was needed on Sundays due to Greek families. A report from June 2001 says you could strip in the dunes, or lay by the sea depending on your approach. Beach is sand with stones into sea at northern end, but 100 mtrs to south, sandy entry. Shallow for a long way, crystal clear water. There are several Tavernas, costume needed, chairs are there but you would need to carry them to your area. My contributors were comfortable with the area but it could get windy, there is no public transport.

Fallasarna looking north

There are different sandy beaches, most of them “belonging” to a restaurant and equipped with umbrellas and beds. The main beach is called the Big Beach or “Ipanema Beach” and is roughly divided into 3 parts. The most southern part is very deserted, with sand hills behind the beach and a dirt road behind the hills. As the hills are not that high everywhere, you can be seen from the road by the passing farmers. This part of the beach is sand, but it changes to pebbles in the water.

The middle part has a beach bar and umbrellas and beds. This part is sand, also in the water. It was relatively crowded and textile. The northern part is also sand out and in the water. It is separated from the middle part by some rocks and sand hills. On the beach are also some rocks which provide shadow. This part (about 150 m) was mostly occupied by nude people, although some people wore swimsuits. There exists a friendly co-existence. The majority of the people in that part were German and in the weekends some Greek people and families came and also stripped. My contributor, who visited in September 2001, can only recommend it! The only negative point is that most of the time there was a strong wind.

Earlier reports, such as one from June 1999, suggested the textile invasion is about to take over. However the Captain has received sufficient more recent reports to inspire confidence that there are still parts of the beach where one can happily strip, however this is clearly one of those beaches where the situation can change from day to day.

Some say the water and the sand are superb here, one contributor described it as the best he'd ever found all over Greece.

A correspondent who visited in 1997 thought this beach wonderful, a few umbrellas and beds, but loads of empty beach, and said if you go just around the southern point, there's no wind either. After finding this beach, they kept on going back!

A correspondent reporting from May 1999 describes this as "our favourite beach". Forget about the big beach, the small one at the cliffs and dunes is perfect. Peaceful - very few visitors.

A report from September 2002 confirms that the northern part was nudist. But one from July 2004 found no nudists at all on this part of the beach.

There may still be some possibilities in the sand dunes at the southern end. Turn left at the "Panorama"-sign, and further down to the beach, park in front of the sand dune and walk right over it. There's a little "canyon" where you go down in the water. Don't expect to find many nudists. Some 200-300 meters further south, at the lagoon-like beach there was no other people, making it possible to walk in the nude (May 2001).

A report arrived in June 2000 describes it as a beach that is not over run - a huge sweep of sand turquoise blue waters and plenty of scope for nude sunbathing amongst the dunes at the southern end of the beach.

Unfortunately, another report comes in suggesting that this report is exaggerated. A quarter of this beach is in full view of the dirt road at the back of the beach, another quarter is rocks rather than sand, and another is uncomfortably close to the fish taverna at the harbour (south end of the dirt road). There is really only one area of sand on the beach at which nudity is possible, and on the occasion of my contributor's visit (June 2000) both the cove at the headland and this part of the beach were occupied by textiles. It is a place for "get there first" enthusiasts.

A report from September 2002 says that between the two big umbrella-beaches there is a small beach used by nudists, but there are less people and you cannot go into the sea very easily there. But if you follow the paved road to the end and follow the path for another 500 metres you can go down a steep path where you can park. If you follow the path to the sea (50 metres) you can be naked as much as you like. There are some people from the big beach that will walk along the coast to a small harbour 100 metres away and to the "old Falassarna" archaeological site, but they don't seem to mind.

The most quiet place is at the northern end of the beach between the rocks, but there you cannot go into the sea very easily. If you can go further south for another 50 metres and go into the sea without any problem. My contributors laid between the rocks and went swimming there. Sometimes textile Greek people arrived, but they seemed to know about the nudists there, they were very friendly and did not object to them at all.

At the very southern end of the beach it is also very quiet. You can be nude there without seeing anybody and walk long distances. Sometimes a cucumber farmer will pass on the road behind the beach, but that is no problem.

One contributor who visited in 2003 says that of all the beaches he and his wife visited on Crete the most beautiful was Falassarna. It was sandy, not too much wind, beautiful clear water. It is not too far, very easy from Chania or from Rethymnon (nice new road). There are many tavernas and restaurants and not expensive (10 Euros for 2 persons for Greek salad + cold soda). Also easy to find a parking for your car. My contributor says "Go to Falassarna, you won't regret it!"

But another report, from early 2004, from one of my many Greek contributors, says it seems to that it is getting more difficult year by year to practise naturism here, mostly because more people find out about this beautiful place. At the end of July 2003 my contributor went there, to the 3rd bay (the 1st is the big one, the first to find on your left as reach Falassarna). He says, "At the weekends it is very hard to practise nudism, too many families especially Greeks with children, that do not like nudists. But during the other days it is possible. Last summer it was only about 30% naturists unfortunately. But I observed one thing: once the other people see more than one naturist, they begin to be curious and slowly, slowly they begin to throw off their swimsuits (one day in the morning it was only about 20% naturist, in the afternoon almost everyone was naked). That means that we have to insist and encourage the other people to feel the naturist experience in such a beautiful place."

A Barefooter who visited early July 2006 on a very hot Sunday with the family saw absolutely no-one on any part of the sandy beach nude. They searched out the northern rocky area and came across one lone sun-lover in the rocks. They returned to the last sandy cove before the main beach and stripped off to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. Large number of local families were present and my reporters did not enjoy the feeling that they were the only ones bare! They would give this beach (as it is beautiful with good swimming and snorkelling) another try on a weekday in the future otherwise would opt to go elsewhere.

A Barefoot couple who were there in June 2007 were the only naturists in the dunes to the eastern end of the beach but there were no problems with textiles in the area. Amusingly, there was a photo shoot going on around them of some attractive ladies in swimsuits - and there were my intrepid reporters, naked in the middle of it all.

Other Barefooters found a nice place between the middle and the southern part of the beach in summer 2007, near the rocks dividing these parts of the beach, near a steep path and steps, with which you can enter the middle part of the beach. This was a clothing optional beach, but the nudes were in majority. This was very picturesque part of the beach with lots of little coves, with very shallow water and also nice clean and tiny-grained sand. Unfortunately this part of the beach was mostly visited by single men (I could see only one pair except my reporters and one family with kids there, the rest were men) and there was some suspicious behaviour with mobile phone cameras among those waling by. How pathetic.

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Kalives Nude Beach

2008-08-22T07:53:00.000-07:00

A very crowded area in the tourist season. My correspondent didn't like it much. One beach they used was down a track off the road between Kalives and Almirida, about one km from Almirida. Hidden below the cliffs, it was little frequented and mostly by nudists.

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Tersanas Or Calathas Bay

2008-08-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

Tersanas / Calathas Bay

By asking around, some Swedish friends found a small, but very friendly beach just a little bit away from Tersana Beach. Tersana is situated 15 km East from Hania, and is easy to find with a scooter. The beach was visited by mainly Greek people, but a few French and Norwegian.

Go towards Stavros. You will pass the University, and pass the very big Kalathas Bay. After Kalathas Bay you come to Horalakia, and just in the middle of this small Village, there is a gas station ( Shell ) Just before, there is a small sign left, towards Tersanas. When passing Tersanas Beach, and the beach taverna, you take the first road to the right, up among the houses. Here you pass a very small chapel.

From the Taverns, it´s about 1 km left. You will come out from the housing area, and pass a pond on your right hand side. Just up on the hill, after "Georgious Apartments" there is a sharp right turn on the road. Park here! Then you need to walk down to the small beach. You need good footwear since this is vulcano-rocks, and very sharp.

The beach is a short sandy one, and also a few hiding places if you want privacy.

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Kera Nude Beach

2008-08-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

On the north coast 15km east of Chania, Kera lies between the small resorts of Kalives and Almirida. Originally just a chapel ("Kera" is Greek for "Our Lady"), there is now a loose collection of villas and holiday apartments - but it is still very quiet. Kera has a beach - stony at the west end, sandy at the east - which is never crowded, but which is too overlooked and frequented for naturist use. However, between Kera and Kalives is a small cove which is not visible either from the coast road or from other beaches, and which gets a moderate use by local naturists. To reach the beach, drive out of Kalives towards Almirida. This means initially following signs for Vamos then turn left onto a distinct road, signposted Almirídha (but not clearly), where the road bends to the left and there are numerous signs for accommodation.

The road swings back towards the coast as it climbs, and it is possible to park just after the brow of the hill and follow a track down for a bit, then to scramble down the cliff, but this is not recommended. Follow the road down the hill as it swings inland again. Then, just after it starts to climb look out for a tarmac track on the left (clearly signed for Kera apartments) - there's a rough track directly opposite showing how the old network of routes has been superseded. Go along the tarmac down to the culvert over the streambed, then climb the other side of the valley as far as you can go, parking where the tarmac runs out by a concrete wall (topped by wire) on your right, very little space here but unlikely to be many cars. Immediately beyond wall the look out for a small path through the scrub on your right. Follow this through an area of rough growth and on down the (relatively gentle) cliff.

The beach is a very narrow strip of stones. There is a low north-facing cliff, with some trees at its top, so there's shade if you want it. The stones continue only a few feet into the sea, after which you will be walking on sand. The view is superb, with small off-shore islands (OK, giant rocks), Akrotiri a couple of miles away across the bay, lovely coastline off to your right and the rocky headland to your left which hides Kalives. GPS waypoints in WGS-84: Access point N35 26' 57" E24 11' 00" Naturist beach N35 27' 02" E24 10' 57".

Kera beach from the west

A recent report suggests that if you arrive early you will have the beach to yourself for much of the morning. My contributor's report suggests that the beach is big enough that there can be sufficient distance between you any any textiles that it would be hard for them to take offence. And there is a further "mini beach" which is accessible from the western end. You can only get to it by either some very cautious rock scrambling, or a waist-high wade through the water from the far western end. This is an ideal spot for stripping off, but it is only big enough for one couple/family, and is shingle rather than sand. I suspect that you could stay there all day and not see a soul apart from the occasional snorkeler going along the coast.

A report from September 2002 confirms the suitability of this beach, although there were only 3 nude people there at the time of my contributor's visit.

A report from July 2004 says that on arrival, around 4.00, there were about 10 to 12 persons, all to the left of the access point, and all clothed. No sign of, or hope of, a nudist visit. We settled down on our own to the right to the access point. Almost immediately another couple (who looked Greek) appeared, went into the "mini beach" and stripped off, so we did as well. Most of the others soon left (not because of us, as we were partly out of sight), and one of the remaining men did then go nude.

Definitely scenic and peaceful, but lack of sand combined with rocks and undergrowth in the water were distinct negative points, not really much sand underwater. The "mini beach" is directly below the path, so you would be in full view of anyone arriving or leaving.

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Shores of Lake Kournas

2008-08-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

A correspondent also reported that he swam in Lake Kournas, the freshwater lake about three miles inland from Georgiopolis, and noticed a nude family in a corner of the lake hidden from general view by reeds. However, this was one of few secluded spots accessible by footpath from the access road, and was just about big enough for four people. He swam in the middle of the lake from a pedalo - about 200 yards from shore - but be warned, getting back into the boat is very difficult if you're not in shallow water, and you may need to get back close to the shore to clamber aboard.

Barefoot reporters who came by here in 2005 noted that although the road-side of this lake is somewhat touristy (you can rent pedal boats), we also saw on the far other side 1 nude couple and 1 male. We did not have time to figure out how to get there.

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Georgioupolis Nude Beach

2008-08-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

There are always some naturists about halfway between the Paradise and Posidon bars and the shallow river which is about 1 Km to their east, and there is no hassle with the textiles strolling up and down the beach and occasionally settling in the middle of the naturists. (The Posidon's sign is almost invisible from the road and the Paradise's is almost invisible from the beach.)

Along this stretch the new coastal highway (Ethnikos dromos) is parallel to the shore and very close to it. The main square of Georgioupolis lies halfway between the highway and the beach. Either walking along the beach or by car/bus along the highway, the Paradise and Posidon bars are just over 2km east of the main square. The markers on the highway are partly hidden by foliage, but if you see km 39, that's very close to the two bars. Another highway landmark is the Pilot Hotel; the two bars are less than 500m east of it.

If you come from Chania follow the main road in the directon of Rethymno. You are passing the little town of Georgoupolis left of you. After that you see a sign: "Pilot Beach resort 300 m" About 400-500 m after this sign there will be a sign "P 500 m " (the sign for parking). You drive on this parking place and then cross the road. There is a possibility to drive from that side of the Parking place on the parallel road at the bach side of the dunes/beach. Then go right for a 150 m and you will see "Pavlos kanteen". You can park you car there and walk a short distance to the spot.

Access 35-21'17.7"N 24-16'48.3" E This is the exit from the "National Road" layby onto the track that runs along the back of the beach. Motorists should drive a short distance along this track in an easterly direction and park at the back of "Pavlos" beach bar (described as the new beach bar in the guide) Then they should continue a short distance along the beach, again in an easterly direction to reach the naturist area mid way between Pavlos and the next set of sunbeds further to the east.
Beach 35-21'20.6" N 24-17'02.1" E

A 2001 contributor found the odd naturist family and single male close to the waters edge. There were more males at the back of the beach in the dunes; unfortunately my contributor had the impression they seemed to just be stalking up and down parading their wares. They rarely came down to the water. There is a small amount of people that walk along the beach front. However, I believe that most were walking along the beach to get somewhere, rather than "sightseeing". When my contributor and his family were there nude, it did not seem to make anyone bat an eyelid.

Is it worth it? Well, the Captain would welcome more reports. My correspondents suggest that nudity is acceptable in this area around 2/3 the way from Posidon bar's sunloungers to the next set along to the east, but it sounds rather furtive. It seems it isn't particularly common on June Sundays, with textile "residents" outnumbering naturists at least 4:1 over the 150m stretch, and with textile walkers passing every few minutes. And female naturists are less likely to be seen than male ones.

The Captain hears, from a report from July 2000, that a beach bar has opened in the heart of what was the nudist area. On the day my contributor visited (June 2000), there were nudists quite visible at the back of the beach in the vicinity (not visible from the bar), but the extra beach traffic clearly made them uneasy: the only one my contributor saw bathing felt it necessary to bring his towel to the edge of the water. A beautiful beach: such a shame that the municipal council apparently no longer wants to preserve a green belt before the river which marks the boundary with the next municipality which allows ribbon development.

Barefoot reporters went to this beach in July 2006 and found it a very nice beach. It is a rather quiet part of the 9 km long beach. There were no nudists at the beach, but if you want to go nude they did not think this will be a problem. There were a lot of people walking at the beach/waterfront, so that might be the reason that most of the nude persons were in the little dunes or at the seaside of the dunes.

My contributor comments about an earlier report in which a contributor told there were mostly men over there parading and showing their wares. This still is. The reason why? This spot is also mentioned in the Spartacus Gay Guide as a spot gays can go swimming and meet other gays. My contributors, being gay, did not have a problem with it.

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Panomos Nude Beach

2008-08-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

"We searched for suitable beaches on the north coast west of Iraklion. The small village of Panomos lies just off the main road from Iraklion to Rethymnon (about 23 km east of Rethymnon). Park in the village and walk down to the tiny beach (with a taverna) and climb up the other side. Turn right towards the second small sandy beach (clothes only) and at the point where you might descend to this beach, there is an FKK sign on a fence post pointing optimistically westwards along the low cliffs. Our hopes were built up but we found no other nudists and certainly no sandy beach. We could only conclude that people sunbathe in the very small rocky coves that appear occasionally along a 200-300 metre stretch. We had a pleasant if somewhat hard afternoon lying on the rocks in a cove from where we also swam out from the rocks."

A report from August 2000 is more depressing. Apparently there are new building activities, the FKK sign has gone, and there were only two naturists present and the beach was rather disappointing (my contributor gave it a meagre 5%).

From the village of Panormo, follow a track to east parallel to the sea up in the hills. There will be a closed gate, however it is not locked, and there is no 'no trespassing' sign or like (there are some signs, but they are completely rusty, and no text can be read on it). After the gate, you can climb down to the sea to one of rocky coves. It is definitely not a beach, and it is only enough for 2-4 people. It is isolated from looks either from the village or from the road. A good place for snorkelling. The water is very clean, and a place is generally very pleasant. There was no (active) building activity in the area. One should, however, be very cautious when climbing down and entering the water.

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Sises Nude Beach

2008-08-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

There is also an isolated stone/shingle beach near the villages of Sises (32 km west of Iraklion). There is a stony track leading off the main road some 3.5 km west of the Sises turning (the second road off following that turning). This leads past a tiny church to the rock, boulder and shingle beach (50 metres wide).

The Captain has not yet personally visited this beach. The original report said the setting was pretty and the 2 metres of stone at the water’s edge then turns to sand. However, the back of the beach has a lot of flotsam – maybe some keen nudists could undertake a clean-up.

A more recent report (Summer 2002) was less complimentary, to say the least. The beach is said to be dirty and ugly, and simply not worth visiting. A group of 4 naturists said they would not have laid down on the beach had they not been tired and dirty on a long drive to and from western Crete to Knossos, and having done so they all felt it had been quite a disgusting feeling. Not exactly a recommendation, then ... you have been warned.

There is one ramshackle house at the back of the beach. The other point is to take great care not to appear nude within sight of the church (some 200-300 metres back from the beach) since this could cause serious offence.

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Hersonisos Nude Beach

2008-08-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

A report reaches me of a tiny enclave near Hersonisos, tucked in at the east side of the curve of the bay from the Knossos Royal Village Hotel. From the northern end of Hersonisos town you take the road which goes past the medical centre, turn left at the next crossroads, pass in front of the Creta Maris Hotel, continue on to the Creta Maris diving centre and then turn and head north along the road which skirts the beach for about one kilometre. Park just beyond the Restaurant Saradari (the former Oasis Cafe-Bar) and then follow the sign "to the beach". You can look down on the beach from this point (which is useful to check where you are) and indeed many do but no-one seems to bother. The cliff closest to the beach is very steep and potentially dangerous. It is easier to go to the beach at the Oasis Cafe-bar and walk around the bend.

There is sand as well as rock and is fine for swimming and snorkelling. It is possible to go beyond this point but the beach does become much smaller as you do so. When my contributor visited (several times in early August 2000) most people were nude but the mixed couples and families tended to be Germans and Dutch and of course we English. The men were, as far as we could tell, Greek.

The beach itself is in 2 sections, most of which is overlooked by the road some 20 meters above. This was not a problem as people invariably looked over and moved on. The far section is much smaller and holds 8 -10 persons comfortably. It is divided only by a large boulder from the main section which can comfortably hold 30 people. Although it seems quite private, shielded in the curve of the bluff, the bathers are quite visible to anyone looking down from the road above. The beach can also be clearly seen from the coast on the east side of the KRV, but the distance is such one cannot distinguish the textiles from the naturists without binoculars. Despite its shortcomings, the spot is quite pleasant, and since the water is usually calm in the bay, quite good for swimming.

Good news and bad news about this beach. A report from June 2001 says the tiny enclave near Hersonisos is a thriving nudist beach - which sounds like good news indeed! Upon my contributor's arrival at 9:00 AM there were a male-male couple and a single male already at the beach. Over the next three hours the beach was populated with four male-female couples, another male-male couple, four more single males, a family of four (with swimsuits), another nude family of four, and another nude family of 6. It was a refreshing morning at the beach and my contributor was glad to see so many nude people relaxing in the sun. Some 28 of the 32 people at the beach were nude.

In an area notably short of nudist beaches Hersonisos gets a higher rating than it might elsewhere (one correspondent gave it 60%, a later one 88%).

Now the bad news. A report from September suggests the beach becoming overcrowded and in the afternoon turning into gawper season. The rear of the beach has items of rubbish discarded there and the beach itself which is of grey shingle, is dirty and covered by fag butts. My contributor took 5 minutes removing chewing gum from the sole of his foot at one stage. His comment: this beach needs a good clean up and needs to be vetted for pervs.

A report from June 2004 confirms that this beach does tend to have a high male: female ratio, which some women might find slightly intimidating. Most of the single males appear to be Greek, and quite a few of these are older, and seem focussed on genuine naturism and catching octopuses! Moreover, they were very friendly and helpful when my contributors' 7 year old started crying after getting suntan lotion in his eyes. Generally speaking, as you progress up to the more remote bays, I would guess that many of the males are of a gay persuasion, and sometimes this is quite open - though we witnessed no lewd behaviour.

Another report from 2004 says that the directions on this web site were very good but (and a big but) once my contributors had found it there didn't seem to be any way down apart from an almost vertical climb down the cliff face which while carrying bags isn't the easiest thing to do.

There were already 4 couples and a 4 or 5 single local males , however one of the locals had seen our attempts to skydive off the cliff and showed us another way onto the beach via the adjoining beach it's quite narrow in one spot but is so much easier than "skydiving" off the cliff. The Captain, and no doubt my readers, would welcome further information.

Having found a nice spot on the shingle my contributors stretched out for the day. Nobody bothered them and there was a good mix of Germans, Russians, locals and two Brits, the water was extremely warm and clear ideal for swimming and snorkelling , ice creams and drinks were available on the next beach even if it did mean slipping the trunks on, just a small amount of litter under the cliff but on the whole a clean and tidy beach well worth a visit.

Some contributors who visited in August 2003 suggest I have been insufficiently enthusiastic about this beach. Well, I'm not sure. It gets pretty mixed reports.

Here's the enthusiastic version. The beach was great, it is much bigger than your report suggested. It now has signs saying "NUDE ONLY" and "FKK ONLY ".

My contributors visited the beach 5 times in two weeks and had a ball, we met French, German and Italian couples as well as a Greek man called Dimitri who seemed to be running the whole show: he stopped textiles on the beach and asked them to strip or leave as the beach was nude only, everyone supported him and I have to say that most people just agreed and went nude.

Barefooters who visited in October 2005 met these Greek men. Dimitri is the talkative one and the older man really worships the sun. They shared food and had a raki or two with these friendly Greek naturists.

The beach is a bit tricky to find but all the locals know it and you can be pointed in the right direction easily.

There were several families on the beach as well and many groups and couples, it was very much a party mood. My contributors are considering going back next year just for this beach as they both feel that it really made their holiday.

Now here's the less enthusiastic version, based on a report from May 2004. "I was at this beach last weekend and it was terrible. People were staring down at the beach all the time. At one point about five 15-16 year old boys got right up to the edge of the cliff and started throwing pebbles on one of the ladies. The ratio of single Greeks to couples is about 50-50." That contributor gave it a rating of just 10%.

A similarly depressing report from a 2005 reporter. OK, so it is the only nude-beach in walking distance of the place where most package tours go to. But my reporter had never seen so many cigarette stubs on a beach before. Also, the beach was very crowded and the people on it made us feel we were not really welcome at "their" beach. About 50% gay and my reporters thought the rest was more there for the swinging lifestyle than for nude sunbathing. In the afternoon you felt like a monkey in the zoo when the locals come to the edge of the cliff to watch the nudes. Even for tourists this now is a nice destination to drive the rental-scooter to for "a look over the bay ....."

And one from June 2006 says the afternoons were busier than the mornings. There was a high number of couples plus often two women and one group of four women. Yes, the single men were either older Greeks or young guys working for the summer. Barefoot reporeters spoke to one Italian guy in his late twenties who would be there until late September. He often sat next to them and they shared drink/food, as they did with a German couple they met last year on the same beach.

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Plaka Nude Beach

2008-08-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

North of Elounda, just after Plaka, before the road turns to left up the mountain, there is a dirt track to the right, following the coastline. After about 600 meters you see a path leading down to the sea. This path is blocked by a little wall, so that's where my reports had to leave their car. They walked down the path and at the end there was a flat surface of limestone with easy access to the sea. Ideal for nude sunbathing and snorkelling. There was only 1 other nude couple there. Great view over Spinalonga (the leper-island).

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Elounda Nude Beach

2008-08-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

My contributor found that if you follow the road around the waters edge and take the causeway across the bridge you come to a narrow rocky road following the road nearly to the end and leaving car if you walk on to the end you come to a small beach with fine sand and gentle slope into sea. The Captain understands this is called Kolokitha Bay. It seemed to be clothes optional quite often but best before 1100 and after 1500 because between these hours the beach is used by pleasure boats from Ag. Nikolaos. You can also swim nude from the rocks along the road to the beach.

A more recent (October 2003) report describes visiting there twice in a one-week holiday and both times the beach was full of textiles. As it is quite small (maybe 30-50 meters wide) nude sunbathing was out of the question. The reason for this might be that the beach is mentioned in all tourist guides and there was a constant traffic to and from the beach. So swimming nude along the road was a bit questionable too. More recent reports suggest that between 2004 and 2005 the number of tourist boats increased markedly, making nude sunbathing out of the question.

One report says that if you turn left when you reach the beach and follow the shoreline for about 200 metres, there is a very small cove (which can not be seen from the bigger beach), maybe just 4-5 meters of sand, which can be used. It can be found easily by looking for a fenced area containing some old ruins. The beach is right next to it. It is so small that it is a matter of who will be the first but in our both visits nude people were there. Also when walking further, some nude people were sunbathing on rocks.

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Northern Crete

2008-08-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

Northern Crete is where you'll find the biggest package holiday resorts. You will also find the best and fastest road on the island which extends practically from one end to the other, right alongside the coast in places. The Captain was therefore interested to receive the following reports about Northern Crete. Despite evidence of some availability of beaches suitable for naturism the Captain still recommends that if you attach high priority to finding naturist beaches during your visit to Crete you head, south, east or west.

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Kethrodassos Nude Beach

2008-08-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

An earlier report gave an indication of how to reach this beach; a visit in October 2005 gave the opportunity - after much trial and error! - to establish exactly how to get there.

About 500m before you reach the first buildings of Elafonissos, there is a small road at your left hand-side. It is a asphalt road for about 5m and then continues unmade. Take the first turning left (greenhouses on the right) and the next left again. After a stone wall on the left, keep going straight on, and then turn right down a narrow pot-holed lane with greenhouses on the left; finally turn left again and you will see a car-parking area ahead (and a rubbish tip). The distance from the main road is 2.5 km. The beach is visible from this point. You go down the path and there you are!

The beach is filled with juniper trees and dunes of sand. (These are the small twisted junipers, commonly mistaken for cedars - you can see them on the West Crete web site here). It covers quite a big area, and is a lovely spot: it must be wonderful for camping. Very nice beach with sand and some rocks. It seems to be protected to some point from the winds that usually blow in Elafonissos. The European path E4 crosses the beach (there are yellow and black signs everywhere), so this is maybe another hint.

Although my earlier contributors visited on a Sunday during August (which means that there were many textile families), nudism was practised (although to a small extent) not only at the beach but also in the wood and no-one bothered. Probably during weekdays or during June or September the situation will be much better. In early October 2005 the place was practically deserted - what a relief after the vast hoards of people invading Elfonissos just down the road! There is a sign at the bottom of the footpath from the parking area, telling those who are fluent in Greek everything about the beach: unfortunately my Greek is only good enough to confirm that I had found the beach I was looking for, and that its name is Kethrodassos.

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Elafonissos Nude Beach

2008-08-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

This as actually a peninsula (sometimes inaccurately described as an island - in fact it is joined to the main beach by rocks) which you can reach by wading across a shallow channel. Lovely pink sand, shallow warm water - it was one correspondent's favourite.

Unfortunately, it seems the textile invasion has arrived. A correspondent from June 1999 saw countless coaches in the car park and reports that you can reach the beach by regular bus connection from Chania. It was completely overcrowded even on a a Tuesday.

But another 1999 correspondent who waded across to the island found lots of places for nude swimming.

The Captain visited in September 1999. It is a great shame that this beautiful natural phenomenon - the sand bank between the mainland and the peninsula - has been ruined by huge numbers of umbrellas and sunbeds. It is an enormous commercial operation. However the island is well worth visiting. Sun parasols are banned there. There are some beautiful little beaches with pink sand and interesting wildfowl. Some people on the island - well away from the sandbank - were sunbathing and swimming naked, but there was a certain furtiveness about it. We grabbed the chance to skinny-dip on a particularly delightful little beach on the island in calm clear water. That was wonderful. But this place as a whole was crowded even in September and the chances of going nude here comfortably in peak season must be much slimmer. If you can get there early, by car, before the tour buses and boats arrive it may be an advantage.

Elafonissos

Correspondents who visited in May 2001 walked almost to the end of the sand dunes on the island and found a few naturists, so decided to join them. There are small pools there between the rocks, they look very shallow but in fact were up to 5ft deep so perfect for my contributor's wife who is a nervous swimmer. They stayed all afternoon and there were a few passers-by but really very few considering the numbers on the nearer part of the island, and absolutely no hassle, they felt quite relaxed there. There are other pleasant stories of contributors managing a day in the nude in this fascinating place, more like the West Indies than the Mediterranean. Early in the season may be an advantage.

Once on the peninsula there is a distinct path which takes you to the far end, an interesting and attractive walk taking about 30 minutes one way. After doing this walk you are near to the best beaches on the South side of peninsula. However, if you want to head straight for the beaches this is not a suitable route. It would be useful if your report stated that there are good beaches all along the South side, ie the left side as you approach, and none on the North side. You need to head off to the left rather than following the main path.

The more distant coves on the South side had small numbers of sunbathers, and almost all nude, and mostly couples. No need to be "reserved" about nudity here. We did not investigate the nearer beaches. There would be no problem getting a cove to yourself if you wish. Good views back towards the main island. Good sand. Good dunes to get lost in naked. Water especially clear, some rocks but not a problem. Maybe not so good for serious swimming, as rocks further out. Must be highly rated just because of its 'lost world' feel.

Some contributors walked along the E4 trail for 100m east of the jetty, and swam from a small stony beach. In this direction too the crowds were out of view and three other people swimming nearby were nude.

Elafonnisos

A report from 2003 says if you go to the last three bays on the left side of the island (a couple on the right side), and you can strip to the bone. Don't worry, nobody seems to take any notice.

Reports from 2004 and 2005 all comment on the crowds and the difficulty of finding a suitable spot. This extends out of season too: one day early in October 2005 there were still many hundreds - if not thousands - of textile visitors, and there were not many spaces left in any of the (quite sizeable) coach and car parks. Such a shame. Even so, right at the very end of the south side of the island - a good 30-minute walk from the mainland - there were two or three small coves where it was possible to join a handful of other naturists. This contributor felt it was worth it to have seen Elafonissos once but, sadly, certainly not worth all the trouble of repeating the experience. But others, including a Barefooter who visited in early July 2006 was impressed by the fantastic pink sand and clear water and would definitely visit again using the more distant coves further away from the tourists. Your very own tropical island!

Barefooters who visited in June 2007 found Elafonissos the highlight of their holiday. They were able to walk out to Elafonissi Island, rather than wade through what would be shallow waters.. Crystal clear water, pink/white sand - The centre of the small Island is sand dunes and beautiful flowers (a protected nature reserve, the Captain understands) and the small sandy coves around the outside are perfect for naked sunbathing! While the majority of visitors were textile, there were perhaps a dozen or more naturists. My repoirters are very determined naturists and are happy to start things off! There were no problems at all, with textiles and naturists side by side - well, almost! Tranquil, beautiful, a truly memorable place. However the mountain road from Fallasarna was very difficult (low cloud), so be sure to take the more inland road.

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Krios Nude Beach

2008-08-09T07:27:00.001-07:00

A correspondent in the summer of 2004 recommends this beach. which is 8 km to the west of Grammeno, on an asphalt road., well signposted. The western part, he say, is perfect for nudism: small pebbles, clean sea. There are also caves and green valleys above the beach which can be visited nude - again perfect!

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Krios Nude Beach

2008-08-09T07:27:00.000-07:00