19 Beach Bag Essentials to Pack This Summer

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Beach season is officially in full swing, when weekends are spent soaking up vitamin D, hanging out with friends at the shore, and sipping chilled drinks by the water.

But before you bury your toes in the sand, let’s talk beach must-haves. We’re sure you’ve already got your bathing suit and cute sundress covered, but what about the rest of your beach day essentials?

First off, you’ll need a roomy tote that will fit all of your belongings. Then, of course, plenty of sunblock. Don’t forget to bring lip balm with SPF, too, and hair oil to protect your strands from the salty water and the sun.

Your style must-haves include a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of cool shades that offer 100 percent UVA protection. While you may want to reach for an oversized fluffy beach towel, it’s not always practical to carry one all day, because they take up so much space. Instead, opt for a towel made from soft Turkish cotton — they’re compact and dry quickly. We’d also bring a wristlet in case you want to make a quick food run with just your phone and some cash.

Now, how about entertainment? If you’re with a group of people, a waterproof speaker will make your day even more fun. But if you’re going solo, opt for a pair of headphones and an e-reader to keep you busy.

Here are all the beauty, style, and tech essentials — and everything in between — you’ll need for a long, hot day at the beach.

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Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

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Mar y Sol Montauk Woven Tote in Sunflower

Courtesy of Nordstrom

This beach tote is fully lined and was handmade in Madagascar from sustainable materials. It features a magnetic snap closure and an interior wall pocket.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $84

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La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Body and Face Sunscreen Milk

Courtesy of Amazon

This sunscreen milk is one of the top five sunscreens for this year according to Consumer Reports. It has non-greasy texture and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

To buy: amazon.com, $36

3 of 21

Ouai Hair Oil

Courtesy of Sephora

Beach waves look great on anyone, but the combination of salty water and sun can damage your mane. This rich oil will protect your hair (especially if it’s been color treated) and nourish it.

To buy: sephora.com, $28

4 of 21

Jack Black Intense Therapy SPF 25 Lip Balm

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Your lips can actually get sunburned, too, so it’s important to apply lip balm with SPF 15 or higher.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $15 for a set of two

5 of 21

Cabana Stripe Turkish Cotton Beach Towel in Red

Courtesy of Bed Bath & Beyond

This beautiful, lightweight Turkish cotton towel is very absorbent but dries fast. We love the striped print and the fringe details on both ends.

To buy: bedbathandbeyond.com, $20

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ICONNTECHS IT Action Camera for Sports Photography

Courtesy of Amazon

Capture every fun moment with this waterproof, compact camera that’s perfect for underwater shots (up to 30m deep).

To buy: amazon.com, $80

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Sun Bum Cool Down Hydrating After Sun Spray

Courtesy of Amazon

This soothing and cooling aloe vera spray is rich in cocoa butter and jojoba oil to help moisturize and restore dry and sun-damaged skin.

To buy: amazon.com, $14

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FITS Floppy Woven Straw Hat

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Protect your head and face from the sun with this chic floppy hat made from lightweight paper straw.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $22

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Sunnylife Beach Sounds Radio

Courtesy of Barneys

Listen to your favorite tunes at the beach or by the pool with this vintage-inspired water- and sand-resistant speaker. It also has an AM/FM tuner.

To buy: barneys.com, $48

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USTEK In-Ear Earphones

Courtesy of Amazon

If you prefer to keep your music to yourself, this waterproof pair of headphones with ultra soft in-ear earbuds will make your beach stay a lot more enjoyable.

To buy: amazon.com, $13

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Corkcircle 16-oz. Canteen

Courtesy of Shopbop

Dehydration looks good on no one, so make sure to fill this stainless steel canteen with water, and it will stay cold all day, even in the hot sun.

To buy: shopbop.com, $28

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Tommy Bahama Boca Chica Beach Wristlet

Courtesy of eBags

You can’t take your entire beach tote every time you need to go to the bathroom or buy a drink from a bar. This compact beach wristlet is perfect for storing your money, phone, and keys.

To buy: ebags.com, $48

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Personalized Beach Spiker

Courtesy of Etsy

Don’t you just hate it when sand gets all over your drink cup at the beach? That’s when this personalized beach spiker comes in handy.

To buy: etsy.com, $10

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Unifun 10400mAh Waterproof External Battery Charger

Courtesy of Amazon

Taking photos at the beach (and posting them to Instagram) will drain your phone battery in no time, so make sure you have a waterproof battery charger with you.

To buy: amazon.com, $17

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Fire 7 Tablet

Courtesy of Amazon

I never go anywhere without this tablet anymore — it’s lightweight and easy-to-use as an e-reader, but you can also browse the internet or play a game on it.

To buy: amazon.com, $50

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MOTT 50 UPF 50 Tunic Cover-Up

Courtesy of Nordstrom

Always pack a breezy cotton cover-up in case you need extra protection from the sun, or you simply want to grab a bite (or a cocktail) from a casual spot near the beach.

To buy: nordstrom.com, $178

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Havaianas Flash Urban Flip Flops

Courtesy of Zappos.com

A pair of easy-to-slide-into flip flops is a must when you’re headed for a day at the beach. Let’s face it — you probably don’t want to ruin your pretty summer sandals with sand.

To buy: zappos.com, $26

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Ray-Ban 51mm Sunglasses

Courtesy of Nordstrom

The combination of classic Wayfarer silhouette and modern mirrored lenses make these sunglasses both timeless and cool.

To buy: nordstom.com, $175

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Ace Tech Waterproof Case

Courtesy of Amazon

You can use this pouch to protect your phone from water and sand, or to store valuables like money and small jewelry.

To buy: amazon.com, $11 for a set of 2

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Sahale Snacks All Natural Nut Blends Grab And Go Variety Pack

Courtesy of Amazon

Packing a light snack, such as trail mix or a nut bar, is always a good idea.

To buy: amazon.com, $25 for a pack of 12

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19 Beach Bag Essentials to Pack This Summer

1 of 21

Mar y Sol Montauk Woven Tote in Sunflower

2 of 21

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Body and Face Sunscreen Milk

3 of 21

Ouai Hair Oil

4 of 21

Jack Black Intense Therapy SPF 25 Lip Balm

5 of 21

Cabana Stripe Turkish Cotton Beach Towel in Red

6 of 21

ICONNTECHS IT Action Camera for Sports Photography

7 of 21

Sun Bum Cool Down Hydrating After Sun Spray

8 of 21

FITS Floppy Woven Straw Hat

9 of 21

Sunnylife Beach Sounds Radio

10 of 21

USTEK In-Ear Earphones

11 of 21

Corkcircle 16-oz. Canteen

12 of 21

Tommy Bahama Boca Chica Beach Wristlet

13 of 21

Personalized Beach Spiker

14 of 21

Unifun 10400mAh Waterproof External Battery Charger

15 of 21

Fire 7 Tablet

16 of 21

MOTT 50 UPF 50 Tunic Cover-Up

17 of 21

Havaianas Flash Urban Flip Flops

18 of 21

Ray-Ban 51mm Sunglasses

19 of 21

Ace Tech Waterproof Case

20 of 21

Sahale Snacks All Natural Nut Blends Grab And Go Variety Pack

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