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1. A set of beach towel clips because no one feels like chasing their towel down the shoreline every time a gust of wind decides to blow it off of their chair.
Promising review: "Meet your new beach/lounge chair’s best friend. I love that you can use these clips to hold your towels on the railing to dry in the breeze or at the beach and pool to keep your towels in place on the lounge chairs. No more fly-away towels!" —BeckiCaesar
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $6.99 (also available as a pack of 16).
2. A pair of popular and inexpensive quick-dry water shoes — they're flexible, sock-like, and designed to help protect your feet from sharp objects without weighin' ya down.
Promising review: "I bought these for myself and six other family members, and everyone raves about them! Not only are they comfortable, but they do not get sand in them when you go in the water, as we have found most water shoes do. They fit great, dry fast, and there is enough of a rubber soul that you can walk on the rocks without hurting your feet. These are by far the BEST water shoes and the price can’t be beat! The kids are also happy to wear them as they love the cool shark design! We all wore them all summer, and they look as good as the day I received them!" —M. Sharpe
Get it from Amazon for $8.68+ (available in seven sizes and 44 colors).
3. A portable safe with a handy cable to secure it to a beach chair or other fixed object so you can worry less about someone walking off with your valuables while you concentrate on having a great time!
It's the perfect size to hold phones or wallets, and you can easily carry it in your beach or tote bag.
Promising review: "This safe has become a MUST-HAVE on all our vacations. We no longer travel without it. We put two iPhones, cash, and car keys in this little safe, locked it to a beach cabana, threw a towel over it, and took off for an hour of snorkeling. Never once worried about our belongings. We now use several of these as room safes AND as 'hide a key' lockboxes outside our vacation condo for teens who come and go throughout the day. They are invaluable!" —KeepIT Reel
Get it from Amazon for $23.98+ (available in three colors).
4. A cooler backpack perfect for when you might wanna bring some cold beverages and snacks along to the beach.
It can hold up to 25 cans!
Promising review: "This cooler backpack is absolutely perfect. I plan on bringing it to the beach every time we go. It's actually very comfortable on my shoulders. No leaks and it keeps our beverages and snacks nice and cool! Would 100% recommend." —Anjel
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in seven colors).
5. Or an inflatable kiddie pool-shaped cooler if you wanna chill your beach beverages in the most fun and aesthetically pleasing way possible.
6. A large beach bag designed to let sand fall through its mesh fabric so you don't have to deal with a big mess after a day of catching some rays by the ocean.
Promising review: "Thank you for making this beach bag! It is exactly as described. The outer pockets are roomy and deep enough to keep things like sunblock from falling out, and the bag itself has tons of room without being bulky. The mesh material keeps your things in, but helps you get rid of the sand so you don't bring home half of the beach. The straps are the perfect length and very comfortable, even when the bag is loaded down. I was able to get rid of the sand toy bag and the main beach bag to use only this one. So happy with this purchase." —Life is Short
Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in 20 colors).
7. A personal umbrella — it clips onto the back of your beach chair so you won't have to worry about someone else hogging your shade!
Promising review: "My wife likes no sun, so this allows us to pull our beach chairs together, and I can set it up and 'boom' no sun for her. The clamp holds up in the wind and the adjustable angles that the umbrella has allows you to sort of aim the shade. Great product and it fits into a suitcase!" —Quarrelman
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors).
8. Or a Shibumi wind-blown shade that'll give three to six people shelter from the hot hot sun. It sails with as little as a 3 mph breeze, won't blow away or break in the wind, and folds down super small so you can easily carry it with the included case!
Promising review: "This thing is fantastic! Light, durable, and large enough to comfortably shade four or more adults either sitting on beach chairs or spread out on beach towels and blankets. We were in 15–20 mph prevailing SE winds off the Atlantic Ocean in Ft. Lauderdale, and the Shibumi performed perfectly. Took less than five minutes to set up and break down. It was like carrying a handkerchief in your back pocket. It was so convenient.
I’m just mad at myself for not patenting and marketing it!! BTW — we were the only Shibumi in sight, and we chuckled at the straining efforts and longer times it took others to set up their tents, canopies, flies, or umbrellas in the stiff breeze. If you love the beach and you want convenient shade anytime, anyplace, anywhere, and you don’t own a Shibumi, tsk tsk. 😎" —Nick Miller
Get it from Amazon for $270.
9. *OR* a pop-up collapsible tent if you want a little more privacy during your beach day. It folds down so small, you can just sling it over your shoulder! When you're ready to use it, just pull on the cords, and the tent will pop right up with *no assembly required*! It works on any surface — including grass and sand — and has a built-in zippered door in case you want a lil' privacy. Reviewers say it really holds up in the wind too.
Promising review: "We should have gotten this years ago! With kids playing soccer and baseball, I used to have to find spots to hide in the shade in order not to get sunburn every Saturday. With this easy-to-set-up tent, I can enjoy time outdoor watching the kids. We used this at the beach and it was a breeze to set up!" —GW
Get it from Outdoor Master for $79.99+ (originally $129.99; available in four colors).
10. A tiny portable Bluetooth speaker that has no business sounding as incredible as it somehow does. If you can't imagine hanging on the beach without some tunes but don't have the space for a bigger speaker, try out this little guy who has over 28,000 5-star ratings!
It also comes with a travel case!
Promising review: "I really thought the reviews were over-hyping this little speaker. I was totally wrong. The sound and bass that come out of this tiny thing is awesome. The battery lasts for several hours, even at full blast. The travel case is sturdy, and even when closed the sound is still good thanks to the speaker holes in the case. That said, with those holes, I would say the travel case is more to protect it when it gets tossed in your bag. Really cannot recommend this enough. Well made, sturdy, easy to charge, great battery life, and really great sound." — KJ
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three colors).
11. A sun visor to stylishly shield your face from the blistering sun while still letting you feel the cool breeze on your hair and neck.
The wide brim provides much more UV protection than regular caps!
Promising review: "I have long hair and always avoided hats because I hate having my hair sweating against my neck in a low bun or ponytail. With this sun visor-summer hat combo, I can keep my hair in a top knot and still keep my face and neck protected from the sun while catching a nice breeze. This is perfect (although a little large in circumference, and I have a big head 7 3/4 hat size), It’s adjustable and can fit any head size. It rolls up well and has an elastic to keep it rolled. I’ll be recommending this item to all my friends!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.79+ (available in 14 colors).
12. A set of beach toys that are great for keeping kiddos occupied while you catch some rays — unless you're an adult who understands that building sand castles is a fun activity for ALL ages, in which case, snag these for yourself!
Promising review: "The toy set is solid. It has all the sand toys one kid can possibly need. I bought it for my two-year-old boy. We go to the beach at least once a week, and the little homie doesn't even leave under the umbrella because he's digging away at the sand. Of course, I gotta help him and I'm forced to play with this thing with him. Even for me, it's a lot of things, from the sand filter thingy to the castle-shaped thingy, I'm filling this thing up with sand, and I'm helping dig all the way down until we find China. Really, the best part is the plastic case with a handle. I just dump all those things in there and I'm on my way back to the whip. Dump and keep it in the trunk, and I'm happy and most importantly the little man is happy. It's kid- and dad-friendly." —Lando Garcia
Get it from Amazon for $22.81.
13. Or a pack of collapsible pails if you need to pack light on your trip, but still wanna bring some fun beach toys for your little ones to make sand castles with!
Promising review: "BEST BUCKETS EVER! I’ll be buying more! I love that they collapse! I bought them for the beach, and I loved that they didn’t take up any room during travel. And now they don’t take up room in our outdoor toy bin!" —KB
Get a pack of three from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three sizes).
14. A waterproof pouch with a touchscreen window so you can bring your phone to the beach *without* worrying about it getting destroyed by all the splish splash. You can even use your phone while it's inside the pouch if you wanna take pics or text the cutie you met walking down the pier.
It also comes with a lanyard, so you can wear it around your neck.
Promising review: "This product is incredible. I purchased to use while in Key West for an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and Galaxy S6 Edge, and it fits perfectly for each phone (but a little more snug with the iPhone 6 Plus). It is completely waterproof and takes great photos and video through the case, but you have to press record prior to submerging the case underwater.
My family went snorkeling and kept the case with the phone inside submerged almost the entire time and had no issues with leakage. My family and I got stopped numerous times being asked where we purchased this product. Perfect even if just on the beach, and you do not want to get sand or sunscreen on your phone and want to still take photos/text/browse the internet while on the beach. I will be purchasing this for everyone in my family as it has become a travel must-have! I highly recommend this product." —Jennifer Roman
Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 14 colors).
15. Some sunscreen from Black Girl Sunscreen — it goes on your skin ultra sheer *without* that white residue most sunscreens leave behind. Plus, it's infused with moisturizing jojoba and avocado to help your skin stay hydrated when it's super hot out.
This sunscreen is paraben-free, fragrance-free, oxybenzone-free, octinoxate-free, silicone-free, and aluminum-free.
Promising review: "I used to dread wearing sunscreen because of that horrible ashy cast it gave my brown skin. Now? I actually look forward to putting this stuff on. I love how moisturizing it is and that it is completely sheer. What is advertised to do it actually does. I layer this on top of my moisturizer. You do need to work it in a little bit but it absorbs into the skin nicely. To all my brown/black ladies/fellas, what are you waiting for? Buy it!" —MD
Get it from Target for $15.99.
16. A clever pair of sunglasses that are also secretly a bottle opener — two things you'll probably want on your beach trip!
Promising review: "Maaaannnnnn I bought these for Cancun and they’ve been used and abused here in the saltwater pool and beaches but they are worth the money in my opinion! Yes, they feel a tad bit cheap, but, hey, they’ve opened so many bottled beers and sodas, and I like how they look. I’m happy with my purchase! Will be buying more to keep in my car and in my work truck." —Erik Perez
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three colors).
17. Some portable, reclining zero-gravity lounge chairs with attachable cup holders so you can set up the ultimate relaxation station on the beach.
Promising review: "Worked great at the beach. Comfortable and adjusts to how you want to sit. Very pleased." —Lindsay Evans
Get a set of two from Amazon for $109.99 (available in 23 colors).
18. Or a low-sitting beach chair if you wanna submerge your legs and feet into the sand while still sitting upright. Plus, it comes with a cup holder and seatback pocket to hold your towel, snacks, and other beach essentials!
Promising review: "Love these chairs! Got two for a trip to the beach, and they’re very comfortable. They fold up easily and are very compact and easy to carry/pack, just throw it on your shoulder with the strap on the bag and your hands are free to carry other things!" —Toni Wheaton
Get it from Amazon for $45.64.
19. An inflatable lounge chair – it requires no electricity or pumps! Just whip it in the wind to blow it up, and enjoy having somewhere absurdly comfy to lounge by the ocean.
Promising review: "I'm not a small person, and I wasn't sure how it would hold me, but this chair is wonderful. I have used it all over! I took it camping, I took it to the beach, and I even sometimes blow it up and use it in my living room while watching TV. The hardest part is getting out of it gracefully!" —Limoncello
Get it from Amazon for $38.95+ (available in 16 colors/patterns).
20. A set of beach cup holders to ensure that your beverage doesn't tip over or wind up full of sand. You can even put your phone or sunglasses in the handy slot on the side to keep them safe while you lounge in the sun.
21. A rechargeable handheld fan because nothing ruins a carefree beach day like sweating your buns while you're trying to relax.
Here's why BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde loves this:
I bought this to take on a summer trip to Disney World and let me tell you — it's the only way I survived!! Every day got well into the 90s, but I kept this pointed at my face whenever I wasn't soaking up air conditioning. I was seriously impressed with how powerful it was and how I instantly felt less sweaty. The charge lasts about a day if you use it sparingly (or a few hours of continuous use) so make sure to charge it nightly if you're on a trip. The fan has three speed settings, and it folds so you can prop it up.
Promising review: "I am so happy I purchased this. It definitely makes my life slot cooler. Great for traveling or those occasional hot flashes. I love that it doesn't need countless batteries that die quickly. I can just recharge it. The battery lasts quite a while as well. It has three settings low, medium, and high, and let me tell you the highest setting really puts out some air. I was really amazed at the strength of the fan on the highest setting. It's definitely worth every penny. I like taking mine to work when I get overheated because I'm always hot or when I go to the beach. It always comes in handy living in this hot, humid climate." —Rae
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in five colors).
22. A lightweight fast-drying towel designed to repel sand, pet hair, odor, and stains to make the worst part of beach days less annoying so you can focus on the fun!
It's made of a polyester microsuede material that absorbs quickly and dries fast. It also has an anti-microbial finish to keep the towel clean longer.
This small business started SMALL (we're talking in the back of a van!) and thanks to founder and CEO Wylie Robinson, the Kickstarter success has become a go-to shop for nature lovers looking to stay cozy in the great outdoors. The company is now based in Portland, Oregon.
Promising review: "This towel dries better than a conventional towel! Not only that but it was completely dry and ready to reuse in about 10 minutes. Normally we'd go through a stack of beach towels in one day. The towel itself is big but it packs up compact leaving more room in your bag for other things. It's soooo soft, made very well, and the pattern is gorgeous. I will be replacing all of my towels with these!!" —Danielle W.
Get it from Rumpl for $50 (available in 26 styles) and from Amazon for $50 (available in five colors).
23. A waterproof outdoor Pocket Blanket — it folds up small enough to easily fit in your pocket or bag, making it a breeze to travel with! And speaking of breeze, it has tethered corner stakes just in case you're trying to chill on a particularly windy beach. Now you'll have a dry and clean place to sit no matter where you are!
Matador is a small business that creates innovative, durable, and long-lasting travel and outdoor products, and in fact, the Pocket Blanket was the first product they ever created.
BuzzFeed editor Ciera Velarde loves this too! Here's why:
"I have this blanket and it really, truly fits in your pocket! When folded completely out, it fits two people lying down and would probably fit up to four people sitting. It's super thin without being flimsy, and any water, dirt, or sand just rolls right off of it. I did get some sunscreen on my blanket the last time I used it, but I threw it in the washing machine when I got home and hung it to dry, and it was as good as new. I took this to the beach this summer, and the stakes in the corner and the sand pockets were super helpful at keeping it from flying away in the wind. It also has a very subtle stitched guide on the blanket that you follow to fold it back up to pocket-sized. This blanket is so great and is a must for spontaneous hiking trips, beach days, or even a date in the park."
Get it from Matador or REI for $34+ (available in three colors).
24. Or a huge sand-repelling beach blanket so can miraculously get through a day at the beach without sand sticking to your blanket (and, therefore, sticking to *everything* else you brought with you). Even though it's big, it folds down to be super compact and lightweight for easy portability.
Promising review: "I walk to the beach and the park with my baby all the time and was sick of my butt getting wet when we sat on the grass and the baby getting all sandy when sitting on towels. I decided to search Amazon for some kind of beach blanket. This blanket wasn’t really what I was looking for, but it did not disappoint! First of all, it’s HUGE. I still haven’t used it open all the way yet.
It’s compact and easy to carry, I love that there are pockets to weigh it down with sand, that sand rolls right off, and that I can just stuff it right back in the little bag without having to fold it strategically when I’m done. I can take the baby to the beach and lay her on her tummy without worrying about sand getting on her hands and face. Great product!!" —Adriana
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two colors).
25. A universal phone shade — clip it onto the back of your phone to keep the sun from glaring and making it impossible to see the screen!
Shadey Attachments is a UK-based small business that came up with this idea after seeing people struggle to view their phones while lounging in the sun. The shades attach to most mobile devices by suction and fan out to protect your face from UV rays.
Promising review: "I ordered this last-minute for the Christmas holiday, and I can honestly say, I now can’t use my phone in the sun without it! It took a second to get going and to realize you have to point it at the sun to put your face in the shade (also better for wrinkles). It's literally the best thing ever for the sun." —Hayley Place
Get it from Shadey Attachments on Etsy for $17.38 (available in seven colors).
26. A leakproof tumbler with double-wall insulation to keep drinks cool for hours, because nothing's worse than being thirsty on the beach and taking a sip of hot water that's been baking in the sun. Now you'll have access to ice-cold water all day long!
According to reviewers, it's even better than the more expensive brands of insulated tumblers! It comes with a flip lid, a straw lid, and two reusable straws.
Promising review: "Not to be dramatic, but I would die for this cup. I bought the all-black version, and it's beautiful. Not only that but the interchangeable tops and two plastic straws!!! I'm so excited to be saving the whales and looking amazing in the process. I should ask for a commission on the sales of this because all of my coworkers want one now. Another great part that I don't think the description mentions, there's NO condensation AT ALL.
I also accidentally left half an iced coffee WITH CUBES in here for nine hours, and when I came home, the cubes were still there and the coffee was still cold. ALSO, I have tiny hands which sometimes makes holding things difficult. But the 16-oz size is tall and slim and easy to carry/fit in small bags." –jacklynn ramos
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in four sizes and 21 colors/patterns).
27. A folding table for anyone who loves the romantic idea of a beachside meal but hates the reality of crunchy sand-filled food and trying to eat without making a mess while sitting hunched over on a beach towel. Now you can dine in comfort while gazing out across the sea!
Promising review: "I've now purchased two of these tables (both in large), and they are simply wonderful! They are light, compact, and easy to transport. Most importantly, they are sturdy: we've had one of ours for over four years, and it is still going strong — well worth the higher price in comparison to other tables. We used them at the beach to keep phones, food, speakers, etc. up out of the sand and they are the envy of the beach!
We also use them when we are camping or just sitting around a campfire. The table itself has an accordion-style top with two strong elastic straps at each end to hold it in place when it is folded. It easily unfolds by sliding the straps off the ends and letting gravity do the rest. The base spreads apart like a scissor-jack, with two top pieces that snap into a groove to keep the entire base rigid. Finally, the top snaps into two grooves on each side of the top and you are done — 60 seconds or less after you get used to doing it." —Eclectic Mom
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three sizes and two colors).
28. A cornhole game — it folds up and fits into an easy-to-carry case, making it great for beach trips if you wanna have a friendly little competition with friends or family.
Promising review: "Got this for a little beach fun. It went over well. It's lightweight and easily transported. It takes up little space in the trunk. Sets up quickly and tears down just as quickly. Good buy for the price. Seems sturdy and looks like it will last with a little effort and care." —Dennis
Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three colors/styles and two sizes).
29. A five-compartment snack spinner for a compact and organized way to bring all of your fave snacks to the beach, because you KNOW you're gonna want some fruit, veggies, and salty snacks while you lounge!
Extra bonus, the whole thing is dishwasher safe!
Check out a TikTok of the snack spinner in action.
Promising review: "I bought these before they were on Amazon. I’m obsessed. My kids think it’s a game, and they’re so intent on eating all the food inside. Even my picky eater. As a mom who absolutely hates to hand wash things, I’m so grateful that a) the entire thing comes apart for washing and b) it’s completely dishwasher-safe. This thing is awesome. One of a kind. I own five right now. Will probably be getting more in the future for when the baby is old enough to snack independently." —Jordan Christman
Get it from Amazon for $27.89+ (available in six colors).
30. A set of cooling towels — they'll offer instant relief when you feel like you're boiling at the beach. Simply wet them with cool water, ring them out, and drape them around your head, neck, or wherever you need! These super absorbent towels will feel great for up to THREE HOURS depending on the conditions, and then you just have to wet them again to reuse.
Promising review: "Really works. I purchased three packs of these, and they are awesome — and yes, they really do get colder once wet. It also has a bag and clip to carry it, which is super convenient. I just got back from the beach, and I used it while laying in the hot sun. All I did was wet it and put it around my neck and over my shoulders, and it instantly cooled me down. It stayed cool for 30 minutes because it dried. Once wet, it was instantly cold again. Great purchase!" —Donna C.
Get a set of four for $18.99+ (available in 13 color combos).
31. And finally, a utility wagon in case you need to bring *a lot* of stuff for a full day at the beach. It folds up, making it easy to put in the car, and the wheels are designed to move smoothly over sand, dirt, and rough terrain. If you have little ones, this thing is a must-have!
Promising review: "Every busy family needs this. We use it to carry our sports equipment, beach gear, and even our two young kids (1 and 3 years old). The wheels are very sturdy. We've used it over grass and gravel, and it rolls without issue. The handle also extends out and it locks securely in place when not used. The whole cart also folds and unfolds easily and isn't too heavy when loading in and out of the car. I've seen this in stores, but it was a much better price here. Definitely recommend." —Jheneya
Get it from Amazon for $77.41+ (available in seven colors).
Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.