Beach Bag Essentials: Everything You Need for the Perfect Beach (Or Pool) Day

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This post will show you must-haves for the beach and pool.

Summer is in full swing, and with it, hopefully, you’re able to spend time at the beach, pool, or lake splashing around and soaking up the sun (safely, of course).

But in my opinion, in order to have the perfect beach day, you have to have the right beach day accessories packed with you, or else you may be wishing for the indoor comforts of your air-conditioned living room.

It takes a little bit more than just a towel and umbrella to have a perfect beach day, which is why this guide is here to help you level up your beach bag packing list.

From sun protection to entertainment, these are the products that are going to keep you cute, comfortable, and properly prepared, taking things from basic to best beach day ever!

Sunscreen

The #1 most important thing in your beach bag? Your sunscreen!

It’s no secret that there are tons of sunscreens on the market to choose from, but these are some standouts to consider.

Vacation Classic Whip SPF 30 Sunscreen

Whipped cream, but make it sunscreen!

Vacation is a brand that is known for its unique sunscreens, and its Classic Whip makes applying SPF fun thanks to its whipped cream-like formula.

This whipped mouse sunscreen comes in a container that creates mountains of star-shaped foam that is a blast to apply, while giving you broad-spectrum sun protection.

Kopari Beauty Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist SPF 42 Sunscreen

For the gals who want to look glowy when lounging by the pool or ocean, try Kopari Beauty’s Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen.

This swirling, rose gold spray (also available in a gold color) is lightweight and fast drying, but uses natural pearlescent minerals to make your skin shimmer.

It is infused with a sweet coconut milk scent and features ingredients like hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich vitamins C & E to leave skin soft and supple.

Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Glow SPF30 Continuous Spray

Formulated with black and dark skin tones in mind, this fragrance-free broad-spectrum sunscreen spray won’t leave a white cast and applies to the body evenly in a continuous spray.

It is infused with natural ingredients like aloe, avocado oil, and jojoba oil, and has a dry-touch finish.

Face SPF

Chances are, the SPF you use on your face is going to be different from the kind you use on your body, especially if you have sensitive and/or acne-prone skin. These facial sunscreens are made with your complexion in mind and should be reapplied throughout your beach day to keep your skin protected.

Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen

This SPF 30 mineral sunscreen is packed with clean, acne-safe ingredients and also makes for a great primer to use at the beginning of your beauty routine.

Featuring a gentle, non-greasy mineral SPF 30 that was made with sensitive and acne-prone skin in mind, this non-acnegenic SPF hydrates, soothes, and leaves skin looking fresh, minus a white cast.

It also has ingredients that calm irritated skin and a ceramide blend to help skin retain moisture. Best of all, it is water and sweat-resistant, making it ideal for beach days!

BYOMA Liquid Face Fluid SPF 50 Sunscreen

Protect and maintain your skin’s barrier with BYOMA’s Ultralight Face Fluid SPF 50, which has antioxidant properties to fight free radicals and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and soothe the skin.

This ultra-lightweight fluid blends quickly and seamlessly onto any skin tone, isn’t greasy, and works seamlessly under makeup, so you can use this daily before your makeup application, not just on days you hit the beach or pool.

Lip SPF

Don’t forget about your lips! Lips can burn just like the rest of your skin can, so be sure to protect yours with the right lip product.

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Sun Balm Mineral SPF 30 Lip Balm

Who wouldn’t want glossy, plump, and protected lips? This reef-safe mineral SPF 30 lip balm offers UVA, UVB, and antioxidant protection, and comes in three flattering shades to give your lips a sheer wash of color.

It moisturizes and nourishes lips with ingredients like squalane, jojoba oil, and shea butter, making this a perfect addition to your beach bag.

Vacation Lip Balm Desserts SPF 30

Strawberry jello salad, pineapple upside down cake, bananas foster… these aren’t just desserts, but the flavors of Vacation’s SPF 30 lip balm line.

Made with coconut oil, jojoba, cocoa butter, and other nourishing ingredients, along with broad spectrum sun protection, this water-resistant lip balm is going to be a treat you’ll be reaching for.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses aren’t just a fashion accessory—they are essential for protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Be sure to always opt for sunnies with 100% UV protection, which is UV400. Here are some trendy yet safe options for the summer season:

Aviator Sunglasses

Go for a cool, retro vibe with these chunky tortoise frame aviator sunglasses. Offering 100% UVA/UVB protection and major style appeal, they are as protective as they are fashionable.

Personally, I prefer wearing sunglasses with chunky frames (like these have) rather than skinny, metal frames when at the beach or pool—they feel sturdier and a bit less fragile, which is what the outside environment calls for.

Oversized Square Sunglasses

These square sunglasses, which come in four different colors, are going to block out the sun (and the haters) with their 100% UVA/UVB protection and oversized design.

Their thick frames will also help them to stay on your face (instead of slipping off), which is always a plus when at the beach.

Hat

Just like sunglasses, hats provide much-needed protection from the sun while giving your outfit a little something extra. You don’t want to go to the pool or beach without one!

Packable Wide-Brim Straw Hat

Nothing is as classic as a straw wide-brim hat at the beach—not only do these look chic, but they offer some of the best sun protection thanks to their wide brims. But if you’ve ever owned one, you know that it can be a bit of a hassle to keep them from losing their shape.

Enter this straw hat, which is packable, meaning you can fold it up for travel or in your beach bag and it won’t lose its shape!

It also features an adjustable rope under the chin so that it won’t blow away on a windy day, and it comes in four different hues, too. Basically, this hat covers all your beach day bases.

Mesh Trucker Hat

Trucker hats are another great option for the beach or pool since they look trendy but will also keep you cool thanks to their mesh back panels.

Pick one that features a fun graphic design or slogan, like this “Keep It Salty” graphic trucker hat that is as beachy as it gets.

Straw Cowboy Hat

Calling all coastal cowgirls!

If Western wear is your thing, a straw cowboy hat is the hat for you. This one was made for sunny days spent outdoors, with a sweatband lining and natural straw construction that will keep you cool.

Water-Friendly Sandals

Sandals are the obvious choice for your beach or pool day, but make sure they are water-friendly! Avoid materials like leather or suede, and stick to waterproof materials instead.

Birkenstock Eva Arizona Sandals

I’ve talked about these sandals before, and I will talk about them again, because they are my favorite, most-worn shoes for several years now!

The Birkenstock Arizona Eva sandals are some of the most versatile shoes out there, with an affordable price tag and superior comfort. They are waterproof, come in a ton of different colors, are ultra-lightweight, and never go out of style.

While they are absolutely perfect for the beach or pool with their waterproof material and easy slip-on design, they can be worn on the daily, whether you’re running errands or headed to a meal out. I will never stop buying these!

Reef Water Willow Marina Sandals

For a sleeker look, try Reef’s Water Willow Marina sandals. These have thinner straps and a low-profile, minimal design while still being waterproof. They come in black, off white, and coral, and easily slip on and off.

Wet/Dry Bag

Keep your items clean and dry with a wet/dry bag.

Protect things like your phone from getting wet or sandy, or stash your wet swimsuit in one of these pouches so that it doesn’t drip on the rest of your belongings. These bags are a must-have!

Zipper Pouch

This splash-proof pouch is as cute as it is practical, with a summery beach graphic and solid storage potential for smaller belongings.

Your items will be protected from a light splash, light rain, or small spills, and it can also be used as a toiletry pouch, making it travel-friendly.

Monogram Pouch

For a more personal feel, check out this adorable plastic zipper pouch that can be monogrammed with your initials.

Available in a few different colors and two sizes, it is great for storing your phone and other small items in your beach bag, like sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, and more.

Waterproof Portable Speaker

We can’t forget about the tunes!

A portable speaker is going to keep the vibes high at the beach (just be sure to be respectful of your fellow beach-goers when it comes to the volume).

This portable bluetooth speaker is waterproof and dustproof, so you won’t have to worry about it getting wet or sandy. It has up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, which should be plenty for a full beach day.

And can we talk about how adorable it is? It comes in a bunch of fun colorways and is small enough to conveniently fit in your bag.

P.S.—if a speaker is going to be frowned upon wherever you’re headed, consider swapping this out for personal headphones, instead.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

Keep your phone safe from splashes by storing it in a waterproof phone pouch. This pouch seals to keep your phone dry and is compatible with all iPhones, Samsung, and Google Pixel phones.

It floats on water, making it easy to grab, and is touchscreen compatible, with a camera-friendly back window that allows you to take underwater photos!

This pouch also comes with a quick-drying detachable crossbody strap, so that you can carry your phone hands-free on the beach. Plus, its shimmery design that is available in a few different colorful hues gives major mermaid vibes.

Lounging by the pool or by the ocean is undoubtedly one of the best places to read! And while I usually prefer physical books (call me old-fashioned), a Kindle or e-reader is going to take up less space in your beach bag.

Plus, between the water, sand, and sunscreen, physical books can get a bit “beat up” at the beach, but the Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about that!

With a Kindle, you can also carry multiple books with you in one small device, taking up no extra space. The Kindle is also glare-free, so you’ll be able to read it in the sunlight without a problem.

Portable Fan

Bringing a portable fan to the beach or pool is a total game-changer. You’ll wonder why you never did before!

There are plenty of good, inexpensive portable fan options out there, but I would recommend one with a clamp. This way, instead of holding your fan, you can clip it to your beach chair or pool lounger for hands-free cool air.

This fan is USB rechargeable, has three speeds, and 360° rotation, making it a mini powerhouse.

Mineral Water Facial Spray

When spending a day in the sun, you’re bound to get hot, but you may not always want to jump in the pool or ocean. Instead, you can cool yourself down with some refreshing mineral water facial spray in this convenient travel-sized, leak-proof container.

This spray hydrates, soothes, and refreshes the skin, which is exactly what you’ll be craving after hours in the sun and/or in the drying salt or chlorine water.

P.S.—This can also be used as a makeup setting spray!

Cleansing Hand & Body Wipes

I like keeping a pack of wipes in my beach bag that can be used on my hands and body for a refresh on the go.

These cleansing wipes gently remove dirt and impurities, while also delivering hydration to the skin and have an invigorating scent thanks to the essential oils they contain.

Whether I’m about to dig into a bag of chips or I’m just feeling sweaty at the end of the beach day, these always come in handy.

Not everyone will need to bring bug spray along, but for those of us who are prone to bug bites (myself included, unfortunately), you’ll want to throw a bug spray in your bag.

This one from Summary is DEET-free, vegan, and uses a botanical blend of ingredients like lemon eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and lemongrass leaf to keep pesky bugs away.

Beach Bag

Where are you going to put all of the above? In your beach bag, of course! You’ll want one that is roomy enough to fit all your beach day essentials, but that’s also going to look cute with your swimwear.

Mesh Tote Handbag

Yes, you read that right: this mesh tote bag is only $10!

Not only is it a total steal, but it comes in a ton of different colors and prints to choose from, including leopard print, multicolor stripes, and this adorable blue and white sea print.

It has a roomy, unstructured shape that will fit plenty, with front and side pockets to keep smaller items separate.

Its mesh material means that this bag weighs practically nothing, which is amazing, because all of your beach day essentials can get heavy, and the last thing you’ll want is your bag to weigh you down! This also means that it is ideal if you are traveling to a beach destination, since it won’t add extra weight to your suitcase, and it can be folded up without losing its shape.

Wavy Striped Tote Bag

Go for a retro vibe with this wavy striped tote bag featuring fun, bright colors.

This is another bag that is unstructured and lightweight, so you can easily travel with it or fill it up comfortably. It has a soft canvas fabrication with one interior pocket and a snap closure.

Straw Tote Bag

A straw tote bag is a quintessential summertime accessory, and it is just as great on the beach as it is about town.

This is a lightweight option that has a *key* feature to look for when it comes to beach bags: long shoulder straps. There’s nothing worse than trying to carry all of your belongings with a bag that has straps that are too short and are digging into your shoulders! This bag’s straps are long enough that you could even roll up your towel and fit it under your shoulders, making it beach and pool-approved.