Do you love visiting gay beaches? Or are you looking for a place where you can feel comfortable while soaking up the sun? Hawaii welcomes LBGTQ visitors, and we have lots of gay-friendly beaches.
Gay Beaches in Hawaii
Gay… Straight… Black… White… Local… Visitor… It’s all good in Hawaii!
Hawaii is a place for everyone, and that’s one of the many reasons I love living here. That goes for the gay community, too. Hawaii has a pretty active LGBTQ community and has a long history of being a place where all are welcome.
So, we thought this is a good time to let our readers “in” on our top 12 Hawaii gay beaches:
Oahu
- Diamond Head Lighthouse Beach: This stretch of beach is located past the Zoo area of Waikiki and just below the Diamond Head lighthouse. It’s a small strip of beach that’s littered with boulders between which sunbathers can camp out. This area is known to be a bit “cruzie,” and the unofficial nude beach begins at the end of Beach Road (just off Diamond Head Road) and goes for about six hundred feet along the water’s edge (nudity is illegal, though). Learn more about Hawaii nude beaches here.
- Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park): This is very popular with the gay community on Oahu. It’s also quite famous: the massive tubes at Ehukai Beach Park make this one of the most dangerous surf spots in the world and one of the venues for the Triple Crown of Surfing. This is not a nude beach, just one of the casual gay beaches on Oahu.
- Queen’s Surf Beach: This stretch of beach is located in Kapiolani Park at the end of Waikiki, towards Diamond Head. This beach is popular with surfers and tourists alike, and there’s no cruising. But it does offer opportunities for mixing and mingling. And, Queen’s Surf Beach is a great place to learn to surf or stand-up paddleboard, since the waves are small and manageable.
Maui Gay Beaches
- Little Beach (Puu Olai Beach): This is a very gay-popular beach and attracts gay men and nudist families (the gay hang-out is on the far side). The beach is blazingly hot (bring plenty of sunscreen), and there are no facilities, so be prepared to use the bushes if nature calls.
- Kaihalulu Beach: This isn’t widely considered a “gay” beach, but it makes the cut because of the amazing “red” sand there, which are actually more like red and black pebbles. Still very cool to see, but hard on the flip-flops!
- Wailea Beach: Wailea Beach fronts the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea, both are family-friendly and gay-friendly hotels on Maui. Many LGBTQ couples enjoy honeymooning at these resorts. The beach is very busy, great for casual (fully-clothed!) socializing.
Big Island
- Honokohau Beach: This beach within Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is a great place for gays to hang out. But nudity is strictly prohibited (it’s enforced by federal officials!). Enjoy the Kona scenery and relax comfortably at this great spot.
- Kehena Beach: This beautiful beach is secluded and is known as a nude beach that’s popular with gay men. Mondays are the unofficial gay day at Kehena Beach, but you can enjoy a gay-friendly environment most any day. Another cool thing that sets this apart from other gay beaches? Spinner dolphins often swim not far offshore.
- Waialea Beach (Beach 69): The name probably makes this beach sound a little more enticing than it actually is. The name actually comes from the utility pole that marks the parking area for this beach. And really, many report the smaller beach area next to Pole 67 is actually frequented by more gays. Nudity is common here on weekdays, and it’s a great place to snorkel, swim, and maybe even meet new people.
Kauai Nude Beaches
- Donkey Beach: As you near the ocean, stay left and climb over to the beach. The far end is considered one of Kauai’s gay beaches. This once had a reputation of being a nude beach, but law enforcement has cracked down on this, so use caution.
- Kauapea Beach (Secret Beach): Nude sunbathing is common here, and you’ll be treated to spectacular views (of the ocean and island!).
- Lydgate State Park: This is a state park, so nude sunbathing is illegal here. But, it still sees lots of gay travelers out enjoying the scenery. This beach has lifeguards and showers, and the most popular area for gay patrons is between the golf course and the condos.
Discovering Gay Beaches in Hawaii
Although ALL beaches in the Aloha State welcome gay patrons, these Hawaii gay beaches are places known to be gay-friendly and accepting — just like most of the people who live here.
Want help planning a gay-friendly vacation in the islands? Let the team at Hawaii Aloha Travel help make arrangements that fit your vision, whether you’re off on a romantic getaway, group travel, or a solo adventure.
