Gay Beaches You Need to Know About
Discover the world’s best gay beaches, from the most popular and densely packed party spots to lesser-known local gay hangouts.
The gay beaches in the list below range from the most hedonistic cruising grounds to secluded rocky coves. And while you’ll likely recognize some, I bet there are few you’ve never even heard of!
Hilton Beach – Tel Aviv, Israel
Hilton Beach is the hub of daytime gay life in Tel Aviv. Surrounded by rainbow flags along the promenade, this gay beach is always densely packed full of gay men.
The crowd at Hilton Beach is international, but local Israelis love it too. It’s easy to make new friends here, and if nothing else, check out the gorgeous men consistently passing by.
Tips for Hilton Beach
- Impress the boys with your most fashionable swimsuit!
- Arrive earlier if you want a spot under one of the large cabana structures.
Kiosco No. 7 Gay Beach – Maspalomas, Spain
Maspalomas has one of the friendliest gay beaches in the world, called Kiosco No. 7. It’s located at the southern tip of Gran Canaria, the largest of the Canary Islands.
The vibe at Kiosco No. 7 is carefree and the gorgeous backdrop of the Maspalomas dunes is stunning, too.
Since the Canary Islands have warm tropical weather year-round, you’ll find people at Maspalomas’ gay beach pretty much any day! One of the most popular times to go is during Winter Pride, the island’s pride festival in November.
There are two ways to get to Kiosco No 7. If you prefer walking along the shore, grab a Taxi to Plaza del Faro and head east. Otherwise, go directly to the main entrance of the dunes and head south.
Tips for the Maspalomas Gay Beach
- The walk from the dunes to the gay beach is all downhill, so it’s easier to go this route toward the beach and take the shore route back.
- Check out the cruising happening in the nearby dunes!
Ipanema Gay Beach – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro‘s epic Ipanema Gay Beach is one of the world’s most iconic gay beaches, and it’s my personal favorite. Tons of muscled Brazilian men are always taking photos here in sexy bathing suits. My Instagram is full of them!
Tips for Ipanema Gay Beach
- Grab Caiparinhas at Barraca Da Denise, right in the center of the gay beach.
- Don’t wear or leave any valuable items unattended. If you’re worried, get yourself some travel insurance.
- See more local tips in wolfyy’s Rio Gay Guide.
Find → Cheap Flights to Rio
Gay Beaches in Sitges, Spain
Sitges has several gay beaches, and as an incredibly popular gay summer destination, expect crowds of international gay men everywhere!
Platja de la Bassa Rodona is the most popular and centrally located gay beach in Sitges. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the main train station.
The other gay beaches in Sitges are located a bit outside the city’s center. Playa del Muerto is a nudist gay beach to the southwest, nestled in a rocky cove. It’s best to travel here by car.
Platja dels Balmins is a gay and nudist beach toward the eastern end of Sitges. Easy to reach, you can walk there in about 25 minutes from central Sitges.
Tips for Sitges Gay Beaches
- Browse Sitges hotels as far in advance as you can. Many popular places book up for the summer.
- Day trips to Sitges from Barcelona are easy and a popular way to experience the city’s gay life.
- Summertime crowds can be massive. Arriving earlier is always better.
Gunnison Beach – Sandy Hook, New Jersey
Gunnison Beach is an official nudist beach in New Jersey. One section is packed full of gay men every summer, especially on weekends. It’s honestly one of the best gay beaches I’ve ever been to.
Guys typically arrive here mid-morning and stay until just after sunset. And toward the end of the day, the vibe gets a bit sexually charged.
wolfyy’s Gunnison New Jersey gay beach guide has all the important details, directions, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Tips for Gunnison Beach
- Wear a sexy jockstrap or swim briefs if you don’t want to be fully nude.
- Bathrooms and showers are available.
- Pack lots of food and drinks since options are limited.
Gay Beaches in Puglia, Italy
Italy’s Puglia region has so many fantastic gay beaches that it can be difficult to pick one!
Spiaggia d’Ayala is one of the region’s best gay beaches, located in Campomarino. Then, of course, there are the famous gay beaches in Gallipoli. These are are located between Punta della Suina and Spiaggia degli Innamorati.
Spiaggia di Torre Guaceto is another option, a gay beach popular with locals. It’s just under 30 minutes from Ostuni by car.
wolfyy’s Puglia gay guide covers even more Puglia gay beaches and has tons of useful tips and details on directions.
Platja de la Mar Bella – Barcelona, Spain
Platja de la Mar Bella is one of the best gay beaches in all of Spain. It’s a sandy clothing optional gay beach located in central Barcelona popular with both locals and tourists.
Chiringuito BeGay is the adjacent outdoor bar and restaurant where you can grab drinks to go or sit under the covered beach hut. This area is where most of the gay men congregate. There’s more of a mixed crowd toward the north end of Platja de la Mar Bella.
Tips for Platja de la Mar Bella
- The line for drinks at Chiringuito BeGay can take a long time, so put all your friend’s drink orders in together.
- People hang out around Chiringuito BeGay well into the evening hours, so Barcelona’s gay beach is also an option for evening cocktails!
Fire Island Pines & Cherry Grove Gay Beaches
The endless stretch of sand between Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove neighborhoods is one of the largest gay beaches in the United States. Gay men and women greet each other with friendly smiles as they pass one another along the shore.
Pockets of gay beachgoers will be spread out since the beach is so massive. Don’t be afraid to say hello and make new friends!
Tips for Fire Island Gay Beaches
- The busiest times are from late morning through mid-afternoon.
- Bring water, snacks, and some pop-open lightweight beach chairs.
- See wolfyy’s Fire Island gay guide for more gay beach tips.
Atlantic Beach – Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s capital of San Juan has a vibrant gay beach of its own, located in the Condado neighborhood. I spent two consecutive afternoons here and still didn’t get enough!
The gay beach area is on Atlantic Beach between the La Concha Renaissance hotel and the jetty. Tons of gay tourists huddle beneath a sea of rainbow umbrellas listening to their favorite music. You can’t miss it!
Tips for San Juan’s Gay Beach
- Alcohol isn’t easily accessible, so you may want to bring your own.
- Bring cash for lounge chairs rentals.
Kasjuni Beach – Split, Croatia
Kasjuni Beach is a short drive outside of central Split. You’ll typically find guys cruising here while wearing some sexy underwear to attract a little extra attention.
This gay beach is for those who like to lurk, check out their options, and get right to it when the time is right.
Tips for Kasjuni Beach
- Wear water shoes to protect your feet from the rocky shore.
- Check your dating apps to meet guys on gay sailing boats docked in front of the beach.
- Cool off afterward at the LGBT-friendly Joe’s Beach Lounge.
12th Street Gay Beach – Miami, Florida
The famous 12th Street gay beach is the epicenter of LGBT life in Miami. It’s one of the gay beaches that Americans always include among their favorites.
There’s a ton of space to spread out here. You’ll typically find gorgeous gay guys playing catch or a game of volleyball. It’s wonderful to watch!
Tips for 12th Street Gay Beach
- Bring a beach game like paddleball, or attract some attention by flying a rainbow kite.
- Some of the most popular Miami Beach hotels for gay travelers include Hôtel Gaythering and AxelBeach Miami.
Herring Cove Gay Beach – Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown’s local gay beach is toward the southern end of Herring Cove Beach, a massive stretch of sand at the tip of Cape Cod. The gay section is west of the Wood End Lighthouse.
Getting to the gay beach takes a bit of a walk, so try to pack light. One option is to walk along the shore from the Herring Cove parking lot. Otherwise, walk directly from south Provincetown along the beautiful rocky path known as Provincetown Causeway.
Gay cruising is common in the dunes behind the gay beach section in the late morning to mid-afternoon hours. If nothing else, this might make the beach worth the walk!
Tips for Herring Cove Gay Beach
- The Provincetown Shuttle can take you to Herring Cove directly from downtown.
- While Herring Cove is not technically clothing optional, you’ll often find lots of nude sunbathers here.
Find → Bus tickets to Provincetown
Marshall’s Beach – San Francisco, California
Marshall’s Beach is the go-to clothing optional gay beach in San Francisco located at the northern tip of the city. The close-up views of the Golden Gate Bridge are epic.
The hike down to Marshall’s Beach along Batteries to Bluffs Trail is beautiful. Be ready for a 25-minute descent down, though!
Stay Here → San Francisco Gay Friendly Hotels
Tips for Marshall’s Gay Beach
- If your trip to Marshall’s Beach is more of a fitness journey, you might love these sexy workout clothing
- For even more of an adventure, trek over to Mile Rock Beach to see the famous stacked rocks.
Lokrum Gay Beach - Dubrovnik, Croatia
Off the coast of Dubrovnik, Lokrum Island has a fantastic lesser-known nudist gay beach area! Every year, more gay travelers are discovering Lokrum’s gay beach along their journeys in Croatia.
FKK Beach is Lokrum Island’s main gay beach spot, but you’ll generally find gay guys wandering the eastern shores anywhere south of the port.
Tips for Lokrum Gay Beach
- A padded waterproof blanket is best to stay comfortable on the slabs of rock.
- Rent a kayak to check out Golub Spilja, an awesome cave next to the gay beach.
- Use a waterproof phone pouch so you can get some epic photos and prevent dropping your phone through the rocks.
Find → Bus tickets to Dubrovnik
Elia Beach – Mykonos, Greece
Elia Beach usually wins the title of Greece’s best gay beach, but gay men are often highly opinionated about this! With some of the most attractive gay men in the world, Elia has plenty of fit boys to go around!
Elia’s nudist section is usually entirely filled with gay men. It’s located at the western end of the beach, nestled between the rocks.
Crowds of gay travelers from all over the world flock to Elia gay beach to enjoy summertime in Mykonos. Expect an upbeat party-like vibe here, especially during XLSIOR, the island’s famous gay circuit festival.
Tips for Elia Beach
- Prepare for some steep prices at Elia beach, considering how popular it is.
- Rent a car in Mykonos if you want to stop around some of the other magnificent beaches.
Find → Cheap Flights to Mykonos
Clifton 3rd Gay Beach – Cape Town, South Africa
Nestled along the cliffs of Cape Town, Clifton’s beaches are one big white-sand paradise. Sections of Clifton Beach are labeled by numbers 1 through 4 and Clifton 3rd Beach is the gay section.
Cape Town’s gay beach is relaxed and friendly. You’ll likely encounter other travelers from all over the world. I met another American here!
Tips for Clifton 3rd Gay Beach
- Pack drinks and snacks. Since the waterfront is largely residential, there are no bars or convenience stores nearby.
- Prepare to walk down lots of steps, as Clifton Beach is at the bottom of a cliff!
Pinedo Gay Beach – Valencia, Spain
Pinedo Beach is a local nudist gay beach just outside the wonderful Spanish city of Valencia. The gay guys on this popular stretch of sand certainly aren’t shy about stripping off their clothes!
Note that the Pinedo gay beach area is called Playa de Las Dunas de Pinedo, which is much further south than the main Pinedo Beach area.
Tips for Pinedo Gay Beach
- Traveling by car to the gay beach is the fastest. I recommend renting a car in Valencia However, arriving by public bus is possible.
- Nearby parking is free.
Find → Cheap Flights to Valencia
Sebastian Street Beach – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Sebastian Street Beach is the official gay beach in central Fort Lauderdale. It’s a classic spot where you can make new gay friends any day of the week.
Especially since Fort Lauderdale is such a popular gay vacation destination, there are always gay guys hanging out here. You’ll see guys of all shapes and sizes here, too.
Choose a beachfront hotel near Sebastian Street Beach with one of the LGBT-favorite recommendations in wolfyy’s Fort Lauderdale gay guide.
Or, stay at one of these clothing optional Fort Lauderdale gay resorts.
Tips for Sebastian Street Beach
- Lounge chairs are available for rental.
- Everyone tends to leave the beach just before sunset.
Playa del Bajondillo – Torremolinos, Spain
In and around the famous Eden Beach Club, you’ll find a sea of gay men hanging out along the water here in Torremolinos. This stretch of sand is called Playa del Bajondillo and it’s one of the best gay beaches in all of Spain.
Just up the cliffside is the Ritual Hotel Torremolinos, the town’s enormous gay resort. Many of the guys that stay here have easy access to the beach, so there’s always a decent crowd.
Tips for the Torremolinos Gay Beach
- Bring your own towel because beach clubs in Torremolinos don’t provide towels unless you reserve cabana beds.
- If you want a spot at Eden Beach Club, you must make a reservation online the day before. Also, they don’t honor reservations if you show up past 12:30 PM.
- Head to the Ritual Hotel’s nude rooftop pool deck later in the afternoon for more fun!
Gay Beaches in Sardinia, Italy
The majestic Italian island of Sardinia has several local gay beaches that most gay travelers have never heard of! They’re incredibly popular among Italians and I had a fabulous time at all of them.
Mari Pintau is the best Sardinia gay beach. The water here is crystal clear and plenty of gorgeous gay Italians relax along the cobblestone shoreline.
Two other semi-gay beaches in Sardinia are near Liscia Ruja and the picturesque Cala Serena. At both beaches, you’ll find a mixed crowd with tame and relaxed vibes.
Tips for Sardinia Gay Beaches
- Renting a car in Sardinia is a must. Olbia and Cagliari Airports are two popular pickup locations.
- Pack all your on-the-go travel essentials for the day since most Sardinia beaches are secluded.
- Wear proper footwear or water shoes since beaches are rocky.
Los Muertos Gay Beach – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is home to one of the best gay beaches in the world. You’ll find a pack of gay men just about any time of year here in front of the Mantamar gay beach club.
Mantamar is at the southernmost part of Los Muertos Beach and is super easy to walk to from anywhere in the Zona Romántica area of Puerto Vallarta.
Tips for Los Muertos Gay Beach
- Almar LGBT Resort is the nicest hotel with direct access to the gay beach.
- Credit cards are accepted in just about all the bars and restaurants nearby.
Mama Beach – Torre del Lago, Italy
Mama Beach is one of the best gay beaches in Italy. Most tourists don’t even know about it either!
Gay Italians take over Mama Gay Beach all summer long. And after sunset, everyone sticks around to party at all the beachfront gay clubs here in Torre del Lago.
Tips for Mama Beach
- Fit in with the Italians with a sexy swimsuit.
- Bring a volleyball. Italians love to play!
- Learn more about Torre del Lago’s beachside nightlife in wolfyy’s Tuscany gay guide.
Hollywood Beach – Chicago, Illinois
Hollywood Beach in Chicago is one of the gayest spots in the city. You’ll surely find handsome men of all shapes and sizes here in skimpy swimsuits all summer long.
Grab a photo by the rainbow-painted pierhead light. The beach will be especially packed during Market Days, Chicago’s wildly popular circuit party week.
Stay Here → Chicago Gay Friendly Hotels
Two Mile Hollow – East Hampton, New York
Two Mile Hollow is the classic gay beach of the Hamptons. The scene here is super relaxed and friendly.
While it’s one of the quieter gay beaches in the world, you can still always count on a diverse LGBT crowd at Two Mile Hollow.
Tips for Two Mile Hollow
- Pack some lightweight beach chairs and a sturdy (preferably rainbow) beach umbrella.
Rehoboth Gay Beach – Delaware
Rehoboth Beach is a top gay beach destination for people in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and southern New Jersey. Locals from nearby cities love spending summer weekends in this seaside town.
Poodle Beach is the main gay beach section of Rehoboth, located at the southern end of town. Another lesser-known gay-friendly beach area of Rehoboth is Whiskey Beach. There’s more of a mixed crowd here.
Tips for Rehoboth Gay Beach
- Book accommodations in Rehoboth as far in advance as possible to avoid the high last-minute prices.
Praia Naturista 19 – Lisbon, Portugal
Summertime in Lisbon means a trip to the local gay clothing-optional beach! Praia Naturista 19 is the spot where all the gay guys gather. About half the crowd is usually nude.
The beach is well-known among both locals and tourists, especially for all the cruising that takes place in the adjacent dunes. I found this beach to be so relaxing. The sand is soft and the water is perfect.
The best way to get to Lisbon’s gay beach is by car to the Fonte da Telha area. You can easily park anywhere on the side streets in the area north of here. Renting a car in Lisbon will make the journey much more comfortable.
Then take one of the beach trails and continue along the beach path until you see the “Paragem 19” marker sign.
Gay Beaches in Sydney, Australia
Sydney is known for some of the world’s most epic beaches, and while the gay community largely mixes in with everyone else on the beach, you can find some gay friends in a couple of different spots.
Obelisk Beach is the most popular Sydney gay beach and is a more secluded option. One of the only official nude beaches in the region, both gay locals and travelers venture here for a quiet and relaxing day in the sun.
North Bondi Beach is the other beach option for gay travelers. While it’s not specifically a gay beach, the north end of Bondi is known to be popular with gay travelers.
Find → Cheap Flights to Sydney
Black’s Beach – La Jolla, California
Black’s Beach is a legendary surf spot and clothing optional gay beach. It’s the most popular gay beach in the San Diego area. Everyone here is super friendly and it’s a fantastic place to meet new friends. Black’s Beach is also hugely popular during San Diego’s pride events.
While most of Black’s Beach is clothing optional, the gay clothing optional area is at the north end. It’s about a 15-minute walk once you reach the ocean from the trail.
The beach is anchored by the Torrey Pines Gliderport, a hang-gliding center where beachgoers park and enter the trail that leads down to the beach.
Tips for Black’s Beach
- The trail down is a bit treacherous, and you can slip if your shoes don’t have enough traction. Stay safe and wear a pair of hiking sandals.
Jacob Riis Gay Beach – New York City
Jacob Riis Beach is the official gay beach of New York City. Located in southern Queens on the Rockaway Peninsula, it has been a popular gay beach since the 1940s.
This no-frills gay beach is popular with residents of Brooklyn and southern Queens. Easily reachable via public transit, it’s perfect for short day trips from New York City.
While you’re visiting New York, consider staying at one of these awesome New York City gay hotels.
Will Rogers Gay Beach – Los Angeles, California
Will Rogers is the most popular gay beach in greater Los Angeles. The gay area is near lifeguard tower 18, which is adjacent to the Santa Monica neighborhood. There’s so much to do here, from playing volleyball to staring at the gorgeous lifeguards.
The Will Rogers gay beach is informally known as “Ginger Rogers Beach” and has a ton of history. Gay men have been coming here since the 1940s!
Tips for Will Rogers Gay Beach
- Parking lots are available everywhere along the seashore and typically cost a flat rate of $10.
- After the beach, check out the Los Angeles gay bathhouses!
Rock River – Vermont
Rock River is Vermont’s most popular gay and nudist swimming area. Guys here tend to be quite friendly, and if you wander in the surrounding woods, you’ll discover the area’s cruising scene.
The exact location of the gay beach might be hard for some to find. Luckily, GayOutdoors.org offers some detailed Rock River gay beach directions. They also mention a few other lesser-known Vermont gay beaches.
Pack all the right stuff with wolfyy’s essential gay beach accessories.
Next, check out wolfyy’s list of the best bear weeks and weekends around the world.
Has this epic list of the best gay beaches inspired you? Explore wolfyy’s collection of gay travel guides to destinations around the world!
