1. Introduction: Outdoor showers embody the essence of summer luxury. Discover why these refreshing escapes are a must-have experience.
2. The Allure of Outdoor Showers: Experience nature while indulging in the delight of bathing outdoors.
3. Top Destinations: Explore some of the finest places for outdoor showers around the world.
Outdoor showers are one of summer’s greatest pleasures — here’s why and where to indulge.
Summer is the season of unadulterated hedonism — of spending as much time outdoors in as little clothing as possible. Ideally spent in some far-flung seaside locale (the Mediterranean, perhaps), days should be drenched in sun and saltwater. When it comes time to rinse off all of that briny goodness, there’s only one proper place to cleanse yourself: an outdoor shower.
Exquisitely dubbed “pure summer vernacular” by a delightful New York Times piece, the outdoor shower is both pragmatic and pleasurable. It certainly keeps sand and dirt out of the house, yet the real reason for stripping down and sudsing up in the great outdoors is simply for the joy of it.
There’s something both sacred and sinful about the act. A breeze or a bird renders you hyperaware of your own nakedness, which is the most natural thing in the world; after all, showering outdoors was the norm for humanity until indoor plumbing became widespread in the early 19th century.
This practice no longer serves as a secluded ritual but embraces a sense of illicit indulgence. It encourages one to leave the comfort of home, thus taking the most private daily task — washing one’s body — into the public sphere. This represents summer’s escapism, imbued with a hint of magic that French surrealist Louis Aragon described as the “sense of the marvelous suffusing everyday existence.”
Under the guise of escapism, I recently traveled to the Maldives, a chain of islands filled with marvelous experiences. During my week at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, I found myself returning to one place specifically to soak it all in: the outdoor shower.
Perched over the Indian Ocean, my overwater villa boasted a luxurious indoor bathroom that was twice the size of my Brooklyn apartment. The shower’s water pressure? Phenomenal. The tub? Palatial. However, it was the handheld, sterling silver showerhead — not much more than a nozzle glistening atop steps leading into the ocean — that captivated me. (Out of courtesy for other guests, I refrained from singing back — arguably the one downside of an outdoor shower.)
What makes an excellent outdoor shower, I pondered as a school of tiny, flint-colored fish swam by. Is it the view? The water pressure? The degree of privacy? The proximity to sharks?
I’d argue it’s a combination of all the above, excluding the sharks. During this experience, I relished the outrageous delight of a warm breeze contrasted with cool water on quite sunburned skin. The sheer luxury of showering outside provided a grounding experience, even in the middle of the ocean. I felt there, finally — a sense of place that eluded me while wandering the pristine palm-fringed beach or snorkeling with whale sharks. This illustrates the intimacy of being undressed outdoors, or perhaps serves as proof that showers are where we do our best thinking amidst sensory overload; the outdoor shower was the perfect spot for soaking it all in. It was, if you’ll pardon the pun, a welcome palate cleanser.
This principle applies to both homes and hotels: A superb outdoor shower strips away the excess and returns you to basics, whether you’re gazing out over the ocean or a plain wooden fence. There is just you, a bar of soap, fresh air, and clean water.
While the ideal outdoor shower is one at home (for convenience), I cannot deny that I would recommend washing up beside the Indian Ocean. Here, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to experience outdoor showers, from lavish setups in Kenya to rustic bucket rigs along the Gulf of Mexico.
1. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Spread across two private islands and home to the world’s first undersea restaurant, the newly renovated Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is paradise manifest. Waking up to an endless view of the Indian Ocean is blissful; add to that a floating breakfast in your personal infinity pool and a shower beside the lapping waves and you achieve pure, unadulterated hedonism. The hotel offers architecturally stunning outdoor showers within their airy beach villas, yet I was particularly drawn to the rustic, handheld experience at the overwater villas. This option allowed me to keep my villa clean, while it also granted me extra minutes outside each day, reveling in that sparkling blue splendor.
2. Sasaab, Samburu, Kenya
An outdoor shower is one thing; an entire outdoor bathroom is another. At the Safari Collection’s luxurious Sasaab lodge in Samburu, you can indulge in a healthy dose of natural exhibitionism: bathe in the buff while herds of elephants do the same just outside your spacious Moroccan-inspired room. The open-air concept fosters intimacy with nature, and this enchanting setting includes a private aquamarine plunge pool, perfect for cooling off between game drives in the nearby Samburu National Reserve.
3. The Maritime Hotel, New York City
Designed as the National Maritime Union headquarters in 1968 by modernist architect Albert Ledner — a student of Frank Lloyd Wright — this nautically themed hotel features many charming details, from porthole windows to sweeping views over Chelsea. However, the true highlight lies on the private white-tiled patios overlooking the Hudson River: the rare gem of an urban outdoor shower. On a steamy summer day, there’s something undeniably dreamy about this experience. Take the opportunity to embrace the outdoors, as nakedness isn’t typically acceptable in Manhattan.
4. Hotel Azúcar, Veracruz, Mexico
For those preferring a more rustic experience without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics, the bucket rig at Hotel Azúcar strikes the ideal balance of novelty and efficiency, located just a stone’s throw from the beach. This laid-back beach retreat features thatch-roof huts, vibrant decor, and an abundance of palm trees, offering a cozy connection to nature.
5. Nihi Sumba, Indonesia
An hour from Bali, the two-bedroom Lantoro villa at Nihi Sumba offers sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, a plunge pool, and private beach access. Accented with bright blue hues emphasizing the vibrancy of the water, the villa feels like a home away from home. The outdoor shower presents a sensorial experience: nestled within a forest glade surrounded by sand and lush ferns, you walk along a trail of sun-kissed stones to reach it.
6. The Wensley, Wensleydale, Australia
The notion of the “great outdoors” barely encapsulates the 80 acres of rolling hillside upon which this luxuriously rustic Airbnb sits. The Wensley — a spacious, secluded retreat in Wensleydale, Australia — beautifully merges the outdoors with the indoors, incorporating floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, natural finishes, and ample space for gatherings. While this stunning home invites you indoors, the outdoor shower beckons, featuring a galvanized French tub, perfect for soaking while stargazing.
7. Awasi Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
The private patio at Awasi Atacama is an outdoor shower enthusiast’s dream. Encased in adobe, this intimate shower area features two lounge chairs, so you can relax post-wash. This carbon-neutral gem is an ideal base for exploring the Atacama Desert, with each room offering a private guide and 4WD for personalized adventure.
