Places To Go

Alabama – Green: Public nudity is illegal, but topless freedom is in place when practiced without the

intention of offending others, and there are multiple nudist campgrounds and retreats.

Alaska –Green: Public nudity is illegal, but topless freedom is in place when practiced without the intention of offending others. Nude hiking in this secluded state has risen in popularity in recent years.

Arizona - Green: It’s technically illegal to be nude in public in Arizona, but there are a number of naturist resorts and hot springs which allow nakedness.

Arkansas – Green: It’s illegal to be naked in public in Arkansas, but you’re free to go topless and nudity is ok in same-sex situations only.

California – Green: California state law allows nudity when the intention is not to offend, while each municipality has their own rules, there are multiple beaches where topless sunbathing is popular.

Colorado – Green: Whilst public nudity is a no in Colorado, toplessness is legal after a district judge ruled that any ordinances banning females from going topless would violate rights due to gender-based discrimination.

Connecticut – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others. The state has a few different naturist resorts and campgrounds for private members.

Delaware – Amber: Public nudity laws make going topless illegal, but the rules are ambiguous as they don’t specify whether topless sunbathing would be considered “offensive”.

Florida – Amber: Courts in Florida have disputed whether female toplessness should be included in public indecency laws and as such the rules vary between municipalities. There are however a number of places where topless sunbathing is tolerated and a few official spots throughout the state too.

Georgia - Green: Public nudity is illegal but topless freedom is in place when practiced without the intention of offending others, and there’s a number of resorts and clubs for naturists.

Hawaii – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others, and there are a number of beaches where topless sunbathing is popular.

Idaho - Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but there’s nothing in Idaho’s legislation that makes going topless illegal for women. State law doesn’t prohibit toplessness but certain municipalities do have local laws against it.

Illinois – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but the state laws do not specify if topless sunbathing would be considered lewd or offensive, and multiple nudist clubs and resorts exist.

Indiana – Red: While there are a number of private naturist resorts and clubs, public nudity and toplessness is illegal in Indiana, even if the intent is not to offend.

Iowa - Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others, and a couple of clothing-optional resorts exist in Iowa.

Kansas – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but toplessness is completely legal through the state of Kansas.

Kentucky – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others and there are a few naturist societies.

Louisiana – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others, and there are a few clothing option B&B’s and nudist parks.

Maine – Green: Public indecency laws are in place to prevent full nudity, but state law allows all women can go topless.

Maryland – Amber: The laws are unclear regarding toplessness, however a popular beach in Baltimore has banned females from going topless and a federal judge upheld the ban in 2020.

Massachusetts – Amber: The laws are ambiguous as to whether they prevent full nudity or going topless, but multiple requests for segregated, official topless beaches have been denied by the council.

Michigan - Green: Topless sunbathing was illegal until as recently as 2020 but women can now go topless as they please.

Minnesota – Green: Topless sunbathing was illegal until as recently as 2020 but women can now go topless as they please.

Mississippi – Amber: The laws are ambiguous in Mississippi as they don’t specify which parts of the body are indecent nor whether it relates to the intent to offend or if sunbathing discretely would be considered offensive.

Missouri - Green: Missouri courts have upheld bans that prevent women from going topless, but there are multiple campgrounds, clubs and naturist societies where people go topless.

Montana – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others.

Nebraska – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others. Some cities have their own rules prohibiting toplessness but it’s not illegal according to state laws

Nevada – Amber: Public indecency laws in Nevada prohibit any kind of nudity, but there are several clothing optional sites throughout the state.

New Hampshire - Green: Though New Hampshire proposed a bill that would make toplessness illegal, it was defeated on the basis that it would discriminate against women.

New Jersey – Amber: In New Jersey every municipality can make their own rules, but the general law is ambiguous, stating that any act that could be considered offensive is illegal, without specifying what kind of nudity it alludes to.

New Mexico – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but as of September 2019 toplessness was made legal throughout the state.

New York - Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but toplessness is legal throughout the state as of a ruling in 1992.

North Carolina – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others and a few nudist resorts exist.

North Dakota – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others.

Ohio - Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others as courts ruled that women going topless isn’t equivalent to full nudity.

Oklahoma – Amber: The laws in Oklahoma are ambiguous. Although it was ruled that women must be treated equally to men, the attorney general has claimed that this doesn’t apply to topless laws until their supreme court has come to the same conclusion.

Oregon - Green: Some parts of Oregon have laws against public nudity but in general it’s legal as long as it’s not to offend or for commercial purposes, meaning that going topless is legal throughout the state.

Pennsylvania – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others, and there are multiple naturist campgrounds, clubs and lodges.

Rhode Island – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others.

South Carolina – Red: The laws in South Carolina make it illegal to expose any part of your body in public. South Dakota - Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced

without the intention of offending others.

Tennessee – Red: Public nudity and toplessness is illegal in Tennessee, even when the intent is not to offend.

Texas – Amber: Topless women have been charged with public nuisance offences in Texas, however the state’s Equal Rights Amendment has been used by many to dispute the charges. There are also multiple naturist resorts and societies.

Utah – Red: Public nudity is illegal and taken very seriously in Utah and toplessness is illegal. Vermont – Green: Public nudity is allowed throughout the state of Vermont, with different cities enacting

their own rules whereby it is prohibited only in certain locations.

Virginia - Amber: The laws are ambiguous in Virginia as they don’t specify whether or not it has to be intended to offend, but multiple people have been arrested in previous years for indecent exposure when topless in public.

Washington – Amber: Public nudity is not illegal but naturists and people going topless can be charged with indecent exposure if they’re considered to be offending other members of the public.

West Virginia – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others.

Wisconsin – Green: Public indecency laws are in place, but topless freedom is allowed when practiced without the intention of offending others.

Wyoming - Green: As of September 2019, toplessness is legal throughout the state of Wyoming.

To find out the rules in other countries around the world, including the UK, Australia, Canada, China and

more check out our Global Guide to Sunbathing Nude or Topless.

Which USA States Love Nude Sunbathing the Most?

We also found out which places across America are the most interested in nudist sunbathing, by looking at the number of Google searches that each state has made over the last 12 months for the three most popular nudist phrases:

Nudist beaches Nudist resorts Sunbathe nude

We cross-referenced the number of Google searches with each country’s population size to find where in the world is most obsessed with sunbathing nude.

The study revealed the top 10 countries who are (per person) most interested in spending time in the sun naked are:

Wyoming Vermont Alaska North Dakota South Dakota Delaware Rhode Island Montana Maine New Hampshire

Data from Google Keyword Planner.

*All information is based on online research from the following sources. Always check with officials about local sunbathing laws and etiquettes.

AFRICA

Egypt – Amber: Although many travel threads say that topless sunbathing at the beach or pool is fine, many believe it’s culturally insensitive due to Egypt’s Muslim population.

Cameroon – Amber: There are laws against public nudity that’s intended to offend – for sunbathing purposes the rules are ambiguous.

Ethiopia – Amber: Public nudity is the cultural norm for some tribes, however for tourists the attitudes towards naked sunbathing are mixed.

Kenya – Red: Topless sunbathing is illegal

Madagascar – Red: Public nudity, including topless sunbathing is illegal.

Mauritius – Green: Whilst full nudity is prohibited on this exotic island, topless beach sunbathing is generally accepted.

Morocco – Red: Topless or nude sunbathing is not permitted. Mozambique – Red: Topless or nude sunbathing is not permitted.

Namibia – Amber: Generally not deemed socially acceptable in any form, but there are private nudist resorts.

Seychelles – Amber: Nudity is illegal, but partial/naked sunbathing is allowed on some unofficial beaches and private hotel beaches.

Tanzania – Red: It’s advised to avoid topless or nude sunbathing.

Tunisia – Amber: Deemed OK in private hotels and resorts, but generally not acceptable at public beaches

or parks.

South Africa – Amber: Amber: Public nudity is illegal, however there is an official nudist beach in Cape Town called Sandy Bay.

Other African countries: Not enough classification information available

NORTH AMERICA

Antigua and Barbuda – Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless in public.

Bahamas – Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless in public.

Canada – Green: Whilst topless sunbathing is generally unacceptable, there are multiple official designated nudist beaches and areas.

Costa Rica – Amber: Public nudity is technically illegal, but there are unofficial naturist resorts and beaches.

Cuba – Amber: Forums say that although public nudity is banned, topless sunbathing is generally tolerated. Grenada – Red: Nude sunbathing is prohibited.

Honduras – Amber: Generally it’s a no for any kind of naked sunbathing, but there is at least one naturist resort.

Jamaica – Amber: Topless sunbathing is pretty common but technically it’s illegal to be naked in public. Mexico – Amber: Technically illegal to perform sunbathing topless, but a couple of nudist beaches exist.

Panama – Amber: Generally frowned upon but there are some safe nudist beaches such as La Sueca Nudist Beach.

Saint Kitts and Nevis – Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless in public.

Saint Lucia – Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless in public.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Topless sunbathing strongly discouraged. Trinidad & Tobago – Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless in public.

USA – Amber: For 32 states you shouldn’t have any legal worries about nude sunbathing, however it isn’t allowed in Utah, Indiana or Tennesse, and is ambiguous in the remaining states.

 Check out our USA Nude Sunbathing Guide below.

Other North American countries: Not enough classification information available

 SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina – Green: Nude beaches exist. There is some controversy around topless sunbathing. Protests were held in 2017, as women appealed for the same bare-top rights on the beach, with a judge ruling that it wasn’t a crime for women to sunbathe topless. Proceed cautiously.

Brazil – Green: Generally illegal but there are dedicated nudist beaches around the country. Chile – Amber: One nudist beach on the entire coastline, and laws are ambiguous.

Colombia – Amber: Illegal and can result in fines if done in the wrong location, however nudist beaches are available.

Ecuador – Amber: It doesn’t seem to be illegal and nude beaches exists, but forums say it’s frowned upon. Peru – Amber: Topless and nude sunbathing isn’t tolerated, but nudist associations exist. Uruguay – Green: Generally topless sunbathing is allowed and nude beaches exist.

Other South American countries: Not enough classification information available

Asia

Bahrain – Red: All public nudity is illegal.

Bangladesh – Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless in public.

Cambodia – Amber: Generally illegal, but one nude beach listed in Koh Rong Samloem.

China – Red: There have been reports of police cracking down on naked sunbathing in places that were once considered nudist beaches. Hong Kong has a number of unofficial places, and in Taiwan it’s illegal but does occur.

India – Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless or nude. Some private organizations allow it for members only. Indonesia – Amber: Technically illegal but there are multiple unofficial nudist beaches and private naturist

resorts.

Iran – Amber: Technically illegal for women to show their bodies in public, but Kish island is a popular place for females only to go nude.

Israel – Green: Although not very common, it’s not actually illegal to sunbathe topless and nude beaches exist.

Japan – Green: Although there aren’t many nudist beaches, onsens (hot water springs) are usually attended in the nude.

Kuwait – Red: Illegal to sunbathe naked or topless, even wearing a bikini unacceptable in public.

Kyrgyzstan – Amber: Has a nude beach according to Wikipedia, although limited info.

Malaysia – Red: Both nude and topless sunbathing is illegal.

Maldives – Red: Both nude and topless sunbathing is illegal.

Nepal – Red: Technically not illegal, but culturally unacceptable.

Oman – Red: Topless and nude sunbathing is not permitted.

Philippines – Red: Both nude and topless sunbathing is illegal.

Quatar – Red: Topless and nude sunbathing are both strictly prohibited.

Saudi Arabia – Red: All public nudity is illegal.

Singapore – Red: Illegal to be nude in public and topless sunbathing is prohibited.

South Korea – Green: There are designated nude spots, naked forest bathing and nude beaches on Jeju Island.

Sri Lanka – Red: It’s illegal to go topless or nude when sunbathing publicly. Taiwan – Red: Both nude and topless sunbathing is illegal.

Thailand – Green: Multiple official nude beaches but you can only topless sunbathe in official designated areas.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Red: Illegal to sunbathe topless or go nude.

Vietnam – Green: Although the laws are ambiguous, topless and naked sunbathing is becoming more

popular and acceptable, with some official nudist beaches. Other Asian countries: Not enough classification information available

Europe

Albania – Red: All public nudity is illegal.

Austria – Green: Completely legal and very common to see topless or nude tanning.

Belarus – Red: Public nudity of any kind is illegal.

Belgium – Green: Topless sunbathing is fine, but bottoms halves need to stay on, except for one nudist beach.

Bulgaria – Green: Boasts a nice selection of nudist beaches.

Croatia – Green: Topless and nude sunbathing is legal and practiced pretty much everywhere.

Cyrus – Amber: Public nudity is illegal, however police are known to ‘turn a blind eye’ to unofficial nudist beaches.

Czech Republic – Green: Topless sunbathing is allowed in public.

Denmark – Green: Public nude sunbathing and topless sunbathing are both legal and common to see.

Estonia – Green: Both official and unofficial nudist beaches.

Finland – Amber: Not illegal but people have been removed from beaches for topless sunbathing, despite nudity in saunas being acceptable.

France – Green: Common and acceptable to sunbathe topless, and a large selection of nudist beaches.

Germany – Green: Plenty of nudist beaches and park – topless sunbathing acceptable and common.

Greece – Green: Topless sunbathing is legal and common.

Hungary – Green: Nude beaches are quite common and not illegal to sunbathe naked.

Iceland – Green: Not very common but perfectly legal.

Italy – Green: Not illegal to sunbathe topless, plenty of designated areas for naked sunbathing and dedicated nudist beaches.

Latvia – Green: Topless tanning is totally acceptable, and there are multiple nudist beaches.

Lithuania – Green: Technically illegal but there is a selection of official and unofficial nudist beaches.

Luxembourg – Green: Still a relatively new concept, but there are official nudist beaches.

Malta – Red: Both nude and topless sunbathing is illegal.

Monaco – Amber: Not common, but some naturist associations use unofficial beaches.

Montenegro – Green: Legal specific areas for both nude and topless sunbathing.

Netherlands – Green: Topless sunbathing is common and allowed in designated areas.

Norway – Green: There have been reports of some problems for topless sunbathers, but there are some nudist beaches.

Poland – Amber: Topless sunbathing is legal and common.

Portugal – Green: Not common but it’s legal to sunbathe naked.

Romania – Amber: Top less sunbathing is generally permitted, but there are no official nudist beaches.

Russia – Red: Topless and nude sunbathing is strictly prohibited.

Serbia – Green: There are several nudist beaches.

Slovakia – Green: Nudist societies and official nudist beaches exist.

Slovenia – Green: Common to see topless sunbathing and there is a selection of nudist beaches.

Spain – Green: Legal to sunbathe naked or topless and it’s a fairly common sight.

Sweden – Green: Recent law passed making it legal to be naked in public so that people can sunbathe topless. Official nudist beaches exist.

Switzerland – Green: Legal to sunbathe topless, and there is also lots of naked hiking!

Turkey – Amber: Technically illegal to do, but it’s common to see tourists sunbathing topless. There are no

official nudist beaches.

Ukraine – Green: Has a selection of nudist beaches.

United Kingdom – Green: Topless sunbathing is completely legal and nudist beaches exist. Other European countries: Not enough classification information available

AUSTRALIA & OCEANIA

Australia – Green: Topless sunbathing is legal and there are plenty of specific beaches for full nudity. New Zealand – Amber: Not illegal but there are preferred designated areas for naked sunbathing. Fiji – Red: Illegal to be topless or nude

Vanuatu – Red: Nude or topless sunbathing isn't permitted.

Samoa – Red: Both nudity and topless sunbathing is forbidden.

Other countries in Oceania: Not enough classification information available.

Which Countries Love Nude Sunbathing the Most?

We also found out which places across the world are the most interested in nudist sunbathing, by looking at the number of Google searches that the population of countries made over the last 12 months for the three most popular nudist phrases:

Nudist beaches Nudist resorts Sunbathe nude

We cross-referenced the number of Google searches with each country’s population size to find where in the world is most obsessed with sunbathing nude.

The study revealed the top 15 countries who are (per person) most interested in spending time in the sun naked are:

Australia New Zealand Ireland USA Canada Netherlands UK Japan Spain Hungary Chile Argentina Brazil Uruguay Israel

Data from Google Keyword Planner.

*All information is based on online research from the following sources. Always check with officials about local sunbathing laws and etiquettes.