The Beach Bag Essentials Frequent Travelers Swear by

“It goes on smoothly and is completely invisible on my skin,” says Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, a travel writer and on-air travel expert. This SPF 40 body sunscreen from Supergoop glides on smoothly, leaves no white cast, and feels weightless, making it ideal for daily protection or resort wear.

This tinted mineral sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection with a lightweight, matte finish. Sofia Ancira, founder and co-designer of Sanlier Swimwear, explains: “It doesn’t leave me sticky or greasy, has a matte finish, and has no weird sunscreen smell.”

Amanda Gunawan, founding principal of OWIU, swears by this formula: “It’s over SPF 40, has zinc and a PA rating of PA+++.” The SPF 50 mineral formula is fortified with zinc, perfect for sensitive skin, and won’t clog pores.

Made with geraniol, peppermint, and citronella, this balm works as a natural insect repellent. “Golden hour can also bring mosquitoes, so I make sure to pack a stick of natural, lightweight Quitch repellent balm to keep the critters at bay,” says Diana Bernal, communications specialist and travel designer.

Greaves-Gabbadon has tested this vibrant, fade-resistant rashguard that offers UPF protection and doubles as a swimsuit top. “I’ve had this one from Axesea for several years and it hasn’t faded,” she says.

Kate Bock, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and chief brand officer at Pompette, discovered this flattering, textured favorite during a professional shoot. “I first discovered Bond-Eye swim on an SI shoot, and the swimsuit I wore was one I knew I had to take home,” she says. “I’ve been a fan ever since.”

“I love everything about Marysia bathing suits, from the founder’s story (she’s a former ballerina who then got her degree from MIT), to the flattering fit, to the gorgeous sustainable Italian fabrics,” says Jordan Salcito, sommelier and CEO/founder of Ramona Canned Spritzes.

Shinesty has all kinds of fun styles of bathing suits for men and women, featuring a range of sizes and trunk lengths. “I have the greatest bathing suit from Shinesty—it’s a real conversation starter,” says David Schottenstein, founder and CEO of Privé Revaux Eyewear.

David Pirrotta, founder of Materiae and podcast host, calls this his go-to beach bag. Crafted from full-grain leather, this tote transitions effortlessly from beach to bistro and features multiple interior pockets. “It’s my tried-and-true bag for travel, work, and the beach,” he says.

River Jordan, a photographer, appreciates how this durable, water-resistant canvas ages beautifully and doubles as a carry-on or beach bag. “It’s a perfect carry-on, beach bag, or overnight bag and the longer I have it, the better it looks,” he says.

Greaves-Gabbadon also recommends this reusable water bottle from Owala that is completely leakproof and well-insulated. “It keeps drinks cold all day, never leaks, and comes in bright colors,” she says.

Diana Bernal, communications specialist and travel designer, likes this lightweight and space-saving option that collapses flat when empty and pops open in seconds. The bottle is BPA-free and has a flip-top cap for easy opening.

Rani Cheema, founder and travel business coach at Cheema’s Travel, champions this hands-free solution. This insulated cooler keeps beverages and snacks chilled across sandy terrain and the 20-liter cooler can keep items cold for up to 36 hours. “I love having my arms free and carrying a bulky cooler across the sand is never fun,” she says.

“A small Yeti cooler filled with berries, water, and a cold pressed coffee is standard procedure,” says Liles. The Roadie can hold more than 30 12-ounce cans, and the wheels make it easy to transport. It even comes with a shoulder strap and a drain plug for melted ice.

Emily Cheng, a travel nurse and the CEO/co-founder of MedVenture, relies on this silicone container that keeps things airtight and has an included fork. “I use my UST Flexware Mess Kit to keep fresh fruits, hummus, and pretzels away from sand,” she says.

For Kerry Skinner, a regenerative tourism marketing and B-Corp specialist, a dry bag is a must-have for her beach activities. It doubles as a bag to put wet bikinis in after a day on the beach. These dry bags from Sea to Summit have a roll-top closure to ensure no water gets in or out.

Conner Coffin, a professional surfer, keeps it simple with these eco-friendly towels printed with vibrant designs. These towels are soft, absorbent, and built to last. “I always have a Leus beach towel with me,” he says.

Alex Michael May, a content creator, has discovered the benefits of this lightweight and compact option that repels sand so you can shake off and pack up without a mess. “I’ve taken to packing towels that are highly portable and repel sand, like this one from Venture,” he says.

Liles also recommends these chic and multipurpose alternatives that double as a lightweight cover-up or picnic blanket. “They look chic and take up way less room,” she says.

Cheema never goes to the beach without a canopy to shield herself from the sun and wind-blown sand. “I never regret bringing a beach umbrella that sits low to the ground,” she says. The umbrella canopy is UPF 50 and has a zippered window for air flow.

Ploszaj considers this waterproof and glare-free device essential for stashing hundreds of books without sand or splash worries. “I never leave home without my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite,” she says.

Gunawan prefers this cult-favorite point-and-shoot for dreamy, sand-kissed film captures. “I usually use a Contax T3 because of the image quality,” she says.