Sunny beach days are best spent with friends and family. However, sitting in the sun for hours can be exhausting, and shade is often hard to find on the sandy shore. Bringing a beach tent is the next logical move, and once you invest in one, it will quickly become a beach essential. No more sizzling and frying like a hot dog while you’re trying to relax and enjoy the ocean. No matter what you’re looking for when it comes to shading yourself on the beach, there are many options for you and your family of every size.
Purchasing a Beach Tent
With a large market that can be hard to navigate, here are some things to consider when looking for a beach tent:
- Size: You’re going to want something big enough to protect your family from harsh UV rays yet lightweight enough to carry and transport.
- Material: What the tent is made of will help you determine how weatherproof it is. Also, make sure to make a note of the accessories that keep the beach tent stable.
- Ease of Setup: You don’t want to wrestle and struggle setting up your beach tent when you first arrive. Ease and speed are essential when it comes to the setup.
- Privacy: Each tent is different. Some offer four walls for complete privacy when zipped all the way up, while others are just a nice canopy.
Best Weatherproof Option: unp Easy Beach Tent
If you’re looking for the best one to withstand unexpected weather, this is the tent for you. It provides 144 square feet of sun, wind, and rain protection. With its UV 50+ silver coating, two side walls, poles, and cords to keep the tent and roof in place, along with taped seams and waterproof fabric, this tent guarantees water resistance.
Setup is easy and takes an average of 8 minutes. Just slide the FRP poles through the roof and main pole sleeves. When all packed up, it will travel in the trunk of a car and can easily be carried in its carrying bag.
UNP Easy Beach Tent 12 X 12ft Pop Up Canopy UPF50+ Tent with Side Wall, Ground Pegs, and Stability Poles, Sun Shelter Rainproof, Waterproof for Camping Trips, Backyard Fun, Party Or Picnics(Blue)
This weatherproof beach tent has an easy setup and great coverage.
Best Canopy Option: Neso Beach Tent With Sand Anchor
If you’re not concerned with privacy but want shade on the beach, this canopy option is the perfect match. It is made to last with a nylon/lycra blend and comes with rust-proof aluminum poles. The canopy itself is water-resistant and comes in many fun colors. It stays anchored to the ground with bags that need to be filled either with sand or rocks. It’s lightweight and easy to transport. On a windy day, bury the anchor bags in a small pit for more security.
Neso Tents Beach Tent with Sand Anchor, Portable Canopy Sunshade - 7' x 7' - Patented Reinforced Corners(Aqua Fronds)
This canopy tent for the beach has a convenient design with anchor bags.
Best for Babies: iGeeKid Baby Beach Tent
Protecting your young child from the harsh UV rays is on the list of a parent’s worries on a family beach trip. Sunscreen only goes so far as to satisfy this worry. This pop-up tent is designed to protect your child from the sun and entertain them with the cool shark design and a mini pool to keep them cool and entertained.
The tent is made to be water-resistant in case the weather switches up. The large opening in the front and mesh window in the back provide excellent ventilation for your child. It is large enough to fit two to three children under the age of 4 comfortably.
Unicorn Baby Beach Tent with Pool, 2023 Upgrade Easy Fold Up & Pop Up Baby Tent, 50+ UPF UV Protection Outdoor Tent for Aged 3-48 Months Baby Toddler Kids Girls Parks Shade Beach Essentials (Pink)
This pop-up baby shade tent has a cute but protective design.
Best Budget: Suhleir Extra-Large Beach Tent Sun Shade
Not only is this tent on the less expensive side of the market, but it is also 20% bigger than similar products, with its spacious interior nicely fitting a family of four. With that extra space, you’d think it would be heavier, but it comes in weighing 2.2 pounds, so it’s lightweight and easy to carry. However, the best part might be its fast pop-up design that means no assembly is required.
The two mesh windows come with flaps for ventilation, and its two zippered doors provide extra airflow and the option for privacy. The sand pockets, stakes, and wind-resistant cords all work together to keep this tent grounded on the beach through gusts of wind.
Extra Large Beach Tent Sun Shade Shelter Pop Up Instant Portable Outdoors 3-4 Person Beach Cabana Sets Up in Seconds, Blue, 78.7" L X 47.2" W X 51.2" H
This extra-long, lightweight pop-up beach tent will shade four people.