Beach bag must-haves: Everything you need for a day in the sun

With the days getting warmer and the sun shining brighter, that only means one thing: beach getaways await. A day at the beach may be the ultimate form of relaxation, but you can’t leave the essentials out of your bag. We’re talking sunscreen, a new pair of shades, a page turner to pass the time and more.

Here’s our top tips to revamping your summer beach or swim bag, ready for those long, salty, sun-safe days.

1. The bag

Functional, lightweight and ideally waterproof, a roomy beach bag is undeniably the most important accessory to take you from car to sand in one easy trip. Go for a canvas or woven tote to throw in a few essentials or if you plan to spend a full day at the beach, an oversized carry-all is the most practical of all beach bag varieties. It’s perfect for those day-trips that have you hauling umbrellas, beach balls and your partner’s or friend’s belongings to and from the seaside.

Visit Adairs, Bed Bath n Table, Sportsgirl, Tree of Life, Myer, Kmart, Target, Big W, Cotton On, Surf Dive 'n Ski, City Beach to get your hands on a beach bag summer essential.

Image source: @adairs

Image source: @bedbathntable

2. Lie and dry

Once you've got your beach bag sorted, the next most important thing would be a towel. An absolute necessity for drying off and lying in the sun (with sunscreen of course). Take your pick from stylish towels available at Adairs, Bed Bath n Table, IKEA, Kmart, Big W, Target, Cotton On, Myer.

Image source: @adairs

Image source: @bedbathntable

3. Shady lady

A stylish pair of shades or hat in your beach bag will elevate your look while protecting your eyes and face from those bright summer rays. Whether you gravitate towards something bold and bright or prefer neutral pieces to accessorise the season ahead, try Sunglass Hut, Myer, Cotton On, Universal Store.

Image source: Seafolly available at Myer

4. Slip ‘n’ slide

Slide from the beach to the café in this season’s must-have sandals. Swap your Havaianas for a pair of woven slides - easy to throw off on the sand and slip back on, taking your look from day to night. Grab a pair from Cotton On, Betts, Novo, Famous Footwear, Universal Store, Thong On, City Beach, Sportsgirl.

5. Sun-safety first

The summer sun favours none, which is why making sure to slip, slop, slap has never been more important. Protecting your skin is easy with plenty of brands offering products that protect you from those nasty UVA and UVB rays. Mecca, The Body Shop, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse, Myer, Coles and Woolworths have plenty of lightweight, non-greasy options that you can lather on.

Image source: Mecca featuring Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen Oxybenzone Free Formula

Image source: @larocheposayaunz available at Priceline, Chemist Warehouse

6. Beach-proofed beauty

Avoid panda eyes and a frizzy mane with splash-proof eye and brow makeup, anti-crease hair ties to keep locks in a slick back style and a hydrating hair serum to keep frizz at bay. For your face, it's best to avoid heavy foundation. Instead a tinted moisturiser with a high spf rating or a couple of bronzing drops in your sunscreen will give your complexion a nice glow. Don't forget to pop these products into your beach bag for post swim touch ups, especially if you're heading off for a meal after.

Image source: @toofaced available at Mecca

Image source: @natiobeauty available at Myer, Priceline, Chemist Warehouse

7. Hello H20

Your water bottle is up there with SPF on the scale of importance when packing for your day away. Top tip: stay hydrated and bring an insulated bottle that will keep your water cold all day long. You can grab yours from Typo, Myer, Big W, Kmart, Target, House, Robins Kitchen.

8. The perfect page-turner

You’ve lathered on the sunscreen and had a quick dip, what better way to pass the time than to read your new favourite book?

A romance novel will always feel light in your canvas tote, as will a book of essays. Find your summer read at Dymocks.

If you’re not one for a paperback, bringing a Kindle along is a great solution. Access your entire library in one portable device, and even buy new books on the go without any hassle. Grab yours from JB Hi Fi, Big W, Myer.

9. Tropical tech

Every beach trip deserves a soundtrack. Take your tunes anywhere this summer with a waterproof Bluetooth speaker for a party on the sand, or a pair of Apple Airpods or BOSE headphones from JB Hi Fi, Big W and Myer for those solo days in the sun. If you want to up the ante and take cool to the next level, bring along a beach cooler with built in speakers.

Image source: @bose available at JB Hi-Fi, Myer

Image source: @sophographylondon @beatsbydre available at JB Hi-Fi, Big W