Hot, Naked, and Not Dying: Your Heatwave Survival Guide

Nick got sunburned the other day. Before you start feeling sorry, wait until you hear where it happened… In the Netherlands. We’ve travelled to some of the hottest spots in the world, places like Bali and Thailand, where the equator is so close that you can almost touch it. We were in Mexico and Brazil. We’ve once been naked on an island in Australia for three days. But no, the sun hit us right in our backyard.

That’s not really a surprise though. Because we’re exposed to the sun so much, we are pretty careful with our health. And it’s always the places that you least expect that will manage to get you. Like a heatwave in the Netherlands, with the result that for the next days, Nick was forced to be Donald Ducking on nude beaches in an almost 40°C heat. It was an awkward sight, that much is sure. So if you want to avoid this, here are some tips.

It’s not that we didn’t see enough examples. After travelling to clothes-free places for more than 8 years, we’ve seen a lot. We’ve seen butts burned so badly that they must have been impossible to sit on for days. We’ve seen men with what can best be defined as a red pepper between their legs. We’ve seen people so drunk in the sun that we could already feel the headache that was waiting for them the day after. Oh, and we once saw someone sit down on a metal lounge chair that had been in the sun for most of the afternoon. That was surely the last time she forgot to sit on a towel.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, especially during peak naturist travel season. But here’s the thing: you absolutely can enjoy naked adventures safely, even when Mother Nature decides to crank up the thermostat. It just takes a few smart moves and the willingness to admit that sometimes, even die-hard naked travellers need a little protection.

Let’s start with the obvious: drink water like it’s your job. And we’re not talking about those tiny plastic bottles that disappear in two sips. We’re talking serious hydration, the kind where “when nature calls” feels like you’re being stalked.

But hey, you’re on holiday, why would you bother drinking water when there are beers and cocktails available? Trust us, we’ve learned this lesson a few times already and can’t say for sure that it will never happen again. Even though beers are 90% water, it’s not the same. And while hangovers can be bad at any given time, they are the absolute worst during a heatwave, especially when you’re camping.

The golden rule: For every cocktail, drink two glasses of water. Your electrolytes matter more than your Instagram-worthy beach drinks. Also watch for the warning signs: dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, or that general feeling like your brain is wrapped in cotton. We know it feels less fun, but your kidneys will thank you, and so will everyone who doesn’t have to carry your dehydrated self back to the room.

Although we spend a lot of time outdoors in great weather and you see us in our videos visiting one nude beach after another, what you don’t see is that we actually spend a lot of time in the shade. It’s not ideal to maintain a tan, but it’s one of the best ways to keep us safe (and alive).

Whether it’s palm trees swaying over that gorgeous beach in the Canaries, rocky cliffs casting shadows on the French coast, or a simple canvas umbrella, shade isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential. Your shoulders, the tops of your feet, and definitely those areas that usually live in permanent darkness all need a break from the sun at one point or another.

Don’t be the person who spends the entire day turning slowly like a rotisserie chicken. Even the most dedicated sun worshippers need to duck under a parasol occasionally. Your future self, currently applying aloe vera to places you forgot existed, will thank you.

It’s also not just about burning your skin, direct sun can also give you headaches or hurt your eyes. Hats and sunglasses aren’t just for looking cool, they prevent you from squinting like you’re solving complex math problems all day or having to retire to a dark, silent room by the late afternoon.

The human body is basically a walking oven in extreme heat, so you need to find ways to hit the reset button regularly. Quick dips in the sea, pool, lake, or even a cold shower work wonders. Don’t just splash around, actually submerge yourself and let the water do its magic. Here’s where skinny dipping is a huge benefit, your whole body will cool down immediately and equally.

When water isn’t available, get creative. Cold compresses on your neck, wrists, or the tops of your feet can provide instant relief. These are your body’s natural cooling zones, where blood vessels are close to the surface. It’s like having a personal air conditioning system.

You know, southern European countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece didn’t invent the siesta because they are lazy. It’s because the sun during those hours could power a small city. Use this time for indoor activities, naps, or exploring air-conditioned spaces. The beach will still be there at 5 PM, and you’ll actually be able to enjoy it without feeling like you’re melting.

We’ve told you the story about the lady who sat down bare butt on a hot metal chair. We often say that by making mistakes, you just get more fun stories to tell later, but we doubt that this ever became a fun story. That was BAD. And it’s not just metal, but also tiles, wood, and plastic can get pretty hot. Even the sand can feel like you’re strolling across hot coals.

Flip-flops, sandals, or water shoes should be part of your survival gear. Also pack a towel for every surface you plan to touch. The “always sit on something” rule among naturists isn’t just there because other people don’t want to touch places where your nude sweaty butt has been, it’s also because they don’t want to see your nude sweaty grill marks.

Your body has an impressive alarm system for overheating, and ignoring it is like turning off smoke detectors because they’re annoying. Fatigue, rapid pulse, confusion, nausea, these aren’t suggestions to take a break, they’re demands.

Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious business. The symptoms escalate quickly: you might feel dizzy, get a pounding headache, or start feeling nauseous. Your skin might stop sweating (that’s really bad news), or you might feel confused or irritable. If this happens to you or someone else, don’t play hero. Get to shade immediately, cool down with wet towels, and hydrate slowly.

Rule of thumb: if you feel dizzy, don’t try to push through. Just sit down, cool off, hydrate. It’s better to spend an hour recovering than three days in bed wondering why you thought you were invincible. Apples probably won’t do much in this case, but one Cuba Libre less a day will definitely help keep the doctor away.

If you really, really, really want to avoid the effects of a heatwave, we can only give you one good tip: Get out of there. Luckily, not all naturist places are in hot or tropical destinations.
Look for places with natural advantages: elevation, ocean breezes (oceans tend to be colder than seas), natural shade, and lower humidity.

The nude beaches of northern France might not have that Caribbean-blue water, but they also won’t turn you into human jerky. Croatia’s coastal spots offer perfect combinations of sea breezes and rocky shade. Even within hot destinations, timing matters. Greece in May is paradise, Greece in August is survival training.

Also try to avoid concrete-heavy places during peak afternoon hours. Stones store heat like a giant oven and release it slowly, so towns and villages, as well as big hotels and resorts, will always feel warmer than nature. Spend your time in nature, you’ll have enough time to be among stones once the heatwave (or the summer) is gone.

Travelling clothes-free during a heatwave doesn’t have to mean choosing between adventure and safety. It means being smart about both. Hydrate like your vacation depends on it (because it does), seek shade without shame, protect every inch of skin you’ve got, and listen when your body starts sending up flares.

Vacations are meant to be fun, and there’s nothing enjoyable about spending them looking like a lobster and feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck. And it’s definitely not fun being that weird guy in a t-shirt on a Dutch nude beach during one of the most beautiful nude beach days of the year.