The Island Group

One of the oldest nudist clubs in Florida, founded in 1954 on part of the former Dupree Gardens, a 1940s tourist botanical garden on Dupree Lake, at Land O' Lakes, north of Tampa. It is a day-only club, restricted to over-18s, owned by its members and with no paid staff: overnight stays are not possible. You spend the day between the pool of about 12 metres, lawns shaded by palms and oaks, a gazebo, a sports field and a screened dining room with a kitchen and barbecue, bringing your own food and drink. Swimsuits are optional. Entry is daily from 9 am to 5 pm with a day ticket, which has one rate for couples and another for those coming alone, but new visitors must give notice beforehand by phone or email. There are several larger naturist resorts in the same area (Caliente, Paradise Lakes, Lake Como): according to guests, the Island Group is a small, quiet place with friendly managers, where on weekdays you may have it almost to yourself.