Beach culture has been an integral part of LGBTQIA+ travel for decades, since the emergence of destinations like Provincetown, Massachusetts; Mykonos, Greece; Key West, Florida; and Sitges, Spain, as sun-splashed havens.
These days, queer travelers flock to dozens of enticing beaches, from secluded spots where you can sunbathe au naturel to festive party playgrounds flanked by luxury resorts and gay nightlife districts.
Some of the world’s most amazing beaches are still relatively unknown. Try one of these 12 LGBTQIA+-favored seaside getaways as you plan your next coastal adventure.
Thessaloniki, Greece
The second-largest city in Greece, this picturesque coastal metropolis on a sheltered gulf in the Aegean Sea promises an enticing blend of vibrant urban diversions — including buzzy restaurants and nightspots — and proximity to gorgeous golden beaches. Although many queer visitors to Greece focus their time on Athens and Mykonos (and other islands), Thessaloniki has a sizable and increasingly visible LGBTQIA+ population.
Beyond the opportunities for sunshine and relaxation, this nearly 2,500-year-old Macedonian port city is steeped in history. You can explore ruins that tell the story of the city’s Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras and the renowned Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
The presence of Aristotle University, with its nearly 100,000 students, brings art, culture and a youthful vibe to Thessaloniki, which is also famous for its many annual festivals, including the Thessaloniki International Film Festival in late autumn and a very fun Pride celebration, held over five days in June. Known as a hub of clubbing and partying, Thessaloniki has several queer bars, most of them in the up-and-coming Valaoritou neighborhood, which is close to the lively Old Port district. For fun in the sun, you’ll find several beautiful stretches of sand within a half-hour to one-hour drive along the coast, including some clothing-optional spots popular with queer folks, such as Epanomi to the southeast and Korinos to the southwest.
Where to stay
Just a block from the water and a short walk from the ancient Ottoman White Tower fortress, Teight Hotel (rates start at $173 per night) is one of the top host hotels during Thessaloniki Pride, and it draws a fashionable and inclusive crowd year-round with its chic contemporary design and proximity to hip boutiques, pulsing music clubs and trendy restaurants.
Perfect for longer stays and close to the famed Enola queer dance club, Thess Residences (rates start at $110 per night) occupies a century-old former factory building and offers 25 tastefully appointed apartment-style suites with well-stocked kitchens.
Curacao
One of three sunny isles near the coast of Venezuela that make up what’s often referred to as the ABC Islands (the others are Aruba and Bonaire), Curacao is one of the most LGBTQIA+-welcoming destinations in the Caribbean. Officially part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this hilly island is dotted with cacti, shrubs and other flora that thrive in this semiarid climate. Curacao is anchored by the Dutch Colonial village of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage site established in 1499, filled with colorfully hued, gable-roof buildings and centuries-old military fortifications.
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Home to more than three dozen breathtaking beaches and popular for diving, swimming and fishing, the island has become an increasingly popular destination with LGBTQIA+ travelers, especially during the 10-day Curacao Pride celebration in late September and early October. It’s frequently a port of call on gay Caribbean cruises, and the legalization of same-sex marriage on Curacao in 2024 has also helped grow its reputation as a locale for queer weddings and honeymoons.
Where to stay
With a stunning oceanfront setting and an inviting infinity pool, the Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort (rates start at $252 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) is also a short stroll from the historic Queen Emma pontoon pedestrian bridge that leads into the charming heart of Willemstad. The main lodging sponsor of Curacao Pride, the Renaissance offers a full slate of amenities, including a spacious fitness center and five bars and restaurants.
Kauai, Hawaii
Ruggedly spectacular and the least populated of Hawaii’s four largest islands, Kauai is hard to beat if you’re looking to commune with nature or laze on a tranquil beach with nothing but the sound of the surf as your soundtrack. The host of a popular Pride event each June, Kauai also has an inclusive vibe. 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. 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). The magic begins with a stroll from the parking area through the Tree Tunnel, a gently sloping pathway beneath a canopy of verdant vegetation. 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. Its myriad amenities and central location make it a great base for exploring both the north and south shores.
Zipolite, Mexico
Set amid the towering sea stacks and rocky ramparts of Mexico’s dramatic Oaxacan coast, Zipolite sits along a string of minimally developed beach villages — there’s not a high-rise or internationally branded resort in sight … yet.
Bohemians, yoga enthusiasts, surfers and free spirits have been vacationing here and in neighboring Mazunte for years, and although it’s far less touristy and pricey than Puerto Vallarta or Tulum, this former fishing village offers a growing number of stylish boutique hotels, laid-back wellness retreats and nudist-friendly men’s resorts.
Many queer visitors come to experience the inclusive vibes and surreal beauty of Playa del Amor, a clothing-optional, horseshoe-shaped sandy cove nestled between cliffs and massive boulders. All day long, and especially at sunset, this compact beach on the eastern edge of town offers a delightful mix of socializing and seclusion, while an unpretentious beach bar dispenses ice-cold micheladas and fresh coconuts.
Fringed with palapa-roofed ceviche restaurants, Zipolite’s main beach stretches along the crashing surf for another mile or so and is every bit as gorgeous. Several airlines make the 75-minute flight from Mexico City to Puerto Escondido and Huatulco, each about a 90-minute drive from Zipolite.
Where to stay
El Alquimista (rates start at $192 per night) enjoys a peaceful setting at the west end of Zipolite’s long, picturesque beach. Breezy cabanas with palapa roofs, decks and hammocks impart an easygoing vibe, and the open-air, toes-in-the-sand restaurant is one of the best in town.
Durban, South Africa
Cape Town may receive more international attention, but South Africa’s third-largest city is arguably more appealing for a beach vacation. The consistently warm waters of the Indian Ocean make this LGBTQIA+-welcoming city ideal for swimming, surfing, bodyboarding and sunbathing, and the tropical climate is mild year-round, though it can get muggy during Durban’s wet summers (from October to April).
This lively and diverse port city on South Africa’s east coast has plenty of oceanfront hotels and is just an hour or two by plane from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Durban is fringed by a stretch of breathtaking beaches known as the Golden Mile, with lively North Beach just a few minutes’ drive from the gay cafes and bars of the colorful Morningside neighborhood.
Just a short drive up the coast, you can mingle with locals and laze in the sun at LGBTQIA+-popular Virginia Beach (next to a small, private airport) when you’re not lounging on the section of sand adjacent to Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve in the affluent town of Umhlanga.
Umhlanga is an appealing base for exploring the region. Several upscale hotels are within walking distance of the beach and the town’s Instagram-worthy Whalebone Pier. You’ll find everything from luxurious beach hotels to budget-friendly outposts from brands like Hilton and IHG.
When it’s time to satiate your appetite, be sure to sample a bunny chow, a local street food consisting of a loaf of crusty bread hollowed out and filled with spicy curry. Durban is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of Asian Indian immigrants, so it’s packed with superb Indian restaurants.
Where to stay
Perched overlooking the sea in Durban’s bustling North Beach neighborhood, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani (rates start at $93 per night) is one of the largest resorts in the city, and it offers plenty of amenities, including a rooftop pool, full-service spa and bikes to pedal along the beachfront. It’s a five-minute drive to several popular LGBTQIA+ bars. Set directly on the beach and overlooking the picturesque lighthouse in affluent Umhlanga, the historic Oyster Box (rates start at $530 per night) has long been the favorite address of visiting celebs and dignitaries. Attentive service, superb dining and exquisitely manicured gardens and grounds are hallmarks of this 86-room resort.
Lisbon
Although Spain is home to several of Europe’s most iconic gay beach destinations (we’re looking at you, Sitges and Ibiza), neighboring Portugal is rapidly gaining ground in popularity, with the hilly and historic capital, Lisbon, leading the charge.
One of Europe’s top vacation values, Lisbon offers a thrilling mix of vaunted restaurants, well-preserved Roman ruins, buzzy art museums and inviting queer bars. The latter are set mostly along the quaint cobbled lanes of the Bairro Alto district.
This dynamic metropolis, where the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean meet, is just a half-hour drive from Beach 19, the country’s — and one of Europe’s — most beloved LGBTQIA+ sunbathing locales. This beautiful clothing-optional beach is set against gentle dunes and occupies an undeveloped span of the Costa da Caparica, which is blessed with sunny and generally dry (at least, from March through September) weather. Looking for refreshments? From Beach 19, you can walk just 10 to 15 minutes south to the breezy beach bars of Fonte da Telha.
Where to stay
Just south of the Tagus River, the modern Crowne Plaza Caparica Lisbon (rates start at $177 or 32,000 IHG points per night) is equidistant to Lisbon’s attractions and the queer social scene at Beach 19.
Ogunquit, Maine
Provincetown may be New England’s best-known LGBTQIA+ beach destination. However, this charming, historic, seaside village on the coast of southern Maine has its draws, too. Set along a jagged, rocky swath of shoreline that looks like it belongs in a Winslow Homer painting, this dapper village of clapboard bed-and-breakfast accommodations and eateries has been an artists’ colony since the late 19th century.
The exceptional Ogunquit Museum of American Art and the Ogunquit Playhouse, which presents acclaimed summer stock musicals, carry on the village’s rich artistic tradition.
The queer beach scene here is relaxed and fun, and from the south end of the long and sandy strand it’s just a 10-minute walk to the town’s restaurants and gay bars. You can also stroll along Marginal Way, a paved pathway along the granite ledges that fringe the ocean, to Perkins Cove, a quaint fishing village that abounds with lobster shacks.
Should you crave more variety, you’re in luck: A few more beaches and an acclaimed dining scene can be found just 45 minutes up the coast in Portland, Maine.
Where to stay
One of the most charming bed-and-breakfasts in town, the LGBTQIA+-owned Trident Inn (rates start at $299 per night), formerly known as 2 Village Square Inn, sits on a hilltop overlooking the village center and is a quick stroll from restaurants, bars and the beach. Purchased by new owners and rebranded and fully renovated in 2025, this stylish property has 17 rooms in various sizes and configurations, and perks include a saltwater pool, hot tub and a romantic new restaurant, Coastal Alchemist.
Quepos, Costa Rica
With its alluring mix of jungle-covered mountains, lush cloud forests and spectacular beaches, Costa Rica ranks among Latin America’s top destinations for laid-back oceanfront vacations and eco-oriented adventure travel. It’s where zip lining was invented, after all.
It’s also a country that has long extended a warm welcome to LGBTQIA+ travelers, with the beach town of Quepos leading the way. It’s located along the central Pacific Coast, a three-hour drive from Costa Rica’s largest city, San Jose, but guests can also fly into the town’s small airport, which has several flights daily from the capital.
Quepos is also the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, with spectacular beaches, nature trails and hundreds of rather mischievous capuchin and howler monkeys (along with plenty of other fascinating fauna). The gay scene in Quepos is low-key, but there’s a fun club in town with dancing and live music that draws a mixed crowd, and LGBTQIA+ parties and events take place throughout the year, including Pride on the Beach in July.
Where to stay
Tulemar Resort (rates start at $365 per night) spreads across a dramatic 33-acre tract of jungle with its secluded private beach, just south of Quepos on the road to the national park. The resort’s eco-friendly villas have one to four bedrooms, and the property features four pools, two restaurants and a festive beach bar. Set on a lush hillside with expansive ocean vistas, La Mariposa Hotel (rates start at $210 per night) is a sleek boutique resort popular with LGBTQIA+ travelers that offers both classic rooms and roomier apartment-style units, all with gracious patios or balconies.
Saugatuck, Michigan
Within a three-hour drive of Detroit and Chicago, this postcard-worthy town hugs the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan and has long been the Midwest’s premier LGBTQIA+ vacation playground. You’ll find numerous queer-owned accommodations, eateries and shops in the tree-lined village centers of both Saugatuck and its similarly charming neighbor, Douglas. The long-running Dunes Resort is an LGBTQIA+ social hub with several bars and a central pool, and offers overnight accommodations.
You can rent kayaks to paddle around Kalamazoo Lake, a wide section of the Kalamazoo River that bisects Saugatuck before flowing into Lake Michigan. Take a short ride across the river on the hand-cranked chain ferry, climb the staircase to the top of Mount Baldhead for a bird’s-eye view of the area and then walk to Oval Beach, with its gentle golden dunes and stunning sunset views (you can also drive to the beach). See what’s on in the evening at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, an acclaimed performing arts space.
Where to stay
One of a handful of endearingly retro midcentury motor lodges that LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs have purchased and given stylish makeovers in recent years, the Starlite Resort (rates start at $139 per night) has 29 cozy, immaculate rooms set on 6 tree-shaded acres with a heated pool and fire pits.
Santa Catarina Island, Brazil
This sunny, verdant island in southeastern Brazil is just 33 miles long but offers some of the most alluring beaches in the country. Along the coast, there is an abundance of stylish resorts, from the tiny beach town of Jurere to the lively city of Florianopolis. The latter is close to Praia Mole, a crescent-shaped beach backed by emerald hills that LGBTQIA+ sunseekers flock to.
Although Santa Catarina Island has become a favored gay weekend getaway among those seeking a less party-driven alternative to pulsing Rio de Janeiro, which is less than 90 minutes away by plane, you can still find opportunities here for revelry. In Florianopolis, there’s dancing until dawn on weekends at Jivago Social Club, Conca Club and other queer nightspots.
Another bonus: This lush island, roughly twice the size of Martha’s Vineyard, offers gorgeous hikes through the rugged mountains of Sao Joaquim National Park and the otherworldly sands of the Joaquina dune field.
Where to stay
The posh and LGBTQIA+-welcoming Hotel Boutique Quinta das Videiras (rates start at $196 per night) sits a block from the shore of freshwater Lagoa de Conceicao, on the edge of Florianopolis. Designed in the Portuguese Colonial style, this pink mansion has 16 antique-filled rooms and is less than a 10-minute drive from the ocean and the sands of Praia Mole.
Port Douglas, Australia
Home to Australia’s most famous LGBTQIA+ hotel, the Turtle Cove Beach Resort, as well as the gay-owned Pink Flamingo Resort, the former gold-mining hub of Port Douglas is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier gay beach retreats. It’s just a 45-minute drive from the small city of Cairns (a three-hour flight from Sydney) near the northern end of Queensland.
Port Douglas’ Four Mile Beach is the stretch of sand to prioritize. It overlooks the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea and features gorgeous golden sand to walk on at sunrise or sunset.
Those keen on scuba diving and/or snorkeling will love that the town offers direct access to the Great Barrier Reef, while hikers and wildlife enthusiasts flock here to explore the natural wonders of the Daintree Rainforest. 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. Located just outside Port Douglas, Pink Flamingo Resort (rates start at $107 per night) is a pet-friendly hideaway with 12 attractive rooms, most with a kitchenette, plus a palm-shaded pool.
Guam
For many visitors, this quietly blissful Micronesian island that’s an unincorporated U.S. territory is an unexpectedly magical place for a tropical beach vacation. One of the friendliest and most LGBTQIA+-embracing getaways in the Asia-Pacific region, Guam legalized same-sex marriage in 2015 and has become a favorite wedding destination with queer folks from throughout Asia and even Russia.
Think Hawaii, but with fewer crowds and significantly lower prices. You can snorkel in the sheltered, bathtub-warm waters of Tumon Bay and hike in the forest-covered mountains of the island’s interior, and you’ll discover tasty Thai, Japanese and local Chamorro food at every turn.
The island’s ties to the LGBTQIA+ community are deep. Guam’s lieutenant governor, Josh Tenorio, is openly gay, as is the retired chief justice of the Guam Supreme Court, Benjamin Cruz. Most of Guam’s resorts are in the island’s second-largest town, Tamuning, which offers an array of enticing high-end shops (bargain seekers take note — the entire island is duty-free), eclectic restaurants and friendly bars, a few of which have strong LGBTQIA+ followings.
Although it takes some effort to reach this island, about 1,300 miles east of the Philippines, the trip from the North American mainland can be part of the fun, as you can easily add a long stopover in Hawaii, Tokyo or Seoul.
Where to stay
A favorite of the island’s LGBTQIA+ visitors, the well-appointed Westin Resort Guam (rates start at $229 or 33,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night) offers a full slate of leisurely pursuits: scuba, snorkeling, kayak and boat rentals; a sprawling pool; a well-equipped fitness center; and an impressive spa. There are also five excellent restaurants, spanning sushi to gourmet Italian, and rooms are airy and comfortable with balconies.