There's something magical about watching the sun melt into the ocean while surrounded by your people. At Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts, that magic happens every single evening, and if you head to the right spot, you can soak it all in without a stitch of clothing.
Welcome to Boy Beach, where gay men have been gathering for decades to celebrate sun, sea, community, and the freedom to be unapologetically themselves.
The Beach That Faces West
Here's what makes Herring Cove special: it's one of the rare East Coast beaches where you can actually watch the sun set directly into the water. Positioned on the Cape Cod Bay side rather than facing the Atlantic, this beach offers those Instagram-worthy moments where the sun dips below the horizon in a blaze of orange and pink, reflecting off gentle waves instead of crashing surf.
The bay-side location means warmer water temperatures and calmer conditions, perfect for an evening wade while you watch nature's daily show. You'll also catch distant views of the Race Point Lighthouse, adding that classic Cape Cod charm to your sunset experience.
But let's be real: the sunsets are gorgeous, but they're not why most gay men make the pilgrimage to this particular stretch of sand.
Finding Boy Beach: Your Guide to Liberation
Herring Cove Beach stretches for about a mile, but Boy Beach occupies a specific section that's become legendary in LGBTQ+ travel circles. Head to the right (north) as you face the water from the main parking area, and keep walking. You'll know you've found it when you see rainbow flags staked in the sand, a growing crowd of shirtless (and often bottomless) men, and an unmistakable energy of queer joy.
The clothing-optional tradition here goes back decades. This isn't some recent Instagram trend, generations of gay men have come to this spot to shed more than just their clothes. They've shed the weight of judgment, the exhaustion of code-switching, the burden of being "appropriate" for straight society.
At Boy Beach, you can just… be.
The Vibe: Part Beach Party, Part Sanctuary
Don't expect a quiet, meditative beach experience. Boy Beach is social. You'll find groups of friends who've been coming here together for years, first-time visitors nervously working up the courage to drop their swimsuits, couples celebrating anniversaries, and solo travelers who know this is where they'll make new friends.
The atmosphere shifts throughout the day. Afternoons can get lively, with music playing from portable speakers, conversations flowing freely, and that particular brand of gay humor that somehow feels both sharp and supportive. As sunset approaches, though, something shifts. The crowd grows quieter, more contemplative. Everyone turns to face the horizon, and for a few minutes, this diverse group of strangers becomes a community united in witnessing something beautiful.
It's not uncommon to see people holding hands during sunset, or to hear spontaneous applause as the sun finally disappears. Yeah, we're dramatic like that, and we're not sorry about it.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Let's talk logistics, because even paradise requires some planning:
Getting There: Herring Cove Beach is at the very tip of Cape Cod, part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. There's a parking lot (which fills up fast during summer weekends), or you can bike there via the Province Lands Bike Trail. The beach is handicap accessible, which is worth noting, not all nude beaches can say that.
What to Bring: The beach is predominantly rocky rather than pure sand, especially near the water. Water shoes are your friend. Pack sunscreen (and reapply, trust us, sunburned bits are no joke), a beach chair or blanket, plenty of water, and snacks. There are restrooms, showers, and some food options during summer months, but Boy Beach is a bit of a walk from the main facilities.
The Clothing-Optional Thing: Here's the deal, it's not officially designated as a nude beach, but the rangers have adopted a pretty tolerant attitude over the years. Most guys start out in swimsuits and gradually work their way to freedom as they get comfortable. There's zero pressure either way. Some men never take off their trunks, and that's completely fine. Others are naked before they've finished spreading out their towel. Both approaches are respected.
Timing: Arrive by mid-afternoon if you want to claim a good spot and enjoy the full experience. The sunset show typically draws the biggest crowds, with the parking lot packed with cars full of people who might not even go to the beach, they just want to watch from the lot.
Respect the Space: This should go without saying, but Boy Beach is not a cruising ground. Yes, it's a space where gay men can be sensual and free, but it's not a hookup spot. Respect boundaries, ask before taking photos (and definitely don't photograph others without explicit consent), and remember that this is a family-friendly national park, just one with a particularly fabulous section.
Beyond the Beach: P-Town Perfection
Herring Cove is part of what makes Provincetown one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ destinations in the world. After your beach day, you're just minutes from Commercial Street, where rainbow flags fly year-round and queer culture thrives in galleries, restaurants, clubs, and shops.
The town itself has been a haven for artists, writers, and LGBTQ+ folks since the early 20th century. It's where Eugene O'Neill premiered his plays, where Tennessee Williams found inspiration, and where countless ordinary queer people have found extraordinary acceptance.
Why It Matters
In a world where LGBTQ+ people still face discrimination, violence, and the constant pressure to tone themselves down, places like Boy Beach at Herring Cove matter deeply. They're proof that we can create spaces of radical acceptance, where body positivity isn't just a hashtag but a lived reality.
Here, nobody's judging your body type, your age, your tan lines, or your scars. The guy with the gym-perfect physique is sitting next to the bear with the generous belly, who's chatting with the older gentleman who's been coming here since the '80s. It's democracy in its most naked form.
For many visitors, especially those from conservative communities or countries where being gay is still dangerous, Boy Beach represents something almost utopian. It's a glimpse of what life could be like if we didn't have to hide, apologize, or shrink ourselves to fit into heteronormative spaces.
The Sunset State of Mind
As you sit on that rocky beach, feeling the last warmth of the sun on your skin, watching the sky turn from blue to gold to pink to purple, surrounded by people who get it, really get it, you might find yourself feeling something unexpected.
Gratitude, maybe. For the activists who fought to create and protect these spaces. For the generations of gay men who claimed this beach and said, "This is ours." For the simple, profound freedom to exist in your body without shame.
Or maybe you'll just feel happy. Content. Free.
That's the real magic of Herring Cove. Yes, the sunsets are spectacular. The beach is beautiful. The water is refreshing. But what keeps people coming back year after year isn't just the scenery: it's the feeling. The sense of belonging. The knowledge that for a few precious hours, you can be completely, authentically yourself.
And honestly? That's the most beautiful view of all.
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