Some pack light when they head to the beach, while others need a lot more to complete their day in the sun. No matter what type of beach goer you are, you’ll need a functional bag that’ll keep essentials like sunscreen, towels and a portable speaker all in one place. Below, I rounded up highly rated and NBC Select staff-favorite beach bags that range in style, size and price.
SKIP AHEAD Best beach totes | Best crossbody beach bags | Best backpacks for the beach | Why trust NBC Select?
How I picked the best beach bags
To recommend the best beach bags, I considered the following factors:
- Size: Depending on how long you’re staying and how much you’re bringing, you’ll want to consider the size of your bag and what it’ll actually fit. Some smaller totes, for example, will fit just the bare necessities, while larger, multi-pocket bags let you pack additional items like food, a change of clothes and your cosmetics bag.
- Material: Since beach bags are likely to get sand and water on them, you might want to look for options designed with a water-resistant material, or one that’s machine-washable or easy to spot clean. If you like to bring food and drinks to the beach, consider purchasing an insulated bag.
- Pockets and other organizational features: Interior and exterior pockets, as well as other organization compartments like dividers, give you a place to put all your items and make finding them easier.
- Cost: More expensive beach bags are an investment you can use year after year, while lower priced options may only be in good shape for one season, depending on how much you use it and how well you take care of it.
Related
Best beach bags of 2024
Below, I rounded up a handful of beach bags to consider. Some options are ones our NBC Select editors use and love. I also rounded up highly rated options from NBC Select reader-favorite brands and major retailers like Amazon and Target.
Best beach totes
L.L. Bean Boat and Tote
- Comes in multiple sizes
- Spacious; good for daily use
- Can be monogramed
- Does not have pockets
Many NBC Select staffers recommend this L.L. Bean tote for both the beach and daily use, including NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider. “It’s shockingly spacious and strong,” says Schneider. “I’m always surprised by how much it can hold though there aren’t any pockets, so when I go to the beach I fill all my items with little cosmetics bags to create some organization.”
You can purchase the tote in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes. You can also choose between two strap lengths: regular (5 to 10 inches) and long (14 inches). The bag has a double-layer base and reinforced bottom, which means it can carry heavier items. “I love that the canvas gets softer over time, too,” says Schneider. You can add a monogram or phrase for an additional fee.
Size: Varies based on size | Material: Canvas | Care: Spot clean
Yeti Camino 20 Carryall
- Two interior zippered pockets
- Shoulder straps or handle
- Water-resistant
- Can be too stiff
Yeti is a favorite brand among many NBC Select staffers. This 20-liter tote from the brand, which has a 4.8-star average rating from over 600 reviews on Amazon, has interior dividers (which you can fold away to create one large compartment) and two interior zippered pockets. You can carry it from its shoulder straps or cross bar handles, and the tote can stand up by itself, according to the brand. The tote also has a water-resistant shell to keep moisture out, according to the brand.
Size: 15x7.75x13.25 inches | Material: Yeti’s ThickSkin Shell and an EVA molded bottom | Care: Spot clean
Standard Baggu
- Can hold up to 50 pounds
- Machine-washable
- Comes in three sizes
- Does not have pockets
- Handles can be uncomfortable
“I use the standard Baggu bag to bring snacks, cold drinks, sunscreen and more to the beach,” says Kelsey Fredricks, NBC Select production coordinator. The Standard Baggu can hold up to 50 pounds, allowing you to carry two to three plastic grocery bags worth of items, according to the brand.
The bag is machine-washable and made out of ripstop nylon, which helps prevent tears while holding heavy items and groceries, according to Baggu. “It’s super durable and I find it easy to clean off any sand or dirt that gets on it,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. Plus, it folds down into a 5-inch pouch, so it’s easy to travel with and store away, says Godio.
“I also like how many prints it comes in and the brand is always coming out with new ones,” says Fredricks. The Baggu comes in an assortment of regular prints, limited-edition prints and solid colors. You can also purchase this bag in two additional sizes: Baby Baggu and Big Baggu.
Size: 25.5x15.5x6 inches| Material: Nylon | Care: Machine-washable
State Bags Wellington Cabana Tote
- Detachable zippered pouch
- Easy to clean
- Only comes in one size
“I absolutely love State Bags and this tote is no exception,” says Lauren Swanson, NBC Select editorial director. “The main compartment is very large, but isn’t overbearing. I can usually fit several towels, shoes, books and even a few snacks in it.” State’s tote comes with a detachable zippered pouch to store your phone, sunscreen, wallet and more. Plus, its flexible plastic material makes cleaning easy, says Swanson. “In fact, I once spilled salad dressing in this bag and just threw it in the shower to rinse off,” she says.
Size: 22x16.5x12.2 inches | Material: TPU | Care: Spot clean
Bogg Bag Original Bogg Bag
- Two reusable plastic inserts
- Stands up on its own
- Comes in three sizes
- Expensive
Similar to a mesh bag, the Original Bogg Bag, which has a 4.7-star average rating from over 7,900 reviews on Amazon, has small holes that allow sand to escape, according to the brand. The bag stands up on its own and comes with two reusable plastic inserts — you can snap the inserts’ buttons into any free hole on the bag’s interior or exterior, giving you a place to store your phone, sunscreen, goggles and more. You can also purchase the smaller Baby Bogg and Bitty Bogg Bag, plus a variety of clip-in charms to customize your bag to your own personal style.
Size: 19x15x9.5 inches | Material: EVA | Care: Washable
Gray Malin The Copacabana Tote Bag
- Leather drop-strap
- Storage pocket
- Only comes in one size
- Not machine-washable
“My parents bought me and my sister-in-law these beachy tote bags before a family trip to the Bahamas this past Christmas,” says former NBC Select editor Christina Colizza. “The bags have a nice, 10-inch long drop-strap made of real leather that makes them easy and comfortable to carry. Plus, they have a little storage pocket for your wallet and keys, and the canvas exterior and nylon interior make it easy to wipe down, or shake clean of any sand.” The tote bags are available with many of photographer Gray Malin’s images, including of Lake Michigan and umbrellas on a beach.
Size: 19x17x5.25 inches | Material: Canvas exterior, nylon interior | Care: Spot clean
Scout BJ Bag
- Water-resistant
- Four exterior pockets
- Interior zipper compartment
- Short straps
Designed with four exterior pockets and an interior zipper compartment, Scout’s BJ Bag offers lots of space to organize everything you pack inside. The bag can stand up on its own, has a zipper closure and folds flat when it’s not in use, according to the brand. It’s also highly rated, with a 4.8-star average rating from over 1,400 reviews on Amazon.
Size: 18.5x8.5x14 inches | Material: Water-resistant polypropylene | Care: Machine-washable
Rothy’s The Lightweight Tote
- Machine-washable
- Lightweight
- Made from recycled material
- Only comes in one size
- Expensive
“I normally like mesh bags for the beach, but this Rothy’s bag also fits the bill for me since it’s washable,” says Swanson. “I can throw my towel, book and sunglasses in here easily, and then toss it in the wash at the end of the day. It also makes a great bag for picnics.” The tote has a built-in key leash to keep your keys and other accessories secure, and it comes in 19 colors and three reversible patterns.
Size: 12.8x6.7x13.6 inches | Material: Fabric made from ocean-bound marine plastic | Care: Machine-washable
Calpak Compakt Tote Bag
- Water-resistant
- Interior zip pocket
- Folds into itself
- Nothing to note at this time
Calpak is an NBC Select Travel Awards winner and one of our favorite travel brands. This tote is water-resistant and made out of ripstop nylon fabric, which means it’s durable and won’t tear, according to the brand. It has an interior zip pocket for smaller items like your keys and wallet. When you’re done using it, you can fold it into itself and seal it with a zipper. It also has a 4.9-star average rating from 183 reviews at Calpak.
Size: 21x20x6 inches | Material: Nylon | Care: Spot Clean
Orvis Adventure Tote
- Three interior pockets
- Built-in luggage sleeve
- Personalizable
- Spot clean only
Orvis is an NBC Select Travel Awards winner. The brand’s Adventure Tote, which has a 4.9-star average rating from over 500 reviews at Orvis, is made out of a durable polyester that’s easy to spot clean, according to the brand. The tote has three interior pockets and a zip top to keep your items safe, and you can even personalize it with your initials for an additional charge.
Size: 14x19x9 inches | Material: Polyester | Care: Spot clean
Paravel Fold-Up Bag
- Spacious
- Water-resistant
- Personalizable
- Spot clean only
This Paravel duffel bag is great for everyday use and travel. It can fit a laptop of any size, three to five days worth of clothes and one to two pairs of shoes, according to the brand. Its water-resistant nylon material and lightweight design make it a great option for your beach trips, too.
“While I haven’t used this for the beach quite yet, I think it would be perfect,” says Schneider, who was sent the duffel by the brand to try. “It’s extremely lightweight, so when you’re carrying a million things across hot sand you won’t feel weighed down.”
Along with its main storage compartment, the duffel has a deep interior pocket and an exterior slip pocket. You can fold it flat and zip it into a square pouch for easy storage, too. “I love that you can fold it down super small, so it won’t take up a lot of space in a suitcase if you’re traveling to a beach vacation,” says Schneider. “Plus, the colors and customization options are cute.”
Size: Unfolded 18x11.5x11 inches and folded 8x9.75x2.75 inches | Material: Water-resistant Negative Nylon made from recycled plastic bottles | Care: Spot clean
Best crossbody beach bags
Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag
- Machine-washable
- Wide, adjustable strap
- Two interior pockets
- Nothing to note at this time
NBC Select photo editor Vivian Le prefers this Baggu bag to a fanny pack — she says it’s roomier than most belt bags and you can wear it as a crossbody bag or slung on your shoulder. The bag is built with an adjustable strap and two interior pockets to keep you organized. The main compartment is large enough to fit most books or a Kindle if you like to read at the beach, says Le.
Size: 13.75x4x8 inches | Material: Recycled heavyweight nylon and a recycled ripstop nylon lining | Care: Machine-washable
Calpak Luka Belt Bag
- Interior zipper pocket
- Very lightweight
- Adjustable strap length
- Suitable for personal use only
I grew up walking distance from the beach, so portability was always top of mind when deciding which bag to pack my essentials in. I swear by Calpak’s Luka Belt Bag, which I can wear as a fanny pack or crossbody bag. I use it as my everyday bag, but it’s suitable for small to mid-sized beach necessities, too. It has a roomy zippered pocket on the interior and exterior of the main pouch, and you can adjust the strap’s length. The main pouch fits my phone and wallet case, earbuds, keys and sunscreen, and I usually put hair ties and other smaller items inside the zippered pockets.
Size: 11x5.5x3.5 inches | Material: Polyester | Care: Spot clean
Best backpacks for the beach
Yeti Hopper M20 Backpack
- Tight magnetic seal
- Functions as a cooler
- Puncture- and UV ray-resistant
- Expensive
- Large
“Pool and beach days require so much packing, especially if you have a big family like myself,” says NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez. “So when it comes to big bags like this Yeti, I can double it as a cooler for all of our drink and food essentials and to store necessities like sunscreen.”
The cooler backpack can hold up to 36 cans of your favorite beverage, plus it has a magnetically sealed top to prevent leaks, according to the brand. In addition to fitting all her family’s beach needs, Alvarez says the bag is also easy to carry because its straps offer the right amount of cushion and support.
“It performs spectacularly and keeps drinks and food good for hours, plus it protects my other belongings from getting damaged since the fabric is both puncture- and UV ray-resistant,” she says. The bag also has an interior pocket to keep your phone, keys and other valuables safe.
Size: 16.3x9.9x18.1 | Material: Nylon | Care: Spot clean
Fjallraven Tree-Kanken
- Adjustable traps
- Lightweight
- Zippered front pocket
- Comes in one size
I roll up my towel or blanket and attach it to the bottom of this backpack using its adjustable straps, and I pack the main compartment with a water bottle, snacks, portable speaker, sunglasses and more before heading to the beach. The backpack is lightweight and has a zippered front pocket, which is where I put an e-reader or my phone.
Size: 28x14x36 inches | Material: Pine Weave lyocell | Care: Spot clean
Béis The Terry Backpack Cooler
- Has a cooler compartment
- Two water bottle pockets
- Two slip pockets
- Not machine-washable
Béis makes some of our favorite work totes and luggage sets. This backpack from the brand has a built-in cooler, giving you a designated place to store drinks and keep them cool at the beach. You can remove the cooler compartment or use it on its own since it has its own handle. The backpack has a zipper pocket on the exterior, as well as another zipper pocket, two water bottle holders, two slip pockets with an elastic closure and a key leash on the interior.
Size: 30x18x50 cm | Material: Faux leather trim, recycled poly liner | Care: Spot clean
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an associate updates editor at NBC Select. I have been covering apparel and accessories for over a year at NBC Select and have published guides about water-resistant sneakers, kids backpacks and more. For this piece, I researched dozens of beach bags on the market and included those recommended by NBC Select staff, plus highly rated options from reader favorite brands and retailers.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
