Martinique

Leaving from Martinique on a schooner cruise next year, might possibly arrive early or stay over, suggestions as to a resort close to the port/major city that allows au-naturel sunbathing?

I don't know about au naturel, but look at the Ste. Anne area. There is a Club Med there and beautiful beach, restaurants,etc.

Thanks much!

I agree that the physical geography of the St. Anne area is quite beautiful, but a caveat for anyone who recalls Club Med- Les Boucainers from the days of white and orange beads and the quasi nude beach at the far end of the resort. Club Med for quite a few years has sanitized its image from an Anglo-French frat party to a mainstream resort that largely caters to French citizens. When we visited it last the only vestiges from the 1980s were the icon turret building and the playing of Ottawan's "Hands Up."

While topless beaches are nearly universal on French soil, if au natural beaches are a priority you will be disappointed in both Martinique and Guadeloupe.

There is a lovely trail along the coast from Ste. Anne around to the beautiful Grande Anse beach. There are several small beaches and coves along the way. When we were there in May, there were some naturists that no one seemed to mind. They were on a stretch of beach by themselves but close enough to the walking trail that no one could miss seeing them. It certainly seemed a non issue to us. If you want to be au naturel at a beach with snack bars, life guards, facilities, etc that would likely be a different story.