Skinny Dipping Scuba

The old-fashioned term "skin diving" takes on new meaning for the 300 members of Buff Divers, a travel club that arranges trips to destinations where members can be nude.

Based in Katy, TX, the club fills an entire resort or live-aboard so its members can experience "the freedom of the spirit that comes with skinny dipping." Wet suits are optional for those who prefer, but according to their website many members actually dive nude "and find the experience to be totally invigorating."

So far the group has traveled to Belize, the Bay Islands of Honduras, the Bahamas, and Yap and Palau in Micronesia. Plans include the Turks and Caicos, Saba/St. Maarten, and Truk.

Is this the beginning of a trend? A recent Reuters article says, "Naked recreation and travel is a $400 million industry worldwide, up from $120 million in 1992, according to the American Association for Nude Recreation." The AANR, North America's oldest and largest nudist association, has seen its membership rise by 75 percent in the last decade, to about 50,000.

Buff Divers is made up of about 85% couples and 15% singles. Overt sexual behavior is forbidden, and permission is required to take photographs on a Buff Diver outing. The club stresses body acceptance and the freedom to be one with nature, so people of all shapes and sizes are welcome to hang out with other naked members.

If you want to hang out, email divenaked@buffdivers.com or write Buff Divers, PMB 404, 515A South Fry Road, Katy, TX 77450. Their website is www.buffdivers.com.