15 Things You’ll Be Glad You Brought to the Beach

Picture it. Saturday morning rolls around, the weather is perfect, you’ve got an entire day free. Summer is winding down and you’ve got one thing on your mind: one last relaxing day at the beach.

Which is why we’re here to remind you to (always) wear sunscreen. If you’re looking for just the right amount of shade and things to make the day a breeze, we also got you covered. After all, a stress-free day can only happen if you pack the right things. Life’s a beach and we want you to play in the sand. (Just make sure to stay six feet from other beachgoers. And check your local CDC guidelines on how to stay safe.)

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For when you want your guac to stay perfectly chilled…

Pack a cooler tote. And bag the chips. This tote is leakproof, has an outside pocket for dry goods, and won’t be a pain to carry. Because no rolling cooler works on sand. Shoulder straps for the win. ($32.95, Target)

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For when you wanna lounge without straining your neck…

Use a pillow. One that’s built for the beach, of course. This one is padded, weather-resistant, and compact. It can fold into its own carrying case and can be weighed down by adding a bit of sand. So it won’t fly away on windy days. Nap time awaits.* ($35, Ballast Gear)

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For when you want to lay down without sand sticking to you…

Choose the right blanket. Aka, one that is waterproof and doesn’t trap sand. So you can relax comfortably. This one is big enough for multiple people and comes with stakes for each corner. Problem = solved. ($25.85+, Amazon)

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For when you’re trying to achieve that cute beach look…

Wear a colorful suit. You may be sweaty AF, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look stylish. This suit is lined with full coverage. So you can jump into the water without fear of untied strings. Instagram is waiting. ($170, Andrea Iyamah)

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For when your bag feels heavy from the pound of sand sitting at the bottom…

Pick a new bag. This one filters out sand, dust, and water. So you can place it down without your belongings getting dirty. It also features inside pockets for your phone and wallet. Plus a magnetic snap closure. You’re welcome. ($49.95, Hammacher Schlemmer)

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For when getting a little color calls for skin protection…

Apply sunscreen. We can’t stress this enough. This non-aerosol spray is SPF 50, sweat- and water-resistant, and can be applied to wet skin. It’s your beach BFF. ($15+, Supergoop!)

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For when your hands get greasy from spreading sunscreen…

Rethink the way you apply. This gadget lets you roll on sunscreen without using your hands. So they stay clean. And you stay protected. Plus it’s easy enough for kids to use. Bless. ($13.98+, Amazon)

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For when your phone speaker isn’t loud enough for everyone to hear…

Turn the volume up. This retro-inspired speaker can connect to your cell via phone jack. So hit shuffle on your summer Spotify playlist. Or Lady Gaga’s new album. ($50, Shopbop)

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For when you want a break from the sunshine…

Set up an umbrella. Well, an umbrella-tent. It’ll provide all the shade you could need. And it features four interior pockets and lots of legroom. Boom. ($74, Food52)

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For when you wanna remember the time you spent in the waves…

Capture the moment. This waterproof camera will catch all your boogie board wipeouts. And that sandcastle you spent an hour building. Say cheese. ($9.99, Urban Outfitters)

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For when walking on the beach in flip flops gets awkward…

Slip on something more stable. You’re probably carrying too much already. Steady footing will be a plus. And did we mention these are adorable? Because they are. ($45, Soludos)

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For when you need a place to rest your book and sunglasses…

Bring a mini table. One that will fold down to be a little oasis for your things. No more sand in your phone speaker. Or wedged into the spine of your summer read. Phew. ($34.99, Walmart)

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For when someone places their towel a bit too close to yours…

Set some boundaries. It’s like a polite way to say ‘please stay at least six feet away.’ When unfolded, the ring measures 12-feet in diameter. Safety before fun. ($39.95, The Beach Ring)

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For when you’re a mosquito magnet the minute you step outside...

Up your defense. This suction tool removes the irritant left behind that causes itchiness. So you can stop the reaction in its tracks. You can even try it on bee and wasp stings. Fight the bite. ($9.95, Amazon)

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For when you wanna battle for who has to drive home…

Volley it out. Just try not to lose the ball. Victory dances sold separately. ($25, Bloomingdale’s)

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*This denotes a sponsored post.

PS: These are editorially selected, but if you purchase, theSkimm may get something in return. 

PPS: If something’s out of stock, oops, it was there when we published. And we apologize for any shipping delays due to COVID-19. Thanks.

Skimm'd by Alexandra Napoli, Jessica Kelly