30 Beach Essentials 2023 – Beach Necessities to Buy Now

Wearing makeup on beach days can feel…just a little wrong. But these balm sticks from Naked Sundays are everything that’s right about a skin product. Available in espresso martini (which can be used as blush, eye shadow, or contour), rosé (which can be used as blush or lip color), and champagne (which can be used as a highlighter or undereye brightener), these glowy sticks offer a sheer pop of color while also providing SPF50 protection. Swipe on all three for the perfect no-makeup makeup look.

Bringing a corkscrew to the beach? Not ideal. These cute lil canned vinos solve that problem, with the delicious varietals you know and love from the McBride Sisters Wine Company in can form. Two cans = one bottle of wine, so…do with that information what you will. (P.S. A portion of the proceeds from these go to the McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund, which aims to close the gender and race gap in the wine industry!)

Coolers are a wonderful invention. That is…until you have to carry them when they’re full and feel like every single bone in your arms, wrists, and fingers is shattering in the process. This (adorable coral) pick from Corkcicle solves that problem, with adjustable straps that let you put the (drinking) team on your back and carry it like a backpack. It can also keep your drinks and snacks cold as can be all day long, and that’s some beach day magic, right there.

It’s a timeless dilemma: You need to stay hydrated at the beach, but your drink instantly gets gross the moment the condensation hits the sand. Well, I’ve got good news, drink lovers…these cup holders were designed to ensure that never happens again. Just press the pointy end as deep as you can into the ground, and you’ve got two lil pockets on the other end ready to be filled with beveraginos, sunglasses, sunscreen tubes, and anything else you don’t want plastered with sludgy sand.

What’s a trip to the beach without some tunes? Leave your headphones at home and share your songs with your crew by blasting them through this waterproof and wireless speaker. Simply clip it onto your bag, connect to Bluetooth, and prepare to play DJ for the day—no aux necessary. One charge lends itself to 10 hours of jams.

I know as soon as I hit the water, my hair is going up in a struggle bun immediately after. And after that…there’s simply no going back. This super-cute headpiece is half straw hat and half visor, allowing space for an updo while still giving the same all-around protection as a sunhat.

This right here might be the most brilliant invention I have ever come across. Created by Lindsay Albanese, this teeny-tiny tool keeps your beach hat (or any other hat!) secure when you’re on the go. The hex clasp on one end attaches to your bag strap, while the other end has high-powered magnets that attach to both sides of the brim, locking it in place as you travel to and from the beach. (This is also a clutch addition to your carry-on when you’re going on a trip so you don’t have to wear your hat the entire time in the airport, just saying.)

A good water bottle is infinitely important at the beach, and Hydro Flask really gets the job done when it comes to keeping drinks cold for hours (…and hours and hours) on end. I personally love their cooler cup, which you can use as a regular water bottle or as an insulated cooler for your canned beverage of choice.

Let’s face it: Water shoes can be ugly. But good news! These slip-on Birkenstocks are as cute as they are water-friendly. They’re made from a material called ethyl vinyl acetate (also known as EVA), which is lightweight, super durable, and absorbs shock. They also come in tons of fun colors (I’m obsessed with the peach and lavender, personally), so you’ll find a pair to match every ‘kini.

I can’t actually see you right now, but I just know you have beautiful eyes. And I want to help you protect them, which is why I’m here to say that you should most definitely invest in a pair of polarized sunglasses. (Polarized lenses help reduce the glare of the sun when it bounces off the water!) Not only are these frames universally flattering, but you can also get your prescription added to the lenses. We love having style and sight!

Sure, you *could* ball up your coverup, put it behind your head, and get it all sandy in the process, or you could pack this inflatable pillow that’s actually meant for the beach. Not only is the cover made of terrycloth, which absorbs water from wet locks, but it’s also machine washable, so you don’t have to worry about keeping it clean. (This company was also founded by two sisters from Australia, and you know Aussies know how to do beach life right.)

We’ve all been there: You go to take a quick beach selfie but your phone stops you in your tracks with a message on the screen that reads something along the lines of, “Your phone is hot as balls and it needs to chill for a second before you’re allowed to use it again.” This insulated pouch (which you may have seen on Shark Tank), makes that issue a thing of the past by using NASA spacesuit technology(!) to keep your phone protected from both extreme heat and cold. And in case that wasn’t enough, it’s also water-resistant and floats.

Every cute bikini needs a cute towel to dry it off, and this gorgeous pink number—designed by artist Morgan Harper Nichols—is the crème de la crème. Not only is it a literal masterpiece, but it’s also superrr oversized, so you’ll have plenty of space for tanning once you spread ‘er out.

I don’t need to tell you how essential sunscreen is. You already know (at least you better!). But sometimes, I’ll admit, putting it on can feel a little tedious…and sticky. This sunscreen stick solves all of that, by making the application progress so much smoother (literally and figuratively). The non-greasy formula glides onto skin like deodorant and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes—HUGE news for those who always choose to hit the waves over tanning.

It’s easy to wanna live in your bikini, but sometimes you gotta cover up that booty. This berry-colored knit skirt does just the trick, with a drawstring waist you can tie up in a flash.

Let me be the 800th person on the internet to tell you to Wear. Freaking. Sunscreen. And don’t you dare forget about your lips. Supergoop crushes it as always with this SPF 40 lip screen that leaves no white cast or sticky finish. You can slather it on bare lips or on top of any lip color!

I can say from experience that this product is game-changing, and an absolute necessity. It’s a waterproof pouch that seals your phone in tight so you can take it in the ocean (or pool, or lake, or even waterpark) without fear. I stash one in my bag every time I know I’m going to be in or around water, and my Insta game is better for it.