Swimsuits, Coolers, & More – Everything You Need for a Beach Day

Table of Contents

What You Need For A Perfect Beach Day
Swimwear and Beach Clothes
Towels and Chairs
Coolers and Drink Accessories
Games, Activities, and Speakers
Beach Bags for Carrying the Necessities
Sun Protection and Safety
Ready for Your Next Beach Day?

What You Need For A Perfect Beach Day

A perfect beach day isn’t just about the weather. It’s about having the right mix of comfort, convenience, and a few key essentials that make the day feel easy.

From what you wear to how you stay cool and protected, these are the items that tend to make or break your time at the beach:

• Swimwear and beach clothes: From bikinis to rash guards, depending on how you intend to spend your beach day, the proper garments will make all the difference.
  
  
• Towels and chairs: Towels are essential not just for drying off after a drip in the water, but also for sitting on. Or, maybe you prefer a chair for added comfort and support.
  
  
• Coolers and drink accessories: What’s a beach day without snacks and cold beverages? Coolers and insulated drink accessories make all this possible.
  
  
• Games and activities: Whether on the water or the shore, there are plenty of games and activities that can make your beach day an absolute blast.
  
  
• Beach bags: Keep your items safe, dry, and sand-free with a beach bag that supports all your needs.
  
  
• Sun protection and safety: From sunscreen to sunglasses to tents, sun protection is essential. And don’t forget about safety gear, such as life vests, especially for children.
  

Swimwear and Beach Clothes

Whether you’re planning to lounge on the sand, hang by the pool, or stay active in the water, the right swimwear makes a huge difference in how comfortable and confident you feel.

There are more options than ever when it comes to women’s swimwear, which is great, but it can also make it harder to choose. The key is finding pieces that match how you actually spend your time at the beach.

• Swim suits: From bikinis to one-pieces to swim trunks, there’s no shortage of bathing suit styles that come in a range of fabrics. The most common fabrics are nylon, spandex, and polyester blends.
  
  
• Board shorts: For both men and women, this type of style is great for those more active moments and for when a little more coverage is desired.
  
  
• Rashguards: These are form-fitting shirts that protect your skin from sand, the sun, or even chafing, perfect for activities like surfing.
  
  
• Cover-ups: What you wear on top of your swimsuit, whether after you take a dip and need to cozy up, or for getting to and from the car.

When it comes to choosing a swimsuit, it’s less about rules and more about what makes you feel good. Some people prefer more coverage, others want something minimal and easy. Either way, comfort and confidence are what matter most.

Towels and Chairs

No beach day is complete without a good towel. This is where you’ll lounge and what you’ll use to dry off after a dip in the water. Chairs are optional, but a great choice for those who want more support while they sit, and who also want to be elevated off the sand. 

• Towels: Though any towel will technically do, some are made of lightweight fabrics that make them easier to transport, or sand-free construction.
  
  
• Chairs: Lightweight, portable chairs are the way to go. You don’t want to be lugging a bunch of heavy furniture around.

Coolers and Drink Accessories

Cool drinks and fresh snacks are the perfect complement to an epic beach day. The last thing you want is to reach for a beverage and have it be piping hot from the sun, or have your snacks melt into an inedible mess.

What to consider:

• Hard coolers: Best for all-day trips when you need serious ice retention
  
  
• Soft coolers: Lighter and easier to carry if you’re packing light
  
  
• Backpack coolers: A great option when you want to keep your hands free

Pair your cooler with a good water bottle or can insulator, and you’re set for the day. It’s one of those small upgrades that make the whole experience better.

• Insulated water bottles: Both good for the environment and for keeping your drinks cold. This really is a must-have for a beach day, and for everyday life!
  
  
• Can insulators: These keep your cans insulated and cold, without having to transport the liquid to a different cup.

Games, Activities, and Speakers

Speakers are also great to have to set the vibe, and the best ones for a beach day are waterproof, dust-proof, durable, and easy to transport. That being said, it’s super important that you listen to your music respectfully. You don’t want to be that person disturbing everyone near you on the beach. A good practice is to walk away from where your music is set up to ensure it’s playing at an appropriate volume.

Beach Bags for Carrying the Necessities

A bag is essential for toting your items to and from the beach. It should be roomy enough to hold all your essentials, but lightweight enough not to become a nuisance. Here are some other key features of a good beach bag:

• Washable: Sand and dirt are inevitable, so a beach bag that’s easy to wash or wipe clean goes a long way in setting you up for your next great beach day.
  
  
• Water-repellant: As with sand and dirt, there’s no such thing as a beach without water. A bag that’s water-repellent keeps your items dry from splashes and spills.
  
  
• Interior pockets: In addition to a roomy main compartment, we love a beach bag with interior pockets for small items you don’t want getting lost in the mix, such as your cell phone or keys.

Sun Protection and Safety

From your skin to your eyes, it’s smart to protect yourself from UV rays, especially when spending all day in the sun. Safety is also essential, particularly for children new to swimming. 

• Sunscreen: Look for sunscreens, such as ones from Sun Bum, labeled “broad spectrum,” as they protect against both UVA and UVB rays. It’s also best to aim for an SPF between 30 and 50, and a sunscreen that’s water-resistant.
  
  
• Sunglasses: Like sunscreen, sunglasses also protect your eyes from UV rays. UV400 covers both UVA and UVB rays, and can be more generally referred to as “100% UV protection.” Polarized sunglasses use lenses that reduce glare, perfect for a day spent by the water.
  
  
• Sun shirts: For when you need to cover up, reach for a lightweight sun shirt, which will protect you from UV rays. They’re also typically moisture-wicking to keep you dry.
  
  
• Sunshades: Give your beach spot some shade with an easy-to-set-up tent that you can sit under when you need a break from the sun.
  
  
• Life vests: Safety first! Whether for adults or children, you’ll never regret having a life vest on deck, especially when participating in water sports.

Ready for Your Next Beach Day?

Now that you’re stocked up on all your beach day essentials, we’d say you’re ready for the perfect beach day, and many more beach days to come. From towels and chairs to beach bags and swimwear, everything you need can be purchased at a Sun & Ski Sports location or online.

About the Author, Sydney Fogel

Hi, I’m Sydney! I’m a writer and editor living in San Francisco. After attending college and kicking off my career in Boston, I made my way back to the Bay Area, where I grew up. When I’m not working, you can find me enjoying everything my beautiful area has to offer, from spending time at the beach (I live just a few blocks away!) to climbing those San Francisco hills to check out the latest restaurant. I’m also super into working out and have been dancing my entire life. Feel free to reach out at sfogel11@gmail.com