20+ Best Sex Scenes of The White Lotus

The White Lotus is more than just a satire of the ultra-rich on vacation. Beneath the gleaming resorts and Instagrammable backdrops lies something messier—sweaty, awkward, and undeniably horny. Sex in this universe isn’t just about intimacy; it’s about control, secrecy, vulnerability, and the deeply human desire to feel something real. Across all three seasons, The White Lotus has delivered some of TV’s boldest and weirdest sex scenes.

This guide discusses 20+ of the best White Lotus sex scenes, from subtle tension to full-blown scandal. Let’s dive in.

What Is the White Lotus TV Series?

The White Lotus is an award-winning HBO satirical comedy-drama series created by Mike White, first premiering in July 2021 [1]. It was included in the American Film Institute Awards’ list of the Top 10 Programs of the Year for both 2021 and 2022 [2][3].

Each season unfolds in a different luxury resort, capturing the dramatic and often scandalous interactions between wealthy guests and staff members. The anthology format allows for fresh characters, new locations, and evolving themes with every season.

Season 1, set in Maui, introduces standout performances from Murray Bartlett, Alexandra Daddario, and Sydney Sweeney while tackling issues of privilege, wealth, and the exploitation of workers. In Season 2, set in Sicily, characters played by Theo James, Aubrey Plaza, and Simona Tabasco push the narrative into darker, sexier territory. The season highlights themes of lust, power, infidelity, and identity. Jennifer Coolidge’s iconic character Tanya appeared in both seasons, becoming a fan favorite.

Season 3 moves to Thailand and features new cast members like Michelle Monaghan, Walton Goggins, and Aimee Lou Wood. The story delves deeper into chaos, touching on spirituality, sexuality, and fractured family dynamics, with plotlines involving brothers, betrayal, and desire.

The Hottest Sex Scenes in The White Lotus Series

Beyond its biting satire and social commentary, The White Lotus is widely known for its bold and unforgettable sex scenes—gay, lesbian, and everything in between. From steamy moments to unexpected hookups, the series doesn’t shy away from showing the raw, often uncomfortable truths behind modern relationships.

If The White Lotus intrigued you with its raw portrayal of intimacy and identity, there’s a world of bold queer experiences to explore. Gay nude beaches, for instance, provide inclusive spaces where body positivity and freedom are celebrated, much like the series challenges traditional norms around sexuality. Besides, you may want to explore the best lesbian sex scenes in film and television, as they reshape representation with emotionally charged and empowering portrayals.

Now, let’s discuss some of The White Lotus series’ most memorable and steamy sex scenes [4][5].

#21 Nicole and Mark (Season 1, Episode 6)

Among The White Lotus’ most powerful moments is the intimate reconnection between Nicole (Connie Britton) and Mark (Steve Zahn)—a quiet contrast to the season’s more chaotic encounters. Their strained marriage, burdened by Nicole’s career pressures and Mark’s guilt over infidelity, finds healing after a robbery attempt reveals his protective instincts. When they finally make love, it’s not about passion but presence: a tentative rediscovery of trust through vulnerability.

This scene stands out precisely because it rejects fantasy for emotional truth. While other characters chase lust or power, their reunion celebrates ordinary marital repair—that profound comfort of being truly seen. In a series obsessed with transactional sex, this moment offers a rare glimpse of genuine intimacy.

Nicole and Mark, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#20 Lucia and Dominic (Season 2, Episodes 1, 2)

Lucia (Simona Tabasco) and Dominic’s (Michael Imperioli) encounters are among the season’s most provocative—not just for their sexual charge but for what they expose about emotional dysfunction and privilege. Dominic, a wealthy producer, uses Lucia to validate his emotions, while she retains control over the situation.

Their interactions, including a threesome with Mia, are more about Dominic escaping accountability than about desire. His actions reveal how privilege and unchecked impulses lead to hollow intimacy, reflecting the show’s theme of how power and wealth corrupt genuine connection.

#19 Mia and Giuseppe (Season 2, Episode 4)

Mia’s (Beatrice Grannò) encounter with Giuseppe (Federico Scribani Rossi) is one of the season’s most uncomfortable yet darkly hilarious moments, blending ambition, desperation, and the warped dynamics of transactional sex. A young, aspiring musician, Mia initially resists Giuseppe’s offer of money for sex, but later, she reconsiders, proposing a tryst in exchange for mentorship and music industry access.

The scene spirals into chaos when Giuseppe struggles to perform. Trying to help, Mia gives him what she believes is Viagra, but it’s actually MDMA, courtesy of her friend Lucia. Giuseppe ends up hospitalized, Mia lands the gig, and viewers are left somewhere between laughter and vicarious embarrassment.

Mia and Giuseppe, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#18 Saxon’s Solo Sesh (Season 3, Episode 1)

Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) shares an unsettling dynamic with his brother, Lochlan Ratliff (Sam Nivola). Saxon insists on sharing a room with Lochlan, claiming it would be inappropriate for him to share with their sister. This setup leads to conversations about sex and their sister, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.

In a tense scene, Saxon prepares for a solo sexual activity in the bathroom, fully nude, while making eye contact with Lochlan, suggesting a sexual tension or undertone between the brothers. This moment is described as sinister and emotionally charged, raising questions about boundaries and desires.

#17 Paula and Kai (Season 1, Episode 5)

Paula (Brittany O’Grady) is on vacation with her friend Olivia’s (Sydney Sweeney) privileged family, growing increasingly disillusioned by their performative wokeness. Kai (Kekoa Kekumano), meanwhile, works at the resort that displaced his family’s land. Their moonlit hookups serve as a temporary escape, tender and genuine.

In this episode, Paula and Kai share a tender moment in a hotel room that Kai has arranged for them. Their intimate encounter is portrayed with emotional depth, highlighting the complexities of their relationship and the broader themes of privilege and cultural displacement present in the series.

Paula and Kai, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#16 Tanya and Greg (Season 2, Episode 1)

Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) and Greg (Jon Gries) share an awkward and emotionally complex connection. Their sex scene is memorably cringe-inducing: mid-coitus, Tanya becomes distracted by a local sculpture, finding it more captivating than Greg’s efforts. She abruptly halts the encounter, leaving him frustrated and “unfinished.” His later cruelty—mocking her for eating macarons—underscores their fractured dynamic, making this scene a standout for its uncomfortable mix of detachment and dysfunction, far from the honeymoon phase.

#15 Laurie and Aleksei (Season 3, Episode 7)

Laurie’s (Carrie Coon) steamy encounter with Aleksei (Julian Kostov) is a fiery standout driven by revenge and desire. Frustrated with her friend Jaclyn for hooking up with Valentin, Laurie ditches Jaclyn and Kate to join their new Russian friends at a Muay Thai event. Her impulsive decision leads to a night of intense passion with Aleksei, highlighted by a sizzling cowgirl scene that’s as charged as it is reckless.

The post-coital glow quickly fades when Aleksei openly asks for a $10,000 loan, revealing his ulterior motives. The chaos escalates with the arrival of his girlfriend, forcing Laurie to make a hasty escape through a back window. As she flees, she spots stolen jewelry from the resort’s gift shop, adding a layer of intrigue to her wild night.

Laurie and Aleksei, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#14 Lucia and Albie (Season 2, Episode 5)

Lucia’s (Simona Tabasco) encounter with Albie (Adam DiMarco) is a mesmerizing blend of sensuality, emotional ambiguity, and uncomfortable context. After Portia ditches Albie for Jack, Lucia seizes the moment to seduce him, capitalizing on his bruised ego. Albie, determined to avoid his sex-addict father Dominic’s flaws, falls hard for Lucia—unaware that she’s the same sex worker his father slept with days earlier.

Their scene in the blue morning light, with Lucia riding Albie, is visually stunning, culminating in Albie’s expressive climax that captures his earnest vulnerability. Despite her self-serving nature as a sex worker using sex as a means to an end, Lucia shows flickers of genuine care for Albie, blurring the line between game and connection.

#13 Shane and Rachel (Season 1, Episode 1)

The honeymoon sec scene between Shane (Jake Lacy) and Rachel (Alexandra Daddario) perfectly encapsulates marital disillusionment. Their morning encounter, meant to be passionate, instead reveals Shane’s selfish preoccupation with room complaints and Rachel’s quiet horror at realizing she’s married a wealthy man-child.

Her detached expression speaks volumes: this union threatens to erase her identity, reducing her to a trophy wife. The awkward physicality underscores their emotional disconnect, with Shane’s boorish entitlement clashing against Rachel’s dawning regret. Far from steamy, the scene becomes one of the series’ most revealing moments—an intimate unraveling of power imbalance and the quiet tragedy of settling.

Shane and Rachel, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#12 Jaclyn and Valentin (Season 3, Episode 5)

Jaclyn’s (Michelle Monaghan) hookup with Valentin (Arnas Fedaravicius) is one of the series’ messiest encounters. On a girls’ trip with frenemies Laurie and Kate, Jaclyn secretly sleeps with their shared yoga instructor—despite encouraging Laurie’s interest and having a partner back home. The tryst, initiated by her whispered “Let’s fuck,” burns with betrayal-fueled intensity, her skimpy white négligée staying provocatively on during their missionary coupling.

What makes this scene memorable isn’t its eroticism but its psychological complexity. Jaclyn’s actions—equal parts calculated and desperate—expose her as the ultimate “mean girl” of the trio, using sex to reclaim power from an indifferent boyfriend and aging anxieties.

#11 Cameron, Ethan, Mia, and Lucia (Season 2, Episode 3)

The drunken foursome involving Cameron (Theo James), Ethan (Will Sharpe), Lucia, and Mia stands out as a chaotic, consequence-laden moment. With their wives away, Cameron seizes the opportunity to invite escort Lucia and her friend Mia to their room for a night of drugs and debauchery.

The scene is undeniably hot, fueled by reckless abandon and raw desire as the group indulges, though Ethan ultimately backs out of the full four-way hookup. The mood shifts when a rogue condom is later discovered by Ethan’s wife, sparking drama and threatening to unravel two marriages.

This moment earns its place for its intoxicating mix of wild pleasure and devastating fallout, showcasing Lucia and Mia’s ability to spark chaos with a single night.

Cameron, Ethan, Mia, and Lucia, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#10 Belinda and Pornchai (Season 3, Episode 5)

Belinda’s (Natasha Rothwell) intimate moment with Pornchai (Dom Hetrakul) shines as a rare, wholesome gem. While in Thailand to study the resort’s wellness model, Belinda’s attraction to Pornchai sparks early, ignited when he rescues her from a “lil dragon.” Nervous but hopeful, she asks him to stay the night, citing fear, and he agrees.

As she fusses over her appearance, Belinda initiates a candid discussion about consent, but Pornchai silences her nerves with a kiss, paving the way for a consensual, passionate encounter.

#9 Portia and Jack (Season 2, Episode 4)

Portia (Haley Lu Richardson), caught between safe, predictable Albie and reckless British bad boy Jack (Leo Woodall), makes a familiar choice—she follows the spark over common sense. Their encounter builds through flirtatious chaos: stolen kisses, impulsive dine and dash, and Jack’s cocky charm that makes Portia feel recklessly alive despite her better judgment.

When they finally collide in Episode 4, it’s all hungry hands and half-undone clothes—messy, impulsive, and charged with unspoken risk. The scene’s power lies in its authenticity: the guilty lure of choosing passion over prudence. Jack’s post-coital bare ass becomes the perfect symbol for Portia’s walk on the wild side.

Portia and Jack, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#8 Harper and Ethan (Season 2, Episode 7)

The marriage of Harper (Aubrey Plaza) and Ethan (Will Sharpe) is strained by suspicion and emotional distance. In the finale, Ethan confronts Harper about her flirtation with Cameron. She admits they kissed while Ethan was locked out of their room. Though she insists it went no further, the admission pushes Ethan into a spiral.

Ethan’s jealousy leads him to a revealing walk with Daphne (Cameron’s wife), after which he returns to Harper with a changed perspective and renewed resolve. This newfound honesty results in a sex scene that is intimate rather than lustful. It’s not about passion or punishment, but reconnection. For the first time, they see each other clearly—flawed, raw, and still wanting to be together.

#7 Tanya and Niccolò (Season 2, Episode 6)

Tanya McQuoid, long desperate for love and validation, gets swept into a fantasy at Quentin’s Sicilian villa. There she meets Niccoló (Stefano Gianino), a handsome stranger with a dangerous allure and rumored mafia ties.

The night unfolds with champagne, dancing, and flirtation, culminating in the striking image of Niccoló naked and kneeling before her. For once, Tanya is seen, desired, and in control—a rare moment of true satisfaction.

Tanya and Niccolò, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#6 Rick and Chelsea (Season 3, Episode 2)

The relationship between Rick (Walton Goggins) and Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) in The White Lotus is complex, with a superficial dynamic, partly influenced by their age difference. However, a pivotal moment occurs after Chelsea’s near-death experience during a robbery. Traumatized, she seeks comfort in Rick, who surprisingly responds with tenderness.

Their connection deepens as they share an intimate, slow kiss, and Rick gently removes her nightie. The scene contrasts with their usual tense interactions, where Chelsea tries to heal Rick, and he remains emotionally distant. The couple’s fragile bond is laid bare, revealing that beneath their differences lies a deeper, more vulnerable connection.

#5 Harper and Cameron (Season 2, Episode 6)

After growing distant from her husband, Ethan, Harper shares a charged moment with Cameron that ends in a stolen kiss. His confidence offers the spark she’s been missing.

Though they don’t have sex, Ethan paranoia imagines a heated affair—sweaty, impulsive, and raw. This fantasy, more than the kiss itself, fractures their marriage and deepens the show’s themes of jealousy, insecurity, and blurred truths.

Harper and Cameron, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#4 Jack and Quentin (Season 2, Episode 5)

The most electrifying sex scene in The White Lotus occurs when Tanya stumbles upon Jack and Quentin (Tom Hollander) mid-act. Initially shocking as potential incest, the revelation that Quentin hired Jack (both as an escort and a distraction for Portia) transforms it into a display of transactional intimacy.

Their power dynamic—with Jack’s drunken admission of owing Quentin—exposes the show’s core themes: exploitation masquerading as luxury and desire commodified. Through Tanya’s horrified gaze, this unsettling moment delivers both shock and devastating character insight, making it one of the series’ most unforgettable intimate encounters.

#3 Mia and Valentina (Season 2, Episode 6)

Valentina’s (Sabrina Impacciatore) first queer experience with Mia is one of the show’s most heartfelt scenes. After facing rejection from Isabella, Valentina finds comfort in Mia, whose tenderness turns a transactional moment into genuine connection.

Guiding Valentina with care, Mia helps her embrace a long-repressed side of herself. Their night together, marked by playfulness and emotional honesty, becomes a quiet rebirth—offering not just pleasure but also acceptance and joy.

Mia and Valentina, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

#2 Saxon, Lochlan, and Chloe (Season 3, Episode 6)

One of the series’ most unsettling yet darkly humorous moments unfolds when brothers Saxon and Lochlan find themselves entangled in a drug-fueled, full-moon escapade with Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea. What begins as a night of reckless partying takes a surreal turn when Chloe—bored and mischievous—pushes the brothers into an awkward kiss. Lochlan leans in, while Saxon tolerates it with bemused detachment.

The next morning brings a hazy recollection of the night’s chaos—most notably Chloe’s nonchalant admission that Lochlan may have crossed another boundary. The morning-after revelations (“I didn’t force him to jerk you off”) land with nuclear impact, punctuated by Chelsea’s horrified “What?!”—a perfect summation of the entire cursed affair.

#1 Armond and Dillon (Season 1, Episode 4)

The White Lotus delivers one of its most cringe-worthy yet revealing moments when Armond (Murray Bartlett), the unraveling hotel manager, desperately propositions employee Dillon (Lukas Gage). His crude advance—“I’m obsessed with you. I want to get you naked. What do I gotta do?”—lays bare his complete collapse into hedonistic self-destruction. This isn’t seduction; it’s the act of a man who’s lost all professional and personal filters, using sex as both escape and self-sabotage.

The scene intensifies when Belinda and Shane walk in, their shocked faces mirroring the audience’s vicarious embarrassment. This moment crystallizes The White Lotus’ core theme: when privilege and power rot unchecked, they corrode even basic decency. Armond doesn’t just cross a line—he obliterates it, making this brief encounter a masterclass in tragicomic discomfort.

Armond and Dillon, Still from The White Lotus, HBO

Final Thoughts

The White Lotus doesn’t just deliver captivating storytelling and scenic luxury—it fearlessly dives into the raw, messy, and often gripping realities of human connection. Each sex scene serves as more than just a provocative moment; they’re about power, vulnerability, and the unspoken rules of desire.

The series holds up a mirror to modern relationships in all their complexity, proving that pleasure and chaos often go hand in hand. While some moments leave us breathless, they all cement The White Lotus as TV’s boldest exploration of intimacy—where every encounter, no matter how beautiful or bizarre, lingers long after the credits roll.

References:

1. The White Lotus. Retrieved: April 15, 2025. Wikipedia.org.
2. AFI Awards TV Top 10: ‘Succession’, ‘Ted Lasso’, ‘WandaVision’, ‘Reservation Dogs’ Lead List. By Patrick Hipes. Published: December 8, 2021. Deadline.com.
3. AFI Best Film, TV Shows of 2022 Include ‘Avatar’ Sequel, ‘Women Talking,’ ‘The Bear’ and ‘Mo.’ By Hillary Lewis. Published: December 9, 2022. Hollywoodreporter.com.
4. All 27 Sex Scenes on ‘White Lotus’ Ranked! By Stacey Yvonne. Published: February 16, 2023. Pride.com.
5. Every ‘White Lotus’ Sex Scene, Ranked. By Hanna Lustig. Published: March 23, 2025. Glamour.com.