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Miami Gay Cruising

If you're looking for some action in Miami, Florida, then there is no shortage of options, from saunas to cruising clubs. GayMapper has useful information about gay cruising spots in and around Miami, Florida. As always, be conscious of your personal safety when meeting strangers.

Miami Hotel Deals

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This is the Miami option for travellers whose idea of a good holiday involves considerably more spa time than club time. The Standard Spa, Miami Beach occupies a peaceful waterfront spot on Belle Isle, with tropical gardens, an infinity pool and one of the most extensive hotel spa setups in the city.

The hydrotherapy area includes a Turkish-style hammam, aroma steam room, cedar sauna, ice room, Roman waterfall hot tub and Arctic plunge, while many rooms have private terraces and outdoor soaking tubs. Lido Bayside Grill makes the most of the sunset-facing location.

You're close to the western end of Lincoln Road and Hotel Gaythering, but the Atlantic beach, 12th Street gay beach and central South Beach nightlife are farther away.

GayMapper tip: Come here for wellness, relaxation and sunsets rather than doorstep gay nightlife. It feels more like an adults-only spa retreat than a conventional South Beach hotel.
Few Miami hotels put you closer to the places LGBTQ visitors are actually likely to use. Hotel Victor South Beach sits on Ocean Drive at 11th Street, with the gay beach around 12th Street, Twist on Washington Avenue and Palace just down Ocean Drive.

The handsome Art Deco building has a pool overlooking the ocean, stylish rooms and a proper spa with a hammam, sauna and treatments. The former Versace Mansion next door adds a little only-in-South-Beach glamour, while restaurants and bars surround you in every direction.

GayMapper tip: One of the strongest locations on the whole list if gay beach by day and gay nightlife by night are your priorities. Ocean Drive can be lively, so don't choose it expecting total tranquillity.
Miami doesn't have to mean Miami Beach. EAST Miami sits inside Brickell City Centre and gives you a much more urban base surrounded by restaurants, shopping, high-rises and the nightlife of Brickell itself.

The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, while four pools sit on the outdoor deck. Quinto is the hotel's South American restaurant, but the standout is Sugar, the lush rooftop bar high above the city — worth remembering even if you're staying somewhere else.

South Beach and its LGBTQ beach and bars sit across the bay, so this isn't a hotel from which you'll casually wander home from Twist at 2am.

GayMapper tip: Excellent for an urban Miami stay, business trip or a few nights before or after a cruise. If the gay beach is the main reason you're coming, stay in South Beach instead.
South of Fifth gives you a calmer side of South Beach, and Blanc Kara suits travellers who like having a little more space and independence. This adults-only hotel is made up of generously sized studios rather than conventional hotel rooms, each with a proper kitchen, so it works particularly well for longer stays.

The beach is just down the street, while Ocean Drive and the main South Beach action are easily walkable north. The LGBTQ beach around 12th Street and the gay nightlife are a little farther away than from the central Art Deco hotels, but still straightforward to reach on foot. There’s no resort-style pool or big social scene here — the appeal is space, quiet and location.

GayMapper tip: A very good choice for couples or longer stays; less so if a pool and lively hotel atmosphere are essential.

Cruising Bars in Miami

Twist

Twist

Dancing

Founded in 1993, Twist is a must-visit destination in South Beach. It describes itself as the hottest and longest running gay club in Miami, bringing people together for a party on three huge dance floors across two levels in the heart of the gay scene. There's never a cover so you can visit at any time to meet the friendliest bartenders, most talented DJs, and the hottest dancers in the city.

Other Cruising Spots in Miami

Legion Park

Legion Park

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Legion Park is located on the upper east side of Miami. The park's parking lot is popular during the day but gets busiest at lunchtime and after work. Seems to attract married/bi types looking to experiment. At Biscayne Blvd & NE 66th Street. Enter the parking lot from NE 64th Terrace & 7th Avenue.
Sauna at Hotel Gaythering

Sauna at Hotel Gaythering

Men Only, Cruising

Hotel Gaythering is the self-proclaimed gayest hotel in the city, and its on-site sauna only adds to its popularity. This strictly men only and 18+ venue features a beautiful dry cedar sauna, a jacuzzi, and aromatherapy showers, perfect for relaxing and escaping the noise of the city for a while. Clothing is optional throughout so expect crowds of open and attractive guys who are more than willing to join you in the steam room!
Haulover Beach

Haulover Beach

Mixed Ages, Cruising

Haulover Beach Park contains one of south Florida's most beautiful clothing optional beaches-a 0.4 mile stretch of beach on the northern portion that draws people from all walks of life. Nestled between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, it has pristine white sand shores, open ocean surf, various shaded picnic facilities, beautifully landscaped sand dunes, and concession stands. The gay part of the beach is usually the northern part of the nude beach. The North Parking Lot at the northern end of the park is the first choice for the clothing-optional beach. If this lot is full, go about 0.3 mile south on A1A past the entrance to the boat ramp to Parking Lot #1 and park at the north end of this lot.
Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park

Younger Crowd, Cruising

Many guys from the cruise ships who are off for the day come here looking to relax. Make eye contact and take it from there. The cruisiest spot is reported as being in front of Bubba Gump. Popular times are lunch to mid afternoon when the crew have their time off before the new passengers arrive.
Club Aqua Miami

Club Aqua Miami

Men Only, Cruising

Located in Downtown Miami, Club Aqua is the perfect place to relax, unwind, and escape from the city atmosphere. It's relatively new to the city's scene and has quickly become popular with local guys. Soak up the sun by the pool, relax in the steam room, or make your own fun in one of many play areas. You can buy a one-time membership and see what this busy spot has to offer.
Thompson Memorial Park

Thompson Memorial Park

Mixed Ages, Cruising

The Larry and Penny Thompson Memorial Park is the largest park/campground in Miami-Dade County. The park, adjacent to Zoo Miami, totals 270 acres. It is located in southwest Miami, two miles west of the Florida Turnpike's Exit 13 between SW 134th Ave. and SW 122nd Ave. on the north side of Eureka Drive. The crowd is a good mix of young and old guys, and whilst the park is open sunrise to sunset, the best times to go are mornings from 10am until late afternoon. The cruisiest spots are reported to be the paths on west side of the park behind the pavilions. Note that Police do hang out in park and drive along a path from pavillions 1 and 2.

Tours & Experiences in Miami

Miami is not a city that believes in being understated. Explore the Art Deco streets of South Beach, eat your way through Little Havana or cruise Biscayne Bay, then freshen up and head back out — because Miami after dark is very much part of the experience.


Gay friendly hotels in Miami

For most LGBTQ+ holidaymakers, South Beach is the natural place to stay in Miami. You’ll be close to the beach, Ocean Drive, restaurants and much of the gay nightlife, with the popular gay beach nearby too. Brickell and Downtown offer a more urban Miami experience with excellent hotels but put you further from the South Beach scene. GayMapper’s recommended gay-friendly hotels range from stylish Art Deco stays to rooftop-pool luxury, helping you choose between being close to the beach action or enjoying the city from a little distance.

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