BEST BEACH GEAR ESSENTIALS TO HIT THE SAND WITH

Are you beach-bound and ready to make a splash? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide to the best beach gear essentials has everything you need to hit the sand in style and comfort. From sun-soaked towels to the perfect sun shade, we’ve handpicked the must-have items to ensure your beach days are nothing short of perfect. Let’s gear up and hit the sun, surf, and sand in style!

Warm weather has arrived here in the Sunshine State and dreams of endless beach excursions fill our thoughts! When it comes to beach adventures, having the right gear can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve curated the ultimate collection of beach gear essentials designed to elevate your seaside experience.

From sun protection to a comfy beach chair, quick-drying beach towels and our favorite handy items, we’ve got everything you need to hit the sand with confidence and style. Whether you’re lounging under the sun or catching waves, our handpicked selection ensures you’re fully equipped for any beach day adventure.

With this BEST beach gear essentials guide you’ll…

Stay cool and comfortable under the sun with our favorite UV-protective beach umbrella and lightweight beach tent. Keep your belongings safe and sand-free with our durable beach bag and waterproof cell phone pouches. And don’t forget to stay hydrated with our insulated water bottles and portable coolers, perfect for keeping drinks chilled all day long. With our beach gear essentials by your side, you can focus on making memories without worrying about the details.

PLUS, keeping your summer essentials minimal, cleanup is a breeze when it’s time to pack up and head home. Don’t let anything hold you back from enjoying the sun, sand, and surf – so grab your CUTE straw hat to block the UV rays, that JUICY summer read, and your super GLAM swimsuit and gear up with the best beach essentials today!

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Here’s our best beach gear to hit the sand with.

The perfect transportation.

If your beach vacation has you loaded down, opt for this amazing beach cart. It has plenty of space to load your beach chairs, cooler, umbrella, AND beach toys. This gem also collapses for easy storage and transportation during your road trip.

Ice, ice baby!

Coolers can be tricky business and one of the best beach accessories to invest in and here is why. You want your cold beverages to stay cold and your ice not to melt during a long day. Depending on your group size, you may also need to pack plenty of food. These are our two favorite cooler options. The RTIC Ultra-Light and the Yeti Hopper series. It’s just the two of us, so we use the Yeti cooler bag with the adjustable strap. Philip will wear it cross-body style as we head out. In the past, we have invested in cheaper options ONLY for the ice to last an hour and our drinks and food get lukewarm. No thanks!

Chillin’ on the beach Hulasquatch style.

Chilling at the beach requires comfy chairs, quick-drying towels, and towel clips to keep your towel in place. Here are our best beach gear essentials for relaxing.

• These extra-wide beach chairs made by Iceco are a dream! With backpack straps for easy transport, five positions, and deep cup holders, this comfy chair is a beach essential.  
• Let’s chat about our FAVORITE towel! The Nomadix Original Towel is ALL we use camping, hiking, and, at the beach. These super light towels take up very little space in your beach bag and dry quickly. The special weave also allows sand to shake off. 
• Towel clips are fun and keep your towel in place when the breezes pick up. These fun clips are the perfect essential beach item to solve this issue. BONUS, they are also super cute!

Shady days at the coast.

Our beach sunshade situation has evolved over the years. Once upon a time, we just lounged in the direct sunlight. Not so much these days. Part of enjoying the water is having a shaded spot. Our top two we love and use are a beach umbrella, and our new purchase, a beach tent.

• Beach umbrellas are a staple on the beach and are what most people opt for. This beach umbrella is excellent because it offers an 8.5 ft span, tilts, and has a sand anchor. Pro tip- buy two and anchor on either side of your beach chairs for maximum shade on a sunny day.
• The new favorite is the Neso beach tent. With several different sizes to choose from, we opted for the eleven-foot beach tent. It gave us plenty of room and tons of shade. What we like about the Neso is this: Its carrying pouch is super small and sets up quickly with minimal effort. It comes with two collapsible poles and has socks on each end to fill. PERFECTION.

Stylin’ at the beach.

Let’s be honest for a second. We want to look good relaxing in the sand! That requires the perfect hat, cool shades, and flip-flops to keep our bare feet from melting on the hot sand. 

• One thing we know about living in the Sunshine State is the importance of sun protection and cool hats! With the weather beginning to warm up and vacations on the horizon, now is the perfect time to grab this Hemlock. Known for its iconic lifeguard-style hat, Hemlock offers many different patterns. Boasting certified UPF 50+ sun protection, this stylish hat is an excellent choice for a beach adventure.
• Being a Florida Girl, I LOVE a cute hat! The sun is brutal here Ya’ll! This cutie has a ponytail top and a wide brim and is a dream. Roll her up and pack it in your beach bag. 
• It’s all about style and a laid-back vacation vibe with these Olukai Ohana Waterproof flip-flops. With a classic design and all-day comfort, this will be his new go-to choice for everyday style. 
• As much as we love our Costa sunglasses, it’s no fun when a wave rips them from your face. Leave the goods at home and grab these from KastKing and for the ladies, Pro Acme Classic Polarized Aviator sunglasses in a gold frame/pink mirrored lense. The price is perfect, super stylish, and won’t hurt quite as bad if you lose them to the waves!
• I have a NEW favorite beach sandal! A girl can’t have too many, right!? This Teva Women’s Universal Revive  Original Slim Strap in the color Tigers Eye is so good! It goes on quickly and keeps my feet comfy off the hot sand.

The perfect beach bag and best beach gear essentials to fill it with.

• This tote bag is roomy with deep side pockets to stash extra beach goodies.  That’s why I LOVE this bag. Made of neoprene, THIS bag is supreme. With two large deep inside pockets and comfy shoulder straps, we pack this for short weekends or day trips to the beach. With plenty of colors, this bag will quickly become a game-changer and perfect for outdoor activities.
• Next in our beach bag is this waterproof phone pouch. Have you ever set up camp only to have the tide come in and soak all your beach gear including your cell phones!? These clear cases house your phone snuggly keeping it dry. Tuck into one of the deep side pockets in your beach bag and you are good to go.
• Every beach gear essentials list needs a zipper pouch for your wet things. This wet-dry multipurpose bag keeps moisture safely away from your dry things. When not housing a wet swimsuit, it easily stores smaller items that may get lost in your beach bag.
• Hydration is SUPER important during the heat of the summer. My go-to is this Hydro Flask. It keeps my drinks ice cold, fits neatly in my beach bag, and is leakproof. The Hydro Flask also fits in the cup holder of my favorite beach chair.
• We love having a GREAT face wipe in our beach bag. This cruelty free Alba Botanica is one of our favorites. VERY refreshing and excellent for cleaning salt off your face and skin.

No skin cancer here!

The HOT Florida sun is no joke! EVERY beach packing list should include sunscreen products. Grab a spray for your body with AT LEAST an SPF of 50, a specific sunscreen for your face, and a good SPF lip balm. Apply after heavy sweating, swimming, or excessive toweling. The feet are always overlooked so be sure to hit them. Sunscreen in your eyes is also no fun so take care to avoid getting it in them.

Naturally, you’ll be glowing from a day of fun in the sun. This aloe is the best and is non-sticky like most. We order two at a time and use it daily.

Have you ever been on a beach and been attacked by sand fleas or “No-C-ums!?” What about mysterious flying and biting bugs!? Florida beaches are notorious for such critters and the mosquitos are horrible early mornings and evenings. We keep this Off in our beach bags. I promise you will thank us!

Here’s a secret bonus from a professional. BABY POWDER. You know how beach sand tends to stick to every part of you!? If you’re not careful, the friction from the sand and the salt will give you a nasty rash. Sprinkle baby powder in those places and the sand will fall right off! 

These are the products we use and know they hold up to the Florida sun!

Fun in the sun!

Who doesn’t like to play in the waves or just lounge in the water!? The Big Joe Noodle is your new beach toy. Sit in the base to hangout in the water or use it to body surf the day away. 

Sometimes we pack this super fun bowling game. It can get very competitive and guarantees to get your new beach Friends playing along. This fun game comes in a carrying case and can easily fit in your beach tote.  Let the beach games begin!

Best beach gear essentials to hit the sand with BONUS!

When hitting the sand for a day of fun, we lean on the minimalist side. But, if you have the space, THESE are our top best beach gear essentials. Small, collapsible, and easy to throw in your beach bag! WIN, win in our books! Looking for more adventure gear!? We think you’ll enjoy THIS outdoor men’s gift guide.

More beach fun to rock your summer vacation.

Looking to take your beach experience to the next level? We rounded up a few of our blogging Friends who have a few ideas you will LOVE! Collecting GORGEOUS seashells!? Our Friends over at Fox Farm Home have a GREAT idea to capture your beach trip! Wanting a PERFECT summer beach picnic! Check out these FANTASTIC ideas from The Flourishing Little House. LOOKING for a swimsuit that makes you feel BEAUTIFUL and CONFIDENT!? My Sweet Friend Lori over at Shopping With Lori has you covered! Here is Lori’s BEST maternity swimsuit guide for all the mommies-to-be! 

We think you’ll love this!

HOW TO HAVE THE PERFECT COUPLE’S DAY IN ST. AUGUSTINE

We hope you gear up for your next seaside adventure with these must-have beach essentials that promise to elevate your experience. From sun-kissed days to sandy toes, our goal is for you to make waves with our curated selection of the best beach gear designed to enhance every moment under the sun.

Whether you’re lounging by the shore or diving into the surf, these top picks ensure you’re prepared for the ultimate beach getaway. Dive in and discover your perfect companions for soaking up the sun and creating memories that last a lifetime. Happy wandering!