Hawaii Nudism and possible cruising in Hawaii
- REPUBLISHED May 28, 2008, revised October 2008, Revised Sept 2012, Updated Sept. 2017
(Note: Some info may not be accurate since conditions change - such is the nature of nudism across the world - the weather and erosion, changes in attitudes of the local community and prohibition or surveillance by law enforcement or public park authorities may cause significant changes to the 'facts' listed in the article below).
Sorry for the canned and somewhat disorganized article below but I frequently get requests about the topic of Hawaii and what 'gay' things there are, so I have this standard blog entry and have just kept adding more to it over the years. It's time now again for update on the information.
If you have more specific questions later, I'll try to answer them. But for now, I hope this general introduction to Hawaii nude beaches and gay spots there will help.
The first part is mainly about Oahu. There is aksi specific information about The Big Island, Hawaii, and Maui at the end of this article.
Nudity and Nude Beach in Hawaii
Nude beaches, heh? Do they exist in the Hawaii islands?
Yes, but proceed with some caution because except for a couple of places (not on Oahu), nude sunbathing is considered illegal (except for a couple of long-time (and which has tacit permission for the law enforcement officers).
Warning: Nudity on public beaches is illegal. Do not do so without taking adequate precautions to be discreet. However, there are a few places where it is tolerated (or at least overlooked) by the authorities. However, most of these are NOT located on Oahu. Nevertheless, nude sunbathing does happen on Oahu (the main island, where Honolulu and its famous, Waikiki Beach is located).
Queen's Surf -- NOW NO LONGER A GAY MEETING PLACE
There used to be a section of Waikiki Beach called Queen's Surf -- where you guessed it - the queens gathered. But sadly it is longer active as a gay men's meeting point (for sunbathing (clothed, of course), picnicking, and just talking. No, it is not called Queen's Surf because it was frequented by drag queens (LOL), but gay men used to gather there to socialize.
It's still there as a public beach, and only a few gay men congregate there nowadays (Aug 2017), but nothing like the masses of gay men who used to frequent this public beach. It's found just passed the Honolulu Zoo, and is located just two hundred yards from the Waikiki Aquarium. You can find it just passed the snack shop/restroom in a grassy area lined with palm tress. However, there is absolutely no nudity on this very public part of the beach. Many people don't even notice it and you're likely to have families or tourist/visitors sitting near or even among the 'guys' on the grass lawn just across the beach side sidewalk. NOW (as of 2015 and later), NO LONGER A GAY MEETING PLACE.
For nudism, the closest place to Waikiki where you can go to a gay and sometimes discreetly nude beach on Oahu is at Diamond Head Beach (below the Light House).
It can be cruisy, but you need to be aware that it is part of a public beach and not everybody walking down along the shore is a guy looking for gay sex. Tourists, people walking their pets, and families sometimes walk thru and even stop to enjoy the beach too. However, it does get cruisy at times -- sometimes best when the sun has started to set or after sunset. Just be discreet and cover up if somebody who looks like a cop comes thru. I have never seen a police office or been stopped myself, but I've "heard" that arrests have been made for public indecency. I have received a parking ticket - so don't park where it is prohibited or after posted hours. There are places to "hide", ledges to sunbathe nude without being seen from below and I've had some wild times there both in broad daylight and after dusk, especially on the forested hillside just above this beach.
How to get there..
From the east end of Waikiki, you can drive there or it is even possible to walk (20-30 minute walk across and down along Kapiolani Park) to its eastern end and then walk up about 700 yards to the drive way that goes down to Light House Beach. You can't miss Diamond Head crater's peak looming overhead -- which can be seen from anywhere in Honolulu. If you drive, then you can follow Kalakaua east to the Zoo and then continue due east along Kapiolani Park to its end and then turn right on Diamond Head road. There is a small road down the beach -- but there is limited parking there (don't leave a car at most Diamond Head Road street parking after 10pm or as posted!!)
If driving, it is easier sometimes to go on passed the light house and then look for parking up at the look-out point(s) along Diamond Head Road (regular unmetered parking) or for roadside parking on the mountain side of Diamond Head Road. As any place in Honolulu - don't leave valuables in your car and don't park where people can easily sneak up and open your car -- car break-ins in Honolulu are among the highest rates in the entire country -- more than New York City, by far. So you'd best take precautions.
If you're really worried about break-ins, then drive your rental car, but park instead at Kapiolani Park, or take a bus (#14) or a taxi and then walk back from the nearest bus stop to beach, or just walk all the way from Waikiki and back - which is what I usually do., besides, it's good exercise too. The walk through Kapiolani Park either way is beautiful. On the beach side parallel with the Park and eventually leading to Waikiki proper just across from the Zoo (at the interection of Kalakaua and Kapahulu) is the extension of Waikiki Beach. There you'll find Queen's Surf Beach between the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium, where a lot of gays hang out - but there in NO NUDITY absolutely at such a public place.
Just as a extra side-trip, I often stop in at the men's restroom and changing room with open stall showers at the old Natatorium (outdoor competitive swimming pool - which has now fallen in decay from lack of use). It's open from early (6:00am ) to dusk so you can sometimes catch (cute) guys changing and showering before or after their romps in the ocean for swimming and surfing. I always like to get naked when I shower, and enjoy it even more when another guy or guys does the same.
Being Discreet and Avoiding Trouble
You should know that public (beach) nudity is illegal in Hawaii (as in most US States) -- this is posted at most beaches -- and there has evidently been more police patrolling of Light House beach. But I myself have never seen a police officer on the beach -- although the stories / rumors keep going around. My advice is don't be blatant -- it is a public beach with families and tourists -- who don't expect to see a nude guy especially one with a hard-on or engaged in sexual activity. They are probably the ones who call the police (if they ever do come down to look for "sex perverts".) I prefer to stay up above the beach -- (but not TOO high) or the tourist at the look-out point above can see you -- and have towel/swimsuit to cover up if somebody obviously NOT gay comes snooping around.
Nonetheless, I've had some good "looks" and quite a lot of sex in the bushes and in the coves/nooks, especially around dusk. If you aren't interested in the cruising part, then you can just enjoy the sun and see what other guys do. They can't arrest you for thongs or skimpy bikinis in any case.
Mokuleia (near Polo Field) on the North Shore (Oahu)
(part of a discussion Yahoo! Group Hawaii Nudist -- it is not very active, but there was information about a North Shore 'nudist' beach - Mokuleia.)
Since there are no legal nude beaches on Oahu or its too far to go there, some guys do lie out on the north shore near the Polo Fields at Mokuleia. Others lie out at Diamond head below the lighthouse right outside Waikiki. (by Honolulust)
The beach on the North Shore (Polo Fields) is much nicer than the Diamond Head lighthouse beach. The water is clearer, cleaner and much more secluded. At the end of the public access trail, go to the right for the gay nude area. As you walk you will see a bushy wooded area.
That's the gay area. You can situate yourself on the beach or in the little areas in the bushes. I 've had some very hot sessions on that beach!
(by Musl2Pound)
I'm still not sure where that beach is - Polo Fields at Mokuleia. Is in off of Crozier Dr. (the street closest to the shore) or is it further west out Farrington Hwy? If you don't have a car (a tourist
or visitor) would you be out of luck? I mean is it worth take a bus to Waialua and then walking?
(These question are from sunbuns99 - p.s. Nobody ever answered my questions so I still don't know much about Mokuleia (May 2008). You can find the place and the polo fields on Google maps.)
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