Naturist Beaches in Croatia: Jerolim, Hvar in CNN's Top 15 FKK

More recognition for Lonely Planet's Number 5 destination for 2012, as the naturist island of Jerolim is named one of top 15 places to skinny-dip by CNN.

The awards and recognition for Croatia's premier island continue to pour in, this time in the form of a report by CNN on November 21, 2011, which named Jerolim Beach among the best 15 places in the world for naturist bathing.

Jerolim is one of the stunning collection of islets known as the Pakleni Islands, which sit opposite Hvar Town and offer a diverse range of activities, as well as numerous hidden bays and coves through the pine forests. They are connected to the main island by regular water taxi departures from the waterfront.

Beaches on Hvar: The Crystal Waters of Jerolim

"Croatia is famed for its FKK (free body culture or "freikörperkultur") beaches," stated the CNN report, "and Jerolim island, the closest of the Pakleni islands to the town of Hvar, is renowned for its unspoilt, rocky shoreline and crystal waters.

"It's popular with naturists (as well as non-naturists), who can be found sunning themselves on the white rocky outcrops.

"For more privacy, get away from the main tourist area, hike through the forest and find a secluded cove. You can also explore the island's coast by boat."

Hvar and Naturism

Jerolim was actually the first island on the Croatian coast to be given over to naturist tourism, after an explosion of interest in this type of tourism in the 1960s, and today naturist tourism is an important sector in the country's offer, with German visitors making up the largest number of FKK visitors.

The history of naturism in Croatia owes much to the recently abdicated Edward VIII and new wife Wallis Simpson, who requested - and received - permission to skinny dip in the waters of the island of Rab in northern Croatia, and they are credited with being a significant factor in the development of naturist tourism.

Hvar is a leading destination for the FKK movement, and it offers numerous naturist beaches on the island itself, as well as another popular islet, Zecevo. As with many other tourists, naturists are attracted to Hvar's beaches by its clear water and reputation as the sunniest island in the Adriatic. The beaches are secluded and well sign-posted for parents who may be concerned at stumbling across them.

More Awards for the Island of Hvar

Jerolim's inclusion in the best beaches list is the latest in a series of accolades for the island.Lonely Planet named it in its top five destinations for 2012, and Conde Nast readers voted it the eighth best island in Europe, while its hotels have also been attracting attention, with Hotel Adriana in Fodor's top 100 and Hotel Riva in the Sunday Times Best 100 Small Hotels in Europe.