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PHOTOS: The World’s Best Gay Beaches 2016
You’ve been counting the calories and pounding the pavement and it’s all about to pay off with summer beach season. (Or, like us, maybe not.) Anyhow, Queerty’s sister site, GayCities, has compiled our annual list of the world’s best gay beaches and picked ten of our favorite spots to play in the surf, catch a few rays, and scope out a whole new season’s worth of the eye candy.
Did we miss your favorite beach? Let us know in the comments section.
Tune in next week for our picks of the world’s best nude beaches.
Check out the view of the 10 best gay beaches of 2016…
Farme, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro
The bears and otters of Rio might prefer Copacabana’s Bolsa, Farme on Rio’s Ipanema is considered “Barbie Land” by locals. Rainbow flags flank crowds of sun seekers and muscle men in skimpy beach attire. Infamous for the Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes song “The Girl from Ipanema,” the beach is often considered one of the sexiest in the world. Swing by and scope out the eye candy. Maybe you’ll find a man from Ipanema.
Photos: thefuturistics
Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta
Playa Los Muertos is the epicenter of Puerto Vallarta. Situated just south of the Malecon and the Cuale River in the Romantic Zone (or “Old Vallarta”), the beach draws locals, traveling sun seekers, and adventurers alike. Rafael Zamarripa’s iconic sculpture, “Caballero del Mar,” or “The Seahorse” stands strong at the end of the beach, just off of the popular Mantamar Beach Club Bar & Grill. Mantamar boasts a truly adults-only beach experience with a sexy pool scene, delicious cocktails, and plenty of eye candy. Not in the mood for a beach club? Grab a spot on the chairs in front of Blue Chairs Resort and soak up the sun. Between Sapphire, Ritmos Cafe, La Palapa, and the Swell Beach Bar there are plenty of options for snacks and libations on the beach. For a bit of culture, shopping, and even more water sports head towards the pier on the other side of Los Muertos. Architect Jesus Torres Vega designed the new Los Muertos Pier, which opened in the winter of 2013. Stroll along the pier towards the Malecon and take in the sculptures, sites, and sounds of the new(ish) Puerto Vallarta.
Photos by Jeffrey James Keyes
Fire Island, the center of outer barrier islands just parallel to Long Island, is a longtime mecca and summer destination. Despite a few weather-related speed bumps and literal fires, Cherry Grove and The Pines are back up and running. The sprawling beach passes both communities on the island and they’re additionally linked by a notorious sandy, woodsy, and cruisey section of the island affectionately known as “The Meat Rack”. Popular summer beach parties include the Pines Party and Ascension, but hundreds of chiseled men take the ferry from Sayville on Independence day for the annual “Invasion.”
Photos by Jeffrey James Keyes & vitofun
Maspalomas, Gran Canaria
The cat’s out of the bag: Gran Canaria is a gay summer wonderland. The most popular of the Canary Islands, this island practically straddles the coast of Morocco. With over 100 pristine beaches surrounding the island you never know who you’re going to run into in the alluring sand dunes. Maspalomas has taken off over the past few years, especially the Playa del Inglés region.
Photos by Alejandro Ramos, & Michele Solmi,
North Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
North Bondi is the ultimate beach destination for Aussi sun seekers and the rule of thumb is the more north you travel the gayer the beach (and the better the eye candy). Star performer Pam Ann has boasted in the past that “North Bondi is where all the gay show off their pecks and promenade to and from the water’s edge.” North Bondi is definitely a great place to swim and play in the waves. If you’re looking to let it all hang out, head on over to Lady Bay, one of Sydney’s original nude beaches.
Photo Credit: CAHairyBear nezmo24
Mykonos has been luring gay boys to its golden sandy beaches and transparent waters since Jackie O brought her entourage and drew her many chic followers to the island back in the 70s. There are plenty of world class DJs, water activities, and sites to see on the island but locals and tourists take their beach time extremely seriously on the island. Elia Beach is not only one of the island’s largest beaches, but it also has amazing restaurants and plenty of bungalows to snuggle into and create an ideal vacation. Ditch the trunks on the right hand side of the beach and strut your stuff as you dive into the pristine water.
Part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, Herring Cove is Provincetown’s most popular beach. It’s definitely “over the river and through the woods”, but once you arrive you will spot plenty of handsome beach dwellers enjoying this gorgeous unofficial nude beach. While it is technically illegal to disrobe here, the National Park Service typically looks the other way, though you should be able to cover up quickly in a pinch. The dunes are infamous for cruising and connecting, so don’t wander off the beaten path unless you’re looking for a little more adventure.
Photos by: danny7884 , & somanymen.com
Tel Aviv, with a population of only around 400,000 people has become one of the gay capitals of the Mediterranean in the past few years. One of the biggest draws, Hilton Beach, offers golden sand, blue waters, and some of the most gorgeous men in the world. Hilton beach is located just below the HIlton Hotel between Metzitzim Beach and the Tel Aviv Marina.
Photo by TijsB
Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio, one of the gayest destinations in Central America, has an enormous public beach “La Playita.” The beach has long been known as one of Costa Rica’s only nude beaches, but be careful because skinny dippers have been known to be reprimanded by local police after a new luxury hotel opened nearby. Don’t worry, the dress code is still skimpy, skimpier, and skimpiest.
Photos by roaming-the-planet
Clifton 3rd , Cape Town, South Africa
Known as Cape Town’s St. Tropez, Clifton is one of Cape Town’s biggest gay draws. There are four beaches that make up Clifton Beach, and Clifton 3rd is definitely the most “family friendly.” Apply that SPF generously and soak up the rays while taking in the turquoise blue water before you. Definitely be sure to take in the sunset, the view from this side of the Twelve Apostles is extraordinary. Want to ditch the suit and let it all hang out? Hop on over to Sandy Beach, just be sure to get the sand out of your nooks and crannies before heading to happy hour.
Photos by tseps_sa & flowcomm
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