Your Summer 2024 Beach Packing List: Swimsuits, Beach Wagons, and More Editor Favorites
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Everything you’ll need for the ideal beach day this summer
People / Kimberly Souza
The season of long, lazy beach days has arrived, but before you feel the sun on your face, the warm sand between your toes, and the splash of refreshing ocean water, you’ll need to stock up on beach essentials.
As it happens, we have many beachgoers at PEOPLE, with editors who hail from (yours truly) and frequent the white sands of Florida, and another who lives full-time in Hawai’i. Having tried countless products, we’re sharing the absolute necessities you need for any beach trip, whether an afternoon escape or a full-blown vacation.
Read on for PEOPLE’s tested beach packing list of 2024.
Related: The Absolute Best Swimsuits for Curvy Women, According to Curvy Women and Stylists
Cupshe Women's One-Piece Swimsuit
People / Amazon / Kayla Kitts
Cupshe swimsuits like this one-piece have earned a permanent spot in PEOPLE shopping editor Kayla Kitts’s summer rotation thanks to their impressive tummy control. We compared dozens of the best swimsuits for women, and this fit left quite an impression. The V-neck one-piece combines padded chest inserts and ruching across the stomach to make you feel comfortable, supported, and confident for any beach outing. Plus, it comes in tropical colors like sage green, baby blue, and sunny yellow.
Size Range: XS–XXL | Material: Nylon, spandex | Color Options: 33
Aerie Pool-To-Party Cover-Up Shirt
People / Aerie / Erika Reals
The ‘no shoes, no shirt, no service’ policy is a staple among small beach towns, so having a cute swimsuit cover-up ready to wear is a must. PEOPLE senior shopping editor Erika Reals swears by this oversized shirt for beach, pool, and even lake outings. The soft, gauzy material is lightweight and dries quickly, plus a button-down is such a classic and comfortable style.
Sizes: XXS–XL | Materials: 100% cotton | Colors: 8
Clarks Women’s Breeze Sea Flip Flop
People / Bridget Annear
A beach ‘fit isn’t complete without sand-friendly shoes, and these Clarks should be the first pair you reach for. Stacked against 19 of the best flip flops for women, the Clarks proved highly durable, comfortable, and supportive. You can easily brush or rinse sand off of the acetate footbed, and the thick soles will support your foot should you traverse mounds of sand en route to the perfect beach spot.
Colors: 53 | Sizes: 5–12 | Materials: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate footbed, EVA outsole, soft textile lining
Decomen Beach Towel
People / Stephanie Petit
And once you find your spot of choice (perhaps away from seagulls and shell-dense areas), you’ll need a good beach towel to spread out. Our tester used this towel at least once a week at the beach for three months, and compared it to 56 other beach towels we tried (both in a lab and on actual beaches). It completely won us over with its durability, absorbency, and sand resistance. We also love the vibrant prints like sea turtles, pineapples, and shells. Currently, the towel is available to buy in sets of two or four and in cotton or microfiber.
Material: Microfiber and cotton options | Size: 32 x 73 inches | Color Options: 13
Sun Ninja Beach Tent Sun Shelter with UPF50+ Protection
People / Jamie Griffin
If you need some respite from the sun’s rays, a beach canopy like this popular pick from Sun Ninja is ideal. Lounge beneath its expansive coverage while still feeling the ocean breeze. It’s easy to set up and take down, and because it’s so compact, you can carry it in your beach tote. Plus, its material has UPF50+ for additional sun protection.
Sizes: 7 x 7.5 feet (assembled), 10 x 10 feet | Material: Spandex | Weight: 9.7 pounds
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 70 Sunscreen Spray
People / Erin Johnson
Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense, Clear Face, Beach Defense, Sport, and Ultra Sheer SunscreenOf course, regardless of beach tents or umbrellas, you should always wear sunscreen when you go to the beach. PEOPLE associate editorial director Erin Johnson swears by Neutrogena. Based in Hawai’i, she personally tried 54 sunscreens while surfing, diving, and lounging beachside, and this SPF provided the best coverage and protection. She uses one full bottle every two weeks (reapplying throughout the day) and rarely ever burns.
Type: Chemical spray | Coverage Options: Spray, mist, and lotion | Protection: SPF 30, 45, and 70
Yeti Rambler 20 oz Tumbler
People / Madison Yauger
Every summer, I head to the beaches of North Carolina with 20+ family members in tow, and it’s amusing (but not surprising) how many Yeti tumblers arrive as well. These stainless steel, insulated cups are highly durable, splash-resistant, and dishwasher-safe. They can keep your drinks cold for hours of beach time and come in an assortment of colors, so in theory, you can keep track of yours. Of course, when Yetis and lids grow legs anyway (cough, cough), a customization can help you lay claim.
Capacity: 10-, 20-, and 30-ounce options | Materials: Kitchen-grade stainless steel | Weight: 0.9 pounds | Colors: 14 | Customization: Yes
Related: Spotlight on Stanley: The Brand’s Best Tumblers, Water Bottles, and More
Holo Holo Soleil Bag
Aloha Collection
For a stylish and functional beach tote recommendation, we turn to PEOPLE’s style and beauty director, Andrea Lavinthal. The Aloha Tote is her go-to as a mom on vacation because it fits everything: towels, sunscreen, goggles, toys, and more. She carried it abroad for a recent stay in Grand Cayman, and it held up to all elements of a beach trip done right (read: sand, ocean water, and a strawberry daiquiri spill, which came out with light cleaning).
Colors: Soleil | Dimensions: 23 x 13.5 inches | Material: Nylon | Features: Reversible design
Edie Cat Eye Crystal Pink Sunglasses
People / Cai Cramer
Sand is basically a mirror, reflecting the sun right into your eyes, so a pair of sunnies is essential to any beach day. PEOPLE shopping writer Cai Cramer loves these lightweight Edie Cat Eye Sunglasses in a whimsical pink.
To protect your eyes, we recommend choosing polarization for your go-to beach pair (Cai’s are not polarized), but at Eyebuydirect you can polarize any pair of sunglasses you choose. Plus, we tried seven other pairs of sunnies in a range of prices, so if you feel like splurging, we also recommend Maui Jim. Erin Johnson wears her cat eye pair every day on the Hawaiian coast.
Shape: Cat eye | Polarized: No, but you can purchase as an add-on | Frame Width: 130 mm | Bridge Width: 17 mm | Frame Material: Acetate | Color Options: Crystal pink, tortoise, or yellow
Whitsunday Collapsible Folding Utility Wagon
People / Izzy Seely
For most beach outings, you’ll likely just bring a tote, but sometimes you need a little more help to lug beach chairs, sand toys, and other larger items. Beach wagons help keep beach days from turning into a juggling exercise. We particularly liked the Whitsunday wagon for small outings because it’s lightweight and easy to transport back and forth from the shore. Plus, it’s more affordable than many others we tried.
Weight: 18.36 pounds | Dimensions: 28 x 16.9 x 10.5 inches | Weight Limit for Cargo: 120 pounds | Assembly Required: No
Behind the Scenes
We’ve done extensive research and testing in categories related to the beach, such as beach wagons, beach canopies, and beach towels. And for other products, we did the tedious work of enjoying long days at real beaches to ensure quality. Without going overboard (pun intended), here are a few stats to get a glimpse of our testing process.
57 beach towels were covered in sand, damped by ocean water, and compared, weighing qualities like softness, absorbency, drying time, and more.
54 sunscreens were used to protect the fair skin of our Hawai’i-based teammate throughout many days of ocean activities like surfing and diving, as well as beach and poolside lounging.
20 pairs of flip flops were worn on a variety of terrain.
19 beach canopies were set up on particularly sunny days on beaches across the country and we measured the ease of setup, use, and takedown, as well as, of course, the coverage each provided.
18 beach wagons were loaded up and lugged across sand and pavement on multiple beach trips to test endurance, maneuverability, and longevity.
And that’s just scratching the surface because our editors have been toting their favorite swimsuits, cover-ups, sunglasses, tumblers, and beach bags for years of tried-and-true use.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Madison Yauger grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., and has summered at the Carolina beaches for upwards of 25 years. She basically grew up covered in sand and sunscreen, so if there was anyone suited to write this story, it’s her. In addition to utilizing PEOPLE’s extensive testing insights, Madison also consulted her fellow editors, writers, and directors to formulate the absolute best beach packing list.
Where PEOPLE Go to the Beach
Madison Yauger grew up in Jacksonville, Fla. (where she spent many days trying to remember to reapply sunscreen at Jax Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach) and has spent 25+ summers attending family beach trips to Litchfield Beach, S.C., and Holden Beach, N.C.
Erin Johnson lives at the beach in Hawai'i and spends every single day on the sand or in the water, so high-quality beach products have never been more important to her. Previously, she was a Brooklyn resident who commuted to Rockaway Beach nearly every weekend in the summer, and she grew up in the South, where she spent a significant amount of time in Destin and Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Kayla Kitts spent her childhood summers at her grandparents’ house in Daytona Beach, Fla. Now she and her husband take their child to the Florida Panhandle and the 30A beaches, like Seaside. They also pop out to Georgia beaches like St. Simons Island and Tybee Island for shorter trips and weekend getaways. For longer beach vacays, they head to Cancun annually (hello, adults-only resort).
Erika Reals grew up landlocked in the Midwest, but in adulthood, she loves to visit beaches in the New York area, such as South Edison Beach in Montauk and Rockaway Beach, as well as La Jolla Shores Beach in San Diego. She also takes her beach exploration abroad and loves Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda, Bavaro Beach in the Dominican Republic, and Cuvi Beach in Rovinj, Croatia.
Laura Gurfein lives in New York and also frequents the popular Rockaway Beach, as well as Jones Beach on Long Island. She also enjoys Breakwater Beach in Cape Cod.
Cai Cramer has visited the beaches in Rincón, Puerto Rico twice to swim and surf (she did, in fact, stand up on the board!).
Alyssa Brascia gets her beach fix at the Jersey Shore once a summer.
Genevieve Cepeda frequented Oak Street Beach in Chicago with her friends as a teenager. The Chicago skyline more than adds a little flair to your average beach day.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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