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15 Beach Accessories That You Didn’t Know You Needed

15 Beach Accessories That You Didn’t Know You Needed

March 6, 2020

While many simply toss a towel in the car and lather up with sunscreen, there are beach accessories that can make your day in the sun (or at the park) even easier.

I stumbled upon these cool options while looking to upgrade my own beach gear in time for spring break. I thought I would share these finds in case you’d like to wow your friends and family by arriving prepared and with extra things to do.

Beach Coasters

Keep that drink stable with a beach coaster. The arched corners hold drinks steady in the sand. The colors make it noticeable so people don’t accidentally kick your drink over because they don’t see it. This coaster also works very well on grass, too, for soccer games and picnics.

Waterproof Playing Cards

waterproof playing cards

Elevate your seaside gin rummy or go fish session with this nifty deck. First of all, your cards won’t get soggy. Second, because they’re plastic, you can even stand them upright in the sand. Scrap the phone and play and old-fashioned card came with friends or family.

Collapsible Sand Buckets

collapsible sand buckets

Not only are collapsible sand buckets or pails fantastic for travel, they take up less room in your beach bag or car. Just push the bucket downward to flatten it. I’ve mentioned these in a few other articles and they are very popular for families who want to pack beach toys and take them on vacation.

Beach Accessories Carry Bag

Forget piles of sand at the bottom of your bag that are impossible to shake out. A mesh sand beach bag makes life easier because you can simply shake the bag to release the sand, rinse it out, and hang it to dry. Plus, the mesh makes it easier to see what’s inside.

This mesh beach bag has pockets on the inside and outside to separate items and it can carry up to 150 lbs.

Beach Blanket with Stakes

Beach Blanket with Stakes

The reviews are impressive and not only does this staked down, big beach blanket (10×9′) stay in place, it repels water so it doesn’t get soggy like the average beach towel. Roll it up in a convenient carry pouch for your next beach or park outing.

All-in-One Beach Umbrella System

This beach umbrella was designed based on the input from beachgoers and addresses the (often dangerous) concern regarding umbrellas being lifted up by the wind and blown into someone else’s space. This beach accessory comes with its own carrying case, towel hooks, and weighs 9 lbs.

Folding Beach Table With Carry Bag

This convenient, personal-sized beach table (16″x14″x10″) also has legs that are adjustable to two different heights, enabling you to keep your drinks and food out of the sand. No tools are required for assembly and it even folds up to fit into its own carry bag.

Hanging Hooks For a Beach Umbrella

Among the most clever beach accessories, this two-pack of plastic umbrella hooks slip on to a beach umbrella pole, beachgoers to hang towels, clothes or handbags to keep them out of the sand and from getting lost. The universal size design enables these hooks to be added easily to any beach umbrella pole with a diameter of about 1.4 inches. They are easy to install and do not require tools.

Beach Umbrella Drink Holders

You can also add a handy drink holder to your umbrella pole to keep cups out of the sand. Use the tray space for smaller items (though be mindful of them falling into the sand anyway).

Family-Size Beach Sunshade

If you’d like full coverage for the family, check out these sunshades. They’re easy to set up with four aluminum poles and manage to screen out 98% of UV radiation. This beach sun shade weighs only 7.5 lbs but can withstand strong winds due to its custom anchor design and sand bag weights.

Personal Canopy Sunshade

Here’s a way to support a local business. Neso is an Encinitas-based company that makes popular personal sunshades in a 7×7′ size. They’re lightweight, portable, and commonly seen around San Diego beaches.

Beach Wagon

When you head to the coast with young kids and a lot of stuff, it may easiest and most fun to pull your beach gear in a wagon. This one is collapsible as well, making it easier to fit in your car and store when not in use. The outside dimensions are 35x20x23″ but it folds to only 8″ thick and has a carrying handle. This wagon also has two mesh drink holders but is meant for toting things and not people.

However, if you’re not planning on hitting the sand, consider Radio Flyer wagon with canopy that kids can actually ride in for the boardwalks and transport. During a recent San Diego Zoo Safari Park visit we noticed multiple families shading happy kids in this set up. So, yes, you can bring it into theme parks like a stroller (check rules and regulations to be sure, as always).

Pop-Up Cooler

Keep food and drinks chilled with this pop-up cooler that collapses flat (and can tuck into the giant mesh beach bag above) when not in use. This way, you have less bulky gear to take back to the car and easy storage.

Bucket Ball Beach Game

Bucket ball is considered the ultimate beach game for 2020. It’s lightweight and portable and while it’s probably modeled after beer pong this version is fun for all ages. This beach accessory includes 12 buckets, 2 balls, a carrying bag, and instructions.

Surfminton — The Classic Beach Paddle Game

Surfminton is a classic paddle game with water-resistant paddles and two different types of balls that easily slip into a carrying case.

What are your favorite beach accessories?