Clothing-optional beaches
2026 atlasClothing-optional beaches where the boys go, on one map. 103 beaches in 39 countries, 47 of them official. Tap a pin for the gay end, the rules and directions.
- Gay beach
- Gay-popular
- Naturist, everyone
- Not any more
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Top for the boys
A clothing-optional beach the boys have made their own: a gay-majority crowd, a beach bar that knows it, and friends you have not met yet. Ranked on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety.
- 1Spain
The south end, around the Chiringay beach bar. The further you walk from the parking lot, the more the crowd is ours.
OfficialSeaMay to October - 2Spain
Kiosk 7, with the crowd spilling to kiosks 5 and 6. The numbering has shifted over the years; follow the rainbow flags.
ToleratedSeaAll year. The winter sun is the point. - 3PortugalPraia 19Costa da Caparica, across the river from Lisbon · PortugalCosta da Caparica, across the river from Lisbon
The whole beach is ours: an official clothing-optional beach since 1995 and one of the largest gay beaches in Europe. The dunes behind it are part of the scene.
OfficialSeaJune to September - 4Greece
Far right as you face the sea: past the rainbow flag, then over the rocks into the clothing-optional cove.
ToleratedSeaJune to September - 5Greece
- 6Mexico
The small cove at the east end of Zipolite, over the rocks. Ours at sunset.
OfficialSeaNovember to April - 7SpainPlatja de l'Home MortSouthwest of Sitges, past the golf course · SpainSouthwest of Sitges, past the golf course
The whole cove. A gay beach since the 1930s, by the town's own account.
ToleratedSeaMay to September - 8Germany
The clothing-optional lawn on the lake. On a hot Sunday it is mostly men.
ToleratedSeaMay to September - 9GreeceLittle BananaNext to Banana beach, southwest Skiathos · GreeceNext to Banana beach, southwest Skiathos
The small cove past the main Banana beach. The far end is the gay end.
ToleratedSeaJune to September - 10Greece
The nudist beach at the south end of Faliraki bay. The boys are by the trees.
ToleratedSeaMay to October
Also gay, not ranked this year
Where the boys go too
A clothing-optional beach for everyone with a gay end everyone knows about. Walk in the direction the guide says and you will find the boys.
- 1Israel
The south end is the gay end. The north end is everyone else. In between, the sand sorts itself.
ToleratedSeaApril to October - 2Spain
The nudist stretch at the north end, with the BeGay chiringuito as the meeting point.
OfficialSeaMay to September - 3Spain
The whole cove is clothing-optional. Mostly men, a big bear following, everyone welcome.
ToleratedSeaMay to September - 4France
The far left end of the naturist beach as you face the sea, past the Oltra dunes. The rest is families and couples.
ResortSeaMay to September - 5Croatia
Follow the FKK signs to the rocks on the southeast of the island, then keep going past the main naturist rocks.
OfficialSeaMay to October - 6Croatia
The rocky far side of the islet, past the main clothing-optional beach and the restaurant.
OfficialSeaMay to October - 7Greece
The JackieO' half of the beach. Clothing-optional use is rarer than it was; the party is not.
ToleratedSeaJune to September - 8Netherlands
The Baaiegatstrand naturist beach has a gay island section; the main lawn is families.
OfficialLakeMay to September - 9Germany
The signed FKK zone at the east end of the lido.
OfficialSeaMay to September - 10Germany
The clothing-optional section at the north end of the lido.
OfficialSeaMay to September - 11Germany
The gravel banks and islands of the Flaucher FKK zone, downstream of the beer garden.
OfficialRiverMay to September - 12Germany
The little wood and the Rhine bank north of the Zoobrücke.
ToleratedRiverMay to September - 13United StatesHaulover BeachHaulover Park, north of Miami Beach · United StatesHaulover Park, north of Miami Beach
The north end of the clothing-optional stretch, around lifeguard towers 15 to 17. Gay-dominant on weekdays.
OfficialSeaAll year. Winter is peak. - 14Canada
The signed clothing-optional beach. Queer since the 1940s, and the crowd still shows it.
OfficialLakeJune to September - 15Canada
South of the Trail 6 stairs, the Oasis and Pebble beaches are the gay end. The main beach at the bottom of the stairs is everyone.
OfficialSeaJune to September - 16Brazil
The whole beach is clothing-optional (it is required). Weekdays are quiet naturists; weekends bring the boys from the Zona Sul.
OfficialSeaOctober to April - 17South AfricaSandy BayLlandudno, Atlantic seaboard, Cape Town · South AfricaLlandudno, Atlantic seaboard, Cape Town
The far end of the beach, past the rocks, is the gay end.
ToleratedSeaNovember to March - 18United States
The far left of the beach is the gay end. Sunday afternoon is the drum circle and the crowd.
ToleratedSeaAll year - 19United StatesHerring CoveCape Cod National Seashore, Provincetown · United StatesCape Cod National Seashore, Provincetown
Turn left from the parking lot and keep walking: the further end is the gay end, and clothing-optional use is quietly tolerated there.
ToleratedSeaJune to September - 20Australia
The whole cove is legally clothing-optional and has been the boys' harbor beach for decades.
OfficialSeaNovember to April - 21Australia
The whole beach. The crowd is mixed and older, with a steady gay following.
OfficialSeaNovember to April - 22Taiwan
The stretch by the abandoned resort, north of the signed public beach. The public beach itself is swimwear only.
ToleratedSeaMay to October
More with a gay end
Everyone welcome
A clothing-optional beach with no particular gay crowd. Families, couples and regulars. Go for the sun and the swim, not the scene. The big naturist countries have hundreds more; the federations under Sources hold the full lists.
Not any more
Was clothing-optional. Now closed, cut off or policed. Listed so you do not turn up expecting that access.
Where there are none
Clothing-optional beach use is illegal or uncommon in these places, and we know of no suitable beach. Some resorts allow it on private sand; public beaches do not. Read the country page before you pack.
Know before you go
Not of anyone, not even in the background. Phones stay in the bag on a clothing-optional beach.
Everywhere. Reapply after the swim. The parts that have never seen the sun burn first.
Sit on your towel. Put something on the moment you leave the clothing-optional stretch, for the bar, the path, the bus.
Tolerated means tolerated today. Look for signs and rangers when you arrive, and follow the locals' lead.
Most clothing-optional beaches are remote. Go home at sunset, especially the ones behind dunes and cliffs.
Sunbathe, swim and respect the people around you. Keep the beach safe and welcoming for everyone.
How we rank
Every beach is scored on five things. The gay ranking and the gay-popular ranking are separate lists; naturist beaches are not ranked. Anything not re-verified this year says so on its page.
How many independent gay-travel guides put the boys there, not just one blog.
Reports from the last two summers count; a scene that moved (Super Paradise to Elia) moves on the list.
How big and how gay the beach is on a normal weekend in season.
Official beats tolerated beats a gated resort. Rules that can change overnight cost points.
Access, currents, lighting, patrols. Anything you need to know before you walk in.
What the pills mean
Designated by law or by the council. Swimwear is optional on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up.
Not designated, but going without swimwear has been the custom for years and is left alone. Rules and patrols can change, so read the signs when you arrive.
Inside a naturist village or resort. Day pass or a stay, and swimwear is optional on the beach.
Was clothing-optional. Now closed, cut off or policed. Listed so you do not turn up expecting that access.
Questions people ask
The basics
Which gay clothing-optional beach tops your ranking?
Es Cavallet in Ses Salines, south of Ibiza Town, Spain, tops our ranking. The top 10: Es Cavallet (Spain), Maspalomas (Spain), Praia 19 (Portugal), Elia Beach (Greece), Limanakia (Greece), Playa del Amor (Mexico), Platja de l'Home Mort (Spain), Teufelssee (Germany), Little Banana (Greece) and Mandomata (Greece). Ranked on how many gay-travel sources agree, how recent the reports are, the size of the crowd, the legal footing and safety. Read more →
How many clothing-optional beaches are on the map?
103 beaches in 39 countries and territories, 47 of them official. Every one has its own page with the exact pin, the gay end, how to get there and a link to Google Maps.
What is the difference between an official, a tolerated and a resort clothing-optional beach?
Official: Designated by law or by the council. Swimwear is optional on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up. Tolerated: Not designated, but going without swimwear has been the custom for years and is left alone. Rules and patrols can change, so read the signs when you arrive. Resort: Inside a naturist village or resort. Day pass or a stay, and swimwear is optional on the beach.
Is sunbathing without swimwear legal in Europe?
Mostly. Spain, Germany, Denmark and Croatia are relaxed almost everywhere; France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Greece and the UK have designated or long-tolerated beaches. Italy, Poland and the Baltics have a few. Malta, Turkey and most of the Balkans have none. The country page for each place says more. Read more →
Where are the legal clothing-optional beaches in the United States?
There is no federal rule; states and counties decide. Legal or officially clothing-optional: Haulover (Miami), Gunnison (New Jersey), Black's and Baker (California), Rooster Rock (Oregon). Tolerated: Little Beach (Maui), Herring Cove (Provincetown), the Pines and Cherry Grove on Fire Island. Jacob Riis in New York has been textile since 1983. Read more →
Which countries have no clothing-optional beaches at all?
Public clothing-optional use is illegal or simply not done in Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Armenia, China, India, Macau, Cambodia and Laos and 63 more. Some resorts tolerate it on private sand; public beaches do not. The full list is on this page. Read more →
What is the difference between a gay beach and a naturist beach?
Gay beach: A clothing-optional beach the boys have made their own: a gay-majority crowd, a beach bar that knows it, and friends you have not met yet. Gay-popular: A clothing-optional beach for everyone with a gay end everyone knows about. Walk in the direction the guide says and you will find the boys. Naturist: A clothing-optional beach with no particular gay crowd. Families, couples and regulars. Go for the sun and the swim, not the scene. The crowd filter on the map switches between them. Read more →
When is the clothing-optional beach season?
May to September for most of Europe and the northern United States, June to August at the lakes. In the sun, reverse the seasons. November to April on the Canary Islands and in Florida and Southeast Asia, December to March in Sydney and Cape Town. Each page carries its own best time.
What should I bring to a clothing-optional beach?
Sunscreen for everywhere, a towel to sit on, water, and shade of your own where the page says there is none. Cash for the beach bar where there is one, shoes for the path where there is one, and something to put on for the walk back. Phones stay in the bag.
Is it safe to go to a clothing-optional beach alone?
Yes. Use the sense you would anywhere remote. Leave with the light, keep your things with you, tell someone where you are. Read the safety line on the beach page before you go. On the gay beaches you will not be alone for long anyway.
Can I take photos on a clothing-optional beach?
No. Not of anyone, not even in the background, and not of yourself with other people in the frame. Phones stay in the bag. It is the one rule every clothing-optional beach in the world shares.
How often is the atlas updated?
The top beaches are re-verified every spring before the season; the rest whenever a member or a source reports a change. Anything not re-verified this year says so on its page, and a beach that loses its status is marked closed rather than removed.
By country
Europe22
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Germany?
13 on our map: Teufelssee (Grunewald forest, Berlin), Strandbad Müggelsee (Rahnsdorf, east Berlin), Strandbad Wannsee (Wannsee, southwest Berlin), Flaucher (Isar river, south Munich), Cranachwäldchen (Niederländer Ufer, Rhine, Cologne), Escher See (Esch, northwest Cologne), Feldmochinger See (North Munich), Boberger See (Boberger Dünen, east Hamburg), Feringasee (Unterföhring, northeast Munich), Fühlinger See (North Cologne), Grunewaldsee (Grunewald, Berlin), Maria Einsiedel (Thalkirchen, Munich) and Strandbad Plötzensee (Wedding, north Berlin). The gay beach is Teufelssee. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Greece?
9 on our map: Elia Beach (South coast, Mykonos), Limanakia (Between Vouliagmeni and Varkiza, Athens Riviera), Little Banana (Next to Banana beach, southwest Skiathos), Mandomata (South of Faliraki, Rhodes), Super Paradise (South coast, Mykonos), Komos (Near Matala, southern Crete), Lageri (Near Naoussa, north Paros), Filaki (Chora Sfakion, southern Crete) and Sarakiniko, Gavdos (Gavdos island, south of Crete). The gay beaches are Elia Beach, Limanakia, Little Banana and Mandomata. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Croatia?
7 on our map: Lokrum (Lokrum island, off Dubrovnik), Jerolim (Pakleni Islands, off Hvar), Jarun Lake (Jarun, southwest Zagreb), Cuvi (South of Rovinj, Istria), Kandarola (Frkanj peninsula, Rab island), Koversada (Vrsar, Istria) and Valalta (North of Rovinj, Istria). The boys go to Lokrum, Jerolim and Jarun Lake. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Spain?
7 on our map: Es Cavallet (Ses Salines, south of Ibiza Town), Maspalomas (Maspalomas dunes, Gran Canaria), Platja de l'Home Mort (Southwest of Sitges, past the golf course), Platja de la Mar Bella (Poblenou, Barcelona), Platja de les Balmins (East of the church, Sitges), Platja de Llevant (Es Trucadors, Formentera) and El Portús (West of Cartagena, Murcia). The gay beaches are Es Cavallet, Maspalomas and Platja de l'Home Mort. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in France?
6 on our map: Plage du Mont-Rose (Montredon, south Marseille), Cap d'Agde naturist beach (Le Cap d'Agde, Hérault), Calanque des Anthénors (Ensuès-la-Redonne, Côte Bleue), Miribel-Jonage (Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage, east of Lyon), Plage de l'Espiguette (Le Grau-du-Roi, Gard) and Plage du Grand Travers (Between Carnon and La Grande-Motte). The gay beach is Plage du Mont-Rose. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Italy?
3 on our map: Capocotta (Between Ostia and Torvaianica, Rome's coast), Lido di Dante (South of Ravenna, Adriatic coast) and Torre Guaceto (Carovigno, near Brindisi). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Guvano is no longer a clothing-optional beach. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Netherlands?
4 on our map: Het Twiske (Oostzaan, north of Amsterdam), De Nieuwe Meer (Oeverlanden, southwest Amsterdam), Zandvoort naturist beach (South of Zandvoort, North Sea coast) and Callantsoog (Het Zwanenwater, North Holland). The boys go to Het Twiske, De Nieuwe Meer and Zandvoort naturist beach. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Portugal?
3 on our map: Praia 19 (Costa da Caparica, across the river from Lisbon), Praia do Homem Nu (Ilha de Tavira, eastern Algarve) and Praia do Meco (Sesimbra, south of Lisbon). The gay beach is Praia 19. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Austria?
2 on our map: Donauinsel FKK (South end of the Danube Island, Vienna) and Gänsehäufel (Alte Donau, Vienna). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Denmark?
2 on our map: Amager Strandpark (Amager, Copenhagen) and Bellevue Beach (Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in United Kingdom?
2 on our map: Brighton naturist beach (East of the Palace Pier, Brighton) and Studland Bay (Knoll Beach, Dorset). The boys go to Brighton naturist beach and Studland Bay. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Belgium?
1 on our map: Bredene (Bredene-aan-Zee, Belgian coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Bulgaria?
1 on our map: Irakli (South of Obzor, Black Sea coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Cyprus?
1 on our map: Lara Beach (Akamas peninsula, west Cyprus). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Estonia?
1 on our map: Pikakari (Paljassaare, Tallinn). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Ireland?
1 on our map: Vico and Hawk Cliff (Dalkey, south Dublin). The boys go to Vico and Hawk Cliff. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Latvia?
1 on our map: Vecāķi (North of Riga, Gulf of Riga). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Lithuania?
1 on our map: Nida (Curonian Spit, Lithuania). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Montenegro?
1 on our map: Ada Bojana (Bojana river delta, near Ulcinj). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Poland?
1 on our map: Chałupy (Hel peninsula, Baltic coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Romania?
1 on our map: Vama Veche (Southern tip of the Romanian coast). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Serbia?
1 on our map: Ada Ciganlija (Lido clothing-optional section, Belgrade). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Americas11
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in United States?
9 on our map: Fire Island Pines (Fire Island, Long Island), Haulover Beach (Haulover Park, north of Miami Beach), Little Beach (Makena, south Maui), Herring Cove (Cape Cod National Seashore, Provincetown), Baker Beach (Presidio, San Francisco), Black's Beach (Below the Torrey Pines cliffs, La Jolla), Gunnison Beach (Sandy Hook, New Jersey), Rooster Rock (Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland) and Gaviota (Gaviota coast, west of Santa Barbara). The gay beaches are Fire Island Pines and Jacob Riis Park, Bay 1. Jacob Riis Park, Bay 1 is no longer a clothing-optional beach. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Brazil?
3 on our map: Praia do Abricó (Grumari, west Rio de Janeiro), Praia do Pinho (Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina) and Tambaba (Conde, Paraíba). The boys go to Praia do Abricó. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Canada?
2 on our map: Hanlan's Point (Toronto Islands, Lake Ontario) and Wreck Beach (Below UBC, Point Grey, Vancouver). The boys go to Hanlan's Point and Wreck Beach. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Argentina?
1 on our map: Playa Escondida (South of Mar del Plata). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Chile?
1 on our map: Playa Luna (Near Horcón, north of Valparaíso). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Costa Rica?
1 on our map: Playa Cocolito (Montezuma, Nicoya peninsula). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Cuba?
1 on our map: Playa Sirena, Cayo Largo (Cayo Largo del Sur). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Guadeloupe?
1 on our map: Anse Tarare (Saint-François, Grande-Terre). The boys go to Anse Tarare. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Mexico?
1 on our map: Playa del Amor (Zipolite, Oaxaca coast). The gay beach is Playa del Amor. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Saint Martin?
1 on our map: Orient Bay (Baie Orientale, Saint Martin). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Uruguay?
1 on our map: Playa Chihuahua (Portezuelo, west of Punta del Este). The boys go to Playa Chihuahua. Country page →
Asia2
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Taiwan?
1 on our map: Shalun Beach (Tamsui, New Taipei). The boys go to Shalun Beach. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Thailand?
1 on our map: Zen Beach (Sri Thanu, Koh Phangan). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Middle East & North Africa1
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Israel?
1 on our map: Ga'ash Beach (Kibbutz Ga'ash, north of Tel Aviv). The boys go to Ga'ash Beach. Country page →
Sub-Saharan Africa1
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in South Africa?
1 on our map: Sandy Bay (Llandudno, Atlantic seaboard, Cape Town). The boys go to Sandy Bay. Country page →
Oceania2
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in Australia?
4 on our map: Obelisk Beach (Middle Head, Mosman, Sydney Harbour), Lady Bay (Watsons Bay, Sydney Harbour), Little Congwong (La Perouse, Botany Bay, Sydney) and Cobblers Beach (Middle Head, Mosman, Sydney Harbour). The boys go to Obelisk Beach, Lady Bay and Little Congwong. Tyagarah is no longer a clothing-optional beach. Country page →
Where are the clothing-optional beaches in New Zealand?
1 on our map: Ladies Bay (St Heliers, Auckland). None of them has a particular gay crowd. Country page →
Sources
Last reviewed September 2026. 103 beaches in 39 countries. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described on each page. Know one better than we do? Tell us. See also the city ranking and the country ranking.