Beach Accessories Worth Packing: 9 Essentials for Every Beach Trip
A great beach day is mostly in the little things you remember to bring. These are the nine accessories we genuinely pack for sun, sand and sea — nothing gimmicky, just good-looking, hard-working pieces that make a day by the water easier, comfier and a bit more stylish.
Some links below are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission, at no cost to you. We only list things we’d genuinely pack.
Sun & style
The non-negotiables. Get these three right and you’re set for a whole day in the sun — protected, and looking the part.
Shade for your face and shoulders, and effortlessly timeless in photos — the piece that makes a beach day feel like a proper holiday.
Proper UV protection that also happens to look great. Your eyes — and the fine lines around them — will thank you.
The one thing you should never skip. We also keep a handy travel-size set in the beach bag for reapplying through the day.
Sand & sea
The pieces that actually spend the day on the sand with you — pack these and you’ll want for nothing between the towel and the water.
Roomy enough for the towel, the sunscreen and everything else — and pretty enough to carry straight to lunch afterwards.
Lightweight, quick to dry and packs down small. We also love this striped option for a second in the rotation.
Comfortable, flattering and made for sunny days. Worth having one you actually reach for every single trip.
Apply sunscreen 15–20 minutes before you head out, and reapply every couple of hours — and after every swim. A travel-size tube in the beach bag makes it effortless.
The smart extras
The small things you don’t think about until you need them — and then you’re very glad they’re in the bag.
Keep your phone, cards and keys dry and sand-free — and still snap photos through the window. Peace of mind for a few dollars.
Easy on and off at the sand, and smart enough to wear straight from beach to café. Neutral tan goes with everything.
A big insulated bottle keeps water cold for hours in the sun. Staying hydrated is half the secret to a good beach day.
The best beach hours are the first and the last. Come early or return in the late afternoon for softer light, cooler sand and space to yourself — and you’ll skip the fiercest midday sun between 11 and 3.
Where to use all of it: our pick of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe, and if the trip is Greek, the beautiful hotels in Santorini that put you within walking distance of the water.
Good to Know & FAQ
What's the one beach item people forget most?
A waterproof phone pouch. It costs almost nothing, keeps your phone dry and sand-free, and means you can actually relax in the water instead of guarding your things.
How much sunscreen do I really need?
More than you think — about a shot-glass amount for your whole body, reapplied every two hours and after every swim. Keep a travel-size tube in the bag so it's easy.
What should I look for in a beach bag?
Roomy, easy to wipe out or shake sand from, and comfortable on the shoulder. A woven tote hits all three and looks good enough to carry to lunch afterwards.
