Beach days are almost upon us, and that means packing up the beach bag, tossing in towels, sand toys and everything but the kitchen sink, and heading to the water for a day of fun in the sun.
Finding the perfect beach bag can be a challenge, with a need to find a bag that is large enough to fit everything, but also durable enough (and made of the right fabrics) to repel water, and sand.
What to look for in a family beach bag
SIZE: We’ve all made the mistake where we’ve used a bag too small, and then ended up with towels over the shoulder, sand toys falling, and just utter chaos. When choosing a family beach bag, I always go for oversized. With a family of four, I want to make sure that I have enough for everyone’s towels, toys, sunscreen and spare clothes. It just makes the trip from the car to the beach so much easier!
MATERIAL: When shopping for a beach bag, you want to choose a suitable fabric. I opt for something that is waterproof, so that I can stop water getting in, but also something that can handle wet towels at the end of a beach day. Look for bags made from durable canvas, recycled plastic, neoprene or mesh.
ORGANISATION: “WHERE’S THE KEYS?” isn’t something you want to be yelling when you’ve got tired kids, and a huge beach bag to find them in. Choose a bag that has an easy access side pocket with zip, or even a key holder, so that you can find valuables easily.
COMFORT: By the time you fill your bag with everything, especially when towels are wet, a beach bag can become quite heavy. For comfort choose something with comfortable straps that won’t dig in as you trek back to the car.
Project Ten
Bloom Oversize Tote, $29.95
An oversized option at 85cm wide, 37cm tall, the Project Ten bags are made of recycled plastic for a matte, lightweight and strong beach accessory. With comfortable woven straps, and a hidden zip pocket inside (ideal for keys, and cash), it also folds up to A4 size for storage.
I think I’ve been using these bags for over a decade now. I’ve used them for swimming, to throw everything in when the girls were babies and doing swimming lessons and now as a beach bag. I love that they’re eco-friendly and affordable, and not fussy. I can wipe them out (you could actually hose them if you required!) and they’re back to new again. They’re constantly bringing out new prints, so you can find one that suits your style.
Typo
Wellness Tote Bag, $49.95
Available in 6 sweet colours, this Wellness Tote from Typo is an ideal beach bag because of all the zippable sections – meaning you won’t have things spilling out into the sand. A solid medium size bag, at 45cm x 48cm, it’s easy to throw in the washing machine to keep clean, and even has a removable internal pouch. I use this as my grab and go bag – it goes with me on planes, and out and about with the kids.
The Beach People
The Wet Bucket, $119
Created by a local Tweed Heads business, I love this concept for ease and reliability, and cool summer style. The Beach People created this innovative beach bucket, using flexible biodegradable EVA material, with durable handles for easy carrying.
Sande Kids
Beach Hauler Beach Bag, $89
If you want to be able to put everything AND the kitchen sink in your beach bag, this is it! Able to carry up to 10kg, and 110 litre capacity, this Sande Kids bag is perfect for families. Strong and durable, and made from a mesh fabric that allows the sand to fall back into the beach, it has thick cotton straps for a comfortable carry. It also has a canvas zipper pocket for valuables.
Shylero
Beach Bag, $49.95 (from Amazon)
With a built-in bottle opener (genius!) and key holder (even more genius!) this large beach bag is a winner for families. At 55cm x 38cm it’s a sturdy make, with ‘ripstop’ construction, and a water-repellent interior lining. It also has 3 inner pockets, and comes with a weather-proof PVC case for your valuables.
Pelli Bags
Beachy Keen Waxed Canvas Beach Bag, $119.95
Perfect for busy families, this Pelli Bags Waxed Canvas option repels dirt, water and moisture naturally, giving you a little extra protection at the beach. It’s even sand-proof, meaning that sand won’t stick – so you won’t be dragging half the beach home with you! Designed to be a forever bag, it’s made from heavy duty cotton canvas. It has three pockets, one with a zipper for your important goodies.
SUNNYLIFE
Carryall Beach Bag, $39.95
Sunnylife has become a huge part of our Australian Summers (we use their fun floaties in our pool often!), and their carryall beach bag just screams fun summer, don’t you think? At 70cm x 52cm, it’s gloriously large in size, easy to clean, and best of all, it’s water-proof.
Jane Debster
Duet Beach Bag, $159.95
A more chic look, ideal if you’re sans kids and hanging with girlfriends, this Jane Debster woven bag is roomy, soft to the touch, and is perfect for on the beach or at a luxe lunch.
Bogg Bags
Original Bogg Bag, $89.95
If you’re looking for a sturdy, tip-proof bag, the Bogg Bag is ideal. Designed for family days on the beach, you can toss everything in, and leave the sand at the beach when you’re ready to head home. Each bag comes with a set of two clear insert bags, that can be attached to either the inside or outside of the bag using the holes.
While I generally dislike copies, if you’re looking for an affordable option (because this one is in the USA, and can be pricey with exchange rates and shipping), there is a similar version of this on Amazon.
ban.do
Foldable Beach Bag, $78.94 (from Amazon)
Perfect for keeping in the car, or if you’re looking for an easy-to-store option, this ban.do beach bag fold up into a small zipped case that takes up no room at all. With long handles, it’s comfortable to carry, and is made from a durable polyester material that can store wet or dry objects.
Billabong
Sundown Tides Bag, $49.99
An Aussie icon since 1973, Billabong goes hand in hand with summer beach days. With sturdy handles, and each to wash fabric, as well as zippable pockets inside, this beach bag is a stylish winner for summer.
Kollab
Bird of Paradise Beach Bag, $29.95
Made with a water-resistant material, the kollab beach bag is durable, easy to wipe, and reinforced to last as your family grows. Large in size (83cm by 38cm), it’s a great size to throw everything in for long beach or creek days.
Project Blank
Khaki Beach Bag, $23.97
An oversized bag, 40cm by 40cm, the Project Blank beach bag is made with recycled PET bottles. It is made with waterproof material, and features a zip to keep everything in place.
Sammimis
BONIFACIO Jumbo Beach Bag, $89.95
This beach bag has everything you need in one bag; With two compartments inside the bag, a large zip section on one side, water repellent inner lining, water bottle holder on the outside, soft but sturdy handles and last of all, it’s fully washable.
Ela & Earth
Weekender cooler bag, $84.95
A beach bag and cooler in one? Yes please! These leak-proof cooler bags are fully insulated to keep your food and drinks cool, with multiple interior compartments for water bottles. Made from a sturdy polyester canvas, they also feature an adjustable shoulder strap, secure back pocket and a convenient zip closure.
A little note. For the past 15 years, I’ve loved writing and sharing my life, the good and bad, with you, my beautiful readers. Over those years I’ve often recommended products, and services that I’ve tested, tried and/or researched. Off my blog, I’ve always been the person that people go to to ask, “Do you know what the best X is?” I’ll often publish blog posts or guides to products that I’m having fun researching, and would recommend. Some of those posts, like this one, may include paid inclusions (where I may receive a small commission at no cost to you), but I promise to only feature products that I have or would happily buy myself. Honesty and transparency is, and always will be super important to me, because I know it’s important to you too.
