SerpApi.Org
1. An SPF 50 sunscreen from Coola boasting a not-so-sunscreen-y mango guava scent, rather than smelling like chemicals. Be the best-smelling sunbather at the beach with this fruit-forward aroma. This stuff is practically perfume, which is another great way to remember when it's time to reapply.
Promising review: "I cannot give enough praise and love for the Coola brand. Every single item! This lasted for hours, even when in and out of the water, was small enough to sneak into my checked-in luggage, and smelled so divine that people would stop me and ask what I was wearing. No streaming, no pilling, no white flaking. Perfect sun protection that I will continue to use all summer long and in my fancy vacays!" —Tanya
Get it from Amazon for $32 (available in two sizes).
2. And a pack of "Burn Notice" UV Sensitive Stickers that'll help save your skin from the summer sun when you're having too much fun to remember to reapply on your own. After being out in the sun long enough to need a refresh, these will turn purple, letting you know it's time for your next round of sunscreen.
Barrière is a small business! They also make a version for kids, so you and your mini can match — maybe they'll put up less of a fight when it comes time to reapply their SPF!
Get them from Amazon for $12.98.
3. A pair of sunglasses you wear *over* your prescription glasses — a suuuper helpful solution for anyone who has been struggling in the sun for too many years, refusing to spend money on prescription sunglasses and hoping for a simpler solution to keep their eyes comfy in the sun. This is it, my fellow four-eyed friends! These stay on, they're lightweight, and they work.
As you can see above, I have big frames, and they're a curious shape, so finding sunglasses that fit over them was a big win! The sunglasses have a slightly elongated lip on the upper half, helping them snugly balance over any shape of glasses. I wore these to Disneyland, and I was able to wear them over my frames while on rides, and they stayed on! I can't recommend these enough. My husband (who wears thick square glasses) has stolen these from me, which is the biggest 5-star review I can imagine. The man is picky.
Promising review: "These are great! They cover my glasses well, and you can’t see my glasses through the lenses. The polarized lenses make colors pop while reducing the sun's brightness." —Leigh Manuel
Get them from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in 21 styles).
4. A clip-on umbrella with UPF 50 protection and *swivel* abilities, so you can turn any chair into a shady spot while out and about. Reviewers have also used this with wagons, strollers, wheelchairs, and electric scooters!
Related: "Just 31 Of The Most Comfortable Chairs Your Butt Will Thank You For"
5. A Yeti backpack cooler — an investment-worthy piece that'll be *far* easier than a traditional cooler if you know you'll be trudging through folks laying out in the sand while searching for your perfect spot.
Looking for something that costs a little less? This RTIC 15 can version is a review hit and under $60!
Promising review: "Took this thing out on a float trip for two days at the end of summer in Oklahoma, loaded up with ice, and a bunch of seltzers. When I got home, the drinks were still cold. The ice had melted, but the cold water kept everything at the perfect temperature. It's pretty idiot-proof, too, which is great when you're supplying drinks to drunk people on a river. A drunk person may only close one side before giving up, but they won't break a zipper and render the whole cooler useless." —Britni Peel
Get it from Amazon for $275+ (available in two styles and several colors).
6. An Ostrich chaise lounge with holes for your face and arms, so you can comfortably read and scroll through your phone on your stomach without craning your neck or having the sun on your screen. It's adjustable *and* has a pillow cover for snoozin' on your back.
Promising review: "I've had SO MANY beach chairs, and I can say this one is definitely my favorite. VERY sturdy with nice material that doesn't stretch out when you lie in it. And can I just say the padded face area for lying on your stomach is AWESOME! Definitely a good buy, and I can see myself using this for a good long while! Can't wait to take it to the beach next month!" —Brandy
Get it from Amazon for $64.99+ (available in 13 styles).
7. A lightweight, fast-drying towel — this repels sand instead of attracting it like most beach towels do, so you won't get covered in sand while lounging on the beach! PLUS, it's ultra-absorbent, so you'll dry off fast after a plunge in the water. Grab one of these, and you can make a day at the beach finally feel like, well, a day at the beach!
It's made of a polyester microsuede material that absorbs quickly and dries fast. It also has an anti-microbial finish to keep the towel clean longer.
Rumpl started SMALL, and thanks to founder and CEO Wylie Robinson, the Kickstarter success has become a go-to shop for nature lovers looking to stay cozy in the great outdoors. The company is now based in Portland, Oregon.
Promising review: "This towel dries better than a conventional towel! Not only that, but it was completely dry and ready to reuse in about 10 minutes. Normally, we'd go through a stack of beach towels in one day. The towel itself is big, but it packs up compactly, leaving more room in your bag for other things. It's soooo soft, made very well, and the pattern is gorgeous. I will be replacing all of my towels with these!!" —Danielle W.
Get it from Amazon or Rumpl for $39 (available in seven colors).
8. A portable lock box to keep your necessities secure when you're napping in the sand. It's designed to attach around two beach chairs, so you won't have a nagging worry about your wallet/phone getting stolen while trying to relax.
Promising review: "I bought this to take on a vacation to the Virgin Islands because my husband is super paranoid about leaving valuables unattended on the beach. At first, he scoffed that this little plastic thing wasn’t going to stop a thief, and I had wasted my money. Then he admitted that the plastic was pretty sturdy, and it was cool that we could secure the cable to our beach chairs, a fence, or a tree (most petty thieves don’t carry around cable cutters). Next thing I know, he’s storing his wallet, phone, and room keys in it along with mine. He laced the cable through other things he didn’t want stolen, like the bags containing our snorkel gear. Neighboring beachgoers asked about it and where they could get one, and he was quick to demonstrate its features. And when we got home, I overheard him showing it to his friends, with as much approval as he could muster. Hate to say I told you so...OK, no I don’t." —Patsy
Get it from Amazon for $37.95 (available in five colors).
9. A BruMate insulated can cooler with a double-walled stainless-steel layer that'll keep drinks up to 20 times colder than a koozy. Skip the disappointment that comes from a room temperature beverage when you're thirsting under the sun — keep that drink freezy all day long with this treasure instead!
Promising review: "Like to keep your beer cold? Get this. Slow drinker but don't want to let your friends on to how slow you're drinking? Get this. Want your White Claw/Truly to stay as cold as it was when you took it out of your fridge? Get this. I kid you not, this thing keeps drinks cold like that's its job (because it is). Once I got mine and saw how effective it was, I decided all of my cold beverage-loving friends and family would be getting one, too. With most of my friends being Michelob Ultra and White Claw drinkers, this seems to be the perfect fit. So hard to find a can Koozie that holds those slim cans! Love this product and definitely recommend!" —Brooke Price
Get it from Amazon for $21.24+ (available in three sizes and 30 colors).
10. A refillable roll-on sponge sunscreen applicator sure to make putting on sunscreen (both on your kids *and* on yourself) less of a chore. This goes on fast and blends in easily — no mess required!
11. A halter bathing suit that'll look so stunning, you'll almost feel bad for swimming in it and covering it up with all that ocean. It deserves to be seen 24/7!
We've been through the reviews and can confidently say this suit fits like a dream!
Promising review: "THIS SWIMSUIT BLEW ME OUT OF THE WATER, HOLY HECK! It fits, in a word, perfectly. I may just buy this in every color." —Emma Maas
Get it from Amazon for $28.99+ (available in 19 colors and women's sizes S–3XL).
Related: "33 Good-Vibes-Only Purchases If You’re In Desperate Need Of A Mood Boost"
12. And this precious, preppy pick with charming tied shoulders and comfortable coverage that'll have you looking positively catwalk-worthy as you stroll across the sand.
Promising review: "This bikini is absolutely adorable! The blue and white striped pattern is classic and perfect for summer. The tie-shoulder design adds a cute touch, and the high-waisted bottoms provide great coverage. The material feels comfortable and well-made, and it fits true to size. Overall, it's a stylish, comfortable swimsuit that makes me feel confident. I would definitely recommend it!" —mo
Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in women's sizes X-Small–XX-Large and 26 styles).
13. A pack of waterproof bandages for helping you out when your kid manages to climb and crawl over sharp lava rock all day without a scratch, and yet ends up cutting their finger on a soda can at lunch.
Promising review: "These are the best waterproof bandaids out there. I've been using these for years now and really love them. I keep them in our beach bag and they've stayed good through years of hot days and are still usable when I need them. Usually bandaids get ruined really fast in heat. They stick so well that you can swim and do whatever and be sure they'll stay on. I've even once used it to seal my broken nail while waiting on nail repair kit to arrive. These are my favorite beach bandaids." —MooMeow
Get a box of 100 from Amazon for $10.68 (available in five box sizes).
14. A pack of eight chair clips you can attach to your umbrella or the back of your chair to keep drying towels from blowing away in the beach breeze. Plus, if you're at a resort and everyone's towels look the same, this is a great way to distinguish yours from others.
Promising review: "I loved having these in my beach bag. I use them to secure beach towels, hats, and cover-ups to my chair. I even used these as chip clips in the beach condo! People ask where I found them." —Sarah McCoy
Get them from Amazon for $5.
15. An ultra-light stand-up paddle board complete with an adjustable aluminum paddle, high-pressure pump, travel backpack, coil leash, waterproof bag, and three removable fins. This is sure to make your day on the water so fun you'll wanna give this flotation device a standing ovation.
The board supports up to 400 lbs. and reviewers love how beginner-friendly it is.
Promising review: "We are avid paddle boarders and were pleasantly surprised by this board. It is easy to inflate, very firm when fully inflated, does not banana, it holds its pressure for days, and is easy to launch and retrieve off the dock. The paddle is decent and easily adjustable. The board paddled reasonably well. Our only complaint is that, like other inflatables, it is so light it does not track really well particularly in the wind or waves. That is the trade-off for the convenience and completely normal. It packs nicely and travels well. We're very happy, it met our goals." —Larry A
Get it from Amazon for $209.95 (available in 12 colors).
16. A cooling collar you can soak in cold water and then wrap around your dog, for days at the dog beach when your over-excited pup really needs to ~chill~.
Promising review: "I got this for my dachshund. She's a wire-haired, so she has a lot of hair. We went to the beach, and she had to stay right with me in the hot sun. I didn't put it on her the first day, and she was panting the whole time. I tried it on her the second day. What a difference. She was much more comfortable. She sat on my lap and enjoyed the beach." —vicki campbell
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in sizes S–XL).
Related: "Plan On Spending As Much Time As Possible Outside This Summer? Grab These Things"
17. And a dog water bottle with a simple squeeze-to-fill system, because your pup will get rightfully ~salty~ if they spend a day at the ocean without proper hydration.
Promising review: "This is perfect for on-the-go, and I highly recommend it! I would hate wasting bottled water on long walks or beach days with my pup just to dump half of the bowl out that she didn’t finish. This bottle sucks unused water right back in! My puppy loves drinking out of the bowl on top of the bottle — it is perfect!" —Lindsey
Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in five colors).
18. A windshield sunshade so your car doesn't turn into the seventh level of hell after you've spent a heavenly day by the ocean. Plus, it folds up flat and takes up nearly no space, making it a cinch to keep in your car at all times.
Promising review: "This sunshield is perfect for blocking some of the Texas sun this summer. It fit my Highlander windshield perfectly, blocking all the rays and reducing the heat build-up. It's easy to fold and unfold to store compactly in the space between the driver's seat and center console, which is so nice. It's very lightweight and held in place with sun visors when deployed. I'm going to buy another for my husband's car." —Lisa Ann
Get it from Amazon for $11.53+ (available in six sizes).
19. A bottle of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Moisturizing Face SPF 60 Serum, sure to do its very darndest to protect your skin (without a white cast), no matter how much you're out in the sun this summer. Reviewers rave about using this as a priming moisturizer. Any way to sneak some SPF into your makeup routine is a real win. My pasty self is buying this as we speak. Seriously.
Plus, it's fragrance- and oxybenzone-free.
Promising review: "I have been searching for a sunscreen like this for a long time. I really dislike putting anything heavy on my face and prefer a gel-like consistency. I am a big fan of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid serum, and the texture of this sunscreen feels pretty close to that. I have tried much more expensive 'serum' sunscreens and find this one my favorite and for a much better price point." —JHoch
Get it from Amazon for $15.88.
20. Or the universally beloved SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar, a viral K-beauty *blessing* for anyone who is sick and tired of goopy, sticky sunscreen that leaves their eyes watering from harsh chemicals. The curved balm applies gently onto your skin — rather than pulling — which also makes it a breeze to put on. Simply keep this in your bag and swipe it on (even over your makeup) when you're in the sun (because sunscreen should be applied *several* times a day). Nothing makes that practice easier than this stuff!
Check out a TikTok of the Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar in action.
The AAD recommends using at least SPF 30 and reapplying as needed for skin protection. You can read about sunscreen myths and facts from dermatologists for more information!
Promising review: "NO WHITE CAST! I've been looking for a stick sunscreen, and this was just exactly what was needed!! I'm a medium-toned black woman, and looking for something without a white cast is always a challenge. I have applied it on my bare skin, and there isn't a white cast at all! It's a 'soft matte' finish, for sure, and looks like natural skin; like you're not wearing anything at all." —Martina
Get it from Amazon for $16.37+ (available in two formulas).
21. And Lanolips hydrating SPF 30 lip balm, so you can combine the healing combo of lanolin oil and vitamin E to your lip's SPF routine.
P.S. Lanolips is cruelty-free!
I've spent the last year trying to fall in love with a lip balm and tried *dozens* before (get this) nursing helped me find this brand. I saw a bunch of people recommend lanolin-rich ****** balm for their dry lips and, in turn, saw that Lanolips made some for your lips (which, let's be real, was preferable). I have several flavors now, and the glazed donut has been my favorite. When I found out they had an SPF option available, I immediately bought it, and I've worn it every dang day outside since. No other SPF lip option has compared to the quality of this balm. I wish I could cover my whole face in it. Though I *do* also use it on my cuticles! I love, love this stuff. It smells great, adds a little something to my otherwise makeup-free face, and feels nourishing every time I put it on.
Get it from Amazon for $14.
22. A pack of deodorant wipes that'll keep you smellinging fresh long after sweating off that other stuff. This aluminum-free formula is non-sticky and eliminates odor from bacteria, sweat, and oil buildup, and leaves you with a fresh coconut scent. They're also made from organic cotton and are biodegradable. Plus, they won't leave white streaks on your suit!
These handy wipes are also vegan and cruelty free — a guilt-free way to freshen up on the go.
Promising review: "These things are a game changer!! I sweat a lot when it’s warm and hate the feeling of being sticky (and possibly smelly), but these wipes work so well and will definitely leave your underarms (and I use them for that hated 'boob sweat') feeling nice and fresh!!" —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $8.87.
23. A Coleman low-profile lounger that'll be easy to pick up and move to a quieter spot when your kids aren't looking. Juuust kidding, stay by your children. They love you.
These chairs are designed to support up to 300 pounds. It comes with a carry bag, and has a seatback pocket, and cup holder.
Promising review: "I highly recommend buying these beach chairs. After scouring Amazon for weeks looking for the perfect beach chairs for our vacation, I stumbled upon these. They were cheaper than most beach chairs, so I was a little nervous. I ordered two anyway. When they arrived, I was thrilled!! They are compact, easy to set up, and comfortable to sit in. They also have a built-in cup holder that is very handy! The colors are bright and are exactly as advertised. They are easy to fold up and put away in their carrying bag, which makes it easier to bring on longer walks to the beach." —Jen Stone
Get it from Amazon for $50.
24. A giant bubble kit with a two-handle wand so you can help your family make eye-bogglingly big bubbles when your kids don't understand why it's so "fun" to nap in the sun all day, and dare say they are bored. Foolish children.
The kit comes with the giant bubble wand, two pouches of bubble concentrate, and a booklet to help you become a skilled bubble creator! It's my family's #1 favorite summer activity. It's easy enough for our toddler to make giant bubbles with a little help. She loves chasing them, and it always brings a big crowd of kids over to play!
Promising review: "Love this!! Easy for kids to use — my six-year-old son figured it out pretty quickly — and fun for adults as well (my husband and I might have played with it as much as our son did...) Makes amazing bubbles. The bubble mix it comes with is fantastic." —Thomas Durant
Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in seven styles).
Related: "27 Summer Dresses That Are Simply Swoon-Worthy"
25. A wavesurf shaper to turn rocky, uneven lake waves made by your boat into smooth, curved, and *perfect* ocean-like waves that are primo for surfin'. This will totally get those teens off their screens.
Promising review: "Wow, just wow. Surfing with this has made a huge difference!!! I use this on my 2014 Moomba Mobius LSV. I now fill both the rear bags even to 900 lbs. each on both sides, and this thing throws a clean long wave to whichever side it's not mounted to. I don't have to list the boat anymore, making it much easier to drive and so much faster to switch riders from different sides. It looks exactly the same as the picture shows, and it floats. I've never had it fall off during surfing, and even forgot to remove it once and came up to speed 20+ mph before I realized it was still on, and it never came loose. It floats, so if you accidentally drop it while mounting it, you don't have to worry about it sinking to the bottom of the lake. I wish I had bought long ago!" —Joel
Get it from Amazon for $229.
26. A sand removal bag so you can "dust off" you and your kids before everyone gets into the car after a day at the beach. The bag is filled with a talc-free, reef-friendly powder that will ensure the sand stays outside, where it belongs.
See it in action on TikTok here.
Shakalo is a San Diego-based small business founded to figure out a way to help people, especially parents, remove sand before leaving the beach. The soft fabric pouch allows the powder to remove the sand without scattering everywhere.
Promising review: "We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it's super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1–2 times a week. I even use it on my dog's paws and bellies to make sure they're taken care of. I will definitely be buying the refill and another bag to have exclusively in the car." —Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
27. A smooth-edge can opener — a Shark Tank favorite that'll remove the entire top off of any can (it's got a universal fit!), helping you take your canned drinks to the next level this summer. Pop the top off your Diet Coke and add ice cream, mixers, ice, or whatever else you have. Then safely sip away! I'm feeling refreshed just thinking about it.
Promising review: "Did I need to order one of these when I had extra Amazon points? Absolutely not! Did I order it anyway, especially after my wife thought it was cool? Absolutely! Does it make beer in a can taste like fresh draft beer? Absofreakinlutely!!!!" —Ryan Jenkins
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six styles).
28. A scrunchie/towel hybrid, which can help your hair dry faster after you decide to jump into the ocean. Go ahead, no need to worry about your hair if you plan on drying it with this spiffy system!
Kitsch is a woman-owned accessory brand that was founded in 2010. They sell a wide variety of beauty products and hair accessories for all hair types.
Promising review: "I ordered this because I was sick of keeping a towel on my head for so long while my hair dried, and if I didn't have a towel, my shirt was soaking wet from my hair after a shower. For reference, I had very long, thick hair, and it takes a while to air-dry — and I'm so happy I found this scrunchie! It's a lot bigger in person than it looks in the image, which is great because it covers more of your hair to help dry it. No more heavy towels on my head or tight towel wraps." —Meghan
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.99 (available in two styles).
29. Or an extra-large swim cap if getting your hair wet is absolutely not an option. This is designed to keep long hair, braids, afros, etc, totally dry — no matter how much you swim. Reviewers love this cap, saying it's lightweight and comfortable while genuinely keeping their hair dry. Aaaand let's not forget to highlight that chic swan detail. We love to see it.
Promising review: "This gave me the love of swimming back! I have full coverage, it is so light, and I don't feel constricted. I swam for two hours, and my hair was dry (pictured above right). Buy it!" —Rose Eugene
Get it from Amazon for $13.50+ (available in six styles).
30. A pop-up beach tent complete with a splash pool and UV protection that'll keep your baby cool when your family spends an entire day at the beach. I can't promise they'll be calm and collected, but it's a start.
This item is noted for children under the age of 3.
Promising review: "Found this after our first experience with our 9-month-old at the beach. He wanted to crawl straight in the beach so I wanted to find something that would keep him busy but yet be able to play with sand and water! This was perfect!!!! He loved it and it kept him occupied all day, on and off. We didn’t use the shade since we had a canopy up already for shade so not sure how strong the shade part of it is." —Brittany
Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in nine styles).
Why Trust BuzzFeed Shopping?
BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Your daily brain workout: Only People Who Genuinely Love Words Will Get Through Today's Word Chains Unscathed
You Might Like: I Bet You Won’t Make It Through This List Of 19 Etsy Items Without Adding One To Your Cart
You Might Like: "35 Products From Amazon That'll Have You Hitting The \"Buy Now\" Button *Fast*"
Also in Shopping: "36 “Life Upgrade” Products That Will Make A Difference Without Breaking The Bank"
Also in Shopping: "28 Reusable Products To Make You Forget The Disposable Versions Even Existed"
Also in Shopping: "I Have A Feeling Future You Is Going To Be Obsessed With One Of These 35 Things"
