Beach, please…
Beach vacations arenโt everyoneโs pitcher of piรฑa colada. But for many, itโs not a vacation unless youโre slathering on sunscreen and flaunting some flesh on a sandy runway. But which gay beaches are the worldโs best? Which dunes are the most dapper? From Europe to Asia, and the Americas to Australiaโฆhere are our favourite LGBTQ+ beach destinations (along with a secret spot weโre not supposed to talk about)!
Thailand (the most extra)
If youโre feeling raucous, the town of Patong and its namesake beach on the island of Phuket may be just the dose of sunshine you need.


Since it was โdiscoveredโ in the 1980s, the town has continued to grow and establish itself as a global party hotspot. While not exclusively gay, Patong is *very* LGBTQ+ friendly. Youโre also near Paradise Complex, the raucous heart of queer nightlife in Phuket. If youโre after a more subdued vibe, check out Kata Beach. Just fifteen minutes outside of town, itโs popular with surfers and lacks the overwhelming commercial development that Patong is famous for. It really is about the sun, surf, and sand here.

On Koh Samui (the island where White Lotus Season 3 was filmed), Chaweng Beach is also gorgeous and worth a visit.
We offer three different trips through Thailand. All three swing through both Krabi and Phuket and feature plenty of beach time!
Spain (the most fabulous)
Itโs one of the most gay-friendly countries on Earth, with plenty of beaches to discover. Most accessible all year round is Playa del Inglรฉsas, in the resort town of Maspalomas, on Gran Canaria. You can chalk up the agreeable weather to the Canary Islandsโ location far south of mainland Spain and off the coast of Morocco.

If you join our tour through Spain, which wraps up in Barcelona, you can also catch rays at Playa Barceloneta. Itโs a mixed crowd, but youโll definitely suss out some sisters near the unmissable W Hotel. Another option would be to pop your umbrella at Playa Mar Bella, a short walk from Barceloneta, as this spot has turned into the new rainbow runway as of late.

However, if you want to hit up one of the gayest beaches on Earth, take a day trip or extend your holiday in the nearby gay resort town of Sitges. This rainbow wonderland is literally built around Playa de la Bassa Rodona and offers something for everyone.

Croatia (the most decadent)
The Dalmatian Coast is renowned for its white sand beaches, pristine turquoise waters, and the odd pod of dolphins breaching the Adriatic Sea. The old, walled town of Dubrovnik is one of its most popular destinations. Just a short boat ride away is Lokrum Island, a clothing-optional beach thatโs secluded with a relaxed vibe. Head to the southern end to find some Friends of Dorothy.

Off the coast of Hvar, an island popular with both the yachting crowd and LGBTQ+ travelers, is the smaller island of Jerolim. Itโs also clothing optional, and one of the oldest nude beaches in Europe. Head to the eastern shore to find your โqโ-munity. If youโre in Split, Kaลกjuni Beach is within easy reach. Itโs not explicitly gay, but itโs known for its cozy secluded spots if you want some peace and quiet.
Join us on our flagship gay cruise and you can check out Dubrovnik, Hvar, and Split. We also take daily swim stops in secluded coves where you can jump off our private yacht and feel like Beyoncรฉ taking a break between smash world tours. And Beyoncรฉ was rightโฆthis ainโt Texas!


Cuba (the most unexpected)
Cuba doesnโt have much of a gay scene per se, though you can find dedicated theme nights and drag shows. However! Havana does offer Mi Cayito where youโll find a full gamut of gays from twinks to bears and sly silver foxes to Sapphic sisters. While not officially a gay beach, itโs fair to declare Mi Cayito as the lively heart of Cubaโs queer community.

The town of Varadero is where youโll find Cubaโs most popular and beautiful beach. Itโs not gay, but is the place to be if youโre a fan of lavish, mainstream, all-inclusive resorts. In fact, Varadero is regularly ranked one of the best beaches in the world. While here, you can also explore Varahicacos Nature Preserve, which features the Cave of Ambrosio, Mangรณn Lake, and a 500-year-old cactus known as El Patriarca (the oldest living thing on the island).

We offer several departures to Cuba every year, including a New Year Fiesta if you crave a holiday over the holidays.
Galรกpagos Islands (the most remote)
Ecuadorโs Galapagos Islands arenโt known for being any sort of gay (or straight) hotspot, but they *are* the mother-loving Galapagos Islands, and any beach we sashay across instantly becomes the most remote gay beach in the world!

Tortuga Bay on Santa Cruz Island is known for its pristine white beaches and a calm lagoon. Itโs named after the black turtles that nest there, but should not be confused with Black Turtle Cove on the same island.


On Rabida Islandโs Red Beach, you may not just see, but actually get to swim with Galapagos penguins. And San Cristรณbalโs Playa Mann is a popular spot where the sea lions play. Or venture over to Cerro Brujo (Witch Hill) for some bird watching.

Join our Galapagos cruise and you wonโt just wallow in the sun with your new sea lion friends. Youโll get to don your snorkel and discover a whole new world down below!
Australia (the most laid back)
Aussies take beach time seriously. Theyโre beautiful. And plentiful. Virtually every waterfront city has a gay or gay-friendly beach.

At the start of our Summer Down Under tour, you can check out St Kilda, just a short walk south of downtown Melbourne.
The same tour wraps up in Sydney (in time for Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras), which offers a plethora of LGBTQ+ (and LGBTQ-friendly) beaches. The most popular of them all is the northern end of Bondi Beach. Once known for working-class immigrants and the modesty policing of womenโs swimwear, itโs now one of the sexiest highlights of life in Sydney and is regularly featured in television series both locally and abroad. It even boasts its own gay subculture.
If you like to strip right down, Lady Bay (also known as Lady Jane Beach) is clothing optional. And if you want the shore without the sand, Boy Charlton Pool is a great place for the gays to catch some rays just a few minutes from the Central Business District. Having mentioned a lady and a boy, weโd be remiss not to mention Manly Beach. Itโs not gay per se, but it offers a more relaxed vibe than Bondi.
Greece (the most glamorous)
Ah Greece. The country that brought us democracy, baklava, and some of the oldest known same sex shenanigans. Itโs home to tons of beautiful beaches and islands. Mykonos especially is renowned as a global gay party hotspot. Super Paradise Beach is the biggest and best of them all. There are a lot of nudists, plenty of parties, and an incomparable jetset vibe. Though it has traditionally been known as a gay beach, the crowd has become more and more mixed as of late.


If you want something a little more laid-back and a lot moreโฆwellโฆgay, Elia Beach will be the better option on Mykonos. If you find yourself on the island of Crete, check out Kokkini Ammos or Kalamaki. Both are remote and laid-backโฆeven bordering on hippie vibes.

Our Aegean Sea Gay Cruise stops in Mykonos (along with Santorini, the island famed for its Cycladic architecture). You can learn more about Mykonos specifically in this blog post.
The Philippines (the most beautiful)
The island of Boracayโs White Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and one of the biggest draws for international tourists.

Itโs a mainstream beach, but head for Stations 1 or 2 and youโll surely find some โfamilyโ. But if you want a really, really gay time, head to the town of Puerto Galera, which is home to another White Beach.

This one is The Philippinesโ unofficial LGBTQ+ beach. Itโs only a short ferry ride from Luzon, the largest island in the nation, and is known for being quaint and peaceful. You might find a drag show or some gay nightlife, but don’t expect it to be a non-stop party. Rather, itโs a more subdued vibe that boasts stunning natural beauty, similar to the islands of El Nido and Coron in the Palawan archipelago.

We luxuriate in Boracay, Palawan, and several other tropical islands on our Island Hopping Adventure.
Costa Rica (the best sunsets)
The eco tourism capital of the world is bound to have some glorious sandy expanses. Itโs not an explicitly gay destination, but very accommodating and popular with our peeps nonetheless.

Our eco adventure through this glorious country ends at Tamarindo Beach, home to a sublime surf town where youโll have the day free to explore and soak up the sun on your own. But if you find yourself in Costa Rica, consider checking out Manuel Antonio Beach, located in the impressive national park of the same name. Thereโs an unofficial gay section known as La Playita with some bars and clubs that cater to our team (if youโre craving libations or festive nightlife).
Turkey (the most underrated)
The island of Bodrum is considered Turkeyโs Mykonos. Itโs jetset, glamorous, and warmly welcomes queer travelers.

The beaches in Bitez and Gรผmรผลlรผk are especially popular with our community. And once the sun goes down youโll even find bars and clubs to keep the good times going. In the province of Izmir, Alacati and รeลme are known as Turkeyโs most liberal, gay-friendly towns. And both have namesake beaches. You can check out Bodrum specifically on our Turquoise Coast Cruise.
Mexico (the most festive)
For North American gays, Mexico has always been a popular (and easy) beach escape. Puerto Vallarta has grown tremendously over the past decade, attracting throngs of sun-seekers during the winter months when snowbirds come flocking in to perch on the Blue Chairs of Playa de los Muertos. Though its name might imply that this particular beach is โdead,โ itโs teeming with life all year round, as it plays host to huge LGBTQ+ events like Beef Dip and Vallarta Pride.

For those looking to veer off the beaten path and visit somewhere more Bohemian, head to Mexicoโs southern coast and check out Playa del Amor in Zipolite. This is currently *the* secret spot that many keep quiet about to protect it from overcrowding. Though it appears Zipolite may be on track to become the โnew PV,โ we doubt it ever will, as it lacks the infrastructure, roads, and available land to sustain that level of growth. Besides, many of those who seek out this gay utopia would prefer it stay as hidden as it is.
Though we donโt offer beach trips in Mexico, you could easily extend your Mexico City: Aztec Adventure with a few days in PV or Zipolite. Itโs worth mentioning that Mexico City is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly destinations in the world, with a cosmopolitan vibe unlike these aforementioned beaches.
USA (bi-coastal gay beach options)
Weโd be remiss not to mention several famously gay beaches within the USA, including New Yorkโs Fire Island, Fort Lauderdaleโs Haulover Beach, Delawareโs Rehoboth Beach, Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown, Blackโs Beach in San Diego, and Bakerโs Beach in San Francisco.
Has all this beach talk raised your UV index? Reach out to us if you have more questions, or think you might be ready to pack your budgie smugglers.
Featured Posts
Winter's over. Spring has sprung. And the time to plan your summer escapade has landed. We've got 9 great departures lined up. Read More
Check out the slick and sublime hotels and resorts featured on our Thailand: Temples & Beaches and Thailand: New Year Celebration tours! Read More
Greece was one of the first places on Earth to embrace gay stuff way back in the 7th century BCE, and today, it's home to Mykonos, one of the most LGBTQ-friendly islands in the world. Read More
We've been travelling the world in search of the best gay holiday destinations for over 15ย years. Here's our top 10 list to help you decide where you will have the most fun as an LGBTQ+ traveller! Read More