The Best Gay Beaches in the World (Ranked by Vibe, Safety & Community)

There’s something about a gay beach that just hits different. And it’s no secret, I love being shirtless, feet in sand, reading a good book (or not)… and ON THE MF BEACH!

It’s not just about the water (though a cute coastline never hurts). It’s the freedom. The ease. The unspoken understanding that you can show up exactly as you are — whether that’s in a Speedo, shorts, nothing at all, or just minding your business with a book and a drink.

After years of traveling, living abroad, and spending time in LGBTQ-friendly destinations around the world, I’ve learned this: not all gay beaches are created equal. Some are community-driven and welcoming. Some are party-heavy. Some are quietly queer without needing to scream it. And some… are for a very specific audience.

Below is my personal roundup of the best gay beaches in the world, ranked using a simple 1–5 system based on vibe, visibility, safety, and overall experience as a gay traveler. Best of all these are all great and approved for solo travelers, because I know the anxiety that comes along with that, that’s why I specifically picked these beaches. You will have no problem poppin’ a squat on the beach, meeting people, and having a timeeeee, hunni! Ok, let’s get into the list…

How the Rating System Works

Each beach is rated 1–5 stars based on:

• LGBTQ+ visibility & comfort

• Sense of community

• Overall vibe (social vs chill vs party)

• Accessibility & safety

• Would-I-go-back energy

1. Playa de los Muertos – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Playa de los Muertos

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

This is the blueprint.

Playa de los Muertos, specifically the gay stretch near Blue Chairs, is one of the most welcoming, social, and effortlessly queer beaches in the world. You don’t have to search for the gay area — it finds you. From the beach clubs to the vendors to the crowd itself, it’s clear this space was built with the LGBTQ+ community in mind.

What really sets PV apart is how integrated the beach is with the rest of gay life. You’re steps away from the Zona Romántica, gay bars, restaurants, and nightlife. It’s easy, it’s social, and it’s ideal whether you’re solo or traveling with friends.

Best for: First-time gay travelers, solo trips, social energy, year-round vibes

2. Playa Zipolite – Oaxaca, Mexico

Playa Zipolite

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Zipolite is freedom, bottled.

This bohemian, clothing-optional beach attracts queer travelers who are less interested in posing and more interested in being. It’s spiritual, sexy, relaxed, and deeply accepting without feeling commercial or performative.

Zipolite doesn’t have traditional “gay beach clubs,” and that’s exactly the point. The queerness here feels organic — artists, travelers, locals, and free spirits coexisting without labels or pressure.

If PV is social and structured, Zipolite is wild, soft, and unbothered.

Best for: Free spirits, nudists, slow travelers, queer creatives

3. Elia & Super Paradise – Mykonos, Greece

Elia & Super Paradise – Mykonos, Greece

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)

Mykonos is iconic for a reason.

Elia Beach and Super Paradise are unapologetically gay, glamorous, and loud in the best way. DJs spinning all day, beach beds packed with beautiful people, and a party that doesn’t really stop — it just moves.

The only downside? The cost. Mykonos is not budget-friendly, and during peak season it can feel overwhelming. Still, if you’re looking for a high-energy gay beach moment, it delivers every single time.

Best for: Party lovers, group trips, luxury gays

4. Fire Island (The Pines & Cherry Grove) – New York, USA

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)

Fire Island isn’t just a beach — it’s a gay institution.

Cherry Grove and The Pines have decades of LGBTQ+ history, and the sense of community here is unmatched. No cars, boardwalks instead of streets, and a rhythm that feels like gay summer camp… in the best way possible.

It’s not flashy, it’s not international, but it’s deeply rooted in queer culture. You go to Fire Island for connection, tradition, and a very specific kind of magic.

Best for: Community vibes, nightlife, queer history lovers

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5. Ipanema (Posto 9) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ipanema (Posto 9) – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Few beaches in the world are as visually stunning as Ipanema.

Posto 9 is the unofficial gay-friendly section, drawing a lively, mixed crowd of locals and travelers. It’s energetic, flirtatious, and undeniably beautiful — both the scenery and the people.

It doesn’t feel exclusively gay, but it does feel welcoming, which goes a long way.

Best for: People-watching, city + beach trips, vibrant culture

6. Sitges – Spain

Sitges – Spain

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Sitges is small, charming, and very gay in the most European way.

Just outside Barcelona, beaches like Bassa Rodona attract a friendly, social LGBTQ+ crowd, especially during summer and Pride. It’s easy, relaxed, and perfect if you want a gay beach without chaos.

Best for: Couples, chill socializing, easy travel days

7. Maspalomas – Gran Canaria, Spain

Maspalomas – Gran Canaria, Spain

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Maspalomas is vast — dunes, beach, and endless wandering.

It’s popular with European gay travelers, nudists, and those looking for a more adventurous experience. Less beach-club energy, more explore-and-find-your-own-spot vibes.

Best for: Adventurous travelers, winter sun, nudist-friendly beaches

8. South Beach & Haulover Beach – Miami, USA

South Beach – Miami, USA

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5)

Miami actually offers two very different gay beach experiences — and both deserve mention.

South Beach is the flashy, high-energy option. It’s not officially a gay beach, but the LGBTQ+ presence is strong, especially during major events like Winter Party, Miami Beach Pride, and Art Basel. Expect beautiful people, loud music, and a scene that leans more social than community-driven.

Then there’s Haulover Beach, specifically the gay section of Haulover, which is where things feel much more intentional. This is Miami’s clothing-optional gay beach, attracting locals, tourists, and regulars who know exactly why they’re there. It’s relaxed, body-positive, and far less performative than South Beach.

Together, South Beach and Haulover give Miami range — from party-forward chaos to laid-back, nude, and very gay.

Best for: Events, body confidence, sun-soaked people-watching, mixing party and chill vibes

9. Bondi Beach – Sydney, Australia

Bondi Beach – Sydney, Australia

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5)

Bondi is gay-friendly rather than gay-centric.

You’ll find queer locals, surfers, and laid-back energy, but not a defined gay section or social scene. Still, it’s welcoming and beautiful.

Best for: Lifestyle travel, long stays, surf culture

10. Little Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Little Beach, Maui, Hawaii

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (3.5/5)

Little Beach feels like a secret you’re not supposed to gatekeep.

Tucked away in Makena State Park, this clothing-optional beach attracts a mix of queer travelers, free spirits, artists, and locals who lean more spiritual than scene-y. It’s less about posing and more about presence — sunsets, drums, deep conversations, and bodies of all shapes existing comfortably in the open.

While it’s not explicitly branded as a “gay beach,” the LGBTQ+ energy is undeniable. If you loved the vibe of Zipolite but want something with Hawaiian soul, Little Beach is your spot.

It loses a few points for accessibility (you’ll need to hike down) and the lack of nearby amenities, but what you get in return is authenticity and calm.

Best for: Bohemian travelers, nudists, spiritual vibes, slow beach days

Final Thoughts

The best gay beaches aren’t just about parties or aesthetics — they’re about how safe, seen, and comfortable you feel while you’re there.

Whether you want community (PV), freedom (Zipolite), history (Fire Island), or high-energy chaos (Mykonos), there’s a beach out there that matches your spirit.

And trust me — once you find your kind of gay beach, it changes how you travel forever. Comment below if you’ve been to any of these and if you have any tips for folks… Also, curious if you have any others that I didn’t mention, please add them below!

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