Gay Beaches in Miami: looking for the best gay beach in Miami? You are in for a treat, Miami has two gay beaches and unlike many gay beaches around the world these ones are no effort to reach at all!
Miami is a trendy, vibrant and iconic beach destination. Miami has been a gay hotspot for many years with gay bars, gay beaches, gay events such as the winter party and a large gay population – I can definitely see the attraction to living and visiting here.
I came to Miami looking to relax before I went on an Atlantis gay cruise (check out ‘What is a gay Atlantis cruise really like…’) and so headed straight for the gay beach in Miami.
There are two gay beaches in Miami, one is the main gay beach in South Beach and the second a clothing optional gay beach north of South Beach.
Where are the Gay Beaches in Miami?
Sometimes when you head to a destination, finding the ‘gay beach’ can be a challenge, however all the gay beaches in Miami are very easy to find.
There are two gay beaches in Miami to visit, 12th Street Gay Beach and the clothing optional Haulover Beach.
Here is how to find each of them:
12th Street Gay Beach, Miami
South Beach Miami is where the majority of the gay nightlife can be found, so it should come as no surprise that this is where you will find the most popular gay beach in Miami.
The area is very easy to navigate. Streets are numbered running east to west and start at 1st Street at the south end of South Beach and increase in number as you head north.
12th Street Gay Beach can, unsurprisingly, be found if you walk down 12th Street on to the east coast of South Beach. You will cross the road at Ocean Drive and walk on to the beach. Head slightly left until you see all the rainbow flags – find a spot and enjoy the views!
Sun loungers, parasols and snack stalls are all available here, but if you want something more substantial there are plenty of bars and restaurants lining Ocean Drive.
Haulover Gay Beach, Miami
If you like to sunbathe nude, this is the gay beach for you. However, do note whilst it’s technically ‘not legal’ to be nude in Florida, Haulover Beach had an officially designated clothing-optional area, the only one in the entire state
It is a little further away from the gay epicentre of South Beach. You will find this gay beach 11 miles north of South Beach which will take about 20 minutes by car. The address to type into your sat nav is: Haulover Park, 10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154.
Once you arrive at the beach head to the northern end between lifeguard towers #12 and #16. This is where you will find the nude sunbathing area. This attracts a mainly gay male crowd during weekdays and a mixed crowd at the weekends. There are plenty of lifeguards around and the beach is heavily patrolled.
Sunbeds and parasols are available to rent and you will find some places for snacks. You will find this gay beach quieter than the one on 12th Street, which may well suit you if you are looking to relax and get an all over tan!
12th Street Gay Beach vs Haulover Beach
If you are wondering which gay beach in Miami to visit, let’s do a side by side comparison.
The benefits of 12th Street Gay Beach are that it is much easier to access if you are staying in South Beach, you can easily walk to the local gay bars after the beach, it’s normally always busy and is ideal for your first visit. Not technically a downside, but if having a clothing optional space is important to you and your trip, then you might want to make the effort to go to Haulover instead.
The benefits of Haulover Beach are that it is one of the only clothing optional spots in Florida and so creates an extra relaxed and socialable atmosphere. If nude sunbathing is key for your trip to Miami, then this is the gay beach for you. The only downside is that it requires a drive as it is north of miami beach.
Alternative Gay Popular Beaches in Miami
With Miami being such a gay friendly destination, all beaches are gay friendly but there is a couple of beaches that tend to attract a ‘gayer’ crowd. It is worth checking out:
Muscle Beach
The clue is in the title. Muscle Beach is where everyone goes to work on their bodies and their tans at the same time.
Expect to find lots of people doing pull-ups, sit ups and generally working up a sweat – it is probably no surprise that Muscle Beach attracts a gay crowd!
You can find Muscle Beach by heading down 9th Street to the east coast and crossing the road at Ocean Drive. The address if you are driving is 873 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
3rd Street beach
This is another one that is not an official gay beach, but again attracts quite a gay crowd.
This is mainly a Brazilian beach and after going to Rio De Janeiro (check out my Gay Guide to Rio!) I am sure you can see the attraction to this beach.
You can find this on the east coast at the end of 3rd Street. From here, you can also walk around South Pointe Park. We liked this area because you can see all the cruise ships in port, there is lots of greenery, places to chill out, people doing boot camps and lots of people walking their dogs.
Hotels near Miami’s Gay Beaches
Whilst all hotels are going to be gay friendly, take a look at these ones in particular (or my Full Guide to the top Gay Hotels in Miami). Note that all hotels are going to be a drive to Haulover Beach, wheres the hotels below have easy access to 12th Street Gay Beach.
- Hotel Gaythering– the clue is in the name. One of Miami’s ‘Straight friendly’ boutique hotels. It’s about a ten minute drive to 12th Street Gay Beach.
- The Stiles – this one is good for its location to the gay nightlife and value for money. A very short walk to 12th Street Gay Beach.
- Hotel Victor South Beach – in the heart of South Beach and the gay scene, you are always going to have a good experience here.
Gay Bars Near 12th Street Gay Beach
You will be happy to know that the majority of the gay bars in Miami are within walking distance of 12th Street Gay Beach.
In particular, check out Palace South Beach, Twist and Lust. Read my guide for more about the best gay bars in Miami.
I hope you love Miami and enjoy some fun in the sun on one of its’ gay or gay friendly beaches. I most certainly will be back!
For more: gay beaches around Europe.
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