When I shared my list of the best group tours for lesbians, someone commented, “What about single lesbians?” It was a fair point. Every group tour I’ve been on was a majority couple experience. Single travelersโโwhether solo women travelers, female friends, or (as in my case), family travelersโwere often snubbed by the group.
In talking with other solo travelers, I’ve learned how common this is. Solo women who travel are often left out on group tours. This happens even when they’re widowed (as my mother in law is) or when they’re traveling sans partner because their spouse hates to travel.
Group travel offers the chance to connect with other people as much as with the destination. That’s why I’m so excited to share this list of single lesbian travel groups. On this list, you’ll find group tours, adult summer camps, and pop-up events in cities around the world. Many of these adventures are exclusively for lesbians. Some welcome trans and nonbinary people, and even gay men.
Looking for a list of outdoor clubs that welcome single lesbians? Check out our lists of lesbian hiking groups, outdoor groups for queer people of color, and LGBTQ-inclusive outdoor groups! Solo lesbians are welcome at ALL of these – and attending groups like these regularly is one of the best ways to make friends (or find love) in a new city, imo!
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Olivia Cruises
It’s no surprise that Olivia Cruises takes top spot when it comes to single lesbian travel groups. Olivia has a decades-long Solos Program to help queer women feel comfortable flying solo.
The Solos Program can pair single travelers with a roommate. This eliminates the extra expense of the dreaded single supplement and gives you a built-in travel buddy.
If you don’t want to share a room, no worries. Pay for your own room, and use the Solos Program Facebook group to connect with other single cruisers.
It’s little touches like this that put Olivia at the top of the list for lesbian solo travel. They’ve thought about how to settle pre-trip jitters, connect travelers, and make sure that a bucket list cruise is successful for all travelers, not just those with a travel partner. And the best part is, these supportive gestures continue throughout the cruise, too!
On board, solo lesbian travelers get a signature Solos necklace so they can spot one another easily. They get a dedicated dated Solos schedule and a warm welcome from on-shop Solos Coordinators. Think activity hosts who want to ensure single lesbian travelers don’t feel left out.
During the cruise, solo travelers get to choose their own adventure. Whether you’re looking to make friends or spark a new romantic connection, Olivia’s full schedule of mixers, dances, and live entertainment gives you tons of great options. At meals, choose the Solos seating section, dine alone if you’re an introvert like me, or sit with the new friends or special someone you’ve met on your lesbian cruise vacation.
Diva Destinations
UK-based Diva Destinations runs small group tours exclusively for lesbians. But did you know they also do solo tours?
They only run a couple of solo programs a year, although single travelers are welcome on their lesbian group trips, too!
For 2024, Diva Destinations is running its popular Portugal Solos Holiday.
The lesbian tour group is taking over the Silver Seahorse Hotel in Peniche, a seaside town north of Lisbon. A hotel takeover means an exclusively lesbian environment, with no other travelers intruding on a queer safe space!
Diva Destinations hosts stay with the tour from start to finish, taking care of every detail so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Before the trip, there is a group Zoom so you can get to know fellow travelers.
Tours include five group dinners prepared by the hotel chef, optional yoga and massage at the hotel, and three group excursions:
- a beach day at stunning Baleal beach
- a day trip to รbidos, a lovely medieval town
- a visit to Bacalhรดa Buddha Eden, Europe’s largest oriental garden, with walking trails, a koi pond, a waterfall, and statues of Buddhas and terra cotta warriors.
The group skews older, judging by the photos on their website. However, any lesbian-identified woman is welcome to join a Diva Destinations trip.
If you are new to solo travel and not sure what to expect, you can chat with the UK-based lesbian holiday company over email or WhatsApp and get your questions answered before you sign up.
Their solo lesbian Portugal tour takes place from July 7-July 14, 2024. That’s the only solo trip on their calendar this year. So if you want to secure a spot, don’t delay!
Camp Camp
I spent summers at sleep away camp. For me, overnight camp provided an oasis from my suburban town and a place where I could be my true self. Or so I thought, until I discovered my queerness and wondered whether camp was still a safe place for me.
For queer adults who had to hide a part of themselves to fit in, Camp Camp recreates the magic of sleep away camp, only this time as your true self. The original queer adult summer camp has been taking place for more than 25 years in Maine. This year’s camp session is August 11 to 18, 2024.
Camp Camp helps new campers adjust with special welcoming activities that spark connections. Instead of camp cabins, campers are assigned to Rainbow Groups, which have a staff leader. Campers dine with their Rainbow Group on the first day. They have daily check-ins with their group every morning. The group provides a welcoming support until you find your crew.
From arts and crafts to sports to relaxing by the lakeside, Camp Camp offers a range of activities. One thing you won’t find at the queer summer camp is tech.
A Maine woods location means spotty cell service. While you can bring your phone, you probably won’t have reception. Computer and internet usage is similarly restricted. If you’ve been dreaming of a digital detox, this might be the perfect unplugged vacation!
Came Camp is open to all queer people, not just lesbians. Most participants come on their own, without a partner or friend group. They quickly settle in and make friends with the welcoming regulars.
A whopping 75 percent of campers return to Camp Camp year after year, just like I did with my summer camp in the Berkshires!
Ella International Lesbian Festival
Based in Spain, Ella Travel puts on annual festivals that celebrate lesbians and nonbinary people. And in case you’re wondering, their festivals are trans-inclusive!
This year offers two opportunities to attend an Ella Festival, and mingle with queer and nonbinary travelers:
- Ella Mexico Lesbian Festival, May 18-21 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Ella International Lesbian Festival, August 16-24 in Palma, Mallorca
While it’s named after the Spanish pronoun for she/her, Ella Travel is proudly inclusive of gender expansive and nonbinary people. The festival environment is sure to attract a lot of locals, including solo lesbians looking to connect with like-minded women.
The festival kicks off with a speed friending meetup intended to help single lesbians find their squad for the weekend of events. Spend your days zip lining, paddling, snorkeling, or hanging at the beach surrounded by queer women. At night, choose from dance parties, mellow cocktail hangs, and TED-style talks by lesbians and nonbinary people.
Moonlight Experiences
Moonlight Experiences offers group trips and nights out for lesbians, trans and non-binary people.
The group skews younger. Think forties and under. It’s run by Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir, a Black LGBTQ activist and trailblazer. Their events are inclusive of single lesbians as well as couples and friendsโโsomething to keep in mind if you’re only looking to meet fellow singles.
Their 2024 travel calendar isn’t out yet, but they are hosting some evening pop-ups, like a sold-out queer theater night in Paris, a Barcelona speakeasy crawl, or a night out in Johannesburg. Evening events are perfect if you’re shy, passing through a city and want to connect with other queer women, or happen to live in a city where they have an active presence. I’m keeping their Instagram on my radar in case future travel plans take me to any of the cities where they’re currently active.
It’s exciting to see so many travel opportunities that celebrate women โ and proudly create space for single lesbians. With amazing tour options like these, queer women don’t have to worry about feeling out of place or uncomfortable. They don’t have to sit at home if they can’t convince a friend to join them. Instead, they can make new friends (and maybe something more) while exploring a new part of the world with queer community. Opportunities like these are creating a more vibrant and inclusive travel community.
Just a couple of years ago, lesbians were mourning the dwindling numbers of lesbian bars that provided a communal safe space. Now, we’re starting to see new lesbian bars pop up, including many that are trans and nonbinary inclusive too.
I’m optimistic that we’ll see more solo lesbian travel opportunities on the horizon. So if you hear of any lesbian trips and events that are unmissable, please reach out in the comments so I can keep this valuable resource up to date for the lesbian community!
