Gays on beach

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Of these, Baker Beach in the Presidio district is the place to go nude in friendly company, all in view of the bay’s famed Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands opposite. Once you reach the stunning golden sand, you can bliss out for hours, often in near solitude — just keep in mind that the rough surf here makes swimming treacherous.

Paliku Beach is an especially enjoyable place to decompress after hiking the spectacular sea cliffs of Kauai's Napali Coast or the otherworldly red-clay bluffs of Waimea Canyon.

Where to stay

Delivering the ultimate splurge on an island with plenty of cushy accommodations, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay (rates start at $1,022 per night) cascades down a seaside bluff in the exclusive Princeville resort district, near historic Hanalei, which served as the filming location for the musical "South Pacific." The spacious rooms have huge picture windows with views of the sea and surrounding mountains, and Bamford Wellness Spa offers a slate of blissful treatments.

The Marriott Kauai Beach Club (rates start at $516 or 71,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) is set on an 800-acre tract of pools, gardens and beaches on Kauai's eastern shore, close to Lihue Airport.

Located near the Historic Seaport, this contemporary resort offers luxury waterfront views, chic décor, and proximity to Higgs Beach, making it ideal for those who want both beach relaxation and access to the island’s gay-friendly nightlife and culture.

Little Palm Resort and Spa

2. Serving cocktails and Mexican fare from dawn until late, the resort is also known for its go-go boys, drag shows and scandalous antics on the rooftop bar.

Two of Kauai's popular LGBTQIA+ beaches — Lydgate Beach Park and Paliku Beach — can be found on the lush eastern (or windward) shore.

Centrally located Lydgate Beach Park draws more sizable and eclectic crowds and offers proximity to plenty of fun options for post-beachcombing cocktails. Wreck Beach, Vancouver, Canada

From south to north, our second gay beach to mention is Vancouver City’s Wreck Beach, a bohemian surprise on the Pacific Coast.

Another excellent option is The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, a historic gem nestled in Nob Hill. Find Higgs Beach at the end of Reynolds Street, where the wide beachfront comes complete with calm and shallow waters, a wooden pier and bathroom facilities. For a sneak preview of this beautiful little slice of paradise, hop on YouTube to seek out Kylie Minogue's bubblegum-pop video "It's No Secret," which was filmed entirely on location in Port Douglas in the late '80s.

Where to stay

Set along a sublime and secluded stretch of sand near Macalister Range National Park, about a 20-minute drive south of Port Douglas, Turtle Cove Beach Resort (rates start at $149 per night) is an idyllic place to spend a few days sunning, swimming and sipping drinks in the convivial beach bar.

There's also a section enclosed by jetties that's ideal for swimming.

If it's complete serenity you're after, head to Paliku Beach (aka Donkey Beach). For those seeking a more classic luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale provides timeless sophistication, with spacious rooms and private balconies overlooking the Atlantic.

gays on beach

With its chic design and focus on sustainability, Kura caters to discerning travellers seeking romance and luxury amidst nature. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, USA

Move over Provincetown because there’s a new contender for the Atlantic Coast’s top LGBT beach, located in the friendly state of Delaware on a peninsula east of Washington DC. Here you’ll find gay Rehoboth Beach, a windswept coastal town filled with over 200 gay owned and operated businesses, tax-free shopping and pretty stretches of beach in walking distance from town.

Blending Art Deco and Asian influences, this oceanfront oasis offers sophisticated luxury with impeccable service. Some are fun gay beaches year round, while others are best visited during the summer season. 

Once you’ve arrived at these paradises, keep in mind our suggestions for proper gay-beach etiquette.

Playa Los Muertos is just one of the many hidden beaches here, made famous as a gay destination thanks to Blue Chairs, the town’s first gay resort. Within either enclave however you’ll find a neat selection of gay beaches and a diverse mix of ages, professions, nationalities and kinks. The community comes out in droves on nice weekends.

Clothing optional: No

Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

At the southern end of the resort town’s Zona Romántica, this stretch of beach might be one of the world’s gayest, especially when Canadians and Americans descend on the place for their January and February winter escapes.

Move to the northern end of the beach for the gay bit, an area popular among locals for picnics and relaxing in cliff surroundings.