YOUR FAVORITE LOGO TV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

The 10 Best Gay Beaches In The World

Your guide for fun in the sun, on some distant—but delightful—shores.

Summer is right around the corner, and naturally queer sun-worshippers stake our towels on some of the best real estate in the world.

Portrait smiling men with surfboards on beach

Below, we call out the 10 best gay beaches on the planet.

North Bondi Beach, Sydney

Sydney is a queer vacation mecca in its own right, with a half-dozen gay beaches including the eminently popular North Bondi. Here, both queer boys and lesbians take in the sea, sights and skin—including lots of Speedos (a.k.a. "budgie smugglers") and some nude sunbathers. (For some last-minute pumping up, hit the outdoor workout area near the North Bondi Surf Club.)

Note: the water can be a choppy–great for surfing, not so hot for wading.

Dongtan Beach, Thailand

This beach at Jomtien, Pattaya, attracts a year-round crowd of queer locals, tourists, and expats, and has benefited from recent beautification efforts.

The gay section is located in front of Rabbit Resort with with numerous other gay-friendly bars, cafes and guest houses nearby.

Farme de Amoedo, Rio

People know the girl from Ipanema, but this part of the neighborhood is all about the “Barbies"–Rio’s famed muscle men, who strut and pose on the sand. “Farme Gay,” as it's nicknamed, is also home to Rio's Carnaval, a legendary celebration that sees millions of half-naked revelers dancing in the streets. Tranquil, it's not.

Elia Beach, Mykonos

There are two main gay beaches in Mykanos—Super Paradise and Elia–but we chose the latter because it's less cruise-y and crowded. (It's also a stone's throw from the Watermania water park.)

Tucked away in a small cove, the tree-lined beach offers a variety of super-casual restaurants and bars, which transform into open-air nightclubs when the sun goes down.

Playa De La Bassa Rodona, Sitges

The proximity to Barcelona means urban boys flock to Playa De la Bassa Rodona in spring and summer—but also year-round; Sitges Gay Carnival in February is one of the most popular LGBT celebrations in Europe.

Like many gay beaches, Rodona is becoming increasingly popular with straight folk. To find your tribe, just start along the white-washed facade of Hotel Calipolis and look for a sea of muscular Spaniards.

Fire Island Pines, New York

Fire Island's two gay enclaves, the Pines and Cherry Grove, are divided by a no man's land lovingly referred to as "the Meat Rack." Both offer great sun and sand, but as Cherry Grove is more developed (with hotels, bars and eateries), it attracts more crowds and families.

On weekdays in summer, though, the sparsely inhabited beach at the Pines can make you feel like Tom Hanks in Castaway. Only, y'know, with out the volleyball best friend and threat of starvation.

Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta

Despite it's creepy name (which translates to "beach of the dead"), this Mexican getaway pristine shoreline just a few steps from Zona Romantica, Puerto Vallarta's prime gayborhood. You've hit the right spot when you see dozens of blue deck chairs.

If it all gets to be a bit much, wander over to Old Town, the city's historic district, and check out the galleries, shops and restaurants that line its quaint cobblestone streets.

Clifton 3rd, Cape Town

One of four beaches in the affluent South African neighborhood of Clifton, this is the one favored by gay beachcombers. Large granite boulders provide an interesting backdrop, and protect the beach from the strong winds that can whip around the city even in summer.

Time your visit right (around 8 pm in the summer) and you'll catch some of the most stunning sunsets on Earth. That is, if you can tear your eyeballs away from the bevy of beautiful boys.

Hilton Beach, Tel Aviv

Named for the Hilton Hotel that borders it, this beach is a gay gem in the not-so-gay-friendly Middle East. And it's been that way almost since Israel was founded. (Nearby Independence Park has been a popular cruising spot since the 1950s.) You'll find the boys congregating just north of the hotel, opposite the eagle statue on the top of the cliff.

Note: We've been told Israeli guys are pretty direct—If they like you (or don't) they're not afraid to say so.

Playa Playitas, Costa Rica

This isolated oasis in Manuel Antonio is located at the end of a more popular beach, Playa Espadilla. Playitas ("little beach") is only accessible by crossing a set of rocks during high tide, so plan ahead to make sure you don't get stranded with all the cute boys.

After you're finished tanning for the day, grab a drink at one of the local bars or the gay hotel, Hotel Villa Roca.

Latest News