Well, it is right on the water. But - and it's a huge but - one must don a swimsuit to enter the water, and then they can remove it after returning to their chair. Huh??

"But then I think about the good times, down in the Caribbean sunshine..." (J.B.)

Edited to add that I have seen it in years past, just not this year. Glad it was there in April!

I didn't notice it being there in February on my morning walks. I certainly could have missed it though. I'm usually looking at the water.

The Simpsons

last year when we were there, there was a small area reserved for nude use. as you face the water, it is to the left of the restaurant. it was marked off from the rest of the chairs by a rope in the sand. and it had limited use. the "beach boy" can reserve chairs for you each day, assuming the area is still in use for nude sunning. i tipped him and asked him to save a chair for the week i was there. it was ready each morning when i came out. as the previous poster stated, one does have to put on a suit (well, women need only put on a bottom) to enter the water from the chairs.

In April i did see a small area behind some short dividers that stated it was a nude area, but it faced right out at the ocean. Nude and non nude area were feet apart.

Life's a beach!

We walked the beach 10 mornings in a row and can't swear it was set up every day as i'm usually looking at something else also! LOL

Life's a beach!

If it is there at all, it is between a small piece of fence and the large rocks. It has had very limited use. You will probably be there by yourself.

That's where it is. We was never down there during the day to observe the use. We only do the early morning walks.

Life's a beach!

Just got back and while I did see the small divider near the rocks (during the morning walk), I never saw anyone using it during the day. We didn't walk that far everyday in the afternoon, but on the few we did, no one was there.

Thanks for all of the feedback and recommendations. Only 17 more days and we'll be there. Our last trip 13 years ago was in February. I think it will be less crowded in July, and a lot of the posts portray a higher percentage of visitors opting to go without their suits...the more the merrier. I know we've already got our beach 'outfits' picked!

13 Years ago was right before the crackdown on nudes outside of Club O. Don't expect to be able to walk the entire beach nude much after 8AM any more.

bc, sorry to about the crackdown but thanks for the notice. Between Coco's nude section, privacy of the pool at our villa (Esmeralda) and a visit to CO as a guest, we'll find a way to enjoy the sun. BTW, what should be know about visiting the CO beach for the day? Cost to rent 2 lounges and an umbrella? Do they provide towels, or should we bring our own? Showers and toilets available? How about drink and food service? Any other good tips?

If going nude on the beach is important to you and you are staying at Esmeralda you are going to be sadly disappointed. You will not be able to walk to the water, walk around or use the nude section on weekends and holidays. Many of us who previously stayed at Esmeralda left and are now regulars at Club Orient. Nudity is never a problem where is was at Esmeralda. We are treated better, can bring our own refreshments to the beach and are not subject to the restrictions imposed by Sophie at Coco.

We always stay at the Es and have since the before the Coco nude section became restrictive. Still love it but since then we spend the day at the CO section of the beach. It works really well for us. To answer your questions: Yes, bring your Es beach towels. Aqua Sports at CO offers a weekly rate for 2 chairs, umbrella and parking for $120. No beach boys like Coco but the Perch offers great drinks and a lunch menu (burgers, hot dog, pizza, not too bad but we prefer to walk to Sun Clubber, Coco, La Playa - can't go wrong anywhere on the beach). If you get to CO before 1000 your likely to get a good spot. Enjoy.

SMXFAN12: thanks for the positive insight and advise. It sounds like there is a great business oppurutnity for someone to open a high end hotel/resort that allows for clothing optional at the pools and beach. Today the best plan sounds like staying out the Esmeralda, beach day at CO, lunch just about anywhere on the beach then a little skinny dipping at the pool before cleaning up for cocktails and dinner. Repeat daily.

If you have not gone on the clothing optional cruise with Paul fro captain Allenstein, I would recommend signing up. We are signed up for the 18th. We would love to have you join us.