Fun and Handy Beach Gear Essentials
Planning a late Summer beach getaway? By now, you know what serves you in the sand, surf, and sun. But we’ve rustled up a few extra essentials to see you through the end of the season and worth hanging onto for next year, too.
Whether you plan on a trip to a popular beach, a secluded coastal spot, a nude beach or just the nearest gay beach, you’re gonna need some gear. Let’s face it – it’s always the accessories that make or break a day at the beach. And, there’s always something you forget. So, we’ve pulled together a list of some tried and true beach gear essentials, others new, to help you maximize your time relaxing on a beautiful stretch of shoreline.
Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler
Let’s get our priorities straight, so to speak. You’ll want plenty of room for your hydration (and your bevvies). Meet the leakproof, tough-as-nails soft cooler that everyone’s talking about this year. It has a wide mouth that’s easy for loading and a cubed design for maximum portability. It has a 12-can capacity and has extreme insulation to keep your ice from melting. And for a limited time, you can get it in purple!
Beach Whiskey
Now, what’s going in the cooler? For something unique and different, stow a bottle of Beach Whiskey. Island Coconut will keep you buzzed throughout the day while Bonfire Cinnamon is the perfect complement to the setting sun and a campfire on the beach. These fun, flavorful bevvies are made with a unique filtration process that creates a distinctly smooth, round mouthfeel that gives Beach Whiskey drinkability unlike other harsh whiskeys, perfect for sipping neat or with a splash of Coke, Dry Ginger Ale, or juice.
Coleman Big and Tall Camping Chair
Comfortable and portable this heavy-duty beach/ camping chair can hold up to 600 lbs. This heavy-duty chair is not only perfect for camping, but it’s also great for the beach! It’s comfortable, portable, high-quality, and super durable. The Coleman Big and Tall Camping Chair can also hold up to 600 lbs.
Giant Rainbow Flag Beach Towel
And finally, forget about the haters. Mark your queer safe space on the sand proudly with a giant rainbow flag beach towel! We’re partial to this one from Softerry.
beachBUB All-in-One Beach Umbrella System
Good Housekeeping recommends this as their best overall beach umbrella and who are we to argue, honey? This multi-purpose umbrella comes with a towel hook, carrying case, shovel, sandbags, and sand gopher to keep the umbrella stable in the sand in up to 35-mph winds. You can order or pick up this sturdy umbrella on Amazon or at Bed Bath and Beyond.
Pride Hawaiian Shirt
Get ready to soak up the sun and hit the waves in this island-inspired LGBTQ Pride Hawaiian shirt! With a vibrant floral pattern in the subtle gradient colors of the original LGBTQ Pride flag, you’ll be the life of the beach party and spread good vibes wherever you go. It’s a fashion statement full of love, acceptance, and beachy vibes—while offering protection of your torso from the sun. Designed by Etsy store WheePride, it’s offering a relaxed, boxy fit perfect for all genders and body types.
Ray-Ban Aviator Classic
Sometimes classics really are the best. Ray-Ban Aviators never go out of style. These sunnies still have their owners looking their best while providing 100% UV protection with your choice of lens colors: crystal brown or crystal green.
Crocs LiteRide Pacer
These water shoes are comfortable and protect your feet. They are great especially if you don’t like the discomfort of walking on rocky beaches or stomping on seashells, right? Crocs LiteRide Pacer water shoes are must-have beachwear, especially on beaches with coral, pebbles, driftwood, and other sharp things. You’ll thank me later.
KAHI Aqua Balm Stick
We all know SPF is non-negotiable for a day at the beach, but reapplying every 2 hours in the summer heat? Not always easy… until now. Meet the KAHI Aqua Balm Stick, the #1 Best Seller in Eye Treatment Balms on Amazon with over 10,000 rave reviews designed for on-the-go SPF 50+ protection you’ll actually want to use.
Why it’s the ultimate summer SPF essential: Mess-free reapplication – glide it over your face, neck, or even the backs of your hands, no sticky fingers, no white cast; Double-duty skincare – infused with low molecular salmon collagen + Jeju fermented oils for hydration, elasticity, and fine-line care; Makeup-friendly – Smooth finish that layers perfectly over or under makeup; Pocket-sized protection – Toss it in your beach bag, carry-on, or purse for quick touch-ups anywhere. It’s delicate enough to also use on your lips and around your eyes.
Anne Cate Personal Care Kits
When you are done with the beach and ready to move on to your next adventure—whether that’s a tea dance, dinner, or whatever else you have planned, it pays to have packed everything you need to keep yourself nice. Anne Cate has come up with kits for ‘him’ and ‘her’ that pack the bare essentials for personal maintenance while on the road. Inspired by the female founder’s love of city skylines and travel destinations, these neat travel kits hold those pesky essentials you always forget—from nail clippers to chapsticks to band-aids and beyond—without you bringing the entire vanity case and first aid kit with you.
The Skyline Mini Wallet Emergency Kit For Her has 20 essentials that will keep femmes worry-free for the day, while the City Abbreviation Mini Bag Emergency Kit For Him, packaged in a compact mini bag keychain, has 15 essentials for mascs. And you can always add other thoughtful items. Anne Cate has begun the process for you! Plus, depending on your city allegiance, you can choose a skyline or airport abbreviation for your travel pouch. We also love the Anne Cate Beach Sunscreen Bag / Beach Pouch—no more leaking sunscreen or sand encrusted sunscreen bottles!
Elvira Moon Bathing Beach Tote
And finally, no day camping (literally) at the beach under the blazing sun is complete without our Mistress of the Dark, Elvira, as far as we are concerned! Carry all your essentials with this spectacularly spooky tote from Kreepsville that is sure to start a conversation. And besides, Halloween will be here before you know it.
To browse some last minute beach getaway ideas, go here, and here. If you’re a minority-owned entrepreneur, business or company with a perfect beach product that you’d like to see featured in Vacationer, email the editor: vacationermagazine@gmail.com.
