The 12 Best Gay Nude Beaches Around The World To Add To Your Bucket List!

Freedom is a big deal for gay people, and it’s not hard to see why. If a community has largely been persecuted for much of modern history, it is easy to understand why they may have a need for a safe space where they are free to be themselves.

And, if you ask us, there is no better example of this than a gay nude beach…

Imagine a strip of pristine white sand right next to the glittering blue ocean, where not only are you free to hold hands, cuddle and make out with your partner, but you can also do it in the nude. This is what all the best gay nude beaches offer – and we’re pretty sure that’s the ideal vacation for a lot of people, gay or straight.

We also know that although there are not many nude beaches in general, there are a lot more for straight people than there are for gay people. We’ve also got to consider the fact that too many countries are homophobic, with archaic laws that could see gay people in jail for even kissing their partners in public. This means that finding a nude beach as a gay person is practically a herculean task. It’s also not one that you’d want to make a mistake in because imagine stripping off at a beach and you realize that it is really not a nude beach at all. Trust us, it will definitely count as one of the worst experiences of your life.

It’s possible to find these beaches yourself, but why not save yourself the stress of all that and look for a guide that already has that information laid out for you? That way, you can know the pros and cons of each one, and even match the beaches to your location to pick the closest one. You might not be able to visit each one one by one to confirm, but with a guide like us, you can be reasonably sure that you’re going to have fun. Here’s a list of the best nude beaches for gay people around the world.

Scan the list for the one closest to you, and if you can find any, maybe it’s a sign to book that destination vacation trip you’ve been dreaming of. And if you’re lucky enough to have one close to where you live, circle a day on your calendar, grab your best gay swimwear options (or not!), hit your partner up – or a friend, if you’re single and ready to mingle – and go have the time of your life.

The Grove and The Pines (Fire Island, USA)

Every inch of New York seems to play host to something iconic. Even the woods and island coves are not left out. Take Gay Fire Island, a long, thin island that has pretty much everything: private beaches, secluded spots, and a wild party scene. And in the midst of all that, you find Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines (often called The Grove and The Pines), two small vacation communities that have been havens for hay people since the 60s.

They are separated by a third mile of forest, and in theory, the two locations – including the forest – are pretty much-ungoverned territory when it comes to nudity and other activities of a similar nature. Sadly, as the island has become more popular, the proximity of settlements to some corners of the grove and the pines means that it’s no longer popular to get nude there. Move towards the remote stretches of beach west of the Grove and east of the Pines, or even head toward the coastal area near the forest, and you’ll have ample space to strip down to your birthday suit and enjoy the wonders of nature.

The forest also provides cover if you want to get more intimate, and it has even been given names like ‘Meat Rack’ and ‘Petting Zoo’ to allude to what goes on there. America, for all its issues, is advanced on the issues of LGBTQ rights, so the worst you have to fear is a public nudity/indecency charge, and even that is not very likely. Fire Island by itself is an unforgettable experience, and a visit to The Grove and The Pines can just be the icing on your vacation cake.

Playa Chihuahua (Punta Del Este, Uruguay)

You probably read the name of the country twice and shook your head skeptically, but we assure you that Uruguay is far more advanced than some of its neighbors when it comes to gay rights. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal with an equal age of consent since 1934, sexual orientation and identity protections have existed since 2004, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. So rest assured, you won’t be breaking any laws holding hands with your partner in the street or anything like that.

Now on to the real issues: can you find gay nude beaches in Uruguay? Playa Chihuahua or Chihuahua beach says yes, you absolutely can. One of the many beaches on the outskirts of Montevideo, Chihuahua beach has gained a reputation as a prime spot for gay people – and sometimes even bisexual partners – to cruise for couples. 

It’s slightly dangerous – so what’s fun without some danger – so it’s advised that you stick close to your car when you’re alone. In addition, avoid large groups of young people in the afternoon. On weekends though, you’re likely to find many gay people. If you’re trying to snag a partner, people say you should strip off, sit near your person of interest, and walk to and from the water, making sure to show off your body as you go. Chances are you’ll be successful.

Mont Rose Beach (Marseilles, France)

Mont Rose Beach, which is located around the Marseille area, specifically at the entrance of Le Parc des Calanques, is a picturesque expanse of rock and woods where gay and bi people go to relax and sunbathe in the nude. It is located adjacent to the fishing village of La Madrague de Montredon and counts snorkeling as one of the many pleasures you can enjoy there.

It is one of France’s oldest gay beaches and has a long history as a nude hangout. Cruising usually starts up as the sun goes down, and if you hang around a little, you’ll find local gays, as well as gay tourists, coming out to have some fun. There’s a lot of space, and the rocky landscape means that you can find a corner if things get really hot and steamy.

Or you can just enjoy a nude soak on the rocks and then head home. Your choice.

Mi Cayito (Havana, Cuba)

Mi Cayito is sometimes called Havana’s unofficial gay beach. It is located about 40 minutes east of Havana by car, and there’s even a local bus you can take for little money. There’s also a queer-friendly car service called My Cuban Taxi that takes passengers to the beach. Once you get to the beach, you’re met with a white stretch of beach that overlooks the warm, cobalt waters of the Caribbean.

The water is calm and perfect for swimming since there are usually no waves. You can rent chairs and umbrellas, and there’s also a small snack bar that sells food and drinks. It has developed something of a reputation for being queer-friendly, and dozens of rainbow-colored flags fly there every given day. You can find both local and tourist visitors lounging around in the nude and eyeing each other up.

Lady Bay Beach (Sydney, Australia)

Lady Bay Beach, also known as “Lady Jane,” is one of Australia’s oldest legal nude beaches, since it was first given official clothing-optional status in 1976. It is one of the more popular beaches that is well-known to Sydney’s tourists. Small size notwithstanding, tourists flock there in their droves, and when the tide is in on weekends, you can barely find space to sit. The beach is located near the tip of the South Head peninsula, which is just north of the Watsons Bay community. It’s got fantastic views of the skyline of downtown Sydney.

Despite being small, its popularity means that a lot of people watch it from the nearby lighthouse. If you’re going to be stripping down there, just know you’re going to have an audience. It is one of the two most popular nude beaches in the area, and it is well known for that. You can find a small snack shop near the beach. 

Lady Bay Beach has gained a reputation as a gay nude beach, and some people even come there for more than a visit to the beach. Be sure to check that the tides are down before you visit.

Orient Beach (St Martin, French Caribbean)

This beach is found on the French side, i.e., Saint Martin, not Sint Maarten. It is one of the most famous beaches on that side of the small, Caribbean island, and it is also the only beach with an official, nude section. It also plays host to the famous Club Orient, a nudist club and hotel. A nude beach and hotel together in the same place? It sounds too good to be true, but it actually is as the resort was destroyed in September 2017 by Hurricane Irma – but is hoping to reopen at some future date.

Every water activity you can think of is available here, as are restaurants and bars, but you’re probably not reading this list for the food and drink. Not to worry, all the hottest gays congregate in the nude-only section, so much so that it is sometimes called Gay Beach.

They take their nudist rules very seriously, so don’t attempt to remain clothed once you enter the nude area.

Sandy Bay Beach (Cape Town, South Africa)

Representing Africa is Sandy Bay Beach, sometimes called South Africa’s only unofficial nude gay beach. It is a stunning gay-friendly beach on the other side of Llandudno, in Cape Town. The beach is secluded, protected by large rocks that shield it from the other areas. You’re treated to stunning views of the Atlantic, as well as green dunes.

The views are almost enough to make you forget why you’re actually there, but if you can focus enough, you’ll see the hot men start to make their way out. Both tourists and locals take advantage of this beach to get full tans, as naked sunbathing is rife here. Surfing and other water sports are also available, and once in a while, something exciting like a beached whale might happen. Because of the seclusion caused by the rocks and scrub, Sandy Beach is somewhat dangerous, and if you’re alone, you may get harassed and abused.

Unless you’re skilled in self-defense, try to visit with a partner. Cruising happens towards the east side of the beach, so if you’re down for that, head in that direction.

Ga’ash Beach (Tel Aviv, Israel)

We’re trying to cover as much of the globe as we can, so wipe that surprised look off your face. Israel has nudist beaches too, and LGBTQ rights, surprisingly enough. The beach on this list is Ga’ash (גַּעַשׁ) Beach, which can be found 22 km north of Gay Tel Aviv by road. It is located just west of Kibbutz Yakum (יָקוּם‎). Although it is not officially a nude beach, it has a substantial, clothing-optional section and being located near one of the gayest cities on Earth; it is pretty gay…

The beach can get busy at times, especially during weekends when everyone has time to kill, but the long stretch of beautiful beach has space for everyone. The northernmost part, in particular, is popular with the LGBT community. It takes quite a bit of a walk to get there, and you should pack a lot of water, but once you’re there, you’ll likely be approached by friendly gays out to cruise.

Beachgoers have a habit of taking pictures, so make sure you’ve got no problems with your nude pictures potentially being taken, and you can relax and have fun.

Praia do Abricó (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

We’ve all had the heartbreaking experience of finding an exquisite beach and relaxing that a thousand other people have also found it. Luckily, Rio’s only nudist beach doesn’t have that problem.

Located in the Grumari district of gay Rio de Janeiro, Praia de Abricó is far enough away from the conventional tourist path that it does not get overly busy. Instead, you get to enjoy scenic views and surreptitiously eye the glowing, tanned bodies of hot Brazilians – prepare to see a lot of gay, hunky Brazilians without so much as a thread on. The trade-off for exclusivity is a complicated means of getting there.

You can hire a car or take a bus to the Recreio shopping mall, followed by an Uber.

Playa de Las Balmins (Sitges, Spain)

This magnificent beach is just a few minutes from the heart of the gay-friendly destination of Sitges, so you can have fun on the beach and then retire to a town where you’re sure you’ll be treated with respect, intact, Playa de Las Balmins is just a few minutes away from the iconic Parrots Hotel.

It is officially a nude beach, but you find that some people prefer to put on bathing suits. It’s got lifeguards, just in case you run into a bit of trouble, and there are also showers. There are some great rock coves, in case you want some privacy. There’s not much by way of shops, but there’s a neat little bistro there.

Hippie Hollow (Austin, Texas)

I’m sure you’d understand our reluctance to include this in our list, but it’s a gay nude beach right in the middle of Texas. It’s too good a chance to pass up. Hippie Hollow is a legally clothing-optional area that’s located west of Austin, on the rocky sloped of Lake Travis.

Memorial Day, Labour Day weekends and a holiday known as Splash Day are just some days on which gay people flock to the beach in boats and on foot. It’s not a very accessible place, especially if you want to walk, but there are a lot of activities, including fishing, windsurfing and scuba diving. There’s a bar there, though it’s called an A-list bar, so it’ll probably be a bit of a snooze.

Skip it and hang out on the beach instead. Just be careful not to go too far; it’s still Texas, after all.

Elia Beach (Mykonos, Greece)

Greece has always been a dream vacation destination, and it’s only fair that the gays have a place there too as well. Elia Beach, along with Super Paradise and Panormos beaches, are the beaches on the fabulously queer island of Mykonos, known for pulling the biggest crowds of gay people.

Out of these three, Elia Beach is still the place to be for gay people, as even Super Paradise is being overrun by the straights. Gay men come from all corners of the globe to lounge in front of the clear, warm waters. There are even waterfront bars that become lively clubs on summer nights. There are gay-friendly hotels all over the island, so your adventure doesn’t have to end once you leave the beach.

So there you have it; we’ve given you the best gay nude beaches around the wall. Go forth and conquer, but just remember to take all the precautions you’re supposed to at the beach, and if you can, bring a friend with you. You’ll have twice the fun and less reason to fear for your safety.