13 Cute Beach Bags You’ll Use All Year Long
Updated: Nov. 24, 2023
From functional to fashionable—we've got the best beach bags to take you from the sand to the street.
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Picking the best beach bag
A beloved summer pastime, there’s nothing better than a fun day at the beach. Whether you live in a coastal city, have a tropical vacation in the books or just plan to picnic in your neighborhood park, we’ve got the best carryalls you’ll want to add to your cart. If you’ve already bought your warm-weather essentials: Swimsuits, sun hats, flip flops, sunglasses; and purchased your beach must-haves like umbrellas, beach towels, beach chairs and face sunscreen, then all that’s left is to secure the bag.
Beach bags come in all shapes and sizes, so we found the best options for every type of style (and at every price point!). Some prefer to focus on practicality, like celebrity stylist Victor Blanco. He says the bigger the better, so he can fit at least two towels, a change of clothes and of course, snacks. Blanco suggests looking for fabrics that are easy to clean, like cotton: “Anything you can throw in the laundry machine so it’s like new again,” he says.
Fashion stylist El Shane favors fashion when it comes to her beach accessories: “As a New Yorker in Los Angeles, I appreciate the difference in beach fashion mentality. In New York, it’s an adventure to go to the beach—an excursion, a planned weekend, a train, a hotel room, a road trip. In Los Angeles, it’s sometimes as simple as a cocktail hour above the sand. Less planning, more ease. Because of this, I opt for beach bags in L.A. that feel equally suited for a day of bopping around Beverly Hills.” She adds: “If you can slap the bag a few times and the sand shakes off easily, then it’s good enough for the beach in my eyes.”
Whether you’re looking for trendy totes, affordable arm candy or waterproof options, we’ve got the top picks, no matter your beach destination.
Mesh Beach Tote Bag with Cooler
We’re a sucker for multi-use products, which is why we adore this tote and insulated cooler duo. The main compartment is large enough to store summer essentials while a side pocket keeps personal items safe. The insulated cooler is large enough to store drinks and snacks for the whole crew and even detaches from the tote bag. Durable, waterproof, leakproof and easy to clean, this striped tote is a must-have for the beach, right next to the best beach umbrellas.
Bluboon Beach Pool Bag
Tie-dye continues to be one of the biggest trends for summer, and we’re swooning over the pastel hues of this waterproof beach bag (it’s also available in 11 other eye-catching prints like leopard, marble, and rainbow stripes). Four pockets on the outside provide easy access for sunscreen, flip-flops and other accessories. What makes this one of the best beach totes? The spacious interior with a separate smart-design wet compartment means you won’t have to worry about damp towels or wet swimsuits leaking in your bag.
Mark & Graham Oversized Straw Beach Tote
There’s a reason this chic monogram tote is one of Mark & Graham’s best-selling items: The versatile number works just as well as a beach bag, an everyday purse or even a travel companion. Handwoven from straw, it features long handles for easy toting. Add an embroidered monogram for a personal touch to stand out from the masses. Choose up to three characters and pick from 12 different fonts in 13 colors for your custom creation.
Beis The Terry Towel Tote
Forget about packing a beach towel—this terry cotton tote doubles as a towel and even includes an inflatable pillow! The towel includes three side pockets for carrying summer essentials while the velcro top closure keeps gear secure. It even rolls up for stashing in a carry-on bag. Choose from two colors, lime green and beige. Pair it with your new Béis luggage.
Genovega Extra Large Beach Bag
When buying a beach bag, you want something that can withstand the elements of the sand and sea, which is why we love this waterproof pick. It’s made of a rip-stop canvas cloth made to withstand wear and tear. The lightweight extra-large durable design is machine-washable and features sturdy braided straps, a zip-top closure, cotton lining and an internal pocket to secure your valuables.
Time and Tru Multistripe Straw Beach Tote Bag
This colorful tote bag is perfect for the beach and beyond. One large compartment keeps essentials secure whether you’re traveling to the beach or weekend getaway. Two interior slip pockets are ideal for keeping sunglasses, a wallet and sunscreen from becoming trapped at the bottom of the beach bag. It’s so cute and versatile you’ll want to carry it around everywhere you go.
Unigear Waterproof Floating Beach Bag
This floating bag offers peak practicality: Not only is it 100% waterproof, but its roll-top closure system provides a secure watertight seal so valuables stay dry, and it’s made of PVC material that allows it to float. An included waterproof phone case is perfect for kayak or canoe trips, serving as essential camping gear. Its multiple size options allow for every type of adventure. Wear it as a backpack, shoulder bag or hand bag; the options are truly endless.
Mercado Global Rosa Tote
“I’m typically drawn to beach bags that look vintage and unique as if I found them along the way on my travels, and sometimes I do,” says Shane. “My favorite beach bag I ever purchased was from a street market in Florence,” she shares of the silk flower-adorned design. If an exotic trip isn’t in your future, this uniquely shaped tote is the next best thing. It’s handwoven by indigenous women artisans in the highlands of rural Guatemala, making it a wonderful gift that gives back. It’s the perfect beach-to-boardwalk carryall for all of your outdoor activities.
Lspace X Lindsay Albanese Road Trippin’ Backpack
How chic is this canvas and straw cooler backpack? We love the neutral yet statement-worthy style that’s big enough to carry towels, sunscreen and even a hat using the attached handle accessory. The backpack straps are a major plus because carrying heavy totes by one shoulder is downright uncomfortable. And because we appreciate multi-purpose beach bags, the insulated cooler is also removable so you can use it for all your outdoor adventures.
QOGiR Neoprene Multipurpose Beach Bag
Made of quick-drying neoprene (the same material as wetsuits!), this expandable tote has two water-resistant inner pockets to keep valuables safe, sturdy sailing rope handles and a special aqua seal finish that repels dirt and sand. Plus, it’s machine washable! More than 2,700 glowing five-star ratings on Amazon confirm it’s one of the best overall beach bags. It’s loved for its roomy interior, lightweight fabric and ability to fold flat for easy purse storage.
MOSISO USB Port Laptop Tote Bag
Go from the office to the ocean with this floral number that’s an equally efficient laptop bag as it is a beach tote. For work, a thick foam padding pocket on the inside protects electronics. And for the beach, interior pockets keep sun essentials nearby and organized. Stay connected at all times with the included USB port and charging cable. When it’s time to play, use the adjustable detachable shoulder strap to turn it into a crossbody beach bag.
BTB Los Angeles Out of Office Straw Tote
Let everyone at the beach and pool know you’re “OOO” with this adorable Out of Office Straw Tote. The lightweight construction and fully-lined spacious interior are ideal for a day at the beach. The embroidered “Out of Office” detail adds flair to the otherwise plain straw tote. Pair it with jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers for errands; or wear it with a floral frock for a picnic in the park.
Stephen Joseph Unicorn Beach Tote & Sand Toys
Beach bags aren’t just for adults. This unicorn-shaped tote is specifically made for kids. They won’t mind carrying around this colorful bag when they know it’s packed with toys (including a sand rake, shovel and three shapes). Whether it’s at the beach for a family vacation or even a backyard sandbox, it’s the perfect companion to encourage play. (There’s even a shark-shaped bag, too!)
Sources:
- El Shane, fashion stylist and blogger
- Victor Blanco, celebrity stylist
Originally Published: June 21, 2021
