Beach Life

Gay-Friendly Water Sports and Beach Destinations

Share this post on:

Are you gay couple or part of the lgbtq community planning a tropical vacation with beach and water sports? Look no further! Here is a list of some of the best beach vacation spots for gays and bisexuals that have excellent water sports facilities and are gay friendly. It’s time to pack your bags for the perfect gay beach holiday!

Sitges, Spain

Located just a half hour outside of Barcelona, Sitges is a charming town with a colourful past and an even brighter present as a popular gay holiday spot. For instance, the town receives numerous gay tourists during Carnival when the town celebrates this event.

However, it is not only a party destination, as it also has beautiful sandy beaches for sun tanning, swimming, and other water activities. If you fancy kayaking along the picturesque shore, the thrill of jet skiing, or just playing with the water and having a fun time in the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, Sitges offers all this and more to any gay beach lover.

Most of the beaches and the resorts here are gay friendly, which means you can freely be yourself without fear of prejudice from anyone. If you want a break from the water activities then you can walk around the town and enjoy the beautiful buildings, taste the mouth-watering food and enjoy the bright nightlife.

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations for gay partners and other visitors interested in an international party island. This is understandable given the fact that it has clean sandy beaches, clear Aegean Sea and is always vibrant.

From wild beach parties to intimate secluded bays, Mykonos is one of the most famous islands for its various beaches. And for those who want to have some more specific water related activities, the choices are virtually limitless. Go windsurfing, rent a paddleboard and discover the coast, or try scuba diving to meet marine life.

LGBTQ visitors will be pleased to learn that many resorts and beaches in the area are gay-friendly, and you will be free to be yourself, make friends, and have fun. But when the sun sets, Mykonos gets lively, and its nightlife is nothing short of incredible – it’s famous for a reason!

man at beach tattoo

Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs lacks natural beaches, but this desert resort city is the perfect place for gay men who enjoy luxurious accommodations, beautiful swimming pools, and sunny weather. Given that Palm Springs is only a short drive between San Diego and Los Angeles, it is understandable why so many LGBTQ Californians choose it as their weekend getaway location.

What Palm Springs lacks in the oceanfront is made up for with its desert, architecture, and hot springs. Laze around the pool or beach, basking in the sun and sipping on drinks for you and your companion. If you fancy going out, there are activities such as taking a walk around the nearby Joshua Tree National Park or taking an aerial tramway for a view of the Coachella Valley.

Palm Springs is a gay friendly city with many gay people and numerous gay resorts making it very welcoming for any gay tourists. Regardless of whether you want a quiet getaway, night out on the town, or a different kind of adventure in the middle of the desert, this is one place that every gay couple should add to their list of beach (or desert) destinations.

Gay couple on the beach at sunset

Fire Island, New York

Only a short drive outside New York City, Fire Island has been a popular vacation destination for the queer community for decades. This pedestrian-only island has numerous beaches, a welcoming atmosphere, and numerous options for water-based activities and recreation.

Male Gay Couple Rowing Kayak On Lake Together

If you are a fan of activity and mingling with other like-minded individuals, Fire Island’s party beaches are for you, or if you are a fan of solitude and naturism, some areas of the beach are also for you. With things to do like kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, and so much more, it is the ideal spot to take your loved one or friends out and enjoy water activities together.

There are several towns on Fire Island and all of them are welcoming to the gay community and each one has its own personality. Cherry Grove is one of the livelier destinations where the night is teeming with energy, while The Pines are more relaxed and serene. In addition, there are a number of establishments and guest houses owned by members of the LGBT community hence your stay in this island destination will be comfortable.

Tel Aviv, Israel

Tel Aviv is a trendy, gay-friendly city on the Mediterranean Sea, and it is a perfect vacation spot for every gay tourist. This city on the Mediterranean coast is home to sandy shores, nightlife, and modern and old architecture, making it a gem of Israel.

To relax on the beach, take a swim, or try out water sports such as windsurfing or kitesurfing, one is free to visit Tel Aviv’s beaches. Gay tourism Decatur is very popular and people here are welcoming and accepting of gays, this is evidenced by the fact that in the city’s beaches people do not look at you with disapproval if you are a gay couple.

And if you feel like stepping off the beach, Tel Aviv is full of interesting sights. From art and culture to food and drinks, and not forgetting the ever-famous vibrant and liberal gay nightlife, this city will never cease to provide you with its best. Not only does it have beautiful beaches for sunbathing and swimming, which is what most people go to the beach for, but it also has cultural destinations and friendly people that will make your stay in Tel Aviv a joyful one if you are part of the gay community.

Conclusion

Whether one wants to enjoy the sun and sand in Spain or go for swim in the blue waters of Greece or experience the desert beauty of Palm Springs, these destinations have it all- fun in sun, water sports, and a gay friendly environment. Therefore, pack your bags and begin preparing for that perfect gay beach vacation of a lifetime – fun and leisure are here!

Author: Steve

Steve is a UK based LGBTQ travel blogger dedicated to sharing travel experiences, tips and insights for his community. From destination guides to travel tips, he curates essential resources for gay couples and queer families.

View all posts by Steve >