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There may be ports of call in the Caribbean which are downright hostile and homophobic. But there are more than a few places to drop anchor and have a nakedly good time while enjoying tropical breezes. There's even an island that recognizes gay marriages, as long as they've been performed legally somewhere. You won't find too much in the way of gay nightlife as we know it in faster-paced, bigger city areas, but the laid-back, laissez-faire attitude of the Islands allows you to relax and enjoy the fleshly sights without the flash and glitter of clubs and bars. Your naked attitude will take a more languid turn as you lie on a beach and let your eyes follow that hottie in the smallest bathing suit you've ever seen. This is relaxation. Go with it - it's a vacation where you put everything else away and renew yourself. Islands of the French and Dutch West Indies are among the gay-friendliest places in the Caribbean and they're often naked friendly, too. Curaçao and Aruba are standout examples of the Dutch attitude toward gays. Curaçao (gaycuracao.com) has gone out of its way to embrace gay and lesbian visitors. They advertise gay; businesses on the island are proud members of ILGTA (the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association); and the island motto is "Live and Let Live" or as they say, "Biba i laga biba." Limbo Bar, Lyric Café, and It's My Life (check because things are ever changing) are gay bars but all the spots you'll hit are gay-friendly. There are "parties" hosted by various groups on the island and at those events you'll meet locals and see some hot go-go boys. But the beaches are where your naked desires will be realized, and with at least 30 white-sand beaches to choose from, your wishes will come true. Aruba, another Dutch stronghold, is the island that recognizes gay marriages. It's also got a wonderful gay guesthouse, The Little David (littledavidaruba.com) in Oranjestad, the island capital, which makes a perfect hideaway. It offers five rooms, breakfast every day in a private setting and a clothing optional pool. Add tropical plants, warm breezes, and hot men. You are so staying at this place. Bars, like Jimmy's, are not gay but have a gay-friendly ambience and some nights dedicated to gay clientele or theme parties. You won't feel left out if you cruise these bars, you'll just have to keep your gaydar on it's most sensitive setting. Aruba's beaches and men are hot and the naked possibilities are endless. Suit up in your naked attitude and find those opportunities lolling on the beaches. Martinique is a department of France and so carries all the nakedly wonderful French attitudes toward sex. Le Carbet (lecarbet-gaybandb.com) is a gay B&B with three rooms, each of which can house up to four people. Lush private setting, friendly hosts, and views you'll have a hard time tearing yourself away from are but a few of the things it offers. You will have to leave the guesthouse, however, to get to Anse Trabaud, an established nude beach that will quench your naked thirst. Fort de France, the capital, is definitely a place to go to experience nightlife and some interesting daylight activities. Again, don't expect what you're used to, these are gay-friendly places and a naked adventure depends on your imaginative and curious nature. The beaches of St. Martin/Sint Maarten are the equal of other Caribbean destinations and the men are just as hot. The Delfina, a clothing optional gay guesthouse, has closed it doors but the couple who ran the place recommend The Royal Turtle Inn (theroyalturtle.net), a gay friendly place run in part by a gay couple. Unfortunately for naked enthusiasts, clothing is not optional. But Cupe Coy Beach on the Dutch side and Oriënt Bay Beach both offer nude times and gay men. Your naked hunger will be satisfied here. St. Barth's/St. Bart's, a French enclave, is fond of gay tourists and welcomes them with pride. No gay scene as such but plenty of gay travelers and some of them can be found naked on the beach. Saline beach is the clothing optional choice (as always, check the current conditions). But on any of St. Barth's beaches, like Gouverneur or Colombier, you will find gay men in skimpy outfits which are the next best thing to nude. The U.S. Virgin Islands (love the name) are gay friendly and full of surprises. St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas all have a number of gay-friendly hotels or guesthouses. Only one establishment has a clothing optional area, The Sandcastle on the Beach (sandcastleonthebeach.com). One of the larger of the small resorts (with a variety of accommodations: 21 rooms, suites, apartments, and villas), the Sand Castle has two pools and one of them was clothing optional - but check before you shed that suit. However, some of the beaches are a naked traveler's dream. On St. John there's Solomon Beach; take those clothes and throw them away. Wander here and you'll find what you're looking for. Little Magen's Beach on St. Thomas is another place where gay men congregate and leave nothing to the imagination. There are more islands in the sunny tropics that will welcome gay tourists, but we'll leave the rest for another time. For now, kick back and enjoy the naked sights.  Joe DeMarco's latest projects include The Lavender Raven, an online GLBTQ mystery & more journal, at www.lavenderraven.com, as well as Mysterical-E, www.mystericale.com. Joe's website is www.josephdemarco.com Top |
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