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Sand and sun are some of the best parts of summer, whether you’re hitting the beach on your travels or are lucky enough to have a stretch of sand close by. And while there’s always room for spontaneity, a truly enjoyable day at the beach requires a bit of planning and forethought for most of us. (I’m not the only one who’s been burnt to a crisp because I thought I brought sunscreen, right?)
Building a solid list of beach bag essentials requires trial and error as well as time. To help you skip to the good part, we asked a collection of travelers, designers, sustainability experts, travel nurses, and even a New York Times best-selling author to share their go-to beach items.
Keep reading to see what dozens of super-travelers are carrying in their beach bag this summer.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Lauren Levin, chief marketing officer for Lightstone/Moxy Hotels
“While my wife and I were vacationing in Puglia last summer, we happened to spot a perfectly oversized, bright, woven Daf beach tote. We never hit the sand without it. Its vibrant neon orange accents mean we can’t lose each other on a crowded beach, and its hefty leather straps allow for schlepping a ton of essentials. It’s not a beach day without some snacks, a bottle of orange wine, packable Janesse Leone hats, a Nerf football, travel Scrabble, lightweight Turkish towels from the Moxy Miami South Beach, and a good book. We’re currently reading Glennon Doyle’s Untamed and travel guides to prepare for our next trip to Basque Country.”
Jennifer Ploszaj, chief marketing officer of WATG
“I love my sky blue Goyard Saint Louis PM Bag as a beach bag. It’s super lightweight, easy to carry, and the attached interior pouch keeps my valuables compact and within easy reach. I keep my credit cards, license, and vaccine card in a folding alligator mini wallet by Taxidermy—a brilliant post-Covid creation from Amy Driggers, based in Charleston, South Carolina. I also never leave home without my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite and Tom Ford “Jennifer” sunnies, along with Epionce tinted daily shield SPF 50. And because I love to swim in the sea: Baby Bum conditioning detangler. If I bring Ozzy, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, with me, he travels with his floating Chuckit! Ball, extra treats, a towel, a travel water bowl, and a puppy umbrella.”
Ashley C. Ford, New York Times best-selling author of Somebody’s Daughter
“I didn’t learn to love the beach until I realized I was allowed to love the shore more than the water. I pack my bag with a new book—hopefully something compelling—a bottle of water, a wireless waterproof speaker, snacks that won’t get sandy or soggy, a big towel, and I carry an even bigger umbrella. It’s all about comfort.”
Emily Cheng, travel nurse and CEO/co-founder of MedVenture
“Summertime is prime time to soak up all the Vitamin C and D. Some of my favorites for a fun and sustainable beach day include my UST Flexware Mess Kit to keep fresh fruits, hummus and pretzels, or seaweed salad free from sand; my lightweight yet warm UST Capen 1P blanket to keep me bundled while I watch the sunset; my recycled Sunski sunglasses; and iced tea in my refillable Takeya water bottle.”
Alex Michael May, content creator
“I always make sure my favorite straw visor is in my beach bag to protect my skin and eyes and shade my face from the sun while looking stylish with any swimsuit or outfit. My visor from the small women-run business Caminito Co. rolls for easy packing and won’t fly off in the breeze like many hats. Lugging bulky towels or dealing with a bag full of sand can be a bummer after a lovely beach day, so I’ve taken to packing towels that are highly portable and repel sand, like this one from Venture.”
David Pirrotta, founder of Materiae and host of the podcast Living in a Materiae World
“I love a summer glow, and am pulled toward beaches in the Mediterranean over the European summer months. My tried and true bag for travel, beach, and work is the Lotuff Leather Working Tote. Its interior pockets carry beachside essentials like the refreshing Ingredients Plant Water Mist, UV protecting Sachajuan Hair in the Sun, hydrating Facile Lip Jelly, and Jao Refresher Hand Sanitizer. There’s enough room to throw in my Dries Van Noten Canvas Strap Sandals while I’m crossing the sand, and my folded CDLP Home Short-Sleeve Shirt and Home Shorts when I go for a dip (swimwear essentials made from regenerated landfill and ocean plastic waste—a perfect way to practice sustainability while at the beach).”
Amanda Gunawan, founding principal of OWIU
“The key to a good day at the beach is a comfortable chair. I love the Low Beach Chair from Japan-based brand Snow Peak. For sunscreen, it’s important to find one that’s over SPF 40, has zinc, and has a PA rating of PA+++. The Ultra Zinc Body & Face Tinted SPF 40 by Tizo checks all the boxes. I always love to pack a film camera to capture special moments. I usually use a CONTAX T3 because of the image quality; but if there’s a chance it may get wet, the Yashica MF-1 35mm Film Camera is hardy and rugged. Lastly, I love the Walden Original Meditation Cushion—it’s those extra items that really enhance your day by the water.”
Lea D’Auriol, sustainability expert and founder of non-profit Oceanic Global
“My go-to beach bag is always an oversized woven basket. As I like to travel off the beaten path, I always have extra bikinis with me, my reusable Hydro Flask, a Stasher bag of nuts and snacks, Raw Elements reef-safe sunscreen, a good book, and a Turkish cotton towel that can double up as a sarong.”
Claudia Aguirre, cofounder & vice president of Luxury Lifestyle Vacations
“I love having my sarong in my beach bag for its versatility. If I’m going to a restaurant indoors, it can act as a coverup or separate me from the ground or a sandy bench outdoors. I always keep a makeup bag with a hairbrush, sunblock, mints, and even condoms handy. You never know where a day at the beach can take you or who you could meet. I also always pack a stack of temporary tattoos as a conversation starter and even better icebreaker. Finally, I pack an extra bag or two to put trash in as well as any wet and sandy towels and bikinis as I leave the beach.”
Sonu Shivdasani, founder and CEO of Soneva
“I always have a snorkeling mask in my beach bag. I am short-sighted, so the lenses of my mask have to be prescription. And I always have SPF15 sun cream with me. Of course, I also take a change of clothes, as we often boat to a remote island in the Maldives, snorkel and swim around, and then change for a fantastic lunch on a table set up by the Soneva team under the shade of local trees.”
Kristin White, owner of Long Story Short, Gift Shop & Tours
“When a group of Bermudians head to the beach for the day, it’s a major production. But when I go by myself, it’s a simple and often impromptu affair, so I grab one of my reusable totes, fill up my water bottle, get a book from my shelves, and make sure I have my Salt Spray Soap body butter and lip balm. Salt Spray Soap is my store’s featured natural skincare brand, made locally by my good friend Genelle. The body butter is perfect for soothing skin post-sun exposure and the lip balm has Bermuda beeswax for sun protection!”
Lejla Cas, founder of Knesko Skin
“I’m usually at the beach with my two daughters, both under five, so I always make sure my Yeti Cooler Bag is packed with fresh fruit, snacks, and refreshments. Sun protection is very important to me, so I pack sunglasses and hats, and I try to lead by example with the girls by using SPF; I tend to alternate between Supergoop and Coola. For an extra dose of hydration and a spa vibe (because why not), I love to do a Knesko Amethyst Eye Mask while relaxing on the beach. My Rose Quartz Roller comes in handy to refresh and depuff as well. I also always bring our favorite Tommy Bahama Beach Chairs which are so easy to carry and Public Goods Bamboo Wet Wipes to clean up any messes with the kids.”
Nicolas Vincent, general manager of La Réserve Ramatuelle
“Polarized sunglasses so I can take in the incredible colors of the Mediterranean Sea: Maui Jim is my favorite brand. And a solar phone charger to avoid running out of power at my lounge chair.”
Ali Mejia, cofounder and chief creative officer of Eberjey
“This hair oil is my savior while I’m somewhere warm. It protects your hair from getting dry or damaged as a result of saltwater or chlorine exposure. This [raffia] Lola hat shields your face from the sun and has an adjustable strap in the back for those extra windy beach days. I splurged on these Celine sunglasses years ago and I refuse to ever replace them. They elevate any look instantly and I love how classic they are.”
Marianna Hewitt, cofounder of Summer Fridays
“I saw this phone case on an episode of Shark Tank and immediately needed it—it is basically a drink Koozie for your phone to keep it from getting too hot and shutting down. It also works in cold temperatures if you’re on a ski trip.
For sunny weather, I not only slather on SPF but I get additional shade from a hat. I love the look of a beach hat but it isn’t so convenient to lay down in a beach chair—so now I’m really into visors. For my hair, I’ll apply a leave-in treatment or hair oil like Ouai’s Rose Hair & Body oil [on damp hair] and then I do a loose braid with a skinny Slipsilk hair tie. It leaves me with beautiful, beachy, air-dried hair.”
Lindsay Silberman, travel influencer and founder of Hotel Lobby Candle
“My extreme commitment to staying wrinkle- and sunspot-free led me to this admittedly ridiculous-looking sun visor. It might elicit strange glares from fellow beach-goers, but if it means I'll still look youthful at 80, I couldn’t care less.
It's no coincidence that this Corksicle insulated tumbler holds the exact number of ounces that are in a bottle of wine. You could use it for water...but chilled rosé on the beach is way more fun.”
Douglas Friedman, photographer and contributor to Cooking in Marfa: Welcome, We’ve Been Expecting You
“There is one product that goes everywhere with me: Saffron Gold Organic Face Oil by Everyday Essence. I use it all day long to keep my skin glowing and hydrated. If it was good enough for Cleopatra, it's good enough for me.”
Ava Jules, Hawaiian beauty and lifestyle YouTube and TikTok star
“Every time I go in the ocean I make sure to use reef-safe sunscreen. This one from SunBum is my favorite. My all time favorite bucket hats are from Lack of Color, and I can’t go anywhere without a lip balm. Glossier's smells like cherries and has a cute red tint.”
Laura Liles, founder and creative director of Kinga Csilla
“[I always pack] a large Kinga Csilla Kantha case; it fits sunglasses, a book, sunscreen, and even my water bottle, and protects all your special items from sand. I have young [kids] so good snacks are essential, too. A small Yeti cooler filled with berries, water, and a cold pressed coffee is standard procedure. If you're out of town, it's a great way to transport local produce to a beautiful location. Muslin or linen wraps work as great alternatives to bulky towels—they look chic and take up way less room.”
Conner Coffin, professional surfer
“One thing I always have with me is a Leus beach towel. They make eco-friendly towels with fun vibrant prints. My go-to sunscreen is Shiseido. It’s the softest, nicest-feeling sunscreen I’ve ever used, and I’ve been wearing it since I was a little kid. A good reusable water bottle is crucial. My go-to is a Hydro Flask; the double walled construction keeps your drinks cold.”
Lauren Williams, cofounder of Will & Bear
“This on-the-go rug comes with a carrying strap so you can bring it anywhere; and it's waterproof, so I’m free to nest wherever I like. A comfortable, sustainably made bikini is an absolute must for me, too.”
Tammy Matsunami, Exclusive Resorts concierge at Pelican Hill
“Water, water, water. Fiji is my first choice, but any will do. And sunscreen. My dermatologist recommended Colorscience and it's been my go-to ever since. In a pinch, it would be Neutrogena Ultra Sheer, which is more readily available.”
Aby Saltiel, owner of Kalesma Mykonos
“My favorite towel is the Parthenis cotton beach towel, a longstanding Greek brand. I like it because it’s plush, thick, and absorbent. Also the fringe makes it look luxe. The beige and the dark black are perfect. For a beach read, anything by Nikos Kazantzakis, particularly Report to Greco.”
Devon Windsor, model and founder of Devon Windsor Swim
“I keep my sunscreen and essentials in my Devon Windsor zippered pouch and never take them out, so it is easy to pack for a beach day. I have my Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops as well as EltaMD oil-free sunscreen. For body, I love Supergoop SPF 50. One of my favorite pieces in my beach bag is my Colorescience SPF tinted face powder. Great for absorbing oils and keeping your skin safe.”
Kate Bock, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and chief brand officer at Pompette
“Pompette is the perfect beachside drink—it’s a hard sparkling water that is refreshing and clean. It also comes in a chic glass bottle and is resealable. And I first discovered Bond-Eye swim on an SI shoot, and the swimsuit I wore was one I knew I had to take home! I’ve been a fan ever since. I love the texture of their fabric, and how flattering their high-rise one piece is on my legs.”
Jordan Salcito, sommelier, CEO, and founder of Ramona canned spritzes
“I love everything about Marysia bathing suits, from the founder's story (she’s a former ballerina who then got her degree from MIT), to the flattering fit, to the gorgeous sustainable Italian fabrics.
Beautycounter sunscreens are easy and effective: sheer daily defense SPF 25 for face and SPF 30 mineral sunscreen for body. Celine sunglasses manage to be universally flattering, somehow, and the “milky hazelnut” acetate coloring is perfect for summer.
A cooler bag of ice and Ramona—dry grapefruit is my pick for the beach, but I usually bring an assortment. I'm obviously biased, but Ramona remains the one organic, velcorin-free, ethically sourced canned beverage available.”
Elise Doganieri, producer and creator of National Geographic's Race to the Center of the Earth
“I spend most of my time outdoors [for work], so I need a sunscreen I can wear every day that has incredible protection. For my face I use Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen; it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky, and it protects from both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays). For my body I use Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection.
My favorite beach dress is from Bird & Knoll. It’s a classic shirt dress with pockets and a wrap belt, and the lightweight cotton keeps me cool on hot, humid days.”
Melanie Brandman, founder and CEO of hospitality PR firm the Brandman Agency
“As an Aussie, I take going to the beach quite serious. My bag is a fabulous, super-oversized tote by French designer Barbara Rihl, which I picked up at La Mamounia hotel in Marrakech.
A small Igloo cooler—I freeze water in large Ziploc bags so I have slow melt chunks of ice to cool things down. Inside the Igloo are pre-made Aperol Spritz and cucumber Pellegrino, a Hydro Flask with fresh water for my puppies, and Caudalie face mist.”
Nadia Boujarwah, cofounder and CEO of Dia & Co
“I always bring my Sarah Flint Perfect Block Sandal—they are super comfortable for daytime excursions and cute enough for a dinner out. SPF from Origins doubles as the perfect light coverage I want while traveling. I always bring a little immune support to boost my defenses; these delicious, clean gummies from Hilma make it a part of my day I really look forward to.”
George Fleck, vice president and global brand leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
“While Neutrogena SPF 50 is a quick go-to to throw in my bag, I do invest in a really great face sunscreen like Biotherm Homme UV Defense. A great vintage classic book like Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, and a Turkish bath towel from Serena & Lily. I go through so many swim trunks, so my favorite is so easy: Club Monaco’s nostalgia-evoking Seersucker Swim Trunks. I love my Oliver Peoples sunglasses. And these days, I love to add a little Mediterranean scent with this amazing Arquiste hand sanitizing mist.
Gia Kuan, founder of Gia Kuan Consulting
“Koa Anti-Pollution SPF 45+ Sunscreen is my absolute favorite sunscreen right now. It glides on so easily without being greasy. Not only is it an AAPI-owned business hailing from Hawaii, it's reef-safe and contains niacinamide for extra skin benefits. I have mild eczema, so I always carry a bottle of Bodewell’s Light Serum, too—it has a very light, greaseless, soothing formula. Dr. Bronner's Lavender Hand Sanitizer is kind of a holy grail, but also weirdly acts as a great insect repellent.
I have my iPad and AirPods with me a lot. I subscribe to the app Alexander, which champions narrative non-fiction features by award-winning writers from all around the world. Plus, a fully charged Mophie.”
Mareike Venturini-Spillner, event manager at the Eden Roc Cap Cana
“The C+C Vitamin Splash by Natura Bissé is a citric revitalizing spray and it feels like an immediate energizer that awakens all senses with that nice smell of citrus and Mediterranean fragrances such as mint and lavender.”
Sofia Ancira, founder and co-designer of Sanlier swimwear
“For individuals with fair skin like me, safeguarding that skin is a daily routine. This Colorescience shield is hands down the best face sunscreen and comes recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. It doesn't leave me sticky or greasy, has a matte finish, and has no weird sunscreen smell. When I want to tan and not burn, Bali Body's Cacao Tanning Oil with SPF 6 is my new go-to.
For my lips, I use Dior Addict Lip Glow as chapstick. I must have my favorite sunglasses by Illesteva. The Wynwood Ace sunglasses are affordable, comfortable, and super lightweight. For added sun protection, I grab my Summer Romero handmade straw hat.”
Gabriella Khalil, founder and creative director of Palm Heights on Grand Cayman Island
“This Palm Heights cap is my everyday baseball cap that I use for everything. I always have Supergoop sunscreen, and I love that its products are reef-safe and cruelty-free. I have a lot of fancy cover-ups but my very favorite item to bring with me in my beach bag is an oversized cotton button-up shirt to throw over my swimsuit.”
River Jordan, photographer
“I always have this Leica M10 with a 35mm Summicron lens in the bag. It's a low-key camera that isn't intrusive. I must have filled up 50 Moleskine notebooks over the years. They are a great place to keep travel info, jot down ideas, and sketch my surroundings. [I like] Kiehl’s Super Fluid Sunscreen; a little goes a long way and it doesn't leave my cameras all greasy.
I love how light and comfy Patagonia's Hydropeak Boardshorts are. They roll up small, dry fast, and last forever.
My Filson 48-Hour Duffle Bag fits everything, and the longer I have it the better it looks. It's a perfect carry-on, beach bag, or overnight bag.”
Fatima Aviles, general director of the La Paz tourism board
“When heading to my favorite beach spot in La Paz, Balandra Beach, I always pack three items: Polarized Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses, Fotoprotector ISDIN Fusion Water SPF 50—this sunscreen is both lightweight and ultra-hydrating—and a small JBL Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker so we can listen to some good music while swimming, paddleboarding, or lying on the sand.”
Malu Hilmy, senior marketing executive at Coco Collection in the Maldives
“One of my go-to sunscreens is EltaMD’s wallet-friendly UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum. It’s oil-free, dermatologist-recommended, and great for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Another must-have is TopTote’s Leather Hat Holder. Instead of needing a bulky hat box when you travel, the TopTote clip keeps you hands-free. Basically, you attach one of their clips to your hat's brim, and then hook the carabiner ring onto your bag, carry-on, keychain, or luggage tag.”
Dr. Atira Charles, head of diversity and inclusion at Moët Hennessy
“My custom Whitney Houston towel with all of her album covers on it. I love Whitney Houston; as a kid, I would sing her songs over and over again in my room (and still do).
A reMarkable notepad to brainstorm and ideate—the type of work that the traditional workday doesn’t always leave a lot of creative thinking time for. This is like a digital infinity journal—you can keep writing and typing and saving things in multiple folders.”
Bronson van Wyck, event designer and author of Born to Party: Forced to Work
“My friend Indre Rockefeller’s company, Paravel, makes the chicest bags for travel. The Cabana bag fits everything you need for the beach. I always have an endless rotation of sunglasses because I am losing them as fast as I buy them! I try my best not to lose my Caddis reading sunglasses, as those are prescription.”
Viktoria Riley, director of marketing at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort in the Bahamas
“I normally already wear an oversized beach hat, cover-up, and sunglasses (I have Ray-Ban Jackie Ohhs in every color) and I never arrive at the beach without Peter Thomas Roth's Instant Mineral sunscreen and The Ballast beach pillow in my bag. I love that the sunscreen is in a powder form versus a sticky cream, and can be reapplied several times during the day.”
David Schottenstein, founder and CEO of Privé Revaux Eyewear
“Apple EarPods—not AirPods, specifically EarPods. I’m a wires guy. I tried AirPods for a while, but the battery kept dying, and I lose patience and forget to charge them.
I have the greatest bathing suit from Shinesty—it’s a real conversation starter, and an awesome $5 cooling lip balm from Sayn Beauty.
