The 9 Best Beach Bags of 2020

If you come fully prepared for anything at the beach and need more space for all that gear, the OdyseaCo Oahu Mesh Beach Bag is a sprawling 18 x 29 inches 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. Customers were surprised by how roomy the beach bag is and stated it was well constructed. 

After a relaxing day at the beach, it’s frustrating to come home and realize you’ve brought a whole bunch of sand with you. A sand-proof beach bag can help minimize the mess, both in your house and in your car. The CGear Sand-Free Tote is different from other beach bags because it’s made from a patented double-layer mesh weave that allows sand to sift right through. Even if you throw in sand-covered shoes or beach toys, all that grit will fall out of the bottom of the bag the minute you pick it up. And while it lets sand out, it doesn’t let any in (a feature reviewers rave about).

This beach tote is made from water-resistant PVC with reinforced seams for added durability. To clean, just rinse it with water. And at a roomy 17 x 7.5 x 15 inches, it’s large enough to hold towels and toys alike. The bag has one smaller interior pocket for valuables and comes in an eye-catching blue plaid that’ll be easy to spot on the beach. 

For a multi-functional bag that’s great at the beach as well as for day-to-day use, the Everyday Lightweight Tote by L.L. Bean is an excellent option at a reasonable price. Available in two sizes, medium (12 x 6 x 13 inches) and large (15 x 7.5 x 17 inches), the bag is big enough for beach gear without being bulky. With several neutral colors to choose from 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 beach bag also has a zipped top, reinforced handles, and double-layered bottom.  

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 beach 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. 

Add some flair to your summer style with this adorable straw tote from Kayu. True to the brand's sustainable mission, this bag is made from natural seagrass and features striped yarn handles with fun, raffia pom-poms for a pop of color. Besides looks, the 11.5 x 4.75 x 15-inch beach tote is still roomy enough to fit your towel, sunglasses, and other essentials. The price tag may be a bit steep, but you get high-quality construction in return: Kayu works with women artisans in Southeast Asia to handmake all of their products with extreme care.

The BAGGU Duck Bag works just as well at the beach as it does for any other trip, thanks to its adjustable, 40-inch strap and two handles that make traveling a breeze — tote it in your hand, over your shoulder, or across your body. In addition to convenience, the 15 x 11 x 4-inch bag is super spacious and can hold up to a 15-inch Macbook. Its interior zip pocket can even fit your phone, keys, and other small items. We also love the range of shades the beach bag comes with, including Apricot, Denim, and Kelp. And, as an eco-friendly company, BAGGU made this canvas bag with 100 percent recycled cotton.

When you've packed your beach bag to the brim, digging through to find your sunscreen or sunglasses can feel like an endless journey. Opt for this Mark & Graham clear tote instead, which affords a view of everything you have in your beach bag. Trendy and well-made, the 19 x 11 x 5.5-inch bag has a double stripe design and leather handles and is constructed of eco-friendly, biodegradable TPU with vegan leather trim. Bonus: Mark & Graham offers a foil debossed monogram with this bag, making for a perfect gift option, too.

For a fashionable beach bag that stands out in the crowd, the Malirona Beach Bag 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. 

If you just need a simple, affordable beach bag to carry all of your gear, consider the Getagadget See Through Mesh 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 need. 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.