To celebrate the start of pride month, we have put together some of the best places to go sailing as a member of the LGBT+ community. With amazing bars and beaches, and the countries being LGBT-friendly, these areas are some of the best places to travel this June.
Mykonos
Greece is a great place to visit, with many islands being incredible destinations to visit, however, it is the island of Mykonos which is the most popular gay destination in Europe. In Mykonos town, you will find a selection of boutique hotels and popular gay hotels, as well as many gay bars and restaurants. Known as a party island, Mykonos is the place to go if you enjoy a buzzing nightlife, however, it is also home to some incredible sights, such as the famous windmills. Not only is Mykonos a great destination for nightlife and activities, but Mykonos is still a Greek island and is home to some incredible Greek cuisine and wines, which you can try in a traditional Greek tavern or an upscale fine-dining experience. With the proximity to other islands, it is also a great idea to try island-hopping from Mykonos around the other Greek islands.
Barcelona
Home to one of the biggest gay scenes in the world, Barcelona is a great destination to visit this pride month, and one of the best reasons for that is the Eixample district, also known as the ‘Gaixample’ district. Housing many gay bars and restaurants, there is a place for everyone, and it is full of activity, especially during pride. The thing that makes Barcelona a unique experience to other gay-friendly cities in Spain is the beaches. Known for gay and nude beaches, Barcelona is home to the famous Mar Bella beach, which is a well-known area in the LGBT+ community, as well as other popular gay-friendly beaches such as Nova Icaria and Barceloneta. If you want a break from the amazing nightlife and the spectacular beaches, Barcelona is full of activities to try and is filled with sights to see such as Gaudi’s great buildings and the array of interesting museums. as well as the incredible sailing areas around Barcelona.
Malta
One of the safest areas to travel, Malta is one of the most welcoming and accepting countries in the world, while also being a top sailing destination. Due to being listed as one of the top safest places to travel as an LGBT+ traveller, Malta has quickly become a popular tourist destination among the community in the last couple of years. As such, many events have started being held in the country to celebrate their pride, such as burlesque shows, drag shows and meetups. Other than that, Malta is full of activities that many travellers enjoy, such as cathedrals and archaeological sites to visit and lagoons and bays where you can sunbathe, swim and snorkel. As well, due to being in a great location between other Mediterranean islands, it is a great base to begin your dayboat or charter itinerary from Malta.
Miami
Miami is a popular holiday spot for all travellers; however, it has been a major destination for the LGBT+ community going back all the way to the 1930s. On Ocean Drive alone, you will find multiple gay nightclubs and drag events beginning as early as 11am and going on well into the next morning. While Miami is known for its nightlife, it is also a great destination for art and restaurants as well. One of the most popular sailing destinations in the US, sailing around Miami is a great experience as the city has some of the best anchorages and the best beaches which will make your trip there a brilliant one no matter the time of year. If you plan to go to Miami Beach Pride however, you should be aware that it occurs during April, rather than the summer, and is two weeks filled with parties and celebrations and culminates in a large parade.
Bali
Asia is one of the most difficult places to visit as a member of the LGBT+ community, however, Bali may be the solution to the problem. Although some areas of Indonesia can be quite dangerous to visit, Bali is an incredible province which is very welcoming to the LGBT community, and full of gay bars and clubs to explore, which is not the case in a lot of the rest of Indonesia. Bali is sometimes known as a liberal haven in Indonesia, and if you are looking for a night out in Indonesia, Bali is the place to go. Not only is Bali known for its nightlife however, but it is also an incredible sailing destination and full of temples and wildlife to discover, as well as the rice fields which are fun to cycle through, and other areas such as waterparks and animal sanctuaries.
With more and more places becoming accepting and welcoming towards the LGBTQ+ community, now is the time to book your next sailing trip with SamBoat to explore all the world has to offer!
