The World's Gayest Beaches

Recommended for : Wellness & Relaxation

From Sydney to Ibiza, the LGBT community has staked out its place or spread its towel on the sand, creating gay-welcoming beach destinations from north to south and east to west. Many double as nude beaches and can usually be spotted by the rainbow flag. Here are some of the best gay beaches in the world.

Mole Beach

Florianópolis - SC, Brazil

A LGBT and surfer favorite, Mole Beach is a long, wide beach surrounded by scenic hills, rocky outcrops and beautiful views on the east side of the island. The...

LGBTQ

Playa Los Muertos

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Playa Los Muertos is the most popular and busiest of Puerto Vallarta's beaches. The southern end is a longtime gay beach known as "blue chairs," because of the...

Mostly hetero
Water fun

Ipanema Beach

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

If Copacabana is the most famous, Ipanema is the sexiest. Immortalised by the Girl of Ipanema song, this stretch of sand is varied and diverse, a reflection of...

Natural Attraction

Hilton Beach

Tel Aviv, Israel

Hilton Beach - named for the adjacent hotel - is Tel Aviv's unofficial gay beach. While it's welcoming to both men and women, the crowds here tend to made up of...

LGBTQ
Wellness
Water sport & adventure
Water fun
Fun & games
Food & drink
Bicycle

12th Street Gay Beach

Miami, United States

Just north of Lummus Park at 12th Street and Ocean Drive is the LGBTQ beach where the big Gay Pride events take place. Look for the rainbow flags on the sand and...

LGBTQ

Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach, DE

At the northern end of the boardwalk in popular gay resort town Rehoboth Beach-about a three hour drive from DC-is North Shores beach, a predominantly lesbian...

LGBTQ

Herring Cove Beach

Provincetown, United States

The most popular beach in Provincetown is Herring Cove, and it has a little something for everyone. Close to the parking lot is the unofficial family section, and...

LGBTQ
Water fun

Wreck Beach

Vancouver, Canada

Wreck Beach is both one of the largest and most relaxed beaches in Vancouver. Stretching along the coast of Point Grey, it has marvelous views and is guaranteed...

Mostly hetero
Park
Natural Attraction
Hiking
Fun & games
Water fun
Walking

North Bondi Beach

Sydney, Australia

Protected by hunky lifeguards in Speedos, North Bondi Beach just up from the main famed Bondi Beach is where gays, lesbians and the locals hang out. Alcohol is...

Mostly hetero
Water fun

Elia Beach

Mykonos, Greece

Gay men converge on Elia Beach, six miles (10 km) south of Mykonos Town and one of the island's largest beaches. Waterfront bars, sun loungers and concessions...

LGBTQ

Sebastian Street Beach

Fort Lauderdale, United States

Near many of the gay clothing-optional resorts, Sebastian Beach is the most popular stretch of sand for LGBTQ travelers, attracting a mostly male crowd.

LGBTQ
Water fun

Beach 19

Lisbon, Portugal

Beach 19 (Praia 19) is the gay and nude stretch of beach along Costa da Caparica, 19 miles (30 km) south of Lisbon. Part of a nature reserve and surrounded by...

LGBTQ

Es Cavallet

Ibiza, Spain

Es Cavalllet is Ibiza's meeting point for the LGBTQ community. Isolated at the end of the strip of white sand, it is about 10 minutes walk from the more...

LGBTQ

Black's Beach

San Diego, United States

Black's Beach - at least the northern part of it - is one of the largest public nude beaches in the US. Surfers prefer the challenging swells on the southern end,...

Mostly hetero
Water sport & adventure

Playa Delfines

Cancun, Mexico

Behind Plaza Kukulkan mall, Playa Defines is where tourists line up to have their photos taken in front of the famous Cancun sign. It's also great for sunrises,...

Mostly hetero

Plage Coco Beach

Nice, France

Plage Coco, east of the harbor, has large rocks interspersed with paths and ladders down to gorgeous if sometimes dangerous waters. Popular with gays, it is a...

Mostly hetero
Water fun
Fun & games
Food & drink

Clifton Beach #3 (Gay Beach)

Cape Town, South Africa

All four Clifton beaches, separated by protective giant boulders, offer sheltered sunbathing on soft white sand, but #3 is predominately gay. It's a good spot to...

For Men
Various

Bassa Rodona

Sitges, Spain

Bassa Rodona, the main gay beach, is easy to spot opposite the Hotel Calipolis and below the Pic Nic Restaurant. In the middle of the stretch of Sitges beaches,...