The Best Beach Tents To Enjoy The Surf And Sand, Without The Sun

Forbes

3 days ago

A great day at the beach starts long before your toes hit the sand. Essentials like sunscreen, a stocked cooler, comfy beach chairs and a Bluetooth speaker are always a given. But one item that tends to get overlooked is shade. Whether you're settling in for a full day by the water or an afternoon once the crowds die down, having one of the best sun shades is key to comfort and protection. Our top pick, the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent, offers easy setup and reliable protection for less than $100.
The best beach tents let you enjoy the surf and sand without the sun. Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
Obviously, any beach tent you have your eye on should be large enough to comfortably provide shade for a few people, but it should also offer extras like UV protection and stash pockets for your valuables. To learn more about beach tents, we spoke with Christos Spatharakis, co-founder and CEO of Ferryhopper. Based on his insights and our expertise, these are the best beach tents of 2025.
Dimensions: 87 x 47 x 49 inches | Weight: 6.5 pounds | Waterproof: No, but water-resistant | UPF Sun Protection: Yes
Pros: UPF 50+ protection
Pop-up design for easy setup and breakdown
Extendable floor
Cons: Design isn't suitable for standing
This beach tent from Pacific Breeze is water-resistant, protects those inside from the sun's harmful rays, pops up into a ready-to-go tent in just seconds and is light and easy to carry. At over seven feet wide, it's suitable for a few people who'd like to sit or lay underneath it, and it has an extendable floor for more space, although it isn't roomy enough for standing. There are pockets to keep your phone, sunglasses and extra sunscreen out of the sand, and it has a tough and durable flooring that eliminates the need for excess towels and blankets. It weighs a shade over six pounds when packed up, so it's not burdensome to bring with you either. Baby and kids gear writer Alicia Betz also named the Pacific Breeze the best baby beach tent.
MOST POPULAR
Dimensions: 90 x 53 x 57 inches | Weight: 6.7 pounds | Waterproof: No | UPF Sun Protection: Yes
Pros: Built-in clothes line
Storage pockets
Large ventilation window
Cons: Small interior
Easiest to set up with an extra person
The Coleman Beach Sun Shelter isn't massive and is better suited to smaller parties, but it more than gets the job done when the time comes to take a break from the sun. It's made out of tough and durable tent material that's rated for UPF 50+ sun protection. Reviews say it's easy enough to maneuver the poles in place to have it ready to go in just a few minutes, and that the instructions are clear about how to easily pack it back up into its carrying bag. One big bonus here is that the tent has a clothesline that runs the length of the interior for drying out bathing suits or towels, or keeping essentials like your sunglasses out of the sand. There's also a large rear window that allows air to pass through, and attached storage pockets to keep your things organized. While the tent isn't waterproof or water-resistant, several reviewers have used it during light rain and found it kept them dry. To get all that at this price, from a trusted name like Coleman, represents a great value.
Dimensions: 102 x 65 x 59 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Waterproof: No, but water-repellent | UPF Sun Protection: Yes
Pros: Extended floor mat
Pop-up design
Extra ventilation
Cons: Reviews say multiple people are needed to set up
With an additional three feet of extendable floor space, this tent is made for families with several kids, a dog or anyone who needs a little more elbow room. It has three mesh windows and ventilation built into all four sides for optimal air flow on hot days, and a hanging hook on the ceiling to attach a fan when the temperatures really start to soar. Plus, it's water-repellent, so light showers or ocean spray won't send you running from the spot you expertly scoped from the parking lot. The tent is available in multiple sizes and can accommodate anywhere from three to ten people.
Dimensions: 82 x 80 x 66 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds | Waterproof: No, but water-resistant | UPF Sun Protection: Yes
Pros: Lightweight
Simple design
Lab-tested sun protection
Cons: Only suitable for up to two people
Filling sandbags by hand takes several minutes
This beach canopy's blend of four-way stretch nylon and lycra material helps it cover an area large enough for two people. It comes with attached sandbags to fill while at the beach that achor it down, and two poles in the middle to prop it up to over six feet tall. Those poles are made out of rust-proof aluminum and collapse for easy packing and storing. Reviews say it holds up against strong winds and that it's extremely lightweight and portable—one reviewer even fit it in their luggage. The canopy is also available in two bigger sizes, the 7-foot Grande and the 9-foot Gigante.
Shibumi Shibumi Shade Classic With Wind Assist
Dimensions: 180 x 120 x 78 inches | Weight: 4 pounds | Waterproof: No, but water-resistant | UPF Sun Protection: Yes
Pros: Weighs less than 4 pounds
Includes Wind Assist kit
Fits up to eight people
Cons:
The Shibumi Shade has been a popular beach fixture since it was released in 2016, and the brand has since made some tweaks, including quieter fabric. Shade is provided via the canopy which covers 150 square feet and is made from soft, stretchy fabric that works to reduce loud flapping when blowing in the wind. The canopy relies on wind to function, and included with the shade is a Wind Assist kit to help the fabric blow, keeping you covered even on less breezy days. Reviewers note that setting up and taking down the Shibumi Shade requires minimal time and effort, and the aluminum poles keep the structure secure, even during stronger gusts.
At Forbes Vetted, our gear team has written dozens of reliable gear guides, including many that cover beach-related topics. We've researched, tested and reviewed everything from the best beach coolers to the best beach chairs. This article was originally written by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta, who has more than seven years of experience reviewing and testing outdoor equipment. He grew up vacationing along the East Coast, from Maine to the Florida Keys.
We consulted with travel industry expert Christos Spatharakis, co-founder and CEO of Ferryhopper, to gain insights on what to look for in a beach tent.
This story was updated by editorial assistant Lee Cutlip in July 2025 to ensure accuracy and maintain freshness. Cutlip refreshed our recommendations to include the Shibumi Shade and expanded on buying advice and answered common questions about beach tents.
To be sure we recommend the best beach tents, we focused on several variables, including size and features. We considered important factors like size, weight, UV protection and water resistance. All of the tents included on this list offer UPF sun protection and nearly all of them are made with water-resistant fabrics.
We pored over consumer reviews to learn how these beach tents performed over time in the real world. We only included tents with a rating of 4 stars or higher.
We routinely revisit our content to ensure that it remains accurate and relevant. This article was last updated in July 2025.
If you're seeking shade and protection while beachside, here are the main things to consider when shopping for a beach tent. Material
Beach tents are typically made from nylon or polyester, both of which are lightweight. ' I always recommend looking for UPF 50+ rated silver-coated nylon or polyester—this provides maximum UV protection without bulk,' says Spatharakis. He recommends avoiding tents made from materials like cotton because they get heavy when wet and offer minimal UV protection.
It's also important to look for materials that are waterproof or water-resistant (like nylon and polyester) and capable of keeping you and your belongings dry during an unexpected rain shower. Size
Whether you're hitting the beach solo or accompanied by friends, you'll need to determine how small or big of a beach tent is necessary. Brands will often list how many people a tent can accommodate, although you'll also want to consider any belongings you plan on keeping inside the tent. Larger parties might find the open structure of the Neso 1 Sunshade or Shibumi Shade more comfortable and accommodating than traditional tent designs. UPF Protection
Every tent included on this list has a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50+. UPF rating indicates the amount of UV radiation that can pass through fabric to the skin; the higher the rating, the greater the protection. A UPF of 50 blocks 98% of the sun's rays to greatly reduce the risk of sun damage. Weight
Trekking to the beach with all the necessary equipment can prove burdensome, but a beach tent on the lighter side makes the task a little easier. None of the beach tents we included weigh more than 10 pounds, and many of them come with carrying bags or cases for seamless transportation.
Is A Beach Tent Or Canopy Better?
Whether a beach tent or canopy is better largely depends on your preferences. 'While canopies are useful for large groups of people and outdoor eating, beach tents give privacy and full cover that most beach users require for prolonged stay,' says Spatharakis.
What Is The Best Material For A Beach Tent?
The best material for a beach tent is polyester or nylon that has been treated to be ensure it's waterproof or water-resistant and provides UPF protection.
Are Beach Tents Worth It?
Spatharakis says beach tents are 'absolutely worth the investment' for the comfort and protection they provide, especially for children and those with fair skin. 'Beyond shelter from the sun, they safeguard equipment from sun and sand damage—something too many travelers realize too late,' he says.