During our stay at Sea Nat, a small-scale naturist B&B with wellness facilities on the Belgian coast, we had the opportunity to speak extensively with the owners, Inge and Kris. Their personal story, their vision of naturism and their experiences in building and running Sea Nat were truly inspiring.
In this interview, they take us behind the scenes: from the origins of their B&B, their daily routines and sustainable choices, to the special encounters with their guests and the philosophy that makes Sea Nat so unique.
How did Sea Nat come into existence?
Kris: We had a large attic. I come from the Antwerp Kempen, about 200 kilometers from here. We regularly had family visiting and that’s how the idea arose to create something in that attic.
My father built a makeshift apartment there using second-hand materials, so that family members could stay for a weekend or a week. Because the apartment was often empty, we began to think: why not rent it out? And immediately as a naturist accommodation, to see if there was any interest.
That interest quickly became apparent. That was the moment we decided to take it more seriously. We went back to basics, dismantled everything, and started over. That’s how the apartment and the studio came into being.
Two years later, at the end of 2018, we added a B&B room because the first two accommodations proved insufficient.
The garden also looked very different in the past. It was simply a lawn with a hedge around it. During a vacation in Turkey, we got the idea to make it more exotic. That’s how it all started. First came the swimming pool, followed by the lounge bar, the Jacuzzi, and the sauna.
Sea Nat has grown step by step, largely thanks to feedback from our guests. We listen carefully to what they tell us and try to incorporate it. As a result, everything continues to evolve a little each year.
If you walk around here now, you can hardly imagine that it was once just a lawn. But that is also to my wife’s credit; together we continue to expand and refine everything, always with an eye for our guests’ wishes.
What does naturism mean to you?
Inge: To me, it is a form of freedom and self-acceptance. The ability to be completely yourself. At the same time, it feels like a mission to introduce other people to naturism.
Because we are very small-scale here, it is easier for people who are not yet familiar with it, or who are somewhat shy, to take that first step.
We also notice that it works almost therapeutically for many people. They learn to accept themselves as they are, embrace their bodies and reveal themselves; literally and figuratively.
What is also special is that people meet each other here in a different way. External characteristics, status, or background fade away, allowing you to truly see who someone is as a person. This often leads to beautiful encounters.
And ultimately, that is what we want to mean to others.
What kind of guests do you receive at Sea Nat?
Inge: We welcome people from many different backgrounds and nationalities. It is very diverse. We also receive guests who have experienced something life-changing, such as illness or disfigurement and who find the peace here to accept themselves again.
But we also welcome people who simply work hard and want to get away for a while; to let everything go, relax and enjoy the garden and the surroundings.
What personally inspired you to start Sea Nat?
Kris: The motivation also lies in my own situation. At a certain point, I developed health problems. I have a combination of bone diseases and later I became completely blind.
As a result, it was no longer self-evident for me to leave the house or visit friends. One of the ideas behind Sea Nat was therefore: let’s start something beautiful where people come to us.
People on vacation almost always bring a good mood with them. For me, it is also a wonderful way to stay in contact with others without having to travel; people come here. That was certainly one of the main reasons to start Sea Nat.
What is your favorite place on the property?
Inge: That depends on the time of day. In the morning, I love having a cup of coffee together by the pond. I also swim laps every day, and afterward it is wonderful to dry off beside the smiling, seated Buddha.
Kris and I truly have our own routines. Every morning we drink coffee together, and in the afternoon we always take time for a “four o’clock treat.” These are valuable moments for us. I can share my thoughts, discuss what is going well - or less well - and ask for his opinion. In that way, he also supports me in running Sea Nat.
Kris: I live here, of course, and I’m around all day. Well, I make my way around here. Inge is the one who runs the business. I observe from the sidelines and occasionally guide her, but she does most of the work.
What makes this region special?
Kris: We are, of course, close to the sea. The Westhoek, where we are located, is truly the most beautiful part of West Flanders. You will find stunning beaches and nature reserves here. There are also charming cities nearby, such as Bruges, Ypres and Veurne.
History also plays an important role. The war past is very visible here, including the flooding of Nieuwpoort. The entire area was inundated, forcing soldiers out of the trenches and contributing to winning the war. This makes the region an important tourist attraction.
And of course, we have our unique horseback shrimp fishermen, which are recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. We often receive visitors from around the world who want to see them at work and enjoy the fresh shrimp they catch.
Do you have plans for the future?
Inge: Constantly! If we were rich, everything would look even better, but Sea Nat is a process of growth. We must always take our financial resources into account, especially since maintaining the wellness facilities is quite costly.
We also want to create a wonderful experience for our guests. That means investing in the garden, adding new plants, and continually introducing something extra. There are still parts of the property that need to be adapted - nice projects we can realize together.
The wonderful thing is that returning guests are always surprised: “Oh, that’s new!” or “That has been renovated.” We also carefully consider our guests’ needs. Sometimes we make adjustments to the pool or garden so that guests with disabilities or mobility issues can move around comfortably.
But everything is done within our means.
You are almost energy-neutral here, correct?
Kris: Yes, we produce most of our own electricity. For sanitary hot water, we use a solar boiler that stores heated water in a large tank installed in the basement. Our swimming pool is also heated with solar collectors, which means we consume almost no energy.
In addition, we collect rainwater. We have two large underground reservoirs. Excess rainwater infiltrates back into the soil rather than going into the sewage system. In this way, we retain as much moisture as possible on our property.
Inge: And our washing machine…
Kris: Yes, we have a special washing machine that uses hot water from the solar boiler. It runs mainly during the day when the sun is shining, making it virtually energy-neutral.
Inge: We also use many eco-friendly products and operate with environmental awareness. At breakfast, we use as little disposable material as possible; everything is replenished and reused. The soaps in the rooms are refillable, which results in very little plastic waste.
Kris: We also encourage our guests to separate their waste. We provide color-coded bins for paper, plastic, residual waste and organic waste. In this way, we try to set a good example.
Do you have a message for people considering or hesitating to visit Sea Nat?
Kris: There is really no reason to hesitate. Some people feel anxious: “Will I be seen?” or “How will others look at me?” That is why the garden is designed with small corners and terraces. It is not like traditional resorts with a large terrace around the pool where everyone gathers. Here, everyone has their own private space.
Our guests are not focused on others; they are focused on themselves. So there is truly no reason not to come.
Inge: Just do it, I always say. If you want to experience it, simply try it and see what it does for you.
Do you have a motto at Sea Nat?
Inge: Yes, our motto is very simple: teaching people to live in the present. Seize the moment and enjoy the small things in life.
It is about letting go by becoming one with nature and your surroundings, and by appreciating everything around you.
Kris: Living in the present means letting go of the past, thereby making room for the future.
More information about Sea Nat