The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Beach Tent for Your Summer Vacation

Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning those long, sunny days at the beach. Whether you’re a sun worshipper or prefer a bit of shade, a beach tent can be a game-changer for your seaside experience. Modern beach tents, designed to be lightweight, easy to set up, and provide much-needed sun protection, eliminate the need to wrestle with heavy umbrellas or bulky beach gear. So many options, how do you pick the right one? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the perfect beach tent for your needs.

Click Here To See The Top Rated Beach Tents

From the most basic windbreakers to super deluxe models, there is a bewildering array of styles, colors, and prices.

Types of Beach Tents

Pop-up beach tents in carry bags are a popular and inexpensive option. They range in price from $15 to $70. They can accommodate a single person up to a family, though it is a bit of a squeeze for the latter! Sun Factor 50 beach tents with vents for coolness and groundsheets are top of the range. They are relatively simple to assemble and lightweight to carry.

Slightly larger, but still with carry bags come the dome-shaped tents with extra flaps at the side and built-in flooring. These are larger and can accommodate a family with a couple of small children. They still are easy to assemble and retail at around $60.

An alternative to the tent is the sun shelter, a bit like the marquees you get at weddings. These have a roof and a windbreaker at the side. Not great in high winds and are rather flimsy given that they cost about $70 so beware of these. There is no point in seeing your investment disappear down the beach!

If you still fancy the old windbreaker-style tent you can pay up to $90 for a top-of-the-range hardwood pole and UV-treated fabric one, but you’ll need help putting it up.

Finally, super deluxe beach tents come as gazebo style with four walls you can roll up and of such sturdy design you can sleep in it at night. You will need about $130 for this ultra-cool luxury item.

What To Consider

• How often used – how often do you go to the beach and will you have someone to help you put up the tent?
• Cost– Pop-up beach tents, easy to assemble, lightweight but not roomy. They are however the cheapest option.
• Health – given the concerns about skin cancer it is worth thinking about a tent with UV protection, however, this does not take the place of sunscreen creams.
• Size of family – if you want room for the whole family then it will cost more money and need two of you to put up the tent.
• Ease of use– if possible, practice assembling and disassembling the tent in the shop. Also, make sure you can get it back into its carry bag easily.
• Looks – what does it look like? Some beach tents are positively dull, hardly eye-catching or cheerful. If you are going to be on a crowded beach you want a tent you can spot easily, one that the children can find as they come out of the water.

Top Recommended Beach Tents

To help you decide, here are the top three recommendations in different price categories.

Genji Sports Pop-Up Outdoor Family Tent

The Genji Sports Pop-Up Outdoor Family Tent is a great pop-up tent for the summer months. It shields from chilly winds but isn’t great for shielding from the sun, the sun shines straight through the opening so far from ideal for keeping the sun off babies and small children. It is a cheerful color so stands out on the beach. It is easy to open but there is a knack for folding it down and getting it back into the bag. It is a good idea to practice this at home first.

One Touch Push-Up Beach Shelter

The One Touch Push-Up Beach Shelter is big enough for the whole family. It is deceptively small when packed up but has good height when put up. It has UV protection and is a bright blue with yellow trim. However, It is light to carry and the bag has proper handles and a zip to keep the tent secure. One person can put this tent up but easier with two. This is a good all-rounder.

Coleman Road Trip Beach Tent

The Coleman Road Trip Beach Tent is a top-of-the-range beach tent. This tent is the highest-rated beach tent and is easy to set up. It offers two zippered doors to allow for privacy and an easy change room. The tent has mesh sides so you get air in but no nasty bugs can get through. It comes with a carry bag and is relatively light to carry. The best feature is the flexibility of this tent. The added UV protection of the tent ensures that you won’t have any sunburns while you are inside the tent. This is a great option for people who are looking for excellent value for their tent.

Texsport Calypso Cabana Beach Shelter

The Texsport Calypso Cabana Beach Shelter is a cabana-style tent a low-cost beach tent option that is great for the summer holidays. It is a 3 sided beach cabana that can keep you protected during the warm summer months. The three-pole pin and ring system allows for easy setup of the tent. This is a great option for people who are looking for a cabana-style tent to keep their family protected from the sun during the warm summer months.

Final Thoughts

The day of the windbreaker is over. Look for easy-to-assemble tents but try them out at home first. Somewhere out there is a tent that is perfect for you and your family. Choose one that suits your needs and meets your budget. Enjoy the sunshine.