Beach Body – Tropical & Fitness Destinations

Whenever I’m done with stuffing my face with yet another enormous Thanksgiving meal, my thoughts inevitably turn to "How am I going to fit into that new swimsuit by February?" Thanksgiving is just the beginning of the eating frenzy that plagues the holiday season. Parties, dinners and sweets everywhere we turn. It’s certainly easier to stuff a turkey than a wild bikini, but we’ve got some incentive – warm weather destinations in the coldest winter months.

Aloha Hawaii
Hawaii is a mainstay of winter-time travel, primarily due to its phenomenal weather in the winter months. Warm weather and increasingly dry winters have made Hawaii even more popular. Hawaii is one of the most gay-friendly tropical destinations and abounds with gay beaches and accommodations.

In Oahu, there are several gay beaches:
Queen’s Surf: Located in Kapiolani Park at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, is Queen’s Surf, the gay beach. From Kalakaua Ave., enter Kapiolani Park from Waikiki, follow the esplanade along the beach. The area from the park to the Waikiki Aquarium is considered the gay section of the beach. There is a snack bar and restrooms are available.

Kailua Beach: One of the best beaches to see and be seen, Kailua Beach has a large grass and picnic area as well as changing facilities. Buzzes Steak House is a favorite of both locals and visiting elite – from presidents to celebrities.

Lanikai Beach: This truly beautiful beach located on the windward side of Oahu has a mile of perfect sand and crystal clear water – but be sure to go in the morning, as the Koolau Mountains block the sun in the afternoon. This beach is mixed with both gay and straight beachgoers.

Mokuleia Beach on Oahu’s Leeward Coast: The gay area is close to Mokuleia Beach Park located about halfway down the beach. The park has parking, camping sites, showers and restrooms.

Tahiti – Friendly for all of us
A truly tropical destination, Tahiti is located in the southern Pacific and has world-famous black sand beaches. What makes Tahiti unique is its laid-back attitude towards the LGBT community as a whole; like many Native American cultures, Tahitians accept diversity in both sexuality and gender.

There is some nightlife; there are clubs and bars, but most of these are mixed with both straight and LGBT clientele. You can find some clubs in Papeete that cater to the local transgender (rae-rae or Mahu) crowd. One of the best ways to see the islands of Tahiti is on a cruise.

Iron Men and Women – Iron Man Competitions
For our fitness buffs (and the truly buffed-out!) the Ironman Competition has multiple training camps and qualifying events all over the world. Starting in January of 2008, you can find qualifying events and races in almost every month of the year.

For a complete list of Iron Man events, click here; some in the US are already sold out due to the fierce popularity of these qualifying events. These triathlons consist of swimming, biking and running competitions, and culminate in the World Championship Iron Man, which is held in Kailua Kona, Hawaii each year.

Whether you’re just looking to show off your suit or your strength, it’s time to get ready for these warm winter trips as they’re right around the corner!