The BEST gay cruises in Asia for 2024 / 2025

Sail away, sail away, sail away…

We all know that Enya classic – you know the one – the lyrics had you googling where the Orinoco is, checking Maps for where the Yellow Sea is, and singing “from Peru to Cebu, feel the power of Babylon…from Bali to Cali…“ For us, it's always a song we associate with cruising the oceans, exploring waters new out in the vast blue – just like Pi Patel and his tiger on board that wreck in the middle of the Pacific in the Ang Lee 2012 movie: Life of Pi.

There's nothing better than a gay cruise, especially in our favorite continent – Asia. We're always super excited to see a growing number of them popping up. We've sifted through them all and put together this comprehensive guide to the best gay cruises in Asia.

For our guide, we've split them up into two parts: the first for exclusive gay cruises and the second for cruises where there is a gay group amongst a larger charter.

01

INDONESIA: Everything to Sea naked gay cruise

Various dates throughout the year

When you're not enjoying the freedom of body and spirit, you have the entire Indonesian archipelago to behold. Thousands of islands, big and small, surround you, awaiting discovery. Some are uninhabited, others are just home to an assortment of unusual creatures, especially the Komodo Dragons!

Despite it being a relatively short trip, there is a lot packed into the itinerary, from snorkeling in the sea to hiking through the Indonesian islands. This trip allows for lots of lazy days on the beach and stargazing from the boat. It's a journey that doesn't take a lot out of you, yet gives you such an other-worldly experience.

One of the highlights has to be the trip to Namo Island, famous for its red sandy beach. The contrast of the flaming ground against the soft green mountains in the background is a picture-perfect treat. Of course, the real adventure is swimming through the Rangko cave where the crystal clear waters sparkle so brightly, that you can see them light up the darkness of the cave, whilst dodging the friendly resident sea turtles.

The boat itself is super luxurious, with expansive decks to relax on, spacious cabin rooms, attentive staff, and a stunning dining area. It's perfect for meeting and interacting with your fellow passengers. It's made from wood in the traditional “Bugis” style, which avoids using any nails. Bugis-style boats can last forever, as long as you look after and preserve them well – leave them to neglect and they begin to rot (kind of like our Seby on a grumpy day…).

02

VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA: Brand G Jewels of Vietnam and Cambodia

Every October/November (12 days)

Spending 13 days across Vietnam and Cambodia gives you an in-depth and comprehensive flavor of each country. The trip starts with a 3-night stay in a luxury hotel in Siem Reap before embarking on the cruise. The cruise is 7 nights aboard a luxurious ship, with delicious meals, an incredible gym, and plenty of space to lounge around. The final two days are spent in a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

The ship's design takes after the French colonial era, with a sophisticated and comfortable interior. Plush seating, spiraling staircases, and wide-open spaces are to be found within. As for the trip itself? Highlights include visiting seaside towns like Long Khanh Island. Stopovers allow you to wander around the markets, trying local food and buying a few souvenirs.

The excursion to Phnom Penh is a surprise highlight. It has a fantastic gay scene we had no idea about. We also recommend visiting the Killing Fields (Choeung Ek). It's an extremely harrowing experience, but one we think everyone should undertake and learn about some of Cambodia's darkest days. We also love the gay scene of Saigon and highly recommend checking out some of the bars and clubs here on your final 2 days of this trip.

BrandG is offering our readers an exclusive 5% discount for this cruise. Click the button below to check availabilty and prices.

03

THAILAND: GaySail Exclusive Catamaran Cruise

Every March (7 days)

Though each cabin has two men per room, we recommend going with a partner. That is unless you're comfortable sharing with a stranger – you never know, it could lead to a lifelong friendship or more!

This cruise is based in and around the famous southwest islands of Thailand, including Phuket (which has an airport and is, therefore, the transport hub) and Phi Phi, which is famous for being the island featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie “The Beach”.

Highlights from this trip include rainforests, mountains, limestone pinnacles jutting out from the sea, and of course, some of the best beaches we've ever been to. If you're into snorkeling and diving, you'll be in paradise on this trip.

Gay Sail is offering our readers an exclusive 5% discount valid for any cruise booked on their website. Just use the coupon code NOMADICGS5 at checkout.

04

INDIA: Brand G Splendors of India and The Ganges Gay River Cruise

Every October (13 days)

The cruise takes place on the RV Ganges Voyager – a gorgeous ship built in the style of the British colonial era, but with all the modern amenities and services you might desire. We especially love the elegant East India dining room, where the backs of the chairs look like ship steering wheels and you can dine on exotic local cuisine or western favorites. You can get a workout on board while watching the riverside slip by from the huge windows or relax in the sun on a lounger up on deck.

Not the whole trip takes place on a ship though, as part of the time, you'll also get to stay in fabulous hotels in the cities of New Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. If you've ever dreamed of visiting India during the colorful Holi Festival, this cruise makes all those dreams come true, plus you'll get to explore famous sites such as the fabled pink city of Jaipur, Agra Fort, and Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi in Old Delhi. Truly, an unforgettable voyage!

05

VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA: Out Adventures Mekong River Gay Cruise

Every March (12 days)

The gay cruise itself stretches across 13 glamorous days. We particularly love the idea of the pot-making class in Ben Tre. If you're old enough, you'll also want to recreate that Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore moment from the movie: Ghost.

This cruise also gives you the chance to sail on sampans (flat-bottomed boats) through the lush mangroves and bamboo groves of the coast. Landing at the fruit orchards, you will meet with locals who happily provide you with tea and honey. Yep, this trip sure is a treat! With a taste of the bustling cities, as well as an in-depth look at the rural countryside, you will quickly fall in love with Vietnam and Cambodia just as we did!

06

VIETNAM: Out Adventures Vietnam Gay Cruise and Tour

Every March (4 days)

Over the subsequent five days, the cruise continues to explore more of the Vietnamese coast with lots of activities offered on-board, like Tai Chi. Other highlights of the trip include a sightseeing tour of Hanoi, learning about how Vietnam declared its independence and how it survived the Vietnamese War.

You'll get to go on excursions to charming villages, magical grottoes, and secret lakes. You can even take part in a spot of night-time squid fishing – a truly unique experience! This gay cruise can be booked as a stand-alone journey or added on to the end of the above Mekong River gay cruise if you want even more bang for your buck, as it were…

Read more travel adventures like this in our book!

We've published our very own gay travel book called, ‘Out in the World'. It has all our practical safety tips, first-hand advice, and travel stories from some of our favorite destinations.

We hope it inspires you to have a fun and safe trip!

Click on the book to order:

For more inspiration:

• Find out what it's like to travel in Asia as a gay couple
• These are our favorite places to go scuba diving in Asia as well
• For more au naturel cruising options, check out these fun nude gay cruises
• As well as some exciting gay cruises to the Galapagos Islands
• Make sure you attend at least one of these biggest gay Pride events in the world
• If you need some inspiration, have a look at these fabulous gay Pride outfits
• And don't forget to pack these must-have gay Pride accessories
• See where the gay Pride movement all began by attending Pride in New York City
• Find out why we love attending Pride in London as well

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