I've been to 15 beaches across seven countries – here's everything you need for your next seaside vacation

NBC News

3 days ago

It's not an overstatement to say that the beach is my absolute favorite place — after spending my childhood summers in the Bahamas and my adult life chasing beach destinations for every birthday, vacation and special occasion, each one feels like home to me.
I've visited over 15 beaches across seven different countries, and make it a point to travel to at least one international beach destination each year. Although the formula for a successful beach day is more or less the same (sand + water = a great time), every destination is different — the busy shores of Ipanema are nothing like the relaxed waters of Negril. The vibe is also subjective: while some may want a relaxing and quiet solo day on the shore, others may prefer a day filled with friends and playlists bumping at top volume.
To help you pick the best products for your next beach day, I rounded up a few of my favorites, including options from my fellow shopping experts at NBC Select and some top-rated picks from past coverage.
How I picked the best beach essentials
Narrowing down the best beach essentials was no easy feat, but I have a long history of beach travel and living, including childhood summers and holidays spent with relatives across the Caribbean. In that way, I've been prepping for this list my whole life. Here's what I kept in mind:
Product type: Preparation precedes a successful beach day, so I included products across a range of categories, including skin care, apparel, entertainment and more. Some are staff recommendations, while others are bestselling products from top-rated brands, but all have been carefully selected.
Water-resistance: When possible, I chose essentials that are waterproof or water-resistant, to ensure protection from not only the waves themselves, but any possible flash storms or rainfall (which are very common in tropical destinations).
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The best beach vacation essentials in 2025
All of the products below are either highly rated products from our favorite brands, and/or have been tested by NBC Select staff, myself included.
Best beach skin care
Best sunscreen
Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing UV Lock Sunscreen
$18.24
$28.00
Amazon
Now 35% off $22.99
$28.00
Round Lab
Now 18% off $24.99
Target
What to know
Not only is this our favorite Korean sunscreen, it's also at the top of our SPF 100 ranking and one of my personal favorites for the beach. Although it's not water-resistant, this broad-spectrum sunscreen has a lightweight, hydrating formula that keeps my oily skin from getting greasy, even in the scorching hot sun. I used this daily during my birthday vacation in Brazil, and I got a ton of compliments on my skin while wearing it. It's the perfect sunscreen for tanning on the shore, or for the days you're just dipping your toes in — it also layers well with other products, in case you decide to double it up with a waterproof formula.
This gel sunscreen is my top pick for swimming. It's reef-safe and both sweat- and water-resistant up to 40 minutes, according to the brand. It also doesn't leave behind a white cast, in my experience. I've used this for everything from intense, sweat-heavy workouts to running through the waterfalls of Rio de Janeiro, and it's always been a reliable option that doesn't melt or run into my eyes.
Hypochlorous acid sprays are anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, making them a solid toner substitute in your skin care routine, along with a handy on-the-go cleanser for days spent in the sun. Dermatologists told us it's great for helping to relieve itchy or irritated skin (which often develops after extended periods in the sun, especially for those with sensitive skin), and can help to support and speed up the skin's healing process. I especially love using this before reapplying my sunscreen after a dip in the water, or when I'm sweaty — I just spray it on my face, use my hands to fan it dry and apply my sunscreen. It's also available in a beach-friendly mini size, and is great to use as an antimicrobial on sunburned skin.
Now I'll be honest — despite my ongoing skin care obsession, I often forget to put on body sunscreen in the summertime. However, it's a different story when it comes to the beach, especially since I've started experiencing post-beach skin peeling as I age. This Dune Bod Guard sunscreen has an invisible formula that works for all skin tones, and has a lightweight gel texture that keeps you from getting greasy, even after sweating, according to the brand (which is a given for someone like me during a hot, summer seaside outing). It also doubles as a moisturizer, so your skin won't dry out after swimming, and is reef-safe and water-resistant for up to 40 minutes — so don't forget to reapply.
You can't have a beach day without snacks, which you'll want to handle with clean hands. This Touchland sanitizer combines alcohol, aloe vera, and fermented radish root, all of which work together to kill bacteria, hydrate and retain moisture in the skin, according to the brand. Aside from the sanitizing properties, the misting spray dispenser is easy to control. The hand sanitizers are also available in a wide range of 15 scents, including one scent-free version.
Best beach accessories
Best for bug bites
I've attracted mosquitoes to me like moths to a flame (no pun intended) since I was a kid. Seriously — no matter how much bug spray I use, on every vacation, cottage trip, and picnic, I've been terrorized by the bloodsuckers and left with the rash of bites to prove it. That's why this tool is essential in my beach bag. It's a suction tool that removes insect venom and saliva, which is what irritates bites and causes them to be itchy, according to the brand. The small and lightweight design fits easily into bags of any size, and it works on bites from mosquitoes, bees, wasps, sea lice and more. This tool was my saving grace on a trip to Jamaica (a gorgeous destination that's chock full of mosquitoes) a few years ago — by the end of the trip, my entire friend group was passing it around, and several of them even placed orders for their own once we got home.
Best beach bag
This is NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin 's 'all-time favorite beach bag.' It's made from a durable EVA material that doesn't absorb water, making it fully water-resistant and easy to clean, according to the brand. 'I love that the bag stands up by itself and has a wide opening, and while there are holes on the sides, the bottom is solid, so sand doesn't get inside when I put it down on the beach,' she says. You can also personalize your Bogg Bag with attachments, like pouches and water bottle holders, along with charms that snap right into the holes, according to the brand. 'Plus, since it's water-resistant, I can put a wet towel or wet bathing suits in it and not worry,' says Malin.
Best budget beach bag
Although a waterproof bag is ideal for the beach, this sturdy bag from Muji is my personal go-to while vacationing. It's made from jute, which is a coarse, plant-based fabric, and has a thick, cotton handle that makes carrying it along the sand both easy and comfortable. The bag's size is one of my favorite things about it — as a certified overpacker, it has enough room to carry all of my beach supplies, skin care, devices and more, all without hurting my shoulders or straining the seams. I also love the natural color and rough texture of the jute.
Say goodbye to sopping wet, bulky beach towels with this microfiber option from Eccosophy, an NBC Select staff favorite. Its thin, lightweight design dries quickly, and can fold up easily in your luggage or beach bag while taking up very little space. The microfiber material allows sand to slide right off, giving you a clean surface at all times.
Best beach cover
A shady spot is a must when it comes to settling in for a full day at the beach, and although beach umbrellas can be useful, a beach canopy is a great alternative for more space and sun protection. The Shibumi Shade covers 150 square feet and can provide shade for up to eight people, according to the brand. It needs just three miles per hour of wind (which shouldn't be too hard to find by a breezy oceanside) to puff itself up without blowing away or breaking, and it weighs only four pounds for lightweight travel, according to the brand. It's also easy to assemble and comes with instructions and a portable carrying case. Be sure to check the rules of your beach site to make sure you're not violating any size restrictions.
Best beach chair
NBC Select editorial projects manager Rebecca Rodriguez says she can't remember a time when her family didn't own one of these beach chairs. ' It was the go-to chair not just for my family but for most of my friends when I was growing up in Puerto Rico,' she says. The chair can fold five different ways, and it's made from a rust-proof aluminum frame, according to the brand. 'The fact that it comes with straps so you can carry it like a backpack is probably the best and most notable feature,' says Rodriguez. 'I also love that you can easily recline to either sit up and chat with friends or lay down and soak in the sun -- plus it has an attached pillow.'
Cold drinks are the ultimate oceanside refresher, and this hard cooler is large enough to hold your drinks without being too heavy or bulky. It's compactly sized with a no-sweat exterior, making it great for long stretches of time in the sun. Despite its smaller design, it can hold up to 24 cans and chill them for up to ten days, according to the brand. The stainless steel handle locks in an upright position and has non-slip feet to keep it stable on the sand.
Staying hydrated is a major key during summertime, so a reusable water bottle is a no-brainer for the beach. It has dual-wall insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours at a time, and is made from a cooling stainless steel, according to the brand. It's also an NBC Select staff favorite — NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider is a big fan of the bottle's dual sipping system, which she says she 'really likes' because 'you can sip through the straw or throw your head back and sip like you would out of a glass, so it's really versatile,' she says.
Stasher bags are a great kitchen companion, but their easy portability also makes them ideal for bringing food to the beach. This set of bowls includes reusable, round-bottomed containers that come in one-cup, two-cup and four-cup sizes — perfect for beach day snacks like fruits, chips and more. Each bowl is made from food-grade silicone, and has a leak-free seal that prevents spills on the sand, while the rounded, bowl shape helps the bags to stand up on their own on your beach blanket. They're dishwasher-safe, and you can also label them with dry-erase markers, according to the brand.
Best beach apparel
Best beach flip flops
Personally, I think flip flops are the ultimate beach sandals, and Havaianas is known for making some of the very best. When I was in Brazil, you couldn't walk down a single street without seeing them all around. This is the brand's classic women's pair — they have a durable rubber sole and a slip-resistant grip, making them great for any wet surfaces, according to the brand. They also have a cushioned and textured footbed for maximum comfort while walking, and are designed to prevent overheating and odor. The flip flops are available in sizes from 6-12, and have a high 4.5-star average rating from 11,829 reviews on Amazon.
Polarized sunglasses are a step up from normal UV eye protection, according to optometrists we spoke to — they're ideal for protecting your eyes from glare, especially around water. This pair from Prive Reveaux is an effortless blend of style and safety. They have impact-resistant and scratch-proof lenses, which block 99% of reflected light and 100% of UV light, according to the brand. They're made from a durable cellulose frame, and the cat eye design is bold enough to make a statement, but still work well with any beach look. After receiving a pair from the brand a few years ago, I've worn mine on every trip and during every summer since.
Head coverage is a must for any sunny day out, and clothing with UPF protection blocks out the sun, keeping your skin safe from ultraviolet rays. This cap has a UPF rating of 50+, which experts have told us is an 'excellent' level of protection, and is designed to be lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for hotter days out. The cap also has a cooling design, which absorbs water and sweat to cool the hat down to 30 degrees below average body temperature in under a minute, according to the brand.
Best beach entertainment
Best beach e-reader
I've never been much of an e-reader — I much prefer the feel of a physical book in my hands. However, after a few uses, this option from Onyx changed my perspective. It operates a lot like a smartphone, so you can download apps for books, audiobooks, music and more from the Google Play store. Since the slower, ink-paper display makes it somewhat incompatible with most social media apps, it's a great way to disconnect while catching up on your favorite books and podcasts at the beach. It's lightweight, has a great battery life (I used it for over a week without having to charge it), and can hold up to 128 GB of storage, according to the brand. For more on the Boox Palma 2, check out NBC Select editor Jordan Bowman 's review here.
Sudoku and crossword puzzles are beachside entertainment classics, but now, true crime fans can take it to the next level with the Murdle puzzle book. It has 100 original murder mystery puzzles of increasing difficulty that include maps, codes, drawings and more, all of which assist you in your quest to root out the murderer.
Best beach speaker
The JBL Clip 5 is a favorite of our NBC Select staff — Rodriguez loves the loud sound and strong bass it provides, which is ideal for blasting music while at the beach. It has a built-in carabiner that lets the speaker attach to just about anything, and it can also be synced with compatible JBL speakers to play audio simultaneously using JBL's Auracast feature, according to the brand.
How to pack for the beach
I'll be honest — I'm a certified, tried and true overpacker, which makes packing for the beach a bit tricky. Nobody wants to be lugging a huge, bulging bag around, especially when sometimes, you don't even end up needing everything you brought. However, after years of trial and error, I've developed a few beach packing hacks that have helped me cut down on the clutter and keep my bag light and airy for the oceanside.
If you're heading to the beach withfriends or family, take some time to organize with your group beforehand. Discuss who'll bring what so you can avoid bringing along unnecessary gear. For example, only one person needs to bring things like a tent, a speaker, a cooler etc. When I go to the beach with my friends, we also coordinate on supplies like snacks and even communal skin care like body sunscreen and tanning oil, so nobody has to lug along any extra weight.
While some beaches are emptier and more remote, others are shopping hubs filled with vendors selling snacks, water shoes, sunglasses and more. Before packing your bag (and if you have the budget), think about what you might want to buy at the beach instead, whether it be a hat, a new pair of sunglasses or even a new beach bag. Buying things at the beach, especially meals, snacks and drinks, can not only make your bag lighter, but also make your packing easier.
Lastly, be sure to always leave extra room in your bag. I love the triumphant feeling of getting a stuffed bag to close just as much as the next person, but when it comes to the beach, it's definitely best to let that go. I like to give the items in my bag some extra breathing room, especially in case of additions to the bag throughout the day. What if I want to grab some vacation souvenirs, or stuff in my shorts and cover up while I'm in the water? Leaving space makes room for these possibilities, and is also helpful in accounting for the space taken up by a neatly folded, dry towel in the morning versus a balled up, wet towel at the end of the day.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am an associate SEO reporter with a lifetime of beach experience who's been covering travel and wellness for two years. For this story, I rounded up the best in beach gear from NBC Select staff, including top-rated picks from previous coverage.