33 Best Gifts for Beach Lovers to Soak Up the Sun in 2024

If you know someone (or are someone) who finds their way to the sand and sea at every chance, then you know it takes a little extra thought to find the ultimate gifts for beach lovers.

Your initial list of beach supplies might consist of basics like towels, coolers and maybe some sunglasses or an umbrella. But there are tons of innovative and unique gifts for beach lovers that will make their day in the sand infinitely better.

Obviously having your toes in the water and toosh in the sand is going to make for a pretty good day, but research actually shows that spending time at the beach has some measurable benefits for your mental health as well.

According to NBC, the cool blue hue of the water can relax your brain and the warm sand physically relaxes your muscles. It’s basically a free spa, and it’s pretty tough to have a bad time at the beach.

Whether you’re planning a trip to some far-away island or looking for sweet beach gift basket ideas, let this list of the best gifts for beach lovers this year be your guide. 

Jump to Section

• Creative Gifts for Beach Lovers
• Beach Gift Basket Ideas
• Beach House Gift Ideas
• Beach Gift Ideas for Her
• Beach Gift Ideas for Him

Creative Gifts for Beach Lovers

1. Paint and Sip

Paint and sip near you makes for a super fun beach-themed summer date idea with your partner. With paint and sip in Tampa, paint and sip in Portland or paint and sip in San Diego (to name a few), there are classes happening from coast to coast.

Paint a beautiful seascape or colorful island sunset to hang in your own home or gift to a friend for a thoughtful and homemade housewarming gift. Online painting classes also allow you to improve your craft in your own space.

A gift card for an experience like this one also makes a fun gift for couples to do something unique together this summer.

2. Pottery Classes

Sign the beach lover in your life up for pottery classes in Boston, pottery classes in Chicago or pottery classes in San Francisco. This is an experience gift for beach lovers that they will appreciate, as they can make some gorgeous beachy décor to add to their space.

Pottery classes near you can get you started crafting tons of unique beach-themed gifts like an octopus-shaped coffee mug, a coral-esque bowl or a handmade clay shell to display in a new beach house, or remind them of the beach in the off-season.

These projects also make for a super thoughtful gift for new homeowners who would love to decorate their space with handmade creations.

3. Beach Toy Set

This is a perfect summer gift for beach lovers who also have a knack for working with their hands. Complete with a bucket, shovel and a variety of adorable molds like a bus or an ice cream cone, this surprisingly chic set of beach toys is a winner. It comes in pink or citron yellow and is sure to provide endless entertainment. 

4. Creative Journal

The serenity of the beach, especially around sunrise and sunset, makes it a great place for relaxing and even creating.

A journal is such a thoughtful gift for beach lovers, as most beach bums would agree the sand and waves can put your mind in a different state. They can use the journal for getting their feelings out or drafting their own short story or script. 

5. Underwater Camera

This gift for beach lovers is ideal for underwater adventurers that may also have a flair for photography or videography. The GoPro Hero11 records amazing footage both on the beach and under the water.

From snorkeling to surfing and every beach activity in between, this tiny camera packs a big punch, delivering crystal-clear still shots and reels.

6. Easel and Painting Set

Just as a journal is great for those creative with their words, an easel and painting set have their place on the beach. This is the perfect gift for beach lovers who want to get creative in a stunning environment.

You can find tiny easels to go with miniature canvases for easy transport, or go big with full-size everything and commit to a day of painting at the beach.

7. Set of Nesting Sea Shell Bowls

This gift for beach lovers is geared towards the culinary artist in your life who likes to bring aspects of beach life into their home and cooking.

The set of two ceramic nesting bowls are hand designed to look like giant shells and they look great on a buffet or on a bookshelf. However you choose to use them, they bring a little beachy flare wherever they go.

Beach Gift Basket Ideas

8. Temporary Tattoos

Check out Inkbox’s selection of beachy tattoos (temporary, that is) and choose from designs like palm trees, sea turtles or sea shells for a unique gift for beach lovers.

This is a fun beach gift for friends, especially if you’re planning a party or girls weekend ideas at the beach. Order a pack of matching beachy tattoos for a fun and easy party favor.

9. Corkcicle Tumbler

A brand new Corkcicle tumbler is the coolest gift for cocktail lovers because it brings ice-cold beverages everywhere. Available in a range of colors and prints from Star Wars to Disney Princess or rainbow cheetah print, there’s a style to please everybody.

You can also customize this gift for beach lovers with initials or phrases, making this a fun idea for a bachelorette beach getaway or a retirement gift to remind them of all the great years at their company. 

10. Mini Keychain Sunscreen

The first order of business for a beach day should be sun protection, and this mini keychain sunscreen is a great gift under $50 for beach gift baskets or party favors.

The SPF 30 is a great year-round protection factor and it comes in a full-size tube as well, which makes either option a great gift for sun lovers so they can stay protected while soaking up the rays.

11. Insulated Canteen

Just like a personal tumbler, the Corkcicle canteen makes cold drinks a group affair. The canteen comes in a variety of colors, patterns and of course sizes.

Rumor has it this gift for beach lovers can hold an entire bottle of wine…but they also keep mixed drinks hot or cold for hours. 

12. Towel Anchor Clips

With close proximity to the sea, you’re bound to experience some windy days. And there’s nothing worse than battling mother nature to keep your towel in place!

Towel anchor clips are a super useful gift for beach lovers that solve that very problem. Effective and inexpensive, these are a great addition to a beach gift basket. 

13. Inflatable Lounger

These inflatable loungers from Funboy are great gifts for beach lovers on their own or as the star item in a fun beach gift basket.

Perfect for lounging and tanning in the water or on the sand, this is fun for a gift basket idea along with some other cute beach day essentials.  

14. Aloe Vera Gel

Long days in the sun can lead to a little more sun exposure than intended. Sunburns can be painful but aloe vera gel is incredibly soothing and belongs in every beach care kit.

This practical gift for sun lovers is ideal for including in a beachy-themed gift basket (along with sunblock!). 

Beach House Gift Ideas

15. Coastal Serving Board

A stunning beach-themed serving board is perfect for sharing charcuterie or other appetizers. Visiting a beach home or meeting the family for the first time? This gift for beach lovers is a perfect hostess gift or gift for parents.

16. Waterproof Wireless Speaker

Blasting your favorite tunes puts the finishing touch on the perfect beach day. Give the gift of a waterproof wireless speaker like the JBL Xtreme2 as a thoughtful hostess gift idea.

Not only is the sound quality great, this gift for beach lovers is easy to grab and walk out the door with, perfect for an impromptu sunset stroll.

17. Statement Candle

Candles are one of the easiest and best housewarming or hosting gifts for beach lovers and for good reason. With so many creative designs and enchanting smells, they’re practically coffee table pieces of art.

This freshwater pearl candle from Otherland is just one of several scents that make a perfect beach house gift when you’re invited to someone’s home. Other tempting summer scents include Coco Blossom, Stone Fruit and Nectar Pop. 

18. Assouline Book

Extra-large and colorful coffee table books are having their moment right now, and this gift for beach lovers goes great in a beach house.

With their recognizable and retro style, Assouline beach books offer a collection of amazing photographs from all over the world in places like Mykonos, Miami Beach and Palm Beach. The prints just might inspire some summer bucket list trips. 

19. Sand Resistant Beach Towel

A set of these beautiful sand-resistant beach towels make for a great gift for beach lovers, especially those with a beach house. They probably are used to hosting company and you can never have too many towels!

Beach Gift Ideas for Her 

20. Hand Painted Oyster Plates

These beautiful hand-painted oyster plates are a gorgeous beach gift idea for her. They go perfectly on a bathroom counter or bedside table for a chic and beachy way to hold jewelry like rings or earrings.

They are also food safe and can make for a really artistic way to present small bites if you’re looking for gifts for foodies. 

21. Beach Towel Bundle

Gift the beach-loving lady in your life a beautiful and absorbent Anthropologie beach towel made from velour and cotton. These vibrant towels come with gorgeous Bohemian patterns. She will definitely have the cutest towel on the beach!

22. Foldable Beach Chair

This foldable beach chair is not your average gift for beach lovers — not only is it super chic but it also comes with a detachable and foldable umbrella for added sun protection.

It is made with a beautiful teak frame and a minimalist black and white tropical print. Don’t sleep on this gift for beach vacations — or do, as it locks into five comfy positions!

23. Tie Maxi Skirt

This gorgeous tie maxi skirt from Vineyard Vines is a beautiful gift for beach lovers who also have an eye for fashion. With a soft blue pattern, this flowy skirt can serve as a cover-up for the beach or be worn out to dinner.  

24. Personalized Beach Bag

The perfect beach day includes a fair amount of supplies, from towels and sunblock to snacks and water bottles. Gift your favorite girl a personalized beach bag, one of the most useful gifts for beach lovers, to carry it all. You can’t go wrong with a monogram or name stitched on the front of a practical canvas bag.  

25. Hair Shield

Saltwater is soothing for the body, but it can be tough on hair, especially color-treated hair. The next time you are considering vacation or staycation ideas that involve a beach, treat her to some hair shield leave-in conditioner as a gift for beach lovers that helps protect her locks from the salt water and sun. 

26. Linen Beach Pants

Nothing feels better on a hot day than a light and airy fabric like linen or gauze. This gift for beach lovers is sure to be popular with the ladies as they make for a stylish and easy coverup option.

Beach Gift Ideas for Him

27. YETI Cooler Bag

This large cooler tote bag holds plenty of ice-cold beverages for a day at the beach. Available in three sizes, it’s a great beach-themed gift for him.

From sunset orange to basic black and grey, this YETI cooler bag is stylish yet neutral enough to not make a statement.

28. Portable Beach Tent

This retro portable beach tent is a must-have gift for beach lovers who spend long days in the sun. With a lightweight design that attaches to the ground with small aluminum poles (just like a camping tent), it provides a much-needed shady spot to cool off on a hot day. 

29. Portable Grill

After a few hours in the sun, hunger is sure to set in, and nothing says summer more than a burger or hot dogs. This portable grill is an amazing gift for beach lovers because it brings the fun and satisfaction of a cookout to wherever you are.

Some portable grills come with built-in cooler pockets as well, so you can store meat and produce there until you’re ready to grill up lunch.  

30. Bucket Hat

This stylish yet practical bucket hat is the perfect gift for beach lovers that looks good while also protecting your face from the sun’s rays.

Available in two colors it goes with almost any swimsuit plus it’s made with a cooling interior sweatband to wick sweat on hot days. 

31. Shark Hooded Beach Towel

For the tiny beach bum in your life, this adorable shark hooded towel is a great gift for beach lovers. Made out of navy blue terrycloth and featuring a shark fin, tail and eyes, this towel is equal parts cute and practical.

32. Panoramic View Snorkel Mask

Say goodbye to the old two-piece snorkel mask and hello to a full-face snorkel mask offering panoramic views of the sea.

Complete with a spot to clip on their GoPro, it also uses unique “dry top” technology to make sure no water seeps in. This is a great gift for beach lovers who enjoy underwater adventure. 

33. Beer Preservers

If your man doesn’t go to the beach without a case of cold beer, these hilarious and useful beer preservers are sure to make him smile. Functioning like a coozie, they are designed to look like tiny life jackets that fit around a standard can of beer or soda.

This creative gift for beach lovers insulates your cold beverage with multiple layers to absorb condensation and keep your can upright. 

There’s something so special about the salty water and fresh air that makes you feel invigorated and tired in the best way at the end of the day. Capture that energy with useful tools and beautiful home goods with a nautical twist.

The next time you’re planning a beach vacation, staycation or attending a waterfront party, these themed gifts for beach lovers are the perfect token of gratitude.

To choose the best gift for the sun bum in your life, consider whether they prefer the beach for laying out and soaking up rays, strolling in the sand or something a little more hands-on like body surfing or snorkeling — there are many wonderful gifts for beach lovers here that are sure to be a hit.

For even more gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!