The best beach bags for summer

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Get ready for fun in the sun with our hand-picked selection of beach bags that are both stylish and practical.

Jetting off for some sun, sand and sea? We’re totally jealous!

While there might be a million things on your holiday packing list, one must-have item you can't forget is a cute, quality beach bag.

Whether you’re after a chic designer bag or a simple, affordable canvas option, our guide to the best beach bags on the market has something for everyone. Read on for our hand-selected picks and you’ll be beach ready in no time.

Read more: The best beach towels for your next holiday

No matter whether you’re a seaside regular or an occasional visitor, no beach trip is complete without a trusty tote. Take a look at the beach bags we’re loving right now.

Nothing says ‘beach’ quite like raffia, and this stylish raffia beach bag from John Lewis’ ANYDAY collection is the perfect accessory for sunny days by the sea.

The ideal size for weekend breaks or coastal day trips, it has a spacious main compartment that’ll house your sunscreen, sunglasses and other essentials with ease. It also has a handy crossbody shoulder strap designed for easy carrying, as well as two sturdy top handles.

Available in timeless natural and chic black, this is a bag that's bound to elevate your seaside style.

An insulated bag — like this one from Beau & Elliot — is fantastic for keeping drinks and snacks refreshingly chilled on long, hot beach days.

It has a roomy 20-litre capacity that's large enough to hold all your tasty treats and keep them nice and cool for up to six hours thanks to the insulated lining.

It has an external zipped pocket for your phone or keys, and it comes in a fun, summery multicolour striped design.

Fun family beach days require a hardy beach bag that can hold all your little one's must-haves, and this cheap and cheerful tote bag available at Amazon is sure to be up to the task.

With an extra large 36-litre capacity, it's ideal for carrying everything from beach towels to toys and favourite snacks. It also has eight mesh pockets that are fantastic for things like water bottles and sunscreen. And, at the end of a sun-soaked day, these pockets come in handy for keeping wet swimsuits separate from items in the main compartment.

The bag is also completely waterproof, easy to clean and designed to be sand proof — a real family beach day hero.

If you’re a label lover, a designer beach bag is a no-brainer. And they don't come much chicer than this one from Longchamp.

It has a classic straw bag design and features the Longchamp brand logo embroidered on the front. The top handles and trims are made from soft, durable leather and it comes with a detachable crossbody strap that makes it easy to carry around.

It's fully lined, with a roomy main compartment and snap closure that's perfect for keeping your designer sunnies and seaside essentials safe.

And as it's available with white, brown and black accents, why not grab one to pair with every swimsuit?

Planning a beach trip that involves lots of travelling? Keep your belongings protected with an anti-theft bag like this one from Travelon.

It's designed with a slash-resistant body and shoulder straps, has a removable light that offers peace of mind at night and can be locked for extra security. Inside, there's a main compartment that's big enough to pack your swimming gear and sunny day must-haves.

It also has two internal pockets for bottles, an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) blocking card slot and a zipped rear pocket to keep your phone, keys or passport in.

While it's not technically a beach bag, we’ve selected it for our list for its size and design, so that you can feel safe and prepared from the beach to the city centre.

Backpacks make a great choice for your trip to the beach — they’re spacious, comfortable to carry and typically hardwearing. And this backpack from Rains is certainly one of the most beach-ready options on the market.

It's made from durable waterproof PU fabric that will stop your possessions from getting soggy while you’re lounging by the sea. Equally, its nifty fabric makes it easy to wipe clean — handy for getting those nuisance grains of sand off.

It has ample space inside for everything from flip flops to swim goggles, and it even has an external zipped pocket on the back that is perfect for keeping your valuables hidden when on the move.

The backpack is available in 11 cool shades, but we’re eyeing up this fun mint green hue that just screams summer.

Canvas bags are an easy, no-nonsense seaside staple for every kind of beach lover.

This canvas beach tote from H&M offers that classic, relaxed look at an affordable price point. With its extra spacious interior, sturdy double handles that allow it to be worn as a shoulder bag and nautical-themed design, it's sure to be your new go-to for all your beach trips.

The Go Travel Foldable Tote Bag is an excellent choice if you’re flying off for a well-deserved beach holiday.

It's spacious and lightweight, making it great for carrying larger items like towels, and it has a zipped pocket to keep smaller essentials safe and out of the way.

Folding down to just a fraction of its full size, the bag can be tucked away easily into suitcases, backpacks or holdalls so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Crochet is one of the hottest trends this summer, with high-end brands like Prada and Miu Miu offering crochet accessories in their new collections.

That's why this stunning bag from Oliver Bonas makes a must-have accessory for all fashion-conscious beachgoers — without the luxury price tag.

With a chic cream and black colourway, it gives off a laid-back, bohemian feel that's perfect for relaxing days spent lounging on the beach.

It has two shoulder handles for effortless carrying and comes with a cute metallic tassel for a fun extra touch.

Spacious and stylish, we’re loving this personalised beach bag available on Amazon.

It's made from durable cotton canvas and has reinforced seams to easily withstand regular use. The roomy main compartment has a built-in PE board bottom to keep the shape intact and protect your belongings from damage.

Each bag features an embroidered initial design on the front, making it a thoughtful gift for the beach lover in your life.

The only drawback here is that this chic bag doesn't have a shoulder strap. But for its price and even more so for its style, we’re willing to overlook that detail.

All our picks are worthy of carrying with you on your coastal adventure if you ask us.

Whether you’re after something secure and practical like the Travelon Luggage 42757 Cross Body Handbag or something family-friendly like the Extra Large Waterproof Mesh Bag, you’re bound to find the bag that's right for your beach trip.

The information presented above is accurate as of 12/05/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices. The 'Best Buys featured' badge indicates sponsored content, and we may earn a commission when you make a purchase.

Always up to date with the latest shopping trends, Christina Constantinou is keen to share her love for quality products with Best Buys' readers. She has experience writing for the tech industry and enjoys browsing deals on gadgets and fashion accessories.