Whether you’re hopping on a plane en route to a dreamy, faraway beach or road tripping for a closer-to-home sandy retreat, packing the right bag helps ensure you have just what you need to make your trip to the beach as easy and relaxing as possible. Of course, a solo traveler’s idea of the best beach bag can be quite different from someone on a family vacation who is in charge of carrying everything for everyone. We’ve got both of those needs covered, and everything in between.
To help you narrow down the perfect beach bag for your next trip, we’ve gathered 23 of our favorites, from oversized totes to classic straw bags. We’ve made sure to include a variety of different sizes, materials, colors, and price ranges to ensure you find the right match for your beach vacation. Some of our top finds include a lightweight and packable multi-pocket tote from Lululemon; a Sea Bags bucket bag made from recycled sails that is specifically made for seashell-hunters; and a waterproof structured tote from Rux with all the organization you could ever need.
Scroll through to see all of our finds or jump right to the section that suits your beach needs:
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Madison Flager.
Packable beach bags
Finding something that lies flat in your suitcase can be super helpful when it comes to saving on precious space and weight in your carry-on. But packable finds don’t have to be limited to the reusable grocery store shopping bag. We love the Ogunquit Beach Bag, which is made from recycled sails and despite its roominess, lies completely flat (save for the unique rope handles). The Piccadilly Bag, made from recycled plastic bottles, can be worn over the shoulder, as a backpack, or held by its handles.
Classic totes
There are certain images associated with a day at the beach, and a classic tote bag with towels peeking out from the top is one of them. But the tote has evolved from the neutral canvas look. Take the Rothy’s Lightweight Tote that comes in more colors than we can count and is completely washable without losing its shape (I had to get the bright pink dragonfruit color to match my Rothy’s dragonfruit loafers), for example. The Banana Republic Slouchy straw bag screams beach bag, matches any swimsuit, and holds a lot more than you think. For those who need even more space, the SMMT Powder tote bag is available in two sizes with a variety of interior and exterior pockets and a waterproof shell.
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Structured beach bags
For those beachgoers who pack snacks and lunches that taste so much better when they’re not smooshed, or for anyone who wants to keep their items from possibly getting stepped on, structured totes offer protection for your favorite beach possessions. The Rux Essentials Set is a brilliant concept that’s part bag and part box, with removable waterproof divider bags and compartments to keep items separate. Simple Modern’s water-resistant rubber material makes the Gateway bag easy to clean after a sandy day and the built-in holes give wet clothing a chance to breathe.
Backpacks
When you need your hands free (say, if you’re biking over to the beach), a backpack makes for a great option. The Atlantic Daytrip backpack comes in bright colors and can transition from being used as your in-flight personal item to your beach day pack. On a recent trip to Portugal, I didn’t go a day without using my Jack Wolfskin’s Athmos pack, which held everything my teen and I needed as we put in almost 20,000 steps touring various cities, but also was used to store extra sunblock and water for our leisurely stops at the beach.
Small beach bags
Not everyone spends the entire day at the beach. If you’re heading over just to sit in the sand or take in a sunset, you may want something smaller that can store a few essentials and is versatile enough to take on your next adventure, like the Monos Metro sling, a crossbody that comes in both nylon and vegan leather and features a hidden back pocket to keep your phone, ID and money safe. For an elevated, chic option that pairs well with any linen or crotchet cover-up you’re wearing to the hotel restaurant or bar, the Banana Republic Half-Moon shoulder bag is equal parts stylish and functional.For the shell-collectors, Sea Bags has the aptly named Beachcomber bucket bag with a mesh bottom, so you can leave at least some of the sand behind. Additionally, the bag has four interior mesh pockets, should you simply need a small beach bag with a fun shape and one-of-a-kind hemp handles (all ”imperfections” are on purpose, given the recycled nature of the materials).
