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Having all the right beach accessories can take an already great beach vacation to a whole new level! There’s so much cool beach gear to choose from though, it can be hard to decide which items are the ones you can’t live without.
That’s why I’ve done the work for you and found the best of the best! From popup cabanas to coolers with built in bluetooth speakers, this is the beach stuff you’ll want for more fun in the sun!
Best Beach Accessories
Want the best beach gear for 2021? You’ll need more than just a cool pair of sunglasses! Here are just a few of the things you’ll find on our list…
- Small portable table
- Sand free beach mat
- Waterproof bags and phone cases
- Sunshades (for adults and toddlers)
- Cool beach chairs
- Sand toys
- Beach games
- Unique kites
- Catch & release aquarium
- Waterproof bluetooth speakers
- Solar phone chargers
- Beach safe
- Fold & carry beach grill
- Portable wine flask
- Inflatable lounger
- Cooler with built in bluetooth speakers
Living in Florida, we spend a lot of time at the beach. One thing I’ve learned is that having the right beach gear can make all the difference! That’s why I’ve put together this list of the best beach accessories for 2021.
This list began with just 25 items but as I’ve discovered more fun and functional beach items, I’ve added to it. I’ve even shared some of my favorites on Sarasota’s Suncoast View.
So if you’re looking for the best beach accessories for your next vacay, you’ll definitely want to check these out…
Beach Accessory Of The Month: Each week I’ll feature one of my favorite products, one that will make every beach trip easier, more fun or both! This week, it’s The Wanderr, a cool beach cart and beach chair all rolled into one. Just throw all your beach supplies on the chair, strap them in and roll on down to the beach, easy peasy!
Check out their site and be sure to use the my special code FMMTEN to save 10%!
Reader Favorites
Want to know the reader favorites? These are the top 10 from my list, based on reader purchases:
Check out more cool beach gear here…
75 Best Beach Accessories For 2021
Want the best beach accessories for 2021? From inflatable loungers to portable mini-safes, this is the beach gear you can't live without on your next beach vacation!
CGEAR: THE ORIGINAL SAND FREE MAT
How annoying is it to lay your blanket on the beach only to have it covered in sand 10 minutes later? (I've usually got the kids to thank for that). Of all the things I share in this post, the CGear Sandlite Beach MatMat has by far been the most popular! It's a patented sand-free beach blanket with technology that lets the sand fall through but won't allow it to come back up. It's even water resistant. You can check out the video on the CGear page to see just how it works.
The bonus? CGear gives you free shipping (I LOVE free shipping!) and you'll also get 10% off when you use the code CGEAR10. Visit the CGear page or find it on Amazon (you just won't get the discount on Amazon).
BEACH TOWELS: CHARS MICROFIBER QUICK DRYING BEACH TOWEL
You can't go to the beach without towels and these microfiber large beach towels are quick drying and super absorbent with six different tropical designs. Plus, it even comes with it's own carry bag.
DRINK HOLDERS:TURTLEBACK SAND COASTER DRINK HOLDER
Not using a chair? You'll need cup holders for your drinks. Just take these colorful beach coasters along and stick them right in the sand.
FOLD-UP TABLE: RIO BRANDS PERSONAL BEACH TABLE
Even better, maybe I can bring this folding beach table for our drinks, snacks, bluetooth speaker, phone (okay, I may actually need a couple of these!).
UMBRELLA ATTACHMENT: AMMSUN BEACH UMBRELLA TABLE TRAY
Don’t want to pack a table but still want something to help keep all your stuff out the of sand? This umbrella table tray is compact and attaches right to your umbrella (which means your drinks will stay cool longer in the shade too).
UMBRELLA HOOK: POLE-R BEAR UMBRELLA HOOK FOR TOWELS & MORE
This umbrella hook is a cool beach gadget that you attach to your beach umbrella. Then you can hang your towels, sunglasses, camera and more to keep them off the sand.
BlenderX Cordless PORTABLE Blender
You'll need that portable table because you'll need somewhere to set this cool portable blender! Charge it at home then bring it to the beach to make crushed ice, frozen drinks and more. Is anyone else thinking pina coladas and margaritas? Don't forget the cute umbrellas!
BIKINI BAG: BEACH BIKINI WET BAG WRISTLET
Trying to figure out what to do with a wet bathing suit is always an issue. The Quatrefoil Waterproof Bikini Bag is the perfect storage bag for those wet bikinis and keeps them separated from all the dry stuff. Plus, it's way cuter than a boring plastic bag!
SAND REMOVER: WATER SPORTS SAND-OFF MITT
Whoever came up with this piece of beach gear must have known my youngest. She gets so covered in sand that even her belly button is full. While this Sand Off Mitt won’t help much with the belly button, it’ll be perfect for getting at least some of the sand off before we pile in the car.
BEACH SAFE: SAFEGO PORTABLE LOCKBOX SAFE
I hate having to keep one eye on my valuables when we’re splashing around in the water. This portable safe is a piece of beach gear that I can’t live without. It clips on to your chair or umbrella to keep phones, money, keys and other valuables safe. Don’t let the picture fool you…it’s bigger than it looks.
WATERPROOF PHONE POUCH: JOTO WATERPROOF CASE
When it comes to beach accessories, these waterproof phone cases are essential. They also come in packs of two or four so that you can have enough for the whole family.
AIRPODS CASE: KMMIN WATERPROOF CASE FOR AIRPODS
You won’t have to worry about your AirPods getting wet when you keep them in this Waterproof Airpods Case from KMMIN. It even has a flap that makes charging easy!
BEACH CHAIRS: TOMMY BAHAMA FULLY RECLINING BEACH CHAIR
Not only do I love the design of this Tommy Bahama beach chair, the fact that it fully reclines is a huge bonus! Plus, it has a built in towel bar to dry those wet towels in the sun.
The Wanderr
This cool beach accessory is actually a 5-in-1 beach chair! Just place all your beach gear on the chair, strap it in, then roll it on down to the water. It's going to make our beach days so much easier, especially when it's just me and the girls!
Even better, you can save 10% when you use the code FMMTEN. Check out their site to learn more about it and order one for your own beach vacations.
CONTINUE READING BEACH CART: TOMMY BAHAMA ALL TERRAIN BEACH CART
This Tommy Bahama beach cart is one of our most essential beach accessories. We cram a crazy amount of beach gear into this cart and also love the built in cooler for drinks and snacks. There’s a slot on the side that holds our beach umbrella and the large wheels make this cool beach wagon easy to push across the sand.
BEACH BAG: ODYSEACO MESH BEACH TOTE
I love that this beach tote has a built in cooler as well as a waterproof cellphone case! Plus, it’s big enough that you can pack in a good amount of beach gear. The best part? The mesh lets you see inside, making it easier to find whatever you’re looking for (because you know whatever you need is always near the bottom)!
PORTABLE FAN: FUNWELL CLIP-ON FAN
There’s nothing better than a cool ocean breeze but what happens when there’s not quite enough breeze to keep you cool? Just turn on this cool battery operated fan.
WEARABLE FAN: VINIPER HANDS FREE NECK FAN
Okay, this is a cool idea (literally). Kids can wear the Viniper portable fan around their necks while they’re building sandcastles and searching for seashells! It’s light, adjustable and has three speed settings and the best part is that will help keep them from overheating while they play in the sun.
SUNSCREEN: SOLAR BUDDIES ROLL-ON SUNSCREEN APPLICATOR
While you add your own sunscreen, this roll on sunscreen applicator makes it super easy to apply, especially on squirmy toddlers!
POP-UP SHADE: WOLFWISE EASY POP UP BEACH TENT
It gets hot at the beach but this pop up tent is the perfect way to escape when the sun is beating down. It’s got sandbags in each corner so you fill them when you get to the beach and empty them when it’s time to leave. This tent is also UPF 50+ and waterproof, making it perfect for your day at the beach.
SUNSHADE FOR BABIES: BABYMOOV POPUP FOR INFANTS & TODDLERS
If you just want something small to keep the little ones out of the sun, this pop up sun shade for toddlers provides the perfect amount of sun protection. How cool is it that you can fill it with water to create a mini pool for them to play in? This is one piece of beach equipment my girls would have loved!
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SUNSHADE: SUN NINJA POPUP SUN SHELTER
I have to admit, I just like this one because it looks so cool! The Sun Ninja beach shelter is easy to set up and comes in 4, 6 or 8 person sizes. It also has it’s own carrying case. This is perfect for someone like me who can’t set up a beach umbrella to save her life!
SHADED BEACH CHAIR: RIO BEACH CHAIR WITH CANOPY
This beach chair with canopy is perfect for when I want to keep my face shaded but still want to get a little sun on the rest of my body too. It even comes complete with a handy cellphone pouch and drink holder.
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MINI SUNSHADE: SPRINGWT Sun Shelters
Here’s another way to avoid all that sun on your face. This small popup sunshade lets you relax on the sand and work on tanning your body while keeping your face protected.
HEADREST & STORAGE PILLOW: LA-WEDGE BEACH HEADREST
I love this idea! The La-Wedge beach headrest is a beach pillow and storage space combined. It’ll even keep your drinks cold for you…it doesn’t get much better than that!
EASY TO CARRY BEACH CHAIR: RIO FOLDING BACKPACK CHAIR
Having trouble lugging all that beach gear back and forth? This portable chair doubles as a backpack! Plus, these lounge chairs even have a pouch to carry extra items and a drink holder too!
CHAIR UMBRELLA: NTD BEACH CHAIR CLAMP UMBRELLA
If you already have a chair but just want a little extra protection from the sun, this clip on umbrella is perfect. I love that I can just move it around as the sun shifts. It comes in different colors too so everyone can pick their favorite.
BEACH UMBRELLA: ACLUMSY VENTED BEACH UMBRELLA
Umbrellas are definitely one of the more important beach accessories! They’re even better when they’re bright and colorful so you can easily spot them from the water. This colorful beach umbrella is one of my favorites and you can adjust the tilt as the sun moves. It comes with it’s own carrying case too!
Catch and Release Beach Aquarium Kit
If your kids really love collecting minnow, they’ll have a blast with the Dry Branch Catch & Release Aquarium. The little ones can watch their minnows swim around, then toss them back into the ocean when it’s time to go home.
WATER TOYS: SURFER DUDES WAVE POWERED MINI SURFER
These Surfer Dudes look so cool, we bought one for our last beach trip! My girls loved how it stayed upright in the waves and actually surfed. Even when ours did flip over, it righted itself and continued surfing! Choose from Costa Rica Rick, Sumatra Sam and even Aussie Alice (of course, with three girls, we HAD to get Alice).
SAND TOYS: CLICK 'N PLAY BEACH SET
It’s not a day at the beach without a few sandcastles! Bring along the Click ‘n Play Sand Beach Set so the kids can have fun playing in the sand all day long!
SPACE SAVER TOYS: COLLAPSIBLE SAND BUCKETS
Sometimes there’s just too much to carry, especially when you throw in all the beach toys! That’s why I love these collapsible buckets from Top Rack. They easy fit in your beach bag so you don’t have to deal with bulky pails anymore.
Water Blasters: 3 Pack Sloosh Water Blaster Squirt Toys
The kids will have so much fun blasting each other on the beach with these cool water toys!
SAND TOYS: CREATE A CASTLE SAND CASTLE MOLD
The Sand Castle Mold from Create A Castle makes building sand castles so much easier. It comes with five pieces and since the mold opens on the side as opposed to having to flip over a bucket, castles not only come out sturdier but they have more detail too. Plus, if you live up north you can use it in the snow too!
KIDDIE POOL: EVEREARTH WATERPROOF BEACH BLANKET & KIDDIE POOL
Tidal pools are the best but when you don’t have them, this kiddie pool is the next best thing. It makes it easier to keep an eye on the little ones while they’re having fun splashing around!
MERMAID TAIL: FIN FUN MERMAID TAIL WITH MONOFIN
Both my girls had one of these mermaid tails and it was the cutest thing ever! Perfect for the pool or the beach, they looked like little mermaids. I love this brand because it has the monofin, which makes the tail look even more realistic. Your little mermaid wannabe will absolutely love it!
WATER TOYS: SLYDE HANDBOARDS
Originally seen on Shark Tank, Slyde Handboards were touted by Mark Cuban as the perfect surfer starter kit. These foam toys are portable, lightweight and great for all ages, Kids will have hours of fun using them to bodysurf in the waves!
SNORKELS: PRODIVE PREMIUM SNORKEL SET
Want to try some underwater sightseeing while you’re on vacation? This snorkel set boasts a watertight anti-fog lens and is the perfect way to check out what’s going on under the sea!
BEACH BADMITTON: JAZZMINTON LITE
The beach version of badminton, Funsparks Jazzminton Lite is the perfect beach game. Not only is it small and easy to carry but it’s action packed and and loads of fun!
BEACH GAMES: GOSPORTS PORTABLE SLAMMO GAME
This GoSports Slammo Game Set is the perfect game for the beach! This volleyball style game is fun for both kids and adults and when you’re all done, it fits back into a convenient carrying case.
KITES: HENGDA KITE 3D Giant Blue Dolphin Kite
I don’t know who would have more fun with this giant dolphin kite, me or the kids!
BALL GAMES: EVERICH PADDLE TOSS & CATCH SET
We recently bought one of these catch and toss velcro games and I’d forgotten how much fun they were. I love that my six year old can play it as easily as we can (sometimes better) and it’s one of the best beach toys you can bring!
CARD GAMES: WATERPROOF PLAYING CARDS
There’s no guarantee that the wind won't blow them away but at least these Hoyle Waterproof Playing Cards will stay dry. Perfect for a game of Go Fish maybe?
CORNHOLE: GOSPORTS BEACH CORNHOLE GAME
Everybody loves cornhole but who really wants to lug an entire cornhole game to the beach, especially when you’ve got so much other beach gear to carry. This portable cornhole game (with carrying case) makes things a whole lot easier! Not only does the “board” fold up but you fill the bags with sand when you get down to the beach, then empty them before you leave. Talk about traveling light!
Metal Detector: Sakobs Waterproof Metal Detector With LCD Display
Search the beach for buried treasure with this cool, waterproof metal detector. You never know what you'll find!
UNDERWATER CAMERA: AKASO EK7000 Ultra HD Underwater Camera
Want incredible underwater pictures for your Instagram page? This underwater camera is totally waterproof and comes very highly rated. This camera will take your vacation pictures to a new level!
DRONE: DEERC Drone with Camera for Adults
If you REALLY want some cool beach pictures, take them from up above with a drone. This is one of the more affordable models and I love that it’s designed for both beginners and advanced users.
SOLAR CHARGER: BLAVOR SOLAR POWER BANK
There’s no place to plug in your phone at the beach but you need to keep it charged for posting all those Facebook photos and Instastories, right? This solar phone charger uses the power of the sun…what more do you need. I think this might actually be one of the most important beach gadgets of all!
BEACH READING: WATERPROOF KINDLE PAPERWHITE
Want to read at the beach but don’t want to risk getting your book wet? The Kindle PaperWhite is perfect for a day at the beach because it’s waterproof, features a glare free display and has 8GB of storage.
COMBINATION WATER BOTTLE & SAFE: THE BINDLE BOTTLE
If you don’t want to go the full safe route, the Bindle Bottle is the perfect alternative. Store your valuables in it and nobody will ever know that it’s anything more than an ordinary water bottle. Plus, it’s not just a water bottle in disguise…you can actually fill it with water or any other drink you’d like!
WATERPROOF SPEAKER: COMISO WATERPROOF BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
One of our biggest beach must haves is a waterproof bluetooth speaker. We can’t possibly lounge on the beach without some Jimmy Buffet playing in the background! I’m loving this rose gold one but there are lots of other colors to choose from too.
NOMADIQ Portable Propane Gas Grill
Not only do I love this portable grill for the beach, it's perfect for camping, tailgating and so much more! The non-stick, removable grates are even dishwasher safe for easy cleanup too!
BEACH COOLER: Seismic Audio Cooler with Built-in Bluetooth Speakers
When it comes to beach accessories, a heavy duty cooler is at the top of the list. This colorful beach cooler packs more punch than your usual cooler because it works with your phone to double as bluetooth speakers. Throw in some cold drinks and crank up the Jimmy Buffet for the perfect beach day!
Snow Cone Maker: MANBA Portable Ice Shaver and Snow Cone Machine
The kids will go nuts when they see that you brought along a portable snowcone maker! It's the perfect way to stay cool on a hot day!
BEACH FRIENDLY WATER BOTTLE: QUE COLLAPSIBLE BOTTLE
This Que Collapsible Water Bottle is perfect for the beach! It expands to fill with water but shrinks back down for easy transport. It comes in more fun colors too!
POP-UP COOLER: KETER GO BAR
If you’re looking for a smaller cooler, this Keter Pop Up cooler is not only cute but it’s also functional. Fill it with beer and wine, then pop the top and you’ve got a table too!
BEER BRIEFCASE: STOWCO PORTABLE COOLER BAG
Okay, they don’t actually call this cooler bag a beer briefcase but that’s sure what it looks like to me! It’ll hold three bottles of wine, six bottles of beer or 10 cans of beer. I guess you can use it for soda and water too!
LIGHTWEIGHT COOLER: ICEMULE BACKPACK COOLER
So I love my big cooler but when it’s just my girls and I, we have to travel a little lighter. That’s why I think this Ice Mule Backback Cooler is so perfect! I can just throw in a few drinks and snacks and sling it over my shoulder…so easy!
PORTABLE SHOWER: RIIGOO CAMPING SHOWER
This Riigoo Portable Shower may be designed for camping but it’s perfect for the beach too. Nobody wants a car full of sand and this is the perfect way to rinse off when it’s time to head home.
WINE FLASK: ACCMOR PORTABLE WINE BAGS
Is there anything better than sunset at the beach? YES…sunset at the beach with a glass of wine in your hand! If you’re a wine lover like me, you’ll want to bring along this portable wine flask. Fill it with a little wine, throw it in the cooler and you’re good to go!
SECRET PORTABLE FLASK: JOKAL FLASK IN SUNSCREEN DISGUISE
Okay, I’m not condoning sneakiness (or maybe I am) but you have to admit that this idea is pretty creative! This hidden alcohol flask from Jokel may look like sunscreen but only you will know what’s really inside.
BOTTLE CAPS: VITRIX SILICONE STOPPERS
When you open a beer, juice or other beverage, then want to go splash around in the ocean, these Vitrix Silicone Bottle Caps come in pretty handy. Just pop this on, go have some fun and your drink will be just the way you left it.
CUTE FLIP FLOPS: FLIP SIDEZ BRING WINE FLIP FLOPS
If you forget the wine, you’re going to want these fun Flip Sidez flip flops…I know I do! If you’re lucky, maybe they’ll even work!
BEACH HATS: JANE SHINE FLOPPY HAT
If you’re heading to the beach, you’re going to need a beach hat! This floppy Out Of Office beach hat from Jane Shine is the perfect way to let everyone know you’re on beach time.
ACRYLIC GLASSWARE: BEACH GLASS SHATTERPROOF OUTDOOR DRINKWARE
Now these shatterproof wine glasses are just plain fun and just what you need to drink your favorite beverages while watching the sunset. Pop one end in the sand to hold it upright and you’ve got yourself the perfect glass for the beach! Plus, these things even float (though that feature might be better tested in the pool than in the ocean!)
INFLATABLE BEACH CHAIR: WEKAPO INFLATABLE LOUNGER
This inflatable lounger is perfect for getting comfy on the beach! Carry it down to the beach in the convenient tote bag, then inflate…no pump required!
PORTABLE BONFIRE: LIGHT 'N GO FIRESTARTER
This Light Go Bonfire Log is perfect for creating a mini bonfire on the beach. Just don’t forget to bring your marshmallows!
Bonfire Fun: Magical Flames Colorful & Vibrant Flames
If you're having a bonfire, make it colorful and fun with these cool "magical" flames. Just toss the pouch into the fire and you'll have flames full of color!
PORTABLE PIT: FIRESIDE POPUP FIRE PIT
The beach can get a little chilly at night but building a fire pit can be a lot of work! That’s why this Popup Fire Pit from Fireside Outdoor is so perfect. It can be set up in 60 seconds, then collapses for easy transport when you’re done.
TOWEL CLIPS: O2COOL MARGARITA TOWEL CLIPS
There’s nothing worse than having your towel fall down every time you shift in your beach chair. These margarita beach towel holders are beach must haves for keeping those towels in place.
WATER SHOES: L RUN UNISEX WATER SHOES
Some beaches have so many shells that going into the water can hurt your feet! Slip on these L-Run Water Shoes and the problem is solved.
PET GEAR: PETAMI DOG TRAVEL BAG
Finally, we can’t forget about our furry friends! If you’re bringing your dog to the beach, this dog travel bag is perfect for holding food, water, toys, a leash and anything else man’s best friend might need.
DOG WATER BOTTLE: UPSKY WATER DISPENSER
Everybody gets thirsty at the beach, even dogs. This portable water bottle makes it easy to keep your dog happy and healthy when they are invited along for beach day!
WATER BOWL: LARGE COLLAPSIBLE DOGGIE BOWLS
These collapsible doggie bowls are perfect for a day at the beach with your best friend. They collapse for easy transport, then expand so that you can fill them with water to keep your pet hydrated.
FIRST AID KIT: I GO Mini Compact First Aid Kit,
It never hurts to have a small first aid kit in your beach bag...you never know when you'll step on a shell and need a bandaid!
What are your must have beach accessories?
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Hi Lisa, I have a plan to going Out end of this month with Some of our Friends, in the meantime, I found your Article, Thanks for sharing such a great Article about Beach Accessories for Summer Vacation. It’s Really good Plan for passing the good time during Vacation. thanks for your dedication
Great! I hope you found some stuff that you can use 🙂
Wow! Whether you like to pack light or go all in, your list pretty much covers both scenarios. So very useful! Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much! Every time I go online, I find even more stuff to add (so I guess I go all in haha)
Wow! Some of these items I have never heard of yet they will definitely make a day on the beach so much more organized and enjoyable! Love the attachable drink holder and organizational, see through beach bag. I’m always digging through ours looking for lost items. Thanks!
Yes, the see through beach bag is one of my favorites too! I don’t have to dig for my sunglasses anymore! 🙂
I love going on beaches with my family but to be honest I have never heared about so many items from this list. But I can surely say having these items can be more enjoyable.
However, I don’t have to dig for sunshades and Cool beach chairs. Thanks for this post.
Glad you found some things you like! Have a great time at the beach!
Wow what an extensive list…thanks for sharing
You’re very welcome. Hope you found some stuff you can use 🙂
the best accesorie i ever had before is explorer 300
Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to check that out!
Probably the first list or blog I’ve ever commented on, but this was actually a great list. Well done.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and I hope you found some good stuff for your next beach vacay! 🙂