Memorial Day 2023: What to pack for your long weekend beach trip
Memorial Day is right around the corner. If you're planning to head to the beach for a nice long weekend getaway, now is the time to make sure that you have all of your beach trip essentials. Even if you're staying home and grilling this Memorial Day, it's still a great time to stock up on your summer beach trip must-haves as many of our beach trip favorites are on sale now.
Top products in this article
The best budget folding chair: Rio Wave beach folding chair, $30
A beach blanket big enough for the whole family: Big Blanket Co Big Beachy blanket, $134 with coupon (reduced from $159)
Bestselling on-sale sunglasses:Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, $239 (reduced from $299)
CBS Essentials readers' favorite water bottle: Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState tumbler (30 oz.), $35
The experts at CBS Essentials have compiled a list of great gear to pack on your summer break beach getaway, from stylish sun hats to extra large beach blankets that can accommodate you and your travel companions. Want to upgrade that clunky cooler sitting in the garage? The Hydro Flask Day Escape backpack will keep your favorite snacks and drinks cool for up to 36 hours. Searching for sunglasses that won't end up totally ruined by the end of your beach day? You'll need a pair with scratch-resistant coating and a durable frame -- and don't forget the beach reads.
Here's a roundup of the best beach gear to pack for your next vacation.
The best folding chairs for your beach trip
Folding chairs are a must-have for a long beach day. Sit back and relax with these comfortable and convenient folding chairs.
Rio Wave beach folding chair
This sand-friendly chair weighs in at five pounds, making it easy to transport to your favorite sunny spot. It folds flat for easy storage and is made with durable, fade-resistant fabric.
Rio Wave beach folding chair, $30
GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade backpack beach chair
This beach chair can be folded up and worn as a backpack. It boasts a collapsible sun canopy and cup holder for extra convenience.
GCI Outdoor Waterside SunShade backpack beach chair, $80
The best beach towels for your beach trip
Dry off or lay on the beach with these comfy beach towels.
Amazon Basics cabana stripe beach towel
Take it back to basics with this two-pack of classic striped beach towels, perfect for staying dry and getting some rays in.
Amazon Basics cabana stripe beach towel (set of two), $20 (reduced from $21)
Brooklinen beach towel
Check out Brooklinen's extra-soft beach towels. The 100% cotton towels feature velour softness on the front and absorbent terry on the back. They're great for the beach, pool or any outdoor adventures.
Big Blanket Co Big Beachy blanket
Go beyond the traditional beach towel and snag this extra-large beach blanket for the ultimate beach lounging experience. The 100-square-foot beach blanket is large enough for the whole family to enjoy, but it rolls up into a compact carrying case for easy transport.
Be sure to check the box to apply the Memorial Day coupon to save $25 on the blanket,
Big Blanket Co Big Beachy blanket, $134 with coupon (reduced from $159)
Sunglasses and accessories
Protect your eyes and your skin with these adorable sunglasses and beach hats,
Boderier casual wide brim bucket hat
This cute sun hat is crafted with 100% cotton and can be easily rolled up and tucked in your beach bag.
Boderier casual wide brim bucket hat, $11
Quay Australia high key sunglasses
These stylish aviator-style sunglasses feature a flattering design that works for all genders and face shapes. You can choose from polarized or non-polarized lenses and several different frame colors.
Quay Australia high key sunglasses, $65 and up
Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses
These Ray Ban sunglasses are a classic choice for hitting the beach in style -- and they're currently 20% off on Amazon.
Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses, $239 (reduced from $299)
Beach bags and totes
Hold all of your Memorial Day 2023 weekend must-haves in these beach bags.
Anthropologie market tote
This chic tote bag will look great on your arm as you stroll down the boardwalk. It's crafted from heavy-duty canvas and boasts six pockets, a bouquet strap and a carabiner to keep your keys from getting lost in the sand.
Anthropologie market tote, $68
Hydro Flask Day Escape soft cooler tote
The Hydro Flask Day Escape Pack provides up to 36-hours of cold insulation, is leak proof, and is designed as a backpack to make it easier to keep your provisions cool on the go.
Hydro Flask Day Escape soft cooler tote, $150
Dejaroo mesh beach bag: $15
This lightweight mesh beach bag has eight pockets to keep all your vacation essentials organized.
Dejaroo mesh beach bag, $15 (reduced from $16)
Best sunscreens for your Memorial Day beach trip
Protect your skin from the sun with these top sunscreen options. Remember to reapply frequently, especially if you're going in the water.
Banana Boat Sport Cool Zone, SPF 30
A water-resistant, reef-friendly, chemical sunscreen, Banana Boat Sport Cool Zone boasts SPF 30 protection and water resistance for up to 80 minutes. On Amazon, the lightweight, greaseless spray boasts an average 4.7-star rating with more than 24,000 reviews.
Banana Boat Sport Cool Zone, SPF 30 (two pack, 12 oz. total), $13 (reduced from $26)
Tula Protect + Glow, SPF 30
Looking for a non-greasy sunscreen? Tula, a skincare brand with a celebrity following that includes Jenna Dewan and Mandy Moore, makes a great broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen in gel form. It's perfect for wearing under makeup or alone.
Tula Protect + Glow, SPF 30 (1.7 oz.), $38
Supergoop Play Everyday sunscreen lotion, SPF 50
Looking for a little more coverage? Formulated for all skin types, Supergoop Play Everyday lotion offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 coverage and water resistance. Supergoop Play Everyday is a ray-absorbing chemical sunscreen, albeit one made without two ingredients usually associated with chemical sunscreens -- oxybenzone and octinoxate.
The greaseless formula absorbs into and hydrates the skin.
Supergoop Play Everyday sunscreen lotion, SPF 50 (5.5 oz.), $34
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer/Tinted Daily Defense, SPF 30
If you have sensitive skin or suffer from any skin conditions, namely eczema, you may want to look for a physical or mineral sunscreen. This kind of sunscreen sits on the surface of skin and acts like a shield. Unlike a chemical sunscreen, a physical sunscreen may leave behind a residue.
All of this brings us to this physical, broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen by the beauty brand Drunk Elephant. The sunscreen is formulated for the face, and features ingredients such as marula oil and fruit enzymes, along with zinc oxide (a hallmark of a physical sunscreen).
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Daily Defense, SPF 30 (3.0 oz.), $34
MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème, SPF 50
Looking for a physical sunscreen that will protect and nourish your skin? This silky-smooth mineral sunscreen boasts 50 SPF protection. It is formulated with zinc oxide to help reduce the risk of photoaging and skin cancer. It's also made with vitamin C and natural antioxidants to help fight sun damage.
The MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50 offers a smooth, lightweight formula that is safe for sensitive skin.
MDSolarSciences Mineral Crème SPF 50, $32
If you want a more radiant glow while out in the sun, consider the MDSolarSciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50. It provides SPF protection along with extra hydration and radiance -- aka a little bit of shimmer.
MDSolarSciences Gleam + Glow SPF 50, $35
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow, SPF 50
Enjoy broad-spectrum 50 SPF protection in a lightweight, glowy gel with this Kopari sunscreen. It's water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, making it a solid choice for your next beach trip or pool day. The Sun Shield Body Glow sunscreen is made with a blend of superfood oils to hydrate your skin.
Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow SPF 50, $39
There is also a version formulated for your face.
Kopari Sun Shield Soft Glow Face SPF 30, $38
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 36
This 36 SPF sunscreen from Korean beauty brand Innisfree features a lightweight, hydrating formula that won't give you the dreaded white-cast look in photos.
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Invisible broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 36, $16
CeraVe Tinted Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
Looking for a great, tinted facial sunscreen on a budget? CeraVe makes one with lightweight, greaseless protection. It boasts thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon. Per CeraVe, its products were developed with the help of dermatologists.
CeraVe Tinted Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30 (1.7 oz.), $13 (reduced from $16)
Wander Beauty Pack Up and Glow priming mineral sunscreen, SPF 40
This Wander Beauty Pack Up and Glow mineral sunscreen protects against sun damage with 40 SPF protection while moisturizing and priming your skin. It can be worn under makeup, but it also provides a beautiful glow when worn on its own.
Wander Beauty Pack Up and Glow priming mineral sunscreen, $36
Best waters bottles and more to stay hydrated at the beach this Memorial Day weekend
Don't let dehydration get you down this Memorial Day weekend, stay hydrated on your Memorial Day beach trip with these water bottles and electrolytes.
Hydro Flask 32-ounce water bottle with straw lid
This Hydro Flask bottle has a leak-proof, wide-mouth lid with a built-in straw. It can keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours, and (most importantly) it's dishwasher safe and BPA-free.
Hydro Flask 32-ounce water bottle, $50
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState tumbler
The Stanley Quencher is currently TikTok's favorite water tumbler, but it's also an excellent workout water bottle. The tumbler features double-walled insulation to keep your water cool for hours.It also fits in cup holders and includes a reusable straw.
It comes in two sizes; 30 oz and 40 oz. You can choose from a variety of color options, though certain colors can be a bit hard to find as this tumbler has been selling out frequently.
Stanley The Quencher H2.0 FlowState tumbler (30 oz), $35
Yeti Rambler bottle
Keep your drinks hot or cold with this fan-favorite Yeti bottle. Find it in eight colors and in six sizes. You can also customize it with text and graphics.
Yeti Rambler 26 oz bottle, $40
Liquid I.V. hydration multiplier
If you're planning to be out in the sun all Memorial Day weekend, it's a good idea to pack some Liquid I.V. to help replenish your electrolytes throughout your trip. The brand claims that Liquid I.V.'s hydration multipliers deliver hydration to your bloodstream faster and more efficiently than water alone.
Choose from a variety of flavors.
- Liquid I.V. hydration multiplier (passion fruit), $23
- Liquid I.V. hydration multiplier (lemon lime), $23
- Liquid I.V. hydration multiplier (watermelon), $24
- Liquid I.V. hydration multiplier (strawberry), $21 (reduced from $25)
- Liquid I.V. hydration multiplier (pina colada), $24
Kinderlyte electrolyte powder
Looking for a natural, low-sugar option for keeping your family hydrated this Memorial Day weekend? Then snag some Kinderlyte electrolyte packets before you head out to the beach.
Choose from a variety of flavors.
- Kinderlyte advanced electrolyte powder (wild berry), $23
- Kinderlyte advanced electrolyte powder (lemon lime), $23
- Kinderlyte electrolyte powder (fruit punch), $22
- Kinderlyte electrolyte powder (lemonade), $22
The best reading tablets for your beach trip
Don't forget to bring your Kindle to the beach for some Memorial Day weekend reading.
Kindle Paperwhite
Whatever great beach read you pick out for your seaside getaway, you can read it easily, even on the sunniest of days, with this waterproof Kindle Paperwhite.
Kindle Paperwhite (8GB, ad-supported), $130
Kindle Paperwhite (8GB, ad-free), $150
Kindle Oasis
The super-thin and light Oasis has the most features of any of the Kindles. It has a larger screen; auto-adjusting light sensors; page-turn buttons; and an automatic, rotating page orientation. Unlike the Paperwhite, it's made of glass and aluminum. As for color, you can choose from champagne gold or graphite.
Kindle Oasis (8GB, ad-supported), $250
Kindle Oasis (8GB, without ads), $270
