Exhibitionist Life: Five Canadian Beaches to Bare All

• Naturist Tourism is a multimillion dollar a year industry
• "Naturism promotes wholesomeness and stability of the human body, mind, and spirit." – FCN (Federation of Canadian Naturists)
• Keep an open mind and pack extra sunscreen!

TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - With summer in full swing, there is nothing cooler than hitting the beach to catch some rays, swim and feel the sand between your toes…and elsewhere if you're one of the several hundred of thousands naturists looking to shed the swimsuit this summer.

Quickly becoming one of the fastest growing travel trends in Canada, "nakationing" is a multimillion dollar industry. Although often thought to be a lascivious practice for those looking to spice up their love life, most nude beaches aren't lewd at all. In fact, these beaches are usually patrolled for rowdy or unsavoury behaviour. Because of this, clothing optional beaches tend to be quieter, more peaceful and even family friendly. Comfort is another benefit to a clothing optional beach, where disrobing can make even the most self-conscious individuals forget their insecurities and enjoy the experience, naturally.

The travel experts at Hotels.com have got the skinny on their Top Five Clothing-Optional Beaches in Canada for those feeling a little cheeky:

1. Wreck Beach in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, British Columbia, is the second largest clothing optional beach in North America spanning 7.8 km. Due to its close proximity to UBC College and downtown Vancouver, the beach is easily accessible making it a snap to find a great hotel like the Fairmount Vancouver Airport to stay at. Popular amongst naturists and tourists from countries around the world, the beach brings in over $60 million in tourist revenue annually¹.
2. Hanlan's Point Beach is on Toronto Island and a quiet oasis away from the big city. Near downtown Toronto, the Billy Bishop airport and four star hotels like Radisson Admiral Hotel Toronto Harbourfront, Hanlan's Point Beach welcomes Torontonians from all walks of life and is the perfect place to experiment with something new.
3. Oka Park is but a stone's throw away from Montréal and home to one of Quebec's most popular clothing optional beaches. A favourite among couples and singles, this beach is often referred to as "Okapulco". The 12^th Canadian Naturist Festival FQN/FCN will also be meeting at this beach on August 6^th for a day of celebrations. Tip: If you plan on spending the day be sure to pack a beach bag and snacks as there are no services offered on this side of the beach.
4. Crystal Crescent Beach in Nova Scotia offers breathtaking scenery of white sand and crystal clear, turquoise water that will make you feel as though you've travelled to the tropics. Despite being a popular destination for visitors from nearby Halifax, Crystal Crescent is a serene and peaceful place to spend the day. Visitors can stay at the top rated Coastal Inn Halifax.
5. Beechgrove (a.k.a. East Point Park) in Scarborough, Ontario, is easily accessible by car or public transportation. Although an unofficial nude beach, it's long and secluded and full of friendly faces during the day and partygoers at night. If you'd rather sleep in a bed over the beach, the Delta Toronto East is a top rated hotel nearby.

So you've never been to a clothing optional beach? Don't worry, there's a first time for everything. If you're planning to take the nudist plunge, we've got a few tips to help you through the process:

• Keep an open mind; both about yourself and others.
• Pack a beach bag; many clothing-optional beaches do not have the same services as so-called "textile" beaches so pack a picnic, blankets and toys to stay entertained.
• Be careful where you disrobe; many clothing optional beaches are stretches of sand near textile beaches. Make sure you are safely in the confines of a naturist beach before ditching the duds.
• Don't forget the sunscreen – there's more of you to cover.
• Take even more off by signing up for Hotels.com Rewards and Secret Prices. You'll earn free nights and save up to 50% off.

As Captain Obvious puts it: "we don't judge your life choices", trying something new is a great way to discover yourself. If you are feeling adventurous, there are many international options for naturist resorts. Be sure to read the guest reviews to get a firsthand look at what to expect from these resorts.

Have a favourite naturist beach in mind? Tell us about it using #FreeBeach.

About Hotels.com
Hotels.com, L.P. operates Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca), a leading online accommodation booking website with properties ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favorites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals.

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¹ http://www.wreckbeach.org/

SOURCE Hotels.com

Image with caption: "We're not quite as liberal as Europe, but Canada has its own selection of top-rated clothing-optional beaches to choose from (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150804_C3624_PHOTO_EN_470497.jpg

Press contacts: Lauren Wasley, energiPR for Hotels.com, Phone: [phone] x 19, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @energiPR ; Taylor L. Cole, APR, Hotels.com North America, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected], Twitter: @TravelwithTLC