The 8 Best Beach Bags to Buy in 2018

For a multi-functional bag that’s great at the beach as well as for day-to-day use, the Everyday Lightweight Tote by LL Bean is an excellent option at a reasonable price. Available in two sizes: medium measuring 12 x 6 x 13 inches and large (measuring 15 x 7.5 x 17 inches), the bag is large enough for beach gear without being bulky. Available in several neutral colors like burgundy, navy blue and sunflower with contrasting stitching, it’s an easy choice for men and women. For storage, there’s a front pocket for quick grab-and-go items, and the interior has a zipped pocket with a key clip. The well-built bag beach bag also has a zipped top, reinforced handles and double-layered bottom.  

The one nagging problem of going to the beach is unintentionally bringing sand back home with you, so a sand-proof beach bag can help minimize the mess. The Marino Beach bag is made from finely-coated silicone material so sand won’t stick to the bag, and the interior has a removable zipped beach bag to keep sand and water from permeating electronics and other valuables. The bag measures 8.5 x 4.5 x 10.5 inches, and stains and spills can easily be wiped clean. Braided rope carry handles are 11 inches long to easily fit over your shoulder. The Marino bag is available in 10 bright colors like seagrass, yellow and aqua.

If you’re looking for a traditional, yet stylish straw beach bag, the Daisy Rose Summer Beach Bag is a top choice. Measuring 13.77 x 11 6.69 inches, the handmade beach bag is made of environmentally-friendly, plant-based materials (it has a straw base and vegan leather carry handles). The interior can zip shut and features a small pocket for phones or keys, and chic, striped interior lining that can pull upwards, making it easy to shake out any sand that gets in. The decorative bag has a colorful top, as well as dangling decorative pom poms that set it apart. Amazon buyers loved the attention to detail and felt that the bag was well made and durable. 

If you just need a simple, affordable beach bag to carry all of your gear, consider the Getagadget Huge See Through Beach Bag. This functional, large bag comes in nine bright colors like purple, lime, orange and pink, and is constructed from durable, see-through nylon that makes it easy to identify the item you seek. Measuring 16.8 x 24 x 4 inches, the wide bag includes an exterior pocket for quick-grab items, as well as a zippered interior pouch to conceal valuables. The bag can hold two or three towels (plus other items) and can be easily folded for storage, however, it cannot stand up on its own without being full of items. 

Travelers seeking a beach bag that is compact, lightweight and functional will find the Utility Tote by YinJue to be a worthwhile purchase. For starters, nylon material is water-resistant in case of an afternoon shower while soaking in the sun. The bag packs up into itself to the size of a small pouch, so it won’t take up precious space in your luggage and weighs less than half a pound. Two exterior mesh pockets are ideal for sunscreen, glasses and hats, while the inside has a convenient drawstring and zippered closure to secure items. Although it is ideal for one person to use at the beach, you may want to consider something larger if you are bringing a lot of items.

If you come fully prepared for anything at the beach and need more space for all that gear, the Oahu Extra Large Beach Bag is a sprawling 18 inches high by 29 inches wide and has a whopping eight pockets to store items in. There are seven external pockets and one interior watertight pocket for electronics, and the bottom of the bag is waterproof as well, so liquid won’t seep in if the bag is set on wet sand. There’s also an easy-to-use carabiner hook for keys so they don’t get buried in the bottom of the massive bag. Amazon buyers were surprised with how roomy the bag is and stated it was well constructed. 

For a fashionable beach bag that stands out in the crowd, the Malirona Beach Canvas is a stylish alternative. The cream-colored bag is available in four different color patterns of blue, green, pink or black stripes. Made of durable canvas material on the exterior, there’s also woven hemp rope handles to give the bag a nautical feel, plus two convenient exterior side pockets that are perfect for water bottles and sunglasses. The beach bag measures 20 x 15 x 5.5 inches and the fabric-lined interior has a zippered closure and two small slots (that do not zip shut) for cell phones, iPads or other necessary items. 

The Malibu Beach Bag by Blue Sky Basics is both a lightweight, attractive-looking beach bag and a small cooler for drinks and snacks. The top portion of the bag is made of breathable mesh and can hold large beach towels and additional beach gear, plus the outside has two smaller, zippered closures for chapstick, sunglasses, sunscreen or other small items. Below the mesh is an insulated cooler that zips open for easy access, with Velcro on the top compartment so that when the cooler is opened on the bottom the items on top don’t fall out. The bright blue bag measures 16 x 6.5 x 20 inches, has sturdy Navy blue carry straps and also includes a waterproof waist pouch as an added bonus.