The £22 Nude Cruise With Free Food!

The River Exe estuary played host to a very unusual sight as more than 120 naturists cast off their clothes for the 13th annual “Nude Cruise,” a three-hour trip celebrating the freedom of body-positive living.

The event, run by Bare West Events, has become a regular fixture since it launched in 2012. Passengers, ranging from pensioners to professionals, enjoyed drinks, dancing, and raffles on board while passing boats cheered – and in some cases, joined in by stripping off themselves.

Organiser Rachel Wick, 50, who has coordinated the cruise with her partner Nigel for over a decade, said to The Sun: “It’s really sad that a large percentage of the population equate being naked only with sex – it’s not. If they came to our event, they would see it’s clearly not what it’s about.”

She emphasised the importance of safety: “If somebody misbehaves, they will be on our banned list. Not that it’s ever happened, but we’re always mindful this has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven’t got your clothes on.”

Wick added that naturism also strips away social divisions: “When you can’t judge people’s status, we’re all on a level. People think you have to be beautiful, but we’re all normal people of different shapes and sizes.”

Nigel highlighted the broad mix of attendees, noting that venues are happy to accommodate the “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.”

On the lower deck, a disco got underway, while upstairs others chatted and bought raffle tickets. The £22 ticket included a hot pasty, though some passengers joked about the risks of spillages.

Not everyone feels comfortable being open about attending.

Dee, from Plymouth, said: “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.”

Others said they were keen to see more people join the movement. Claire Stone, who was attending her first group 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.”

Her partner, lifelong naturist Mark Carroll, agreed: “People are more relaxed than they were, our generation is more comfortable with it all. The more people hear about it, the more they want to get involved.”

For Kevin Little, 61, naturism is both liberating and practical. “It’s quite addictive,” he said. “When we go on holiday, we can get on a flight with no luggage – we can take a little rucksack for a month. 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 their son often encourages his peers to join in, hoping to bring younger people into the community.

One of the younger passengers on board, 39-year-old Exeter marketing worker Martin Niebroj, praised the sense of freedom. “Technically it’s not illegal to be naked in public in Britain, but it always causes a lot of interest,” he said. “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.”

Despite polls showing that a majority of Britons remain uncomfortable with nudity, naturists argue events like the cruise demonstrate the harmless, communal side of the lifestyle.

After three hours on the water, the ship finally docked – with some passengers dressing reluctantly, already looking forward to next year’s voyage.

From River Estuaries to Ocean Voyages: The Rise of Nude Cruising

The River Exe cruise may have been a small local gathering, but it reflects a much larger movement. Entire cruise ships now set sail with naturism at the heart of the experience, drawing passengers from around the world who want to enjoy life at sea without clothes.

Travellers who have shared their stories online often describe these voyages as remarkably normal, despite the lack of swimwear or formal evening wear.

There are some practicalities, of course: footwear is required when walking around the decks, and towels are placed everywhere to ensure hygiene. Sun protection is another constant concern, with many naturists joking that sunscreen is the most important item they pack.

The atmosphere is generally relaxed and non-judgmental. Most guests are older, often between 50 and 70, though younger naturists and even a few hired models join to provide balance.

The cruises have also proved especially popular with gay men, though the spirit onboard is one of inclusivity and respect, rather than anything sexualised. Organisers are clear that nudism is not about swinging or propositioning, but about comfort, freedom and body positivity.

Nudity is permitted in almost all areas of the ship, from pool decks to lounges, though many passengers put clothes back on for formal dining venues in the evenings.

Once the ship is at sea, guests can shed their clothes freely, and some itineraries even offer nude excursions to private beaches and resorts. Crew members remain clothed, but participation is voluntary for them, and most describe the atmosphere as friendly and professional.

For those who take part, the biggest surprise is how ordinary the experience feels. Stripped of clothing, people of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds mix together with little thought to appearance or status.

What remains is a sense of community – the same spirit seen on Devon’s nude cruise, only expanded to the scale of an ocean voyage.