Whether you’re simply looking to have one of the best tropical vacations by the sea, treat your partner to the ultimate beach party, or get ready for the next big Caribbean Pride parade, you will be happy to know that there is a welcoming, inclusive Caribbean island calling out for you.

Come One, Come All to a Tropical Paradise

A visit to the Caribbean islands will make you feel like you have gone to heaven on Earth. Pinch yourself if you think you’re dreaming, but you’ll probably be excited to know that several Caribbean islands welcome the LGBTQ community with open arms.

Don’t just stop at finding the right island, though. You are also going to need to identify the right accommodations, like the exclusive, secluded beach resort you’ve been dreaming of or that all-inclusive gay-friendly resort your neighbors visited.

Keep some of the following thoughts in mind to help you decide on the absolute best gay-friendly islands in the Caribbean.

Turks and Caicos: Pure Paradise

What do you think of when you hear the word “paradise”?

Only you know what your version of it is, many of us would consider sitting on a beach with a margarita in hand to be pretty close to paradise. This is exactly the kind of vision the Turks and Caicos present, as the whole island is full of pristine, white sandy beaches and beautiful, crystal-clear water.

The Turks and Caicos don’t advertise as gay-friendly per se’, but you will find that the majority of the locals are very accepting of just about anybody coming through to visit the island. With a few select resorts and plenty of beachfront villas with stunning views, the Turks and Caicos could be the perfect place for two sweethearts to have the best vacation ever.

Curacao: An Epic Nightlife Scene

Gay and lesbian travelers looking for the perfect gay-friendly destination will find a lot to love about Curacao. Curacao is a very welcoming and diverse place, full of folks who speak several different languages, including English, Spanish, and Dutch (it is a Dutch island). Curacao is easily the most gay friendly of any Caribbean island, and it is happily apparent the moment you set foot on the island.

Curacao has its very own Pride Festival in the latter half of September every year. You will also find the nightlife scene in Curacao is second to none, offering the most frequented gay bar on the island, known as the Rainbow Lounge. There is always something going on at the Rainbow Lounge, with live DJ acts, dancers, and even straight-up pool parties being regular occurrences.

If you love dancing to some of the hottest stars in electronic dance music, proudly standing as part of the LGBT community in arguably the most gay-friendly Caribbean island, then Curacao is the destination for you. Not only is it inclusive, but it also offers beauty that is second to none. If you feel like swimming in the turquoise water of the Caribbean or getting face to face with the sea life through scuba diving or snorkeling, then you will also find there is fun to be had in Curacao.

You can have fun swimming and building a sandcastle on the beach during the day and hit the clubs at night to dance the worries away.

Puerto Rico: Shops, Food, and Parties

Another very friendly island to the LGBT community is Puerto Rico, where you can find just a little bit of everything. On this exciting Caribbean island that never seems to sleep, you’ll find the following all over the island:

• Snazzy beachfront hotels for catching up on your sleep
• Delicious restaurants that serve up an authentic experience
• Exciting options for nightlife

At the Condado beach, you’ll find no shortage of gorgeous resorts, with one of the most popular being the Atlantic Beach Hotel. Here, you’ll find a well-known gay beach where drag shows are held every week. Food is also served here, along with dance music often provided by a live DJ.

Looking for some friendly gay bars in the area? When you get ready to check out the local nightlife, keep Circo Bar in mind for its dance shows and drag events. The Scandalo establishment also features wild dance nights, while you can find other locations in the area that are a little more reserved if that’s your thing.

If you feel like swimming or even doing some kayaking kayak with your partner, you can check out the gorgeous Bioluminescent Bay and take in all of the natural beauty it has to offer, especially at nighttime.

St. Martin/St. Maarten: A Reserved Piece of Paradise

The St. Martin/St. Maarten region offers a little bit of something for everyone, but it is also one of the more popular gay-friendly Caribbean islands you can find. You will find plenty of beachfront resorts here as well, with the Belmond La Samann, found on the French side, taking up a whopping 55 acres.

Nightlife options in St. Martin/St. Maarten are not as impressive as those found in Curacao and Puerto Rico, but you will find that the options here are more than acceptable for most people. If you’re looking for a great gay bar, you will want to check out Bliss, a huge club on the well-known Maho Beach, or Eros which is another popular LGBT club located in Marigot. Both of these places have been around for quite a while and throw events regularly.

Looking for a drag show on St. Martin/St. Maarten? You can check out the L’Escargot establishment, where you can also catch some yummy French food. If you have always wanted to try something new while simultaneously being able to soak up a fun drag show, then you’ve found the right place.

Let Your Pride Flag Fly!

Wherever you choose to go, you should be happy to know that the Caribbean islands have several options for gay-friendly locations. If you want to be out and proud during your stay in the Caribbean islands, then your best bet may be to head to Curacao, where huge events are always going on, and LGBT community members from all over the world gather together to celebrate their pride and how far they have come.

If that doesn’t sound like something you’d enjoy, then you have other options to choose from, as well. Choose from any of these three great options for gay-friendly Caribbean islands, make your lodging reservations, and get ready to have the time of your life.