Islands, separated by water from the rest of the world, develop their own unique cultures and lifestyles. Islanders are usually more relaxed than mainlanders and can be much more LGBTQ+ friendly.
Islands are often very beautiful landscapes—and they’re small enough that it’s easy to access that beauty. All that water means beaches and cliffs and dramatic shorelines.
The nine islands we’ve chosen to highlight are great destinations for any traveller, but they’re especially welcoming for LGBTQ+ travellers. So leave your car behind, hop on a ferry or plane and get yourself to one of these ocean-bound paradises.
1. O‘ahu
With a population of almost a million, the third-largest of Hawaii’s islands is the most urbanized and is home to the Hawaiian capital city, Honolulu, which has a long-standing LGBTQ+ community. Hawaii was one of the first states to decriminalize homosexuality and was one of the first states to make a move toward legalizing equal marriage, starting way back in the 1990s. But the island’s queer roots go even deeper; there’s a Hawaiian term that originated pre-colonization, aikāne, for intimate same-gender relationships; and another, māhū, that recognizes a third gender. Because O‘ahu is visited by so many people from around the world, tourists, as well as locals, make it a very gay destination.
Where to start
Scarlet Honolulu (80 S. Pauahi St., Honolulu). One of the biggest nightclubs of any sort in Hawaii, this beloved drag-and-dancing venue knows how to bring on the camp.
Queens Beach (south of the Waikiki Walkway, at the north end of Kapiolani Park Beach). Named not for the gay guys who hang out here but for Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian kingdom, whose reign ended in 1893.
2. Gran Canaria
At the south end of this Spanish island is Maspalomas, a town thought up in the 1960s as an idyllic beach resort. Whatever the plan, it’s become a mecca for gay Europeans seeking sun, sand, bars and parties, including a summer and a winter Pride, as well as a fall Fetish Pride. The famous Yumbo Centrum is a shopping mall with more than 30 LGBTQ+ nightlife spots ranging from drag bars to fetish clubs. The walk through the gigantic sand dunes, composed of sand blown over from the Western Sahara, can be a cruisy one, ending on a strip of sand that’s almost 100 percent populated by gay men.
Where to start
Bar Strand-Apo-Theke (Plaza del Faro 36, near the lighthouse, aka Faro de Maspalomas). Though Maspalomas is nominally a beach resort, this is one of the only gay bars that’s right on the beach and, as such, is a fantastic place for watching the sun go down.
Kiosco number five (a 20-minute walk from Playa del Inglés, toward the Faro de Maspalomas) is the gay clothing-optional section of the beach, though less cruisy than the sprawling dunes situated behind it.
3. Fire Island
With a long history as an escape for artists, celebrities and assorted bohemians, it’s not a surprise that this long, narrow island off the coast of Long Island, New York, has evolved into a utopia for gay men. Though these days, they’re coming to dive even deeper into gay life—they’re not escaping anything, certainly not their exes. The Pines is the heart of the scene and where the ferry arrives from Sayville, New York. Unlike most of the other islands on the list, this one gets pretty damn quiet in the winter.
Where to start
Blue Whale (Harbour Ln., The Pines). This iconic venue has hosted its famed Low Tea dances for more than 50 years. They happen every day in the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall.
The Meat Rack, also known as “The Enchanted Forest,” is a path through the woods, connecting the community of Fire Island Pines to Cherry Grove. It’s also known as a venue for the most casual of encounters.
4. Phuket
The Thai province of Phuket consists of the large island of Phuket and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. But most gay visitors are reluctant to leave Phuket City, with its full-of-gays urban beach and compact gay village centred on Paradise Complex (125/10-11 Rat Uthit Song Roi Pi Rd., Pa Tong, Kathu District, Phuket). The many drag and cruising bars, cafés and small hotels in the complex are packed tight—you won’t rack up many steps moving from venue to venue.
Where to start
Zag Club Phuket (123/8 Soi Paradise, Ratuthit Songroipi Rd., Patong, Kathu District, Ban Patong Patong, Phuket). This men’s club hosts elaborate drag shows in its compact space—and there’s dancing, too.
Patong is the main gay beach and, surprise, it’s just steps from Paradise Complex. It’s the perfect place to sip cocktails on a beach lounger. For something calmer but still gay-friendly, check out Kata Beach, which is a 20-minute drive down the coast.
5. Mykonos
Back in the 1970s, visits by the likes of Jackie Kennedy Onassis gave Mykonos a reputation for being chic—and the gays followed. These days the week-long Xlsior party (August 21 to 27, 2025) attracts as many as 30,000 of the hottest guys in Europe. Busy and pricey in the high season, it’s a far chiller destination in the spring and fall shoulder seasons. Quieter, scenic vistas are just a scooter ride away from the action. It’s hard to believe because of all the buzz about the “scene,” but Mykonos can be romantic.
Where to start
JackieO’ (the Town Bar location is close to the sea bus terminal; the Super Paradise location is at the west end of the beach). The sidewalk in front of the Town Bar gets packed on summer nights—it’s where to see and be seen. The beach club is more relaxed and food-oriented.
Elias beach (reachable by boat or bus from town). While Super Paradise is more developed, Elias has a wilder vibe, though there are also sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, and food to buy. Queer nudists tend to settle in at the western end of the beach, which has many rock nooks in which to strike camp.
6. Puerto Rico
Americans love Puerto Rico as a sun destination that they can visit without a passport. But Puerto Rico is much more than warm, sunny weather. In fact, the most LGBTQ+-friendly Caribbean island even has a couple of queer monuments worth visiting. The capital city, San Juan, has an array of nightlife options including some fantastic drag clubs. Then there are the bustling city beaches of Condado, Atlantic Beach and Ocean Park. Check out our insider’s guide to Puerto Rico here.
Where to start
The Tryst Beachfront Hotel (One Vendig Street, San Juan). This waterfront hotel was recently remodelled to be the first of a new Tryst brand of gay-friendly hotels, brought to you by the man who bought West Hollywood’s legendary The Abbey back in 2023.
La Sombrilla Rosa (154 Cll. de San Sebastián, Old San Juan, San Juan). Though most of San Juan’s gay bars are clustered around Avenida Roberto H. Todd in Santurce, start with a beer at this hole-in-the-wall queer bar, with its campy pink décor and wild assortment of patrons.
7. Florianópolis
Perhaps the most nominal island on the list—it’s less than 400 metres off the mainland coast and connected by two bridges—Florianópolis is the capital of the state of Santa Catarina and has a population of almost a half million. Its relaxed resort-town vibe draws visitors from other big Brazilian cities, though it’s increasingly become an international destination for LGBTQ+ travellers, too. Much of gay life there is clustered in the beach neighbourhood of Praia Mole, yet it has more than 40 beaches to explore. The city’s Gay Carnaval (February 27 to March 5, 2025) attracts more than 50,000 partiers. Events include the Pop Gay party, which is held outdoors right in the city centre.
Where to start
Bar do Deca (Rod. Jorn. Manoel de Menezes s/n, Praia Mole, Florianópolis). This classic beachside venue is famed for its daytime service on the sand and its packed dancefloor at nighttime.
Praia da Galheta (accessible by a walking trail north from Praia Mole). Guarded by rocks and hills from the prying eyes of casual passersby, this is Florianópolis’s unofficial gay nudist beach.
8. Aruba
Although not as advanced in LGBTQ+ rights as other destinations on this list, it’s one of the Caribbean islands with the most relaxed attitudes about queer people, and same-sex sex is legal. Attribute it to the Dutch influence, starting with Dutch West India Company control in 1636. But Aruba is much less about the gay scene. Crystal clear water, white-sand beaches and watersports are what draw most people here, though the capital city, Oranjestad, has more than 50 street murals to see, as well as excellent luxury shopping.
Where to start
Cage Nightclub (Calla harmonia 10, Oranjestad). Aruba’s only gay club is open for drag shows on Thursdays, dancing on Saturdays.
Eagle Beach (between Alhambra Casino and Bubali Bird Sanctuary). Though it’s definitely a mixed space, if you want to spot other LGBTQ+ people while you’re sipping cocktails on the beach, this is the place to go.
9. Bali
Bali’s reputation as Indonesia’s most open-minded island might come from Balinese Hinduism, which is also responsible for Bali’s unique temple complexes. Or from the fact that the island sees so many international visitors who come for the rich culture, the beautiful landscape and the party vibe. LGBTQ+ visitors may want to skip Kuta Beach, which can be overrun with straight Australians, and base themselves in or near Seminyak Beach, where Bali’s handful of gay venues are located. The beaches themselves are not pristine, and the urban planning is a mess, but the warmth of the people, and the beautiful places to visit, make Bali worth it.
Where to start
BaliJoe Bar (Jl. Camplung Tanduk No. 8, Seminyak, Kec. Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali). How do you tell Bali’s longest-standing gay bar from the three other almost-identical gay bars that sit side by side on one of Seminyak’s main roads? It’s usually the busiest.
Pantai Batu Belig (near Grand Balisani Suites Resort). You won’t find exclusively gay or nudist beaches in Bali, but this is the one you’re mostly likely to spot gay guys hanging around.
