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Planning a beach day is a whole process that requires a little bit of strategy. Expert beachgoers know there are two keys to the perfect summer sand excursion: a thought-out beach packing list and timing. The sooner you hit the sand, the better (mainly so you can stake your rightful place on zee beach). If you wait too long (especially during the height of summer beach season) finding a spot where you can soak up some Vitamin D and flip through your new beach read is going to be challenging, to say the least.

What's really gonna make your experience memorable, though, is the proper tools and ~equipment~. That's right—it's all about that summer packing list. Step one always calls for some cute swimwear. Next, you're gonna need a well-stocked cooler full of bevs, along with a solid lineup of snacks to help keep hangriness at bay. Beach equipment like a plush, oversized towel, sunscreen (protect that skin, bb!), and a comfy lounge chair are also v necessary. But, can I talk to you for a sec about what may possibly be the most overlooked summer accessory? Allow me to introduce you to the beach canopy (and a sneak of my faves real quick below):

Now, you might be thinking, "Hmm, a beach canopy seems a bit extra," and hey, I hear ya. But if you're heading to the beach with a group of pals, a canopy is a convenient way to keep everyone corralled while providing some much-needed shade. It's also the perfect hangout spot for eating, drinking, game-playing, and cooling off after too much sun. Tbh, a beach canopy is just the right amount of extra to make you the envy of all your fellow beachgoers. Some of these are also quality IG backdrops for your summer thirst trap pics, so you're welcome for that.

Ready to find the best beach canopy for your best summer yet? Scroll through to shop our favorites for your next beach retreat.

St. Tropez Cabana

Set this chic tent up (which has pockets for your sunglasses, phone, or drinks) and immediately be transported to the South of France, even if you're just at a local beach that's a little too family-friendly (IYKYK). All that's missing from this picture? A can of crisp rosé and a romance novel.

Portable Sun Shade Shelter

This beach tent is no joke: It's roomy enough for three people, features breezy mesh windows, and keeps you protected from the sun, thanks to a genius UPF 50+ exterior. Choose from four different colors, including white and mint green.

The Checker Cabana Beach Cabana in Sand

A beach cabana with removable curtains that doubles as a changing room for slipping out of sandy suits? It's kinda giving Princess Diaries vibes, no? Shop this cabana and you're guaranteed to be the most chic beach visitor on the sand.

Co-op Outward Day Shelter

The coolest feature of this tent is that it folds down to a compact, easy-to-lug size, and it comes in its own carrying case. It doubles as a lil rain shelter too, if it starts to sprinkle during your beach day. Beachside picnic, anyone?

The Premium Cabana

Those colors! That fringe! What else does one need? All of your friends will want to take photos for the 'gram with this fashionable beach tent in the background.

The Premium Tent

Secure six feet of shade with this beach tent that's giving all the best vintage vibes. It includes four pegs, guide poles, and a matching canvas carry bag.

Sun Shelter Pop-Up Tent

Naps on the beach are the literal best, and this pop-up beach tent is practically made for them. It's so easy to set up, too: Packed as a round disc, just hold it away from you, slightly toss it, and this bad boy snaps right open.

Beach Tent Sun Shelter

When your crew of three gets bumped up to four, bust out this large tent, which is perfectly designed for two adults and two kids. Bonus: It has an internal pocket where you can store personal items, and sturdy poles to keep it anchored on even the breeziest beach days.

Large Canopy 5

CoolCabanas is a beach staple and this super large canopy—which comes in 12 colors and two sizes!—makes it understandable as to why. The biggest version of the tent can comfortably keep a family or group of friends shaded all day long. And! You don't even have to worry about it flying down the beach since all four legs have sand pockets that hold up to 35 pounds. We love form and function.

Beach Tent

This beach tent is ideal for groups of up to four adults. Besides the sand, it can be set up on lawns, at picnics—you name it. Sun-averse folks will love its UPF 50+ protection too.

Sunbuster Folding Shelter

This top-selling beach tent is loved for its portability; it can be easily assembled and taken down in seconds. On over-the-top hot days, extend the floor of the tent to keep your legs and calves off of scorching sand. And since pockets are always a big deal, you'll love that this one has multiple interior sleeves for stashing all your goods.

Tropical Bali Cabana Lounger

Okay, okay—this is *technically* a float and not a tent, but you get so much bang for your buck with this printed lounger. It's an inflatable float that you can bring with you into the water (just anchor it to something sturdy so you don't end up too far from shore). It also doubles as a lil cabana for taking shaded naps in the sand. We're sold.

Should you get a beach tent?

Absolutely! Because 1) they provide a fun vibe and chic photo backdrop and 2) they are a great home base for the beach happy hours that you're sure to host this summer. And those are just off the top of my hear. But above all else, it's their sun protection people! Unlike an umbrella, tents like the ones above can shade a lot more square footage. While we emphasize lathering up on the sunscreen (year-round, BTW,) investing in a tent is securing a solid extra layer of protection from harmful rays.

How do I keep my tent from blowing away at the beach?

Several tents and cabanas on the market today come with pockets that can be filled with sand to hold them down. If you're on the hunt for additional anchoring, might we suggest grabbing a set of separate sandbags? This buy is pretty worth your while, especially to avoid the headache of dealing with your tent on a super windy day.

Here's how we selected the best beach tents

Our tent and cabana expertise stems from pretty intense deep dives into user reviews and first-hand experiences. We are here to help you curate celeb-caught-by-the-paparazzi-while-on-vacay level vibes only. Which is why our team meticulously dug through the overwhelming wealth of options out there to handpick only the best of the best for you. We're talking about the best warm weather 'fits, the top beach lounging chairs, and yes, even the recipes that've gotta go on your summertime menu. This is your one-stop-shop to get the good times rolling.

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