There’s nothing better on a hot summer’s day than hitting the beach. Going to the beach means bringing a bunch of stuff, which requires a bag to carry it all. In this article, we review some of the best beach bags on the market to help you find the perfect type and style to carry your beach essentials.
The 14 Best Beach Bags
Need recommendations for a good beach bag? Any of the bags on our list of the best beach bags would make an excellent choice for EDC enthusiasts and anyone spends time at the beach.
1. YETI Camino Waterproof Tote
YETI needs no introduction, but you may not have known that they make a line of exceptional bags and backpacks to go along with their popular high-end coolers. The Camino line of waterproof totes offers three sizes of waterproof shoulder bags with ultra-durable materials, useful organizational features, and rock-solid construction.
It has a massive zippered pocket that makes loading and unloading a snap and a molded bottom. That makes it much easier to set it on shifting sands and unstable surfaces without worrying about it falling over. The interior can be used as one large pocket or separate internal pockets (slip pocket, no zippers) with built-in organizational flaps. And they are DEEP pockets.
Its superb and waterproof construction makes cleanup hassle-free. You can hose off sand or sticky spills and leave it out to dry, ready for your next adventure.
The 35l is the optimal size for a family beach bag, with plenty of space for your beach towel (or several), a change of clothes, and other beach day essentials. It’s definitely on the pricey side (hey, you knew that when you saw the big YETI logo on the front), but is a durable, long-lasting, and extremely functional waterproof beach bag. In a pinch you can even use it as one of the best beach bags with cooler function.
The YETI Camino 20 Carryall is built for everyday hauls. Featuring deployable dividers and two interior zippered pockets, this bag is ideal for keeping your goods organized. Multiple ways to carry. Waterproof, puncture-resistant ThickSkin Shell. Sturdy EVA Molded Bottom keeps the bag upright. Deployable dividers tuck away when not in use to create one large compartment.
2. Nike Brasilia Mesh Backpack
If you’re more worried about your wet stuff drying than your dry stuff getting wet, the Nike Brasilia Backpack is a great option. It’s a roomy and surprisingly comfortable backpack with standard padded straps, mesh body, and zipper closure.
Not everyone wants to carry a tote bag. The Brasilia gives you a mesh beach bag’s storage space and quick-dry capabilities in a more comfortable and ergonomic package.
It offers several compartments for stowing a towel, sunscreen, water bottle, and other essentials and is big enough to hold the basics for one to two people. You won’t be loading it down with a family’s worth of snacks, towels, and toys, but it’s hard to beat for a lovely day relaxing on the beach. The multiple external pockets help you keep everything organized.
The Nike Brasilia Mesh Backpack won’t do anything to keep your stuff dry at the beach. If you’re more concerned with letting your swimsuit, towel, and other wet things dry out on the way back from the beach, it offers a stylish and comfortable way to do it.
Comfortable and versatile, the Nike Brasilia Backpack is ideal for packing everything you need to get you through a busy day when you're away from your locker or home.
3. Patagonia Black Hole 25L Tote
The Patagonia Black Hole Tote is a 25L water-resistant tote bag that’s stylish, highly durable, and downright roomy. It uses a lightweight and weather-resistant fabric that’s made from 100% recycled fabric.
This extra-large tote has one main compartment perfect for holding towels, spare clothes, sunscreen, and other essential items plus an interior zip pocket for things like keys and your ID. It closes with a simple hook closure, so don’t expect true waterproofing, but it’s plenty to keep your stuff dry if you accidentally set it in a puddle or it gets splashed.
We’ll level with you: We’re big fans of Patagonia. The company has a stellar and well-earned reputation for its obsession with quality, rock-solid warranty, and bedrock commitment to sustainability and environmental justice.
The Black Hole Tote is an extra-large bag and showcases Patagonia’s commitment to making high-quality, long-lasting gear from a durable material at a reasonable price. It’s not the most value-focused bag out there by far, but it’s a stylish, durable, and practical choice that’s one of the best beach bags available.
This light and packable 25-liter tote swallows all the gear in your van but also lives for last-minute adventures in town. Made with 100% postconsumer recycled polyester body fabric and 100% recycled nylon webbing. Fair Trade Certified™ sewn.
4. HotShine Cotton Mesh Bags
Not every beach day is a big event. When all you need is a towel, a bottle of water, and maybe a good book, the HotShine Cotton Mesh Bag offers a highly affordable and surprisingly effective option, making this one of the most unique type of beach bag on our list.
These bad boys are basically just cotton mesh produce bags, so they’re big enough and, most importantly, cheap enough to be used for any beach day. They’re designed to hold a full load of fruit, so they’re plenty strong enough to function as beach totes and store all of your beach day essentials.
They’re sold in a pack of five and come in a riot of delightful bright colors. You can pick up one for everyone in the family for significantly less than our other best beach bags and give your beach outfit a pop of color.
Pure cotton ultra fine yet strong mesh cotton. Bio-degradable material and reusable.12 inch handle ensures easy and comfortable carry. Use them as tote or hang them on something. Lightweight and foldable. One bag can support up to 16 litres or 40 pounds. Available in different colors.
5. RTIC Large Tote Bag
RTIC is a significant competitor of YETI, and its large tote is a more cost-effective way to get a very similar bag. The RTIC Large Tote Bag is made from a puncture- and water-resistant material with sturdy straps and multiple hooks to attach other items.
It’s got plenty of space in the main compartment for all your beachcombing needs, plus a handy zippered inner waterproof pocket. It’s sized to hold your most important – and water sensitive – valuables like phones, wallets, and keys in a water-resistant sleeve. That said, the inner pocket uses a traditional zip closure, so it can’t be perfectly waterproof.
The main handle has a padded closure to make carrying it from the car to the beach less of a pain. Overall, the RTIC Large Tote is an excellent alternative to our top-ranked YETI if you’re looking for comparable(ish) performance at a more affordable price.
The RTIC Tote Bag is perfect for all your daily adventures. Plenty of room to hold all your towels, sunscreen, and beach toys. Made from water proof puncture resistant material and includes a water resistant pocket. Easy to clean - just hose it out. The interlocking padded handle makes carrying easy.
6. SupMLC Extra Large Mesh Beach Bag
The classic mesh beach bag always has a place on the sands, and SupMLC has taken them to a pinnacle of performance. Its Extra Large Mesh Beach Bag is aptly named, offering a ton of space to store beach goods that you just know will get wet, sandy, and generally icky.
It’s perfect for loading down with towels or beach toys. You can shake out the sand on the boardwalk before putting it back in your car or set them outside to dry while enjoying a starlit bbq. When finished using it, it packs up into an included pouch about the size of a shipping envelope.
It’s undeniably one of the best beach bags for moms, given that you could basically stuff a whole toddler in there if you needed to. All kidding aside, the SupMLC Extra Large Mesh Beach Bag is a spacious and durable way to carry a lot of stuff down to the beach.
XL size mesh beach bag, approx 18" high (not include handles) x bottom is 12" x 18." Can be folded into small size to take up little space. Easy to rinse and dry. When you are ready to leave the beach the sand does not come back with you. Made of great mesh and oxford fabric, tough and durable. The bottom is mesh and reinforced with nylon to enhance the bag's loading capacity.
7. Lucazzi Collapsible Beach/Pool Tote Bag
The Lucazzi Collapsible Utility Tote is a semi-structured beach bag perfect for carrying everything a family could need for beach days or pool days. This oversized tote is designed to fold out into a self-supporting rectangle that makes keeping your stuff organized while on the beach doable.
It’s an open-top bag, so not great for rainy days, but for filling with towels, toys, and sunblock for a family of four, it’s hard to beat. We had no problem fitting four beach towels plus a (deflated) beach ball, sand shovel/pail, and a few other odds and ends. There’s also an outer pocket for small items or wet items. (External pockets are on both sides.)
The straps are padded for comfort, something you’ll appreciate when you’re trying to lug all those wet, sandy towels up to the car after a long day.
Perfect carry-all canvas tote bag with open top and multifunctional basket. Easily fits eight beach swim towels with room for suncreen, goggles and beach toys. Made from durable polyester with metal wireframe. Light to carry and very durable. Quickly collapses with velcro straps.
8. JanSport Mesh Pack Backpack
JanSport is better known for school backpacks than beach bags, but its mesh backpack is an excellent option for those looking to avoid heavy totes. The JanSport Mesh Pack Backpack entirely made of mesh other than the straps, allowing your swimsuit, towel, and other items to dry out quickly after you leave the beach without having them dangling everywhere.
It’s got enough space for one to two people’s worth of beach gear with room left over for a few snacks and drinks. We wouldn’t recommend it if you’re worried about water or sand getting inside, but it’s one of the best backpack beach bags you can pick if you mostly care about drying time. It’s also barely half the cost of our number two rated Nike Brasilia Mesh Backpack.
The Mesh Pack has a unique see-through design which make it stand out from the regular backpack. Durable and lightweight build with a large main compartment, a front utility pocket, an internal hanging pocket, and a web haul handle. Measures 17" x 13" x 6.5."
9. L.L. Bean Boat and Tote
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” might as well be the motto of L.L. Bean. They’re a company famous for tradition and quality, and their Boat and Tote bag is a stellar example of this. It’s a simple, classic, and roomy tote that’s the perfect size for all of your beach needs.
L.L. Bean has been hand-making the iconic Boat and Tote bag for New England yachters and beachgoers since 1944. It’s still made from heavyweight canvas with reinforced stitching and handles certified to hold over 500 lbs. This oversided tote is durable.
It comes in four sizes ranging from a solo trip to a large beach bag. It’s available in various trim colors plus custom monogramming (a personalization option – not required) to make your beach day special. The Boat and Tote can handle a relaxing beach day for one or a fast-paced and frenetic family beach vacation without breaking a sweat.
Heavy-duty 24 oz. cotton canvas. Double-layer base. Handles tested to hold up to 500 pounds. Reinforced flat canvas bottom. Overlapped seams are double-stitched with nylon so they won’t rot or break. Handcrafted in Maine. Natural color, with contrast-tone handles in your choice of lengths. Add a monogram for a personal touch (or the perfect gift).
10. North Face Explore Utility Tote
Not sure whether you want a tote or a shoulder bag for your next beach trip? The North Face Explore Utility Tote has you covered. It converts from a tote bag to an over-the-shoulder bag in seconds with the addition of an included strap and has ample room for your beach supplies.
It’s made from North Face’s sturdy Base Camp fabric treated with a water-resistant coating and includes an internal zipper pocket for things you don’t want getting lost in the shuffle. The main compartment has plenty of room for towels, sunscreen, and other essentials, while the daisy chain attachment points on the exterior allow you to attach things like water bottles, small bags, and speakers. There are also several exterior pockets for small items.
It’s only available in one color, black, and doesn’t have any size options, but is built to last.
Burly Base Camp fabric makes this tote durable and stylish. Two handles and adjustable webbing should strap allow for a variety of carrying options. Internal, secure-zip mesh pocket holds essentials and has a key clip. Internal, secure-zip mesh pocket holds essentials and has a key-fob loop. External daisy chains offer carrying options and serve as attachment points.
11. Packism Oversized Mesh Beach Bag
The Oversized Mesh Beach Bag from Packism offers a light and inexpensive way to carry everything you need for a day at the beach. It’s made from highly breathable mesh and offers several different pockets and straps to keep your trip organized and your valuables from slipping away.
This extra-large mesh tote has eight various mesh pockets plus a water-resistant zipper pocket. It’s the perfect way to keep your electronics from getting splashed while also having plenty of space for flip-flops, towels, snacks, and other valuable things.
The straps are durable canvas and rated to hold up to a 160 lb load. That’s significantly heftier than even the plushest of beach towels, so you shouldn’t have to worry about it giving out on you.
Plenty space for swimsuits, towels, flip flops, toys for the kids, water bottles, hats, sunblock, sunglasses; Measuring 16.7x9.4x17.5 inch (LxWxH), big enough store a whole family's stuff for a day at the beach or pool. 8 mesh pockets and 1 zippered water-resistant pocket. Rrings in front of the large beach bag can hang your keys, bottle, cap and toys.
12. Sea to Summit Sling Lightweight Dry Bag
There’s nothing worse than finishing up a fun day at the beach and discovering your clean change of clothes got wet and sandy. Even worse, finding out that your phone got too friendly with some seawater.
Sea to Summit offers a lightweight and affordable solution to those ruined after beach outfits in Lightweight Dry Bags. They’re built from waterproof materials that protect from drips, drops, splashes, and anything else other than complete submergence. The included drawstring closure and sling strap for easy carry over your shoulder is what helps them stand out from the many, many alternatives out there.
You can use it as your main beach bag or a secondary bag to keep your valuables and clean clothes protected from the sand and surf.
Lightweight 8-liter roll-top dry sack. Lightweight nylon. Waterproof seams are tape sealed; secure hypalon roll-top closure with D-ring for easy attachment. Cylindrical base for easy packing. Open dimensions: 6.7 x 18 inches, weight: 2.8 ounces, volume: 8 liters (with closure rolled three times).
13. Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Canvas Tote
If your beach trip is more French Riviera than PCB, the Rive Gauche Canvas Tote from Saint Laurent is the bag of choice. It’s handcrafted with impeccable attention to detail and designed to provide the perfect mix between runway chic and functional capacity.
It’s made by hand in Italy and features a snap top closure, buttery smooth leather handles, and a prominent River Gauche logo that allows you to stand out on any beach. It goes without saying that it’s exceptionally expensive, but you wouldn’t be considering it if the price mattered.
The Saint Laurent River Gauche isn’t for everyone. Still, if you’re choosing between offerings from comparable designers, it’s easy to see that it’s one of the best designer beach bags available.
Perfect when you're toting a lot but still want to look Left Bank chic, this spacious linen-canvas tote features rolled leather top handles and a bold logo. Includes snap closure, top carry handles, interior zip pocket. Made in Italy.
14. BeeGreen Mesh Drawstring Beach Bag
When you’re hitting the beach with your friends sometimes less can be more. The OG mesh drawstring bag is underrated as a dedicated beach bag, and we think it’s time to correct that.
The BeeGreen Mesh Beach Bag is a classic drawstring bag with adjustable strap that’s perfectly sized to hold everything one to two people need for a fun day at the beach. It’s made from breathable mesh available n a variety of color choices and offers several different ways to carry depending on your preference.
What makes a drawstring viable compared to a beach bag tote is the ability to wear it as a backpack while walking to the beach or riding a train and carry it like a tote or by the handy top strap when needed. Given its very affordable price and serious utility, we think the BeeGreen Drawstring Beach Bag bears serious consideration.
Inner zipper pocket for your value items, like phones, keys, wallets, etc, and add the safety of items and the utility rate of space. Reflective strip enhances the high visibility to ensure your safety in dark or dusk. Measures 17.4"W x 23"L. Reinforced stitching so you don’t need to worry about the sturdy of our mesh drawstring backpack. Mesh material is breathable, not easy to mold. Keeps sand and water away. Machine washable and dries quickly. Easy to fold.
What to Carry in Your Beach Bag
What should you bring to the beach? Make sure the best beach bag you choose has plenty of space to carry all of these beach essentials.
- Reusable water bottle
- Bottle opener
- Bathing suit / swimsuit
- Drink holders
- Pool toys
- Beach chairs
- Drinks and snacks
- Beach toys (pails, shovels, etc.)
- Beach activity supplies
- Functional cooler
- Oversized towels
Make it a Perfect Beach Day
Whether you’re hosting a family beach day, attending a beach picnic, enjoying the ocean water, having a pool party, or just enjoying a simple family outing, any of the best beach bags on our list would make an excellent choice. Keep those beach vibes strong!
