Gay cruising at the beach

The platform has rolled out additional safeguards in recent years, including government ID verification and facial recognition to reduce underage or fake accounts. People of all colors, backgrounds, and ages come here, creating a lively gathering at the eastern end of this expansive public beach.

Herring Cove/Race Point – Provincetown (Massachusetts), USA

Provincetown has a handful of beaches to check out during your visit.

Atlantic Beach – San Juan, Puerto Rico
13. You’ll find the gay and nude area more to the right-hand side.

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Does Sniffies notify screenshots?

No, Sniffies does not alert users when screenshots are taken.

While some are easily accessible, a few require a boat ride, climbing over rocks, descending cliffs or, in one case, a long walk through cruisy desert-like sand dunes. As with most gay beaches, clothing is optional here. Over the years, Sniffies has gained traction not just among gay men, but also bisexual, bicurious, straight-curious, and trans users who are interested in fast, location-based connections.

Sniffies said at the time that the removal was temporary, though the web app remains the platform’s “foundation” and is fully operational on any device. Balmes and Bassa Ronda are popular but Platja de l'Home Mort is the official gay one. It’s quite a walk from the center though—about 40 minutes from the center. Don’t miss the nearby Key West AIDS Memorial and the African Cemetery, a historic site where an African slave ship was captured off the coast in 1860.

Ginger Rogers Beach – Los Angeles (California), USA

Santa Monica State Beach is an inspired, albeit safe, choice for a day out by the ocean.

Sniffies also allows users to list their sexual health preferences, from condom use to testing frequency, which makes it easier to negotiate safer encounters. There are four beaches along the Clifton stretch, and Third Beach is the designated gay beach, although not exclusively gay. Sniffies warns against sharing your phone number too quickly, as scams and extortion attempts have circulated in the past.

But sunbathers can easily skip across Ocean Drive for a cocktail and snack at one of the many queer-friendly bars and restaurants along the historic Art Deco strip.

Clothing optional: No (but you can go north to Haulover Beach for that)

Hanlan’s Beach, Toronto, Ontario

Whether you catch a ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal or hop in a water taxi along the waterfront, your walk to this very popular summertime hangout should include a stroll along the 600-metre rainbow walkway that calls attention to this historically important LGBTQ2S+ beach.

Ironically, the water is warmer in winter than in summer, so it’s more of a hangout and sunbathing spot than a swimming beach. Nearby, you’ll also find Northeast 18th Street Beach, another gay beach that is smaller than Sebastian Street Beach and more commonly visited by locals.

Higgs Beach, Key West (Florida), USA

Higg’s Beach is the gay beach in Key West and is popular among both locals and visitors.

It’s not the best water for swimming, but who cares? Located at the end of Reynolds Street, you’ll find a wide sandy beach, calm shallow waters, and a long wooden pier, as well as bathrooms and water fountains. Currently, one-week trial costs $11.99.