41 Beach Essentials: The Ultimate List

This beach tent by Lightspeed Outdoors erects using an easy up and down compression hub system that pops the tent frame into position and collapses again with ease.

It’s a bit on the heavier side at about six pounds because of the frame design, but it packs easily into a nice slender shoulder bag, so there’s no problem bringing it along to the beach. This tent also is secured with both stakes and sandbags.

This tent has three mesh windows that can be either revealed or covered, so you can choose to have a breeze or privacy. The floor of this tent is built to be durable for kids and pets and the material of the tent itself is waterproof as opposed to water-resistant like a lot of other beach tents.

There’s room for a couple of kiddos, a cooler, a beach chair, and maybe even a dog bed, so this is a great base camp for the beach.

The waterproof feature of this tent makes it a piece of gear you might want to use not only at the beach, but for outdoor fun in general!

If biting bugs are oftentimes a nuisance where you like to beach, then be sure to check out our list of the best screen tents!

The CGEAR Sandlite Sand-Free Beach Mat is a seriously cool beach gadget that eliminates sand in and around your lounging and picnic space.

I was recently sent out one of these mats to test in the field, and I’ve been really impressed with its performance so far. The thing works like magic!

The mat allows sand to fall right through it, but it does not allow any sand to come up through it from underneath. If you kick some sand up onto your Sandlite, all it takes is a little rubbing to pass it through the mat and wha-lah – you’ve got a spotless lounge space again!

I was concerned that the material would feel super plasticy or synthetic, but it’s actually quite nice to lay out on and does not heat up in the direct sun. There’s even a nice color and size selection to choose from so you can select the perfect Sandlite Mat for your beach needs!

All in all, a fantastic piece of outdoor gear at a reasonable price point that will no doubt change the way you pack and set up for the beach!

Here’s a solid beach cart by Mac Sports. When you’re really taking a lot of gear to the beach, a reliable cart or caddy can be a huge help.

This cart has the interior dimensions of three feet long and about two feet wide and deep with a weight capacity of 150 pounds – so there’s not really any beach gear this wagon can’t carry.

The foldable table is a really nice touch in my opinion, and for just a small added cost I think it’s well worth springing for this unit as opposed to the same wagon by Mac Sports without the table. When sitting in a low beach chair, the wagon is at a good height to include a table. It’s always nice having a sand-free space to eat food or play a card game.

For the value, this is my go-to beach wagon for capacity and convenience.

When the sun gets a bit too intense, having a beach garment that both protects you from getting burned and keeps you cool is incredibly clutch! 

The Drirelease Hoodies by Orvis are the perfect base or outer layer for use at the beach. The polyester/cotton blend of these shirts dries super quickly, allows a breeze to pass through and provides effective protection from harmful UV rays. They also roll super tight making them a highly packable beach garment if you typically have a full bag/backpack!

This garment is designed for use fishing in the intense sun and heat – so it makes for the perfect beach option. 

If you get too sun-kissed, just toss on your Drirelease Hoodie and take a break from the sun – you won’t feel sticky and constricted in this garment. Alternatively, when the sun drops and the beach starts to cool off, this is a great hooded layer to toss on for some added warmth and bug defense.

These hoodies are furthermore super soft to the touch – I own a ton of shirts and hoodies from Orvis’s Drirelease line for use as both outdoor performance garments and just plain cozy-clothes!

If you’ve been to the beach lately, you very well may have seen some groups playing Spikeball.

I see this game played all over my native Cape Cod, and at first I thought it looked kind of silly. When I finally got a chance to play I immediately understood why this beach game has become so popular.

It’s very comparable to volleyball in how its played – with two people on each team. The game is super high energy and fast paced – a great activity if you want some rowdy competition with friends. It seems like every beach day it becomes more than just a game to me and my buddies as tournaments ensue and rivalries ignite.

The game conveniently breaks down into a carry bag that is worn as a light backpack – so it’s a lot less intensive than bringing a volley ball net to the beach. If you’re looking for a truly exciting beach game without the hassle of lugging anything too cumbersome, then this is the game for you.

BucketBall is a fantastic game for the beach that’s played in teams with some serious potential to get rowdy!

Although this is more or less a scaled-up version of beer pong, it’s a family-friendly game appropriate for all ages. We pulled this beach essential from our list of the best camping games, so be sure to check that post out if you and your beach crew are lovers of outdoor games – there’s a ton of beach-oriented options listed there!

The cups, or rather buckets, are stackable, so despite this game’s larger set-up size, it’s totally portable and easy to bring anywhere. Fill the buckets with sand, water, dirt or stones, grab the balls, and let the competition begin! 

Bocce is an absolute classic beach game on my native Cape Cod, and seemingly everywhere else too! It’s a simple yet exciting game best played with a refreshment in hand.

The idea is to throw your teams balls closest to the target or “jack” ball. That’s about it – it’s a game of who can get closest to the target, and it’s actually really addicting and a gas to play for all ages.

This is a nice heavy set at a pretty reasonable cost, and it even comes with a little measuring tape. The balls are made of poly-resin so they can endure many a beach day of getting smacked around.

These balls are built to make that signature “knock” sound when they connect with each other – because it wouldn’t be bocce if they didn’t!

Ever heard of the Ice Cream Ball? Yea, it’s an ice cream maker….that you can bring to the beach!

It’s as simple as adding natural ingredients like cream, sugar, and vanilla in one end of the Ice Cream Ball and adding ice and rock salt in the other end. These things are seriously awesome, my family used to bring one to the beach all the time during the heat of the summer.

By shaking, rolling and agitating the Ice Cream Ball, it makes a quart or a pint of ice cream in around 30 minutes. You can add whatever you want to the mix – I remember we used to slice strawberries and add some chocolate chips and the ice cream would come out crazy good!

It’s kind of a different texture ice cream than you’re likely used to eating, but it’s unique in the best kind of way. There’s a recipe booklet included so you can build your creativity from there.

If you have the space to bring this unit along with a few easy ingredients, you could be the beach hero of the century.

The YETI Camino Carryall 35 All-Purpose Boat and Beach Tote Bag is the beach bag that trumps all beach bags! 

Built from YETI’s thickskin shell, this bad boy is virtually indestructible and offers a mindful array of both internal and external pockets and sleeves for orderly stashing of all your beach essentials.

It features a big mouth opening for easy access and an EVA molded base that’s waterproof and allows the bag to sit upright. Haul this tote along with you anywhere without worrying about its contents – it’s a workhorse of a bag that won’t let you down.

The external hitchpoint grid furthermore allows you to attach additional gear however you’d like, and is also compatible for attachment with MOLLE equipped accessories.

A little on the pricy side yes, but well worth the cost when you consider the ergonomic design and exceptional life span here. With a nice color selection to choose from, there’s bound to be a Camino Carryall that’s right up your alley!

Here’s the perfect little backpack for any style beach day. Solo New York recently sent me out a Draft Slim Backpack to test in the field and it’s quickly become my all-time favorite bag for the beach.

The pocket schematic of Draft Slim is just downright awesome if you like to pack an organized beach bag. There are two exterior zippered pockets, and a whole array of sleeves and pouches that line the front and back interior lining of the main compartment.

You can stash your keys, sunglasses, phone, snacks, card game, book, and sunscreen all in their own space if you choose! For it’s size, you can really pack a lot in here! After a few beach days, I’ve got my system down to a science and I can say with confidence I’ve never had a more streamlined beach bag!

The overall build is impressively durable for the cost, so I expect to get this one sandy and salty for many seasons to come. No doubt a killer companion for the beach and beyond. 

This all-in-one backpack, cooler and stool is a seriously useful and practical piece of beach gear to own.

This chair by Bright Starl can support up to 330 pounds and is built with comfort in mind. Stitch foil lining within the cooler bag should keep your food and beverages chilled for hours – and there’s a pretty good amount of space in there for quite a lot of beach snacks!

The strapping on this pack is also well made, so you won’t be wincing due to shoulder pinching under the weight of your gear. I think this backpack-cooler-chair has a really cool look to it and is bound to turn heads on the beach.

If you’re a solo beachgoer, then this unit will no doubt have you covered with the capacity to bring everything you need.

The person who brings the tunes is always a hero. The JBL Clip 3 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker will ensure your beach day has music.

This portable, weatherproof speaker sounds really great for the size and cost – and you won’t be disappointed with how tough this little boom-box is. I’ve owned a JBL Clip for years now, and it has played countless hours of music for me.

The powerful clip on the top of the speaker makes it easily attached to a backpack strap or anywhere really. I take mine fishing and to the beach on a regular basis and it sees a lot of splash and a lot of sand – but nothing has stopped it yet (IPX7 rated).

On a full charge, my JBL will play music for around 10 hours – pretty killer battery life if you ask me. It’s exceptionally portable and provides stellar sound quality for its size (and cost), so this is a great go-to for a travel sized speaker option that actually sounds good.

All in all, if you want to bring some music along on your trips to the beach this season, definitely check out this tough, dependable and LOUD speaker by JBL.

For those who take their music seriously during their time at the beach, the Demerbox is the ultimate audio option! 

This bad boy really pumps – the volume output, as well as audio clarity, is borderline remarkable for its size and design. Demerbox recently sent me a unit to test while beaching, fishing camping and more, and let me tell ya, this speaker sounds good, and I mean good.

There’s a unique scupper-plug component to this outdoor speaker that makes it completely waterproof when inserted, making this the perfect speaker when it comes to being around wetness. Go ahead and even bring it out tubing or paddle boarding once it’s properly locked down, there’s no risk of water damage! 

This speaker furthermore can handle windblown sand and debris like a champ, so it’s truly up for any style beach day, no matter the conditions. 

Demerbox is a speaker that’s actually built into a watertight Pelican box, so there’s even some storage for your phone, snacks or other beach essentials within the interior compartment (it’s about as big as a child’s lunch box). 

Yes, the price tag is high on this speaker, but its indestructible nature and killer sound output make it well worth the cost!

The Camp Chef Explorer Double Burner Stove is one of the ultimate options when it comes to selecting a cooking companion for full-on beach parties and barbeques.

This powerhouse unit has two cast aluminum burners that put out 60,000 total BTUs/hr for some serious cooking strength. Pair this stove with a griddle or some cast iron cookware and you can whip up burgers, dogs, and virtually anything you would cook at home!

With a 32 inch height and featuring an integrated 3-sided windscreen, this stove is furthermore a pleasure to cook with. No more huddling behind your windscreen or digging holes to place your tiny camp stove in order to effectively light it – Camp Chef has you covered with a super capable cooking option here!

For those beachgoers with the manpower (or car power) to get this unit down to the water, this cooker will revolutionize how you prepare beach-feasts!

What’s a beach day without some burgers and dogs? When it comes to grilling up some lunch, the Coleman Perfect Flow Grill Stove is all you need.

This simple and reliable unit by Coleman is a great camp stove and grill all in one. The two in one design allows you to use the stove and grill at the same time, so you won’t waste any time cooking your meals.

Coleman’s Wind Block panels help to shield the burners from wind and can also be folded down and used as side tables. I can’t speak enough about this feature – when battling high winds on the beach it’s really helpful to have some built-in protection from frustrating gusts.

The Perfect Flow Grill/Stove puts out 20,000 total BTUs of cooking power, so there’s not really anything this unit can’t do in terms of regular grilling. It will fit up to a ten-inch pan on the stove and sports 130 square inches of grill space, so despite its compact size, you can cook a pretty decent amount of food on this bad boy!

One last thing to note is that this is a very fuel efficient unit – you can get at least a few beach days off of one canister! 

The UCO 6-Piece Mess Kit is a handy little set perfect for meal prepping and packing a  lunch to the beach!

This kit includes a plate, bowl, camp cup, two-piece Switch Spork utensil set, and a tether for securing all the components and contents. It’s super compact, yet deploys into a nice little serving set that’s much more pleasurable and attractive to eat from than an old Tupperware container. 

The bowl and plate even feature rubberized grips on the bottom to prevent slippage if you’re setting up on a table top. The mug furthermore has volumetric markings and a collapsible design, so it’s a wonderful cooking companion for beach barbeques and campouts as well! 

UCO even offers this kit in a few different sharp colors so you can select the aesthetic that suits you best!

Having a nice set of utensils for your beach lunch is underrated.

Plastic cutlery just isn’t the same as real silverware, and it’s also, of course, detrimental to the environment. The Campfire Cutlery Set by Primus is the perfect solution for effectively eating your lunch in the sun that will also reduce your plastic footprint!

All three pieces are more or less full size and conveniently slide into the included sheath. The knife is even well-rated for cutting steak! Bye-bye disposable plastic fork and knife!

The Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze Premium Roto Cooler is a killer option for those seeking a new high capacity cooler with exceptional ice retention times, ergonomics, and overall integrity.

This bad boy is built to last a lifetime, the seamless, one-piece, roto-molded construction method results in a rock-solid cooler with remarkable durability. The freezer-grade 360-degree rubber gasket and corrosion-resistant T-latches furthermore ensure this cooler maintains a perfect seal throughout its life.

Boasting an ice retention time of up to 8 days, yes 8 days – this unit is the real deal when it comes to keeping your beach groceries and beverages ice cold. The Deep Freeze Roto Cooler is available as either a 20 or a 55 quart sizing, so whether you’re seeking a cooler for two or for ten, this is a solid go-to.

Perhaps best of all, built-in Microban product protection helps prevent the build-up of bacterial odors and stains – an underrated feature to say the least if we’re talking about sticky, smelly summer coolers!

Rubber anti-skid feet, an oversize drain, and an integrated fish ruler add even greater versatility to this option, making it a great option for the beach and far beyond.

Here’s a reliable and affordable cooler from Coleman that’s ideal for small groups, or for packing a personal feast.

I find this smaller soft cooler by Coleman to be the ideal size for a sandwich, some snacks and a few beers. If you think you might need a larger unit, I would recommend this 48 can cooler by Artic Zone.

When you’re hauling all your beach gear across the soft, hot sand, it’s not preferred to have a big clunky cooler that’s only half full.  For the cost, this cooler by Coleman is a really great value.

The main insulated compartment has a hard plastic removable liner, so you can create a bit more packing flexibility by popping it out. A front zippered pocket and two mesh side pockets are perfect for stowing your utensils and snack foods.

The liner is furthermore super easy to clean, a feature often overlooked when purchasing a cooler.

Unless you need to feed a family of five, this unit by Coleman will keep your cash in your pocket and your lunch nice and chilled.

We included this unique backpack in this review because it’s well….seriously radical. If you love to beach picnic then this bag is a must-have.

Made of high-quality nylon fabric, this backpack has high wear and deformation resistance on top of being pretty darn waterproof. The oversized main storage compartment is built with premium insulation lining for keeping your food and drink either hot or cold. A detachable wine bottle holder is also compatible with the side of this pack.

I really love how Hap Tim configured the cutlery set, it’s truly an effective bag for settling down at your favorite beach spot and having a meal. Hap Tim even includes all the cutlery, wine glasses and other dining necessities pictured!

Customer reviews rave about the quality of the included picnic blanket. With all the included gear, this bag is truly an incredible value and will make you the envy of your beach pals.

Don’t forget to hydrate! Hydro Flask’s whopping 64 Ounce Beer Growler is the perfect high capacity vessel to bring along enough water for a looong day at the beach.

The brand recently sent me a Beer Growler to test out, and it’s become my main hydration station. I always run out of water on the beach, even with a 40 ounce container, but I’ve yet to get thirsty with this big boy vacuum-insulated growler.

These growlers are furthermore super effective at keeping your beverage cold. The price is not low, but you certainly get what you pay for when you buy Hydro Flask. This container will also keep drinks hot for 6 hours if you’re the type of person who enjoys a hot beach beverage come autumn.

I’ve yet to use my container for it’s intended purpose of beer, but the leakproof cap is designed to hold carbonation longer so all you craft beer fanatics can bring along enough grog for the whole day!

There’s a nice array of colors to choose from, all of which make a great gift for yourself or a loved one!

Hydro Flask’s 12 Ounce Stainless Steel Cooler Cups are a brilliant alternative to soft, neoprene koozies that make a killer addition to any beach bag.

The unique design employs a stainless steel body for superior insulation and a TPU ‘boot’ for either locking in your bottle or can, or to secure the base if you’re using it as a regular cup! It’s a simple but brilliant design that’s both a koozie and a container!

These cooler cups have a great no-slip feel and come in an attractive array of colors – no doubt a game-changer for any beach day, campout or kick back! 

Binoculars are a great addition to any beach bag. Whether you’re viewing seabirds down the coastline or admiring someone’s yacht far offshore, it’s fun having a pair of nocs to peer through.

Where I grew up going to the beach, the surf is sometimes very heavy, so my mother always had a pair of binoculars by her side when us kids would be out playing in the waves. It’s an easy way to keep an eye on your children when they roam down the beach or far out into the water without having to peel yourself out of your seat.

This compact pair of 8×42 Binoculars by SkyGenius has some pretty decent magnification and is made with nice quality materials. There’s a tripod screw built in if you want to add some attachments for further stability, and also a carry pouch and strap included.

This is a fairly high-quality pair of binoculars at a very reasonable cost. Pass these bad boys around during your next beach day and see what you and your pals can spot out on the high seas!

Having a windscreen on the beach always comes in clutch. Whether you’re trying to eat a sandwich free of sand, or just want to get out of the breeze and soak up some sun, this sturdy windscreen will have your back.

I always bring a windscreen to the beach regardless of the wind – I set one up to mark my territory when I set up for the day and also to create a little privacy. It’s a sort of tactic to create your own personal space in a place as wide open as the beach.

One more added bonus is a windscreen makes you easy to find when your friends are trying to locate you – especially with an identifiable pattern like this.

This option is 20 feet long, and includes a convenient carry bag and a handy mallet for pounding in the integrated stakes totalling to an excellent overall value!

Some people just darn love noodling around on a guitar. For the musician who finds it hard to be without an instrument – this ukulele by Makanu is a great item to own for the beach.

This is one of the higher reviewed ukes on the market, and it comes at a very reasonable cost. It’s a 21-inch soprano ukulele with 12 frets that’s paired with white nylon strings and silver geared tuners. The body and neck are mahogany and covered with a clear, high gloss finish.

If someone in your beach group is a talented string player, they might get a big kick out of owning this little instrument for days down at the shore. This little guy conveniently comes with a carry bag so you can avoid getting the thing too sandy when you’re moving on and off the beach.

As far as small, cheaper ukuleles go, this model has the best reviews for staying in tune and for ease and comfort of play. Bring your own tunes with this one and either make instant friends with your beach neighbors or inevitably drive them crazy!

Reading on the beach is always a treat. I wanted to include the Amazon Fire HD 32 GB 8 inch Tablet because it makes utilizing Kindle eBooks easy!

There’s definitely a certain satisfaction of carrying a real book to the beach, but then again some books are quite heavy and take up a good bit of space in your bag. By using a tablet you can bring as many “books” as you want using Kindle eBooks and you’re only packing an eight inch tablet!

On another note, you’ll probably use this tablet for all sorts of stuff considering it’s essentially a pocket-book computer!

This tablet by Amazon is very highly reviewed by customers and very reasonably priced. You can flip the pages on whatever you’re reading for up to 12 hours of battery life, so rest assured you won’t run out of juice mid beach day.

All in all, this seems like a great purchase that will add to your beach gear as well as prove useful during everyday life.

You gotta bring your sunscreen to the beach! Sunburns are no joke and can cause serious long term skin damage, so it’s really important to apply sunblock that works.

This sunscreen by LureLux is a highly reviewed organic and biodegradable option that is a great choice of sunblock for a few different reasons. This product is really friendly for most skin types and won’t cause breakouts or rashes compared to a lot of the mainstream sunscreens.

There are several customer reviews of this product that praise this sunblock as being the first one they’ve ever found that doesn’t adversely affect their skin AND that protects from the sun! The ingredient list is quite short compared to most sunscreens which is always a good sign.

Furthermore, this sunblock is described as non-greasy or sticky, and won’t leave you all white and pasty after applying.

One important thing to mention concerning modern day sunblocks is that they are incredibly detrimental to the health of our oceans and freshwater bodies. The chemicals in many commonly used sunblocks are considered carcinogens in some countries (Titanium Dioxide for example) and can wreak havoc on coral reefs, stream and pond chemistry and ecosystems, and wildlife in general. In a world that’s becoming consistently more and more polluted, I feel it’s every person’s duty to do what they can to lessen their environmental impact.

Although sunscreen like this is a bit more expensive, if you can afford to spend the extra couple bucks on environmentally friendly products, you’re making a difference concerning the health of our natural world – and the health of your own body as well.

Depending on where you beach, insect repellent might be an absolute must. 

Sawyer Product’s Premium Insect Repellent with 20% Picaridin is a great family-friendly option for bug defense that repels against mosquitos, gnats, sand flies ticks, chiggers and more.

The formula won’t damage, discolor or harm clothing, fabrics, fishing line or sunglasses, so it’s a great effective alternative to some of those nasty, DEET dominant formulas! When the bugs come out but you’re not ready to pack it up, your beach day can go on with a bit of Sawyer’s Repellent!

Traditional beach towels are always more of a cumbersome, space-taking item than you expect when it comes to packing your beach bag while also being an essential box to check on your packing list. Slowtide’s Turkish Towels offer a brilliant space-saving, aesthetically awesome solution to this predicament, rolling impressively compact for storage while also making for an excellent lounge space and drying towel after a swim!

Built from 100% cotton, these towels are designed with quite a thin profile in order to be particularly rollable, but still feel solid and absorbant against your skin when you need to dry off unlike a lot of other lightweight, packable-towel substitutes. The brand recently sent me a Turkish Towel to sample, and it’s become my #1 beach companion, sliding right into my slim, personal backpack.

With a sharp look and some charming patterns to choose from, you can’t go wrong with this brilliantly versatile towel, blanket, sarong, and sun-shade all in one!

I’m a big fan of using a light tapestry as a beach towel. They pack down to nothing in your bag but also work just fine for laying out and for drying off.

This nicely patterned sarong by Mandala Life Art is a great option for a beach throw. This sarong is sized pretty large at 71 by 45 inches and works great as a bathing suit cover-up, wrap skirt or dress, shawl or head scarf. It’s 100% organic cotton and is a hand-printed item.

With four different patterns available, gals and guys alike can both find a use for this beach throw. Sometimes I take the light tapestry I own walking with me down the shore and tie it into a pouch for collecting seashells and stones.

Whether your wearing it, drying off with it or using it as a bag or tablecloth, this sarong is a versatile and hip piece of beach gear not to be overlooked.

When the day cools off and you find yourself a bit chilled out on the beach, it’s nice owning a quality outdoor blanket.

The Original Puffy Blankey by Rumpl is an AWESOME solution for some on the go warmth no matter the outdoors context. This game-changing beach essential is essentially a high quality down jacket, in blanket form. Rumpl blankets pack down super compact because they’re down, and provide remarkable warmth for their weight!

The 20D ripstop nylon fabric and water repellent coating furthermore make these blankets truly outdoors-compatible. You can beat up on them a bit without consequence and not worry about your bottom getting wet if the day gets damp!

Rumpl Blankets make the perfect picnic blanket for sitting, as well as a cozy companion for napping. You’ll end up using this piece of outdoor gear in all sorts of contexts, and likely at home too! 

The MacSports Foldable Chaise Lounge Chair with Integrated Wagon Pull Cart is one of the ultimate options when it comes to hauling all of your beach gear over sand.

This is a luxury recliner and a wheeled gear-tote all in one, simply pull up the footrest and secure it to the frame and you’ve got yourself a capable wagon featuring a 225-pound weight capacity! The removable mesh bag works wonderfully for containing all of your beach gear and toys, so you can consolidate everything in one carry system instead of making multiple trips to the car.

The brand even offers a one year warranty so you can buy in confidence knowing you’re getting a quality product!

A beach chair is a very personal item, so I’m not going to pretend like I know what’s the best option on this one. This portable beach mat by Picnic Time however, is a pretty awesome option for beach seating that I think a lot of people can get behind.

It’s made of durable polyester material that’s super light, and comfortable to sit on. the frame is steel and the body is fully padded. The backrest is adjustable so you can really stretch out and catch some rays.

The unit folds up nicely and has a shoulder strap for easy transport. Opened, it’s 65.5 inches long and 21 inches wide, so this probably isn’t a great fit for you if you have a particularly large build.

If you like to spread all the way out and enjoy being down at sand level, then this is the seat for you. There’s even a zippered pouch on the back side of the seat you can tuck a few items in before hitting the beach! There are several different colors and patterns available, so there should be something here that’s your style.

The Nemo Stargaze Recliner Camping Chair is a seriously luxurious option of beach chair for those that take their summer naps seriously. 

Nemo sent me a Stargaze Recliner to test in the field, and I use it everywhere from campouts to cookouts to beach days! Although it may appear to be a bit tricky to assemble, it’s actually a remarkably easy chair to set up and break down.

The Stargaze Recliner has a frame built of magnetically connected aluminum segments that simply snap together once you align them. The waterproof nylon mesh of the seat component is quick-drying and allows for a nice breeze to blow through, so you can hop out of the water and into your seat without getting your chair soppy!

The best part of this chair is, of course, the fact that it’s a swinging, almost hammock-like seat. Leaning back and gently swaying in the breeze is a sure way to pass out under the sun – so make sure to religiously apply your sunscreen if you kick back in this one! 

Having a mask and snorkel to do some free diving can be really fun. Depending on where you are, there may be a lot to look at underwater at your favorite beach, lake or stream.

When visibility is good, it’s like entering a whole different world with a nice mask on. This snorkel and mask set by Phantom Aquatics is a great value, and honestly a pretty decent option for serious scuba divers as well.

I myself am a certified diver, and I and a lot of my diving buddies prefer a single lens design rather than masks that separate the lens for each eye. By having only one lens, your field of vision is more fluid and not split by a divider. Furthermore, the lens on this mask curves around the side housing in order to give you a truly panoramic view.

The mask material is silicone, and customer reviews give the comfortability rating a thumbs up. I was taught to always rub regular toothpaste on the inside of a new mask lens before initially using it in order to ensure the mask won’t fog up on you. The toothpaste removes the residues left over from manufacturing that can cause your mask to fog up.

The snorkel here is pretty standard, but it does include a purge valve which is a nice feature. At this price point, this set is a great buy and with the proper care (make sure to rinse off after use in the ocean!) it should last you years of underwater exploring.

A minnow net can entertain the kids for hours. If there are tidal pools at your favorite beach spot or if you like to visit your local lake or river, then having a net is a must! This critter net by Illumistore is a great size and weight for use by both kids and adults, and it floats too! 

For the inquisitive child or adult, it’s always interesting and exciting to go looking for critters to catch and observe. Whether its crabs, minnows, frogs or turtles, getting a close up look at the local wildlife can be really neat!

Take a walk out onto a tidal flat or maybe around your favorite freshwater pond and see what you can find! It’s a great way to introduce kids to the wonder of nature, and a great way to connect with wilderness yourself!

For the cost, this is a rad little item to include with your beach gear that just might turn out to be the most entertaining thing you bring!

We had to include a classic kite on this list! The pleasure of properly flying a kite in a healthy beach breeze is unrivaled! This 42 by 80 inch triangular kite is a great option for both kids and adults that comes at an affordable price point.

It’s advertised as being strong, flexible, rust proof and mold proof – so this is a kite that won’t be battered and done after just a few flights. Because this kite is designed knowing you’re going to smash it into the sand dunes countless times, it should fly true for many a beach season.

This unit comes partially assembled and includes some simple instructions for setting up the rest of the kite. Customer reviews insist it’s a really easy kite to fly for both kids and adults.

On a crowded beach with no cell service, flying a kite can be a great (and easy) way to let your friends know where you are. No matter your age, there’s nothing more timeless than getting one of these bad boys off the ground and into the wind.

Owning a highly portable yet powerful handheld fan is not the worst idea if where you beach is particularly hot and sometimes lacks a breeze.

This rechargeable, handheld fan by PRAVETTE is a handy-dandy tool to have in your beach bag for those super sticky, windless beach days. The max run time on the lowest setting is an impressive 18 hours, so this unit will last all day! The most powerful setting will run for up to 8 hours, so you won’t drain your battery mid beach day if you really need some air!

It’s a rechargeable unit that won’t run through batteries, so just don’t forget to plug it in between beach days! The best part about this little guy is that it runs almost silent – because who wants to listen to a fan rotate while they’re reading or soaking up the sun?

A good pair of sunglasses that both looks stylish and performs well in a wide array of lighting contexts is hard to come by at a reasonable price point. Sunski is an excellent value brand that builds both high performing and aesthetically awesome sunglasses at a super fair cost.

The Madrona Polarized Unisex Sunglasses are just one example of Sunski’s quality and affordability. The brand recently sent me out a few pairs of shades, and they both look and feel great for all-day wear. 

If you’re in the market for a new pair of affordable summer shades but don’t want to sacrifice quality, this is a brand that should absolutely be on your radar! 

Everybody needs a trusty beach sandal! The Gridway Slides by Merrell are the perfect easy on-and-off shoe for summer shenanigans!

I was recently sent out a pair of these sandals, and I’ve been living in them! They have great arch support and are comfortable to walk long distances in, yet are super casual and easy to kick on and off. 

The upper portion of these sandals are built from a quick-drying, porous knit-fabric that hugs your feet nicely as well as effectively breathes! These slides really have it going on when it comes to comfort and convenience – no doubt an excellent summer beach shoe!

The Travel First Aid Kit by Welly is a smart item to have tucked in your beach bag if you and your beach companions sometimes endure minor injuries under the sun! 

Loaded with premium flexible fabric bandages and single-use ointments, this simple but impressively inclusive kit has you covered when it comes to patching up scrapes, cuts, and punctures. If you typically bring a few kiddos along, this is certainly a wise item to have on hand!

This kit includes 30 brightly colored bandages, 3 single-use triple antibiotic ointments, 3 1% hydrocortisone anti-itch ointments and 6 single-use hand sanitizers all neatly stacked in a compact tin.