There are so many places in the world these days where gay and bi guys can just let it all hang out. Being naked makes things more relaxed and more social. Nudists let their guard down in the realization that everybody’s got a body and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
The range of possible gay naked travel adventures has been growing. So many holidays that you can do in clothes, you can do au naturel.
Whether you’re a first-time nudist or an old hand, here are a few ideas to get you started on your next clothing-optional escape.
But first, a couple of tips: Sunscreen, everywhere, is essential when exposing that much skin. In natural environments, insect repellant is also a good idea—nobody wants to spend a holiday scratching their tender bits. Bringing a towel to sit on is considered good hygiene.
And remember, in many circumstances, even gay ones, nudity is not connected to sexuality; sexualizing the situation can be very bad manners. Read each venue’s website for their policies before you go—and also read the room. Clothing-optional means “it’s your choice;” don’t be a dick around those who don’t want to go full frontal.
Take a naked cruise
Most large-ship cruises expect you to wear clothes in the public areas of the ship. (Exceptions: on Atlantis and Vacaya LGBTQ2S+ cruises there is usually a clothing-optional tanning deck where passengers can be naked, but only when the ship is not in port.) But there are several gay small-boat cruises available in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia that are clothing-optional. Often on sailboats, these cruises usually accommodate about eight to 20 passengers, so the vibe is intimate. Because they’re not for the masses, these cruises are usually pricier and have fewer bells and whistles than a mainstream cruise, but they’re more relaxed, more authentic and the clientele can be more mature.
TRY: GaySail and Saltyboys offer gay clothing-optional cruises in locations all around the world. GaySail’s next cruise is off the island of Phuket, Thailand, for a week starting March 8; Saltyboys’ next sail is for a week in the Caribbean starting March 29.
Stay at a clothing-optional resort
Avoid an overstuffed suitcase and fretting about wardrobe choices by making your next resort visit a clothing-optional one. Although mainstream (i.e., mostly straight) clothing-optional resorts outnumber the gay and bi ones, they don’t offer the camaraderie that can be found at all-male properties. Most guests are up for socializing. Rules vary greatly. Along with your room, the pools and pool decks are usually nudist-friendly. But you and your visible junk may be less welcome in the lobby, gym and in dining areas.
TRY: One of the most famous clothing-optional resorts in the United States is Island House Key West (1129 Fleming St., Key West, Florida); all the regulars can help make guests feel at home. Palm Springs, California, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are probably two of the biggest hubs of clothing-optional gay resorts in the world; they offer an array of choices with varying degrees of cruisiness. For something on the other side of the Atlantic, try Club Torso in the Canary Islands (Av. Touroperador Kuoni 8, Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain).
Sleep in the home of a nudist
One of the advantages that LGBTQ+ home-sharing platform Misterb&b has over the juggernaut that is Airbnb is the ability to search for hosts and properties who allow you—perhaps encourage you—to make yourself at home by wearing nothing at all. The host may be a nudist themself or might just be fine with their guests being naked. Because the code of conduct is negotiated between you and your independent host, rather than with a business, it’s a good idea to ask a few questions about the host’s attitude toward nudity (and if there are expectations of sex) before making the booking.
Pop your tent with clothing-optional camping
Camping at a gay adults-only campground can be a revelatory experience. Campers can be extraordinarily welcoming and chatty, willing to accept you as you are and lend a hand when needed. There are usually themes (think bears, leather or Mardi Gras) and themed parties on the weekends. There are campgrounds for gay and bi men (as well as more inclusive LGBTQ2S+ properties) in most regions of the U.S. and Canada, most operating only in the warmer seasons. Many of them are clothing-optional, but with some restrictions (as a rule of thumb, if you can be seen by neighbours or passing cars, you can’t be naked in that area of the campground).
TRY: The Woods (3500 Forest St., Lehighton, Pennsylvania). This popular LGBTQ2S+ campground has 161 acres of privacy, including a four-acre lake. Though their website says the vast majority of campers are clothed, the only place you can’t be naked is in the café dining room.
Join a gay nudist group
Why are you making all these plans for yourself when you can make plans with like-minded guys? There are several organizations and/or platforms where gay guys who like to be naked can chat and learn about and organize events. Some of these resources lean into the “naturalist” side of nudism (i.e., sex is not the primary purpose), while others are a little racier, perhaps with community members who aren’t so shy about posting photos of themselves.
TRY: Gay Naturists International is a network of clubs across the United States. The national organization hosts an annual camping event called The Gathering; in 2025 it takes place from August 15 to 24 at a campground in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Tan on a clothing-optional beach
Maybe you don’t have a whole week or even weekend of your life to take a cruise or visit a resort or campground. Or the budget. Good news: there are few cheaper pleasures in life than visiting a gay-friendly clothing-optional beach. Around the world gay guys and nudists tend to gather at the far end of the local stretch of sand. People joke that it’s usually left from the main entry point, then go as far as you can, but that’s not always correct. In some places, queers are the majority, while in others, they’re mixed in among straight nudists. While some are only known locally, there are many that are well known internationally.
TRY: Hanlan’s Point (Toronto Islands, Toronto, Ontario). Accessible by ferry or water taxi from downtown Toronto, this local hangout becomes party central on summer weekends. And the city is so proud of the beach’s gay history that they’ve painted the walkway there with rainbow colours.
