With summer just around the corner in the USA, you’re likely already dreaming of where to spend your vacation.
25.04.2024 - 21:25 / cntraveler.com / Madison Flager
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.
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.
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.
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
With summer just around the corner in the USA, you’re likely already dreaming of where to spend your vacation.
U.S. residents don’t need a passport to travel to this year’s winner of the “World’s Best Beach.” The No. 1 best beach in the world for 2024 is: Trunk Bay, located on St. John, a U.S. Virgin Island, according to The World’s 50 Best Beaches presented by Banana Boat.
There is no worse feeling at the end of a perfect beach day than having to lug a heavy, sandy, soggy beach towel back to your car. Thankfully, beach towels have come a long way over the years, with features like sand-resistant fabric and roomier dimensions that mean your legs won't be dangling onto the hot sand.
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Finding the best graduation gift can be tough. You want to celebrate this important milestone with a thoughtful gift that both acknowledges the graduate’s accomplishment and is practical and useful for the next chapter in their lives. While some may be shopping for a graduate they don’t know very well, others are searching for the right gift for a person they know inside and out—either way, we have you covered. Whether they're stepping into the professional world, furthering their education, or pursuing their passions, our curated list of 37 unique gifts ensures that every graduate receives something truly special to mark this achievement. This selection includes the latest tech gadgets, luggage for the jet-setting grad, and travel accessories that will help make their next trip smooth and comfortable.
Ontario is known for summer road trips and with warmer weather finally here it’s time to pick a small town and start exploring. Canada's second largest province covers over 415,000 square miles and borders the United States and the mighty Great Lakes. Toronto, Ontario’s capital city, is a fun and convenient home base with vibrant multicultural communities and endless adventures, so you may want to arrive early. Then get ready to discover Ontario’s diverse landscapes and rugged beauty on a road trip to one of these charming Canadian towns.
If noise-canceling headphones don’t help you doze off, you may need to consider a more heavy-duty fix: sleeping pills for flights. Certainly, some flights don’t warrant sleeping aids—such as when you’re taking a short trip or traveling west against a time difference, says Aneesa Das, M.D., a sleep medicine specialist at the Ohio State University (at that point you may as well stay awake). But if you’ll be on a plane overnight and waking up in a vastly different time zone, logging some shuteye on the plane is crucial to arriving refreshed—or close enough to it.
Cincoro Tequila, the luxury tequila brand co-founded by Michael Jordan, is about to see a major global expansion – thanks in part to MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.
An airport in Japan says it has never lost a piece of luggage in 30 years of operations.
Traveling can be hard on the skin. Your travel-loving mom probably knows this all too well. However, with the right lotion, there’s no need to worry. Here is a carefully selected variety of skin-nourishing lotions to help your mom maintain hydrated and healthy skin in any climate.
Amtrak is bringing back — and expanding — its seasonal service between New York City and the Berkshires this summer, and has started selling tickets for the picturesque ride.
In case you missed it, luxury transporter Blade — which is best known for operating helicopters and private jets across New York, Europe and Canada — has expanded into the bus market.