What Super-Travelers Always Have in Their Beach Bags

07.06.2024 - 17:35 / cntraveler.com

Enjoying the sand and sun is a quintessential part of summer, whether you’re on a tropical vacation or visiting a local beach. 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 save you the stress, we asked beach lovers and those who travel to sandy locales regularly about their tried-and-true essentials. Keep reading to see what dozens of super-travelers are carrying in their beach bags this summer.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Kaitlyn Menza.

“I'm on a plane for my work as a travel writer three weeks out of every four, most often headed to Caribbean resorts. So when it comes to beaching it, I'm an expert. I always have sunscreen, a long-sleeved swimsuit, and a water bottle with me. For my body, my longtime favorite is Supergoop's Unseen body sunscreen, which goes on smoothly and is completely invisible on my skin. The brand's Glowscreen in the shade Sunset makes my face look airbrushed, with a subtle lit-from-within sheen.

I want to protect my skin from the sun, but I want to do it in style. Long-sleeved swimsuits and rashguards are a staple in my swimwear collection, and I'm always drawn to colorful versions. I've had this one from Axesea for several years and it hasn't faded—still looking good as new.

Hydration is key when you're basking in the sun, so I always have my own bottle with me for ice water (and the occasional rum punch to-go). I have 19-ounce and 32-ounce FreeSip bottles from Owala. I love them because they keep drinks cold all day, never leak, and come in bright colors.”

“I like to keep it simple when I go to the beach because I despise carrying the whole summer seasonal section of Target with me. I never regret bringing a beach umbrella that sits low to the ground. Not only does it protect me from the sun, but it also protects me from sand that gets kicked up by the wind. I would love to upgrade to a pop-up tent/canopy. Another must-have is my backpack cooler. I love having my arms free and carrying a bulky cooler across the sand is never fun.”

“I'm all about keeping my beach bag as lightweight as possible while bringing everything I might need for the day. My essentials include a lightweight sheet or Turkish towel, my collapsible HydraPak Stow Water Bottle, a light-colored baseball cap, and a waterproof Aloha pouch to stash my phone, AirPods, and Kindle. I also never leave home without my SPF lip balm, mineral sunscreen, and an