1. A pack of UV detection stickers, because it's, like, criminally easy to forget to reapply SPF when you're having fun or relaxing on the beach. These magical purple stickers absorb sunscreen the way your skin does: They start purple and fade to clear when SPF is applied. Notice it's turned purple again? That means it's time to reapply!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I live the cursed life of a fluorescent white human who just so happens to be a Florida native 🤦‍♀️ so every beach trip ends in sunburned agony. No matter how well I think I am keeping up with sunscreen, it never seems to be enough. I have literally gotten burned just by standing outside of my car and chatting for a few minutes. 😫 These are an excellent visual of 'hey!! Cover yourself before you fry!!' Just used for two days in St. Augustine Beach; one sticker lasts all day through several sunscreen applications, wearing a wet water shirt on top, drying off, and changing clothes, etc! But then comes off super easily when you want to, no sticky residue or 'rip off the Band-Aid' feel." —Savannah

Get a pack of 16 stickers from Amazon for $19.95.

2. A portable, pop-up tent with UV protection to keep the beach safer and more comfortable for even the tiniest beachgoers. And you can say hello to fewer meltdowns with the optional built-in splash pool — just because the baby needs a break from the sun doesn't mean the baby wants a break from playing in the water! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Calling all parents — yes, even pet parents! This little tent is so easy to transport that there's no excuse not to pack it! It folds *completely* flat, so you can pack it without worrying about space. Like with all water products, please don't leave your little ones unattended in the tent — this product is for supervised playtime only!

Promising review: "This thing is AMAZING. I was able to put it together and take it down all while holding my 2-month-old. He lay in it on the beach, napping all day with no sunburn or heat." —Livi B.

Get it from Amazon for $32.95+ (available in four colors and styles; also available in bundles with beach toys or with a baby sunhat).

3. A compact, quick-drying, and sand-resistant microfiber towel so you can sneak *one* last dip into your schedule before you've gotta hit the road — it'll be dry enough. But if you're at *all* worried about dampness, it even comes with a mesh pouch that you can fold the entire towel into...and it will magically disappear. You'll be like Bikini-Houdini on this beach.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Excellent beach towel and shower towel. I'm an international backpacker and space is a very valuable commodity. This towel serves its purpose well. I just got back from a six-day adventure in Oahu, Hawaii, and I am more than satisfied with my purchase." —ZMONEY

Get it from Amazon for $36.19(available in 22 colors and patterns). 

4. A powder-filled pouch that easily wipes sand away for a super-easy beach day clean-up. Just pat the bag to activate the talc-free, reef-safe powder, gently brush the sand off your skin, and boom — you've cut down the amount of sand you track into your car (or worse, a rental) substantially. You're welcome.

Amazon, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I was shocked at how well this worked. My son asks to use it when we’re at the beach since he hates the feeling of sand all over his legs. It makes your arms and legs smooth. Has a nice, clean scent to it. I’ve had it for at least two years, and we haven’t even used it all yet." —hilary

Get it from Amazon for$24.99.

5. The newest edition of the Kindle Paperwhite — it's waterproof, glare-free, and has 16GB of space. That's totally enough storage to put all 50 of the books you can't choose between for your next beach read. No more settling for one or two physical books that'll probably just get damaged in your bag.

Abby Kass / Buzzfeed

The Kindle pictured here is an older model, but don't worry — what's linked is the newest one. Amazon calls this their "fastest Kindle ever," and they're not exaggerating — the page turns and scrolling features are 20 percent quicker than older models. It also lasts a ridiculously long time (up to 12 weeks!!!) on a single charge. 

Promising review: "I wasn't sold on needing yet another e-reader until my old Kindle finally died after six years, and oh my god, this new Paperwhite has literally changed my reading life! The 7" glare-free display is seriously a game-changer—I can actually read this thing at the beach or by my bedroom window without that annoying glare that used to give me headaches. Battery life? I'm talking WEEKS, not days. Like, I went on a two-week vacation and didn't even pack the charger (anxiety-inducing decision, btw), and it was totally fine! The speed is what really got me, though... no more awkward waiting for pages to turn while the person next to me on the plane pretends not to notice my ancient technology struggling. The 16GB storage means I've loaded this baby up with basically my entire TBR pile and still have tons of space left. Honestly worth every penny—and I'm normally super cheap about tech upgrades!" —Ali S.

Get it from Amazon for $159.99 (available in three colors and with or without lockscreen ads).

6. A Sun Bum's SPF 30 sunscreen mist to protect your scalp against a vicious sunburn because yes, this is a real and super painful problem, and no, wearing a hat is not always THE VIBE!! The best part? It's not super oily — just make sure you're spraying this mist from four to six inches away from your head for even coverage and to avoid over-application (aka what could give you greasy roots). 

Amazon

Promising review: "Every year, I have had sunburn on my scalp, getting worse as my hair thinned with age. Bought this product for our recent trip to Florida and returned without a sunburnt scalp! Our daughter also uses this on our granddaughter." —Maxwell Hart

Get it from Amazon for $14.39.

7. A waterproof Ring Thing with a very tight screw-on lid and a keychain clip to keep all of your jewelry securely sealed away because — as the Kardashians taught us in 2011 — nothing will ruin an otherwise perfect vacay faster than a lost diamond.

Ryan Seacrest Productions, www.amazon.com

If you've ever lost a beloved piece of jewelry, you know that Kim K was NOT overreacting in Bora Bora. Luckily, you don't have to panic when you're prepared with a Ring Thing.  😎💍

Promising review: "I’ve really loved this so far. It’s exactly as pictured and doesn’t give me any concerns of being crushed or opening up on its own. There are a couple of cushioned layers so you can store more than one ring at a time. I really love this for use at the swimming pool or the gym. Overall, a great purchase." —Tess

Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in 14 colors).

8. Some great clips, and I'm not talking about haircuts! This set of towel clips won't leave you crying in the salon chair; just relaxing the day away in your beach chair — even when a strong breeze tries to prevent that from happening. Not today, wind. Not today.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Absolutely love my clips. They are the perfect size to fit in a suitcase or travel bag. Love the color variety. Two clamps hold the towel in place, even with high winds. They are easy to grip and open. I use them every time we go to the beach or pool." —Book lover tete

Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $6.99  (also available in a pack of 16).

9. A set of standard playing cards that are completely waterproof and super wind-resistant due to their weight. Why should your game of Texas Hold 'Em have to wait until you get home? 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "We bought these before our honeymoon, where we knew we'd be spending time by the pool. They work great! They float well (unless you stack the cards on top of each other, then they will sink). They are compact to travel with. They can stick together after using them, so we usually lay them all out to dry somewhere when we are done playing. We got asked so many times where we got these cards! It was nice to have something to do as we floated around the pool." —Jennie

Get a pack from Amazon for $6.97.

10. Sol De Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream to rehydrate and reinvigorate the dry, dull skin that can strike after beach day (especially when you also disobey your derm and viciously scrub off any sand stragglers in the shower, oops). Plus, its scent is so luxuriously tropical that you'll feel like you never left the beach!

www.amazon.com

It's infused with a quick-absorbing blend of oils and caffeinated guarana extract, which temporarily tightens skin. 

Promising review: "This is a beautiful, rich, thick cream that doesn’t leave a greasy, sticky feel. Very moisturizing and smells sweet and delicious like cookies. ;) I actually wore it on vacation and now when I wear it, it takes me back to the sun-kissed skin I got from the beach!!" —Amazon Customer

Get the full 8.1-ounce size from Amazon for $48 (also available in a 2.5-ounce size). 

Oh, and if you can't get enough of that delicious scent, grab a Sol De Janeiro Jet Set, which includes travel-sized versions of the cream, a shower gel, and a perfume mist in the same pistachio/caramel/vanilla fragrance. It also comes in a super cute TSA-approved clear bag, all for $32. 

11. A soothing Burt's Bees after-sun lotion because while we all do our best to prevent sunburns, there's always that teeeeennnnyyy tiiiiiinnnyy patch that the sunblock missed, and somehow it packs the pain of ten full back burns into two square inches. Reviewers are absolutely raving about how relieving (and non-sticky!!) the aloe and coconut oil combo in this lotion is.

www.amazon.com

This product is formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or sodium lauryl sulfate.

Promising review: "This is my third time buying this. It is amazing. It's very moisturizing, and not sticky (many after-sun products are). It soothes and fades a burn. It isn't a miracle but it FEELS like it when your screw up and go from lobster red to light pink overnight!" —Sarah H.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

12. A MagSafe umbrella-shaped shade that'll protect your phone from quickly overheating and allow you to check your Instagram feed in peace without sitting there with a beach towel over your head just to block out the sunlight.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter’s Easter basket; she absolutely loves it! She brings it every time we go to the beach and always uses it. She likes to watch a show on her phone to pass the time, tanning, and the umbrella provides the perfect shade for her to be able to see her screen. Super magnetic and stays well. Great price and great quality." —Leigh Ann Williams

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in nine colors). 

13. A pair of oval acetate sunglasses (with UV400 protection) that are an affordable alternative to the viral Miu Miu sunnies without compromising on style or ~lavish~ vibes. It's a total deal, too — you can get two pairs of glasses for less than four percent of the price of the designer version. Never let your budget stand in the way of you being a baddie.

www.amazon.com

Personally, I'd consider the trending $505 Miu Regard glasses to be a liiiiiittle out of my price range. But if Bella Hadid is wearing them, I am, too — so thank goodness for this stylish swap. 

Oh, and FYI: Reviewers are saying that these work very well for small heads and faces. If you struggle to find sunglasses narrow enough to stay put, these are for you!

Promising review: "I originally purchased because they looked so designer-inspired. When I received them, I was so pleasantly surprised at how good they are! Great quality, fit nicely, and have a great weight to them! I love that you get two pairs for such an affordable price. Perfect for spring break, vacation, and everyday [wear]. Makes a great gift as well." —D'Arcy Vandenberg

Get one pair from Amazon for $14.99 or a pack of two for $16.99 (available in five colors).

14. Adrink cover that doubles a scrunchie to keep sand, bugs and even your own hair from making its way into your drink. Just pull the cover out of the hidden pocket on the scrunchie, pop it on your drink, and enjoy!

www.amazon.com

Originally designed as an anti-spiking tool, the nightcap drink cover scrunchie is seriously multifunctional. From the bar to the beach, this cover will make sure that what you're drinking is only what you're drinking. 

Promising review: "When on a beach vacation, this was great. Kept drink sand- and bug-free. Also worked great on the bumpy flight and kept my drink from splashing all over me and my neighbor." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $10.95 (available in six colors).

15. A pack of mesh bagsfor beach combing that are so spacious and durable that one reviewer's children collected and carried literal clumps of asphalt in one with no problem. Rest assured, these will handle your kid's gargantuan seashell collection. Or, no judgment, your own. There's no age limit on having a sense of whimsy!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Absolute perfect purchase for the summer! We purchased these for our daughter and nieces for our most recent trip to the beach! The girls had so much fun collecting treasures at the beach and still use them at home outdoors to collect more of Mother Nature. Great quality as they’ve endured sticks, rocks, and are machine washable." —spencer gatley

Get it a pack of three from Amazon for $15.99 (available in seven color combinations).

16. Or some adorable crab-shaped mesh bags and sand-sifting shovels if you're opting to kick the whimsy up a notch. Fun 👏 is 👏 not 👏  just 👏  for 👏  kids! 👏

Amazon

Promising review: "Bought these not for kids but for me and my husband and they did not disappoint! We went on a beach trip and they came in handy for sure." —TeamTrotter3

Get them from Amazon for $13.49 (available in four colors).

17. A dainty, sand dollar-inspired seed bead necklace crafted with a flexible, waterproof stainless-steel wire, so you can leave it on for your entire vacation without stressing about taking it off before swimming in the ocean or showering in the hotel. 

Miah's Beads / Etsy

If you're not the type to constantly wear your jewelry in the water, it also comes in a gold-filled chain that is slightly more delicate.

Promising review: "Matched the description perfectly. Beautiful necklace. I haven’t taken it off and it’s done fine in the shower. Very good quality. Delivered on time. Definitely would buy from this shop again. 😊" —Donna Enis

Get it from Miah's Beads on Etsy for $16+ (available in six lengths, plus a gold-fill version. Also available without an extension chain).

Miah's Beads is a small business specializing in beaded jewelry located Visalia, California.

18. A waterproof phone pouch featuring an airtight seal that'll let you transform any smartphone into a functioning underwater camera while also protecting it from any damage the elements might throw your way. It also has a lanyard attachment for easy transport and extra security...because it's kind of hard to lose something that's hanging around your neck!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It's compatible with devices that measure up to 3.35 x 6.69 inches, and even has room for you to slip an ID inside it, too.

Promising review: "This past July, I lost my phone while kayaking. I had used this pouch many times before on many vacations in oceans and pools and NEVER had a problem. I took it with me kayaking, and lucky me, I took my phone off for 30 seconds, and then I flipped. Anyway, I thought my phone was gone for good, NEVER to be seen again. I was wrong! After 82 DAYS UNDERWATER, someone found it and returned it to me. I thought it would be gross and covered in muck, but no. We didn’t clean it or anything; it didn’t need it. It was spotless and DRY! I honestly don’t know how else to describe this other than it is AMAZING!! Did the job and then some! I’m so glad that I now have my phone back and in perfect shape!!" —Kristin

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 13 colors).

19. A lightweight, portable chair that makes for the perfect, space-saving beach seat. It folds up flat, and it even has a carrying strap so you can throw it on your shoulder and get to moving if your bestie found a better beach spot two seconds after you sat down. 

Amazon

I was in college when the initial COVID-19 social distancing policies went into place, and I had a professor who gave all the students in her class one of these chairs so that we could comfortably have class outside. We brought them to and from every single class — and nobody complained. Do you know how easy something has to be to elicit zero complaints from a crowd of 18-20-year-olds? Yeah, that's how portable these chairs are. 

Promising review: "Clicks into place easily and comfortable for sitting a while. Since I was spending as much time as possible outdoors this summer, the chair got a lot of use in city parks and on rooftops. It also made a great beach chair. Very easy to tote around." —Aron Griffis

Get it from Amazon for $38.99 (available in two colors).

20. A crochet swimsuit cover-up with a breezy, loose texture to keep you cool enough in the sun, and warm enough on a nighttime beach stroll. It has a separate top and a bottom so you can completely customize the fit and coverage, and even wear each piece on its own.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

I love having the freedom to choose between different necklines, because while a bit of cleavage is always going to be my vibe, it's not always the right one for the occasion. The ability to tie this set's top in the front or back really allows you to style it in a multitude of ways (and with a multitude of modesty preferences in mind). The sarong is similarly versatile, and it is seriously comfortable. I sized up to give myself some more fabric to tie with, but check the size chart to see what works for you.

Promising review: "This cover-up quickly became my go-to! It’s incredibly comfy, lightweight, and stylish. I wore it all week on vacation and got compliments every single day. It’s perfect over swimsuits but also cute enough to throw on for lunch or a beach stroll. Definitely a must-have for any getaway!" —Michelly Insall

Get it from Amazon for $42.49 (available in women's sizes S–XL and 14 colors).

21. Or a flowy cover-up that is literally so airy that you'll probably forget you even have it on. It's got an elastic waistband (no digging here, thanks!), and drape-y fabric that photographs SO well. Instagram better start getting ready now, because there's about to be an influx of effortlessly cool vacay pics.

www.amazon.com

I'm actually amazed by this dress's beautiful, vibrant color options. The reviewer pictured above is wearing the shade "Rose Red," FYI. 

Promising review: "This swim cover-up was just what I needed to be comfortable and confident on the beach! The color was amazing for my skin tone. The fit was a little bigger than true to size which was great. The coverage was definitely in the right spots!" —Joi Thomas

Get it from Amazon for $25.49 (available in women's sizes 16–26 and 14 colors).

22. And a resort-style shirt with a stylish, boxy fit that can work as an actual shirt or a less shapely, more casual swimsuit coverup. It's seersucker, which is a puckered fabric (sounds gross but isn't) that doesn't ever rest fully on the skin. This allows for SO MUCH air circulation — bye, visibly sweaty pits!! Literally nobody invited you to come on this vacation!!!

H&M

I bought this for my boyfriend, but obviously, I've stolen it, and we are both super impressed with how lightweight this fabric is (considering we live in the Sonoran desert, and it gets HOT). It's true to size, true to color, and so, so, so soft. It also air dries, like, impressively quickly, so don't even worry about getting splashed with this shirt on. I promise you, it will be dry in a few minutes.

Get it from H&M for $29.99 (available in men's sizes XS–3XL and three colors).

23. A portable JBL Bluetooth speaker you can fit in the palm of your hand, so it can definitely fit in your suitcase without adding extra bulk. And because of its waterproof design, you can just toss it in your beach bag without worrying if anything is damp!

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Perfect for vacation, fits easily in a carry-on. Actually pretty loud, but when you’re on the beach or at the resort and just want some of your own music, it’s perfect. Plenty of charge and won’t disturb other guests unless you crank it up." —DA IN DFW

Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in nine colors).

24. A Pantene hair-reviving moisture mask that'll give your strands some much needed TLC after exposing it to the ultra-drying combo of sun and salt all day. This mask has these really unique melting pearls that, when warmed up in your palm, release a huge dose of hair ✨ magic  ✨ (aka vitamins and bond-building lipids).

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

FYI, this product (like a lot of other in-shower products) does not come sealed. It does, however, come with a bit of space between the lid and where the actual product sits, so it has room to expand and contract in varying temperatures.

Reviewers with straight, curly, fine, and thick hair are all raving about this mask — and I have to agree! Since using this product, my color-treated (TBH, it's more like color-maimed) hair has been so much less prone to tangling since adding this to my hair routine. I use it nightly, and it has helped take the stiffness out of my damaged, super-duper fine hair. I even see a little bit of my long-lost 2a waves reemerging! 

Promising reviews: "I swim a lot, and the chlorine is tough on my hair. Also, from hair color and using a flattening or curling iron. This has rescued my hair and made it soft again! I use it after my shampoo and conditioner, and skip the next day. It has made my hair healthy again! Love the smell too!" —Amazon Customer

"This hair mask is amazing... I have 4b/4c curls and I'm protein sensitive so this is amazing... I can use this to repair my hair without drying it out. My hair was so soft and my curls were so bouncy and poppin' too! Protein treatments or deep conditioning masks with protein in them make my hair dry, brittle, and weak. So all my 4c protein-sensitive, medium-porosity hair gurlies, buy this now. Buy two or three before I buy them all. 😍✌🏾" —ellelynn

Get it from Amazon for$12.97.

25. A cup holder you can stick right into the ground to keep your sweating drink from becoming a sand magnet. If you're tired of co-opting your kid's boogie board to set your drink on, you need this. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I didn’t think I would like this as much as I did. I was worried about adding extra weight to the beach list. It ended up being useful and delightful. I was able to put not only a drink but sunscreen, rings, beef jerky. Very handy!" —Idalia

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors).

26. And a portable safe that'll clip right onto your beach chair or umbrella to keep your phone, wallet, and any other water-averse valuables hidden away. Y'know, I bet my dad wishes he'd packed one of these when his car keys fell out of his pocket...and straight into the Atlantic Ocean. Whoops.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The product is much more durable than it looks online. The lock feels like it is made of a very thick metal, and you can open it with either a combination (you set your own combo) or with a key (comes with two keys). I got the color pink for my wife, and we will be bringing it with us wherever we travel this summer. I attached a picture so you can see the size. It should be able to hold both of our cell phones, sunglasses, wallet/credit cards, and more." —barrie rosen

Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in five colors).

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.