More than 120 naturists shed their clothes for the 13th annual “Nude Cruise,” a three-hour trip along the River Exe estuary in Devon celebrating body freedom and naturism.
Organised by Bare West Events, the cruise has been a fixture since 2012, with passengers of all ages mingling, dancing, and enjoying the voyage without a stitch of clothing.

Organiser Rachel Wick, 50, told The Sun that the event was about breaking misconceptions.
“It’s really sad that a large percentage of the population equate being naked only with sex – it’s not,
“If somebody misbehaves, they will be on our banned list. Not that it’s ever happened, but we’re always mindful that this has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven’t got your clothes on.”
She added that naturism breaks down social barriers: “One of the things I love about it is you can’t tell from looking at all of us whether we are rich or poor, working or retired. When you can’t judge people’s status, we’re all on a level.”
Her partner, Nigel, said businesses are always willing to host nude events, with venues happy to welcome the so-called “buff pound.”
He said: “The nudist world is a real mix of people, from prison officers to barristers and doctors. It is the sense of freedom and being relaxed in your own body that draws people in. It’s a very friendly environment.”
On board, guests enjoyed a disco, raffle, and bar, with some passengers using pouches to carry cash and phones.
The £22 ticket included a hot pasty, while passing pleasure boats cheered on the sight of the unclothed party.
For some attendees, however, participation in such events remains private.
Dee, from Plymouth, admitted: “My employer and child would be shocked if they knew I was doing this. For some reason, a lot of people associate what we do with swinging but it doesn’t mean that. It’s just people wanting to take their clothes off and enjoying the freedom, nothing else.”
Naturists Mark Carroll and Claire Stone said attitudes are slowly shifting.
Stone, on her first community naturist event, said: “I love it. I do a lot of naturist beaches but this is the first time I have done a community event. Times are changing – it’s becoming more popular but the younger generation are still quite prudish.”
Kevin Little, 61, who has practiced naturism since 1997, highlighted the benefits of living clothes-free.
“It’s quite addictive. I love being on a beach and just connecting with nature,” he said. “A lot of people tell me: ‘I wish I could do that’… Well, you can. But people are very body conscious, although nobody cares.”
His wife Tanis added that younger people are slowly becoming more involved, with their son encouraging friends to try naturist activities.
One of the few younger passengers, 39-year-old marketing professional Martin Niebroj, said: “I really like the social part of it. Technically it’s not illegal to be naked in public in Britain, but it always causes a lot of interest. I feel people who are naturists should be allowed to express themselves and should have a space to do it. Events like this allow that.”
While a YouGov poll suggests 59% of Britons feel uncomfortable with public nudity, naturists argue such events are helping to challenge stigma.
An Ipsos survey previously found that 14% of people in the UK identify as naturists or nudists.
After three hours of sailing, music, and mingling, the cruise returned to dock, with passengers reluctantly reaching for their clothes once more.
Ocean-Faring Nude Cruises
While Devon’s annual nude boat trip is a distinctly local affair, naturist cruising has also gone global, with major ocean itineraries dedicated to those who prefer life without clothes.
A Reddit discussion from a passenger on one of the world’s most popular nude cruises offered an insight into what these voyages are really like.
Unlike the nude boat trip, not everyone onboard a nudism ocean cruise is a paying guest; some operators invite professional models to join the sailing to help balance the demographics.
The majority of passengers tend to be older, typically between 50 and 70, though younger naturists are also part of the mix. Age differences, however, quickly become irrelevant once everyone is sharing the same sense of freedom.

The cruises are also popular with gay men, and while the atmosphere is friendly and inclusive, organisers are quick to stress that nudism is not sexual – just as with this smaller cruise.
Behaviour on board is expected to remain respectful at all times. Hygiene is a priority too, with towels provided throughout the ship and guests expected to sit on them whenever they use public seating.
Practical considerations also come into play. Shoes or sandals are required when moving around the decks for safety reasons, while sunscreen becomes essential given that every inch of skin is exposed to the sun. Clothing is generally optional in most parts of the ship, including bars and lounges, though formal restaurants do require guests to dress.
Excursions often extend the naturist experience, with nude beaches and resorts forming part of the itinerary.
Crew members, meanwhile, remain clothed, though staff are given the choice of whether to work on a nudist voyage. Perhaps most importantly, the cruises are open to everyone, regardless of body shape, size or age, with passengers consistently describing them as welcoming and relaxed.
For many naturists, these ocean-going holidays offer the same appeal as the River Exe cruise – a chance to unwind, meet like-minded people, and enjoy the freedom of life without clothes.
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