19 Things You’ll Be Glad You Brought to the Beach

After a long day lounging under the sun (or a long night out on the town), we turn to Liquid IV for a hydration reset. It comes in three flavors, and has more electrolytes than regular sports drinks — plus eight essential vitamins and nutrients. Just mix one packet into a glass of water, and sip away. ($25.99/pack of 14, Liquid IV)

If you always get chilly when the night breeze hits, snag this crochet dress you can also wear out after your day on the water. Aka…it’s a piece that can handle it all. Throw in your bag for an extra layer by the beach, or pop it on with a pair of sandals to grab a bite to eat on the way home. ($248, Buck Mason)

Second houses. Cheating spouses. Lots of rich people. And (dun dun dun), a dead body. This book truly has it all. Set in an exclusive community on Fire Island, it follows two couples, Lauren and Jason and Sam and Jen, who rule the tennis courts and enjoy high status among their fellow elites. Through chapters that alternate viewpoints, secrets are revealed, gossip mounts, and bad behavior abounds — and we loved absolutely every second of it. Grab it for your beach bag ASAP. 

This one’s portable, low to the ground, and perfect for sitting in those little tide pools on a hot day. It comes in three different pattern options and has an XL-sized cup holder with a mesh bottom for all your hydration needs. Once you’ve caught the sunset, fold the chair up and sling it on your back for your trek back to the car (or beach house). ($31.99, Dick’s Sporting Goods)

Now you’ll be able to take your phone with you, no matter what kind of water sports you have planned. These waterproof cases are big enough to fit most phones (up to 7 inches) and will keep them dry for up to 30 minutes — even if they’re submerged in water. They have a clear PVC material that lets you see your screen underwater and scroll safely while your hands are wet. Get them in two different colors to share, or snag them both in black and keep one as a backup. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

If you’ve been looking for a no-frills lip balm that’ll protect you from the harsh summer rays, we can’t recommend this one enough. It moisturizes, leaves a bit of shine without any stickiness, and is fragrance- and flavor-free, with a barely-there feel. Definitely an HQ’r fave. ($12, Paula’s Choice)

We love this cart because it’s easy to pull over the sand. Get it to store all your beach-day goodies with ease. It can hold up to 150 pounds and fold up after use for easy storage. Doesn’t get much better than that. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

With notes of citrus and vanilla, this repellent is vegan and DEET-free. It has citronella to keep mosquitoes at bay and lauric acid to soothe your skin. Clove and lemongrass will have you saying bye to that typical bug spray stench. And you can recycle the packaging when you’re done. Spray, spray bugs away. ($22, Kinfield)

One that will fold down to be a little oasis for your things. No more sand in your phone speaker. Or wedged into the spine of your summer read. Phew. ($19.99, Amazon)

This suction tool removes the irritant left behind that causes itchiness. So you can stop the reaction in its tracks. You can even try it on bee and wasp stings. Fight the bite. ($9.95+, Amazon)

And don’t forget to bag the chips. This tote is leakproof, has an outside pocket for dry goods, and won’t be a pain to carry. Because no rolling cooler works on sand. Shoulder straps for the win. ($39.95, Target)

This one’s built for the beach, of course. And it’s padded, weather-resistant, and compact. Plus, it folds into its own carrying case and can be weighed down by adding a bit of sand. So it won’t fly away on windy days. Nap time awaits. ($29.99+, Amazon)

Like this one that’s water-resistant and doesn’t trap sand. So you can relax comfortably. It’s big enough for multiple people and comes with stakes for each corner. Problem = solved. ($28.98+, Amazon)

We can’t stress this enough. This non-aerosol spray is SPF 50, sweat- and water-resistant, and can be applied to wet skin. It’s your new beach best friend. Psst…If spray-on isn’t your favorite, check out this guide for our list of the best sunscreens for you. ($15+, Supergoop!)

Turn the volume up because your phone speaker is never loud enough. This mini clip-on speaker can connect to your cell via Bluetooth and delivers some serious volume. So hit shuffle on your summer Spotify playlist. ($49.95, JBL)

Well, an umbrella-tent. It’ll provide all the shade you could need, especially on scorching days where there’s not a cloud in the sky. And it features mesh windows for proper ventilation and lots of legroom. If you’re worried about it blowing away — don’t. It’s got three sand pockets, extra sandbags, and four stakes. Boom. ($45.99+, Walmart)

Capture the moment. This camera will catch all your sandy beach picnics. Plus that sand city you spent an hour building. Say cheese. ($159.95+, Amazon)

Slip on something more stable. You’re probably carrying too much already. Steady footing will be a plus. And did we mention these are adorable? Because they are. ($24.99+, Zappos)

Volley it out. Just try not to lose the ball. Victory dances sold separately. ($32, Revolve)