The 16 Best Beach Bags for Toting Your Sunscreen, Towels, and More

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The best beach bags are as essential as swimwear and sandals in the summer. For vacations and weekends, a spacious, oversize beach tote is the ultimate bag for carrying a towel, SPF, snacks, and a change of clothes. When traveling, you’ll definitely want one roomy enough to hold a few new purchases from your explorations, or to serve as your personal item alongside your luggage.

Compared to your go-to laptop and work bags, the best beach totes are more casual, many with slouchier shapes and whimsical details you may not typically tend toward Monday through Friday. Designer straw bags, breezy baskets, and airy raffia designs are among the most quintessential, often with that Parisian je ne sais quoi that has you ready to escape at a moment’s notice. Similarly, cool crochet carryalls and elevated canvas totes are iconic when waterside, whether you tend toward a classically nautical stripe or multicolored motif for a bolder pop.

Of course, there are the super-durable workhorses you use whenever you’re lugging everything but the kitchen sink, like bags crafted from durable nylon, neoprene, PVC, or mesh. Bonus: These are often water-resistant—you never know when a splash will sneak up on you.

Whether you’re planning vacation outfits down to the last detail or simply seeking a bag destined for sunshiny days, scroll to discover the 16 topping our list, from brands ranging from Loewe to L.L.Bean.

The Moda Hobo Bag

You won’t want to relegate this beach tote to the beach only. While the spacious raffia style is well suited to the sand, the hobo silhouette is elegant enough to wear to the office once your weekend away is over.

Dimensions: 16" D

Materials: Handwoven raffia

What reviewers say: “Love this handbag, extremely soft but resistant at the same time. Great size. Very practical to go from the beach to a walk around and looking stylish. Love the Raffia tone with the tan accents. Great value for the quality. Great job SW.”

Medium Tote Bag With Gucci Patch

Inspired by beach clubs on the Italian coast, this multicolor jute design is a playful take on the classic woven tote—a perfect choice for a getaway.

Dimensions: 11.8" H x 15.7" W x 7.1" D

Materials: Jute with leather trim

Tote in Chevron

Unique handles lend a nontraditional allure to this tote bag, which nods to classic nautical style. It’s also made from recycled plastic bottles and is incredibly durable.

Dimensions: 16.5" L at base x 22.4" L at top x 5.3" W x 12.6" H

Materials: Recycled plastic bottles

What reviewers say: “I’m using it for the beach since it can hold a towel, fan, books, sunscreen... Huge, washable, light....LOVE It!”

Large Watermill Straw Tote in Confetti

All your beach essentials will be secure in Altuzarra’s modern take on the woven tote, featuring a unique cage design crafted from leather. Though multicolor, the straw appears almost neutral, meaning it stands out but can still go with whatever swimsuit you choose.

Dimensions: 12.5" H x 8" W x 4" D

Materials: Straw and leather

Ella Printed Tote

Why not shake things up with a version featuring colorful print? The rope design boasts a timeless maritime feel while looking fresh as ever in green.

Dimensions: 13" H x 17.1" L x 5.1" D

Materials: Outer shell: 100% recycled polyester with faux leather trim; lining: 100% recycled polyester

What reviewers say: “I purchased this bag to use as a stylish pool/beach bag. It looks great, has two internal compartments (one zippered) to keep me organized, and its soft nylon fabric does well if it gets damp. Bonus points for being lightweight and quite packable and for having a leather covered magnetic closure on top. In short, I love it!”

The X-Large JWA Corner Stripe Canvas Tote

What canvas totes offer in durability, they can sometimes lack in aesthetics. But not in this case: The ultra-spacious design is just the right size for fitting a towel, snacks, and change of clothes, with a captivatingly bold blue-and-white stripe motif.

Dimensions: 15" H x 16.5" W x 9" D

Materials: Textile with leather trim

Large Anagram Basket Tote Bag

Loewe’s collaboration with iconic boutique Paula’s Ibiza resulted in this, the perfect vacation bag.

Dimensions: 13.3" H x 24.6" W x 7.8" D

Materials: Iraca palm and leather

Medium St. Barths Tote

Naghedi’s St. Barths water-resistant tote is quickly becoming a cult favorite among the fashion set, as it’s incredibly practical yet sleek.

Dimensions: 10.5"H x 12" W x 7" D

Materials: Terylene

What reviewers say: “Great tote! Strong & packable.”

Darwen Stripe Jacquard Tote

Vibrant multicolor stripes are just the thing for a long summer weekend. The nylon fabric is durable indeed, while the wide straps are long enough to sit over your shoulder—so key when you’re trudging through the sand.

Dimensions: 12.5" H x 16" W x 8" D

Materials: Nylon

Paris Stripe Jute Tote

A striped carryall has long been a staple for the beach. Will & Atlas’s take looks expensive, but comes in at just $125.

Dimensions: 15" H x 21" W x 9.5" D

Materials: Jute

What reviewers say: “I carry this all summer. It’s light, machine washable and holds everything—laptop included. A little bit of graphic Parisian stripe complements most outfits.”

Resort Large Mermaid Canvas Tote Bag

A cotton carryall unlike any other, this bag with a mermaid theme is a standout. Shoulder straps and a softly structured silhouette ensure it is both bold and functional.

Dimensions: 12.9" H x 18.5" W x 7.8" D

Materials: Cotton

Panier Medium Basket Bag

We love a vinyl bag when we’re waterside. And it doesn’t get more luxe than Saint Laurent’s take on the water-resistant look.

Dimensions: 9.3–19.3" x 12.8" x 3.9–5.9"

Materials: Vinyl with vegetable-tanned leather trim

Large Striped Jacquard Tote Bag

This pastel-striped canvas shopper is as sturdy as it is sweet.

Dimensions: 19.1" H x 15.6" W x 11.4" D

Materials: Cotton canvas

Mesh Market Tote Bag

Calling all beach goths. Here’s a black bag that’s perfect for stowing your beach necessities. The mesh will let sand through, so you may want to keep your small items in a pouch to protect them.

Dimensions: 21" H x 18.5" W x 9" D

Materials: Mesh polyester

Boat and Tote

There’s a reason L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote remains a favorite among men and women alike. The canvas is durable, and the range of sizes, from mini to XL, means you can find the space for your beachy necessities.

Dimensions: 15" H x 17" W x 7.5" D

Materials: Canvas

What reviewers say: "I've owned well over 15 L.L. Bean Boat and Totes in various sizes. These rugged and heavy-duty totes are by far the most durable and the best tote bags on the market."

Large Metro Tote Deluxe

Lightweight yet incredibly sturdy (the carryall double whammy), MZ Wallace’s nylon totes are a staple when you’re toting everything but the kitchen sink. Don’t let this large size fool you—it’s easily packable for a vacation, too.

Dimensions: 14.5" H x 11" W x 14.5" L

Materials: Nylon with leather trim

What reviewers say: “It is a perfect size for travel and it fits under the airplane seat. I especially like how lightweight the bag is.”

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