Top 10 Gift Ideas for a Beach Vacation

For the classic Summer vacation we have 10 amazing ideas for friends and family alike

Planning a beach vacation brings to mind sun-soaked days, the soothing sound of waves, and the blissful relaxation of coastal breezes. As you prepare for your seaside escape or look for the perfect present for a friend heading to the shore, choosing the right gift can enhance the experience. Whether it’s practical gear, stylish accessories, or fun beach gadgets, thoughtful beach vacation gifts can elevate the joy of any coastal adventure. If you’re uncertain where to begin, look no further. In this article, we will discuss ten amazing gift ideas for beach vacations, including: 

  • Gift cards to get your friends to the beach
  • Practical gifts for a long day in the sun
  • Gifts for essential beach accessories

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1. Airbnb Gift Card

Help them find the perfect place!

Buy an Airbnb gift card

Airbnbs are an excellent alternative to hotels when it comes to vacationing. They offer a wide variety of homes for beach vacations, whether you are going with one or two people or 20! Airbnb gift cards are a wonderful way to put your gift directly towards their stay. 

Airbnb is a spectacular alternative to traditional hotels, and it has been growing immensely in popularity recently. These vacation homes are varied, from small studio places just about big enough to set down your bags and sleep to luxurious and extravagant homes so nice you might not even want to leave. The variety of homes makes it perfect for travelersfor a travelers who might go alone or might bring their whole family. 

Buy an Airbnb gift card

2. Four Seasons Hotel Gift Card

For beachgoers who like hotels

Buy a Fairmont gift card

Fairmont is a company that dedicates itself to creating the most relaxing and rejuvenating experience possible. Their resorts are immaculate, with spas, saunas, massage rooms, and so much more to soothe the body, mind, and soul. For your friend who is about to go on a beach vacation, a Fairmont Hotel gift card is a great way to contribute to their vacation. This gift card is best if you know they are going to stay at a hotel and don’t already have one booked. If you are looking for other gifts for your adult friends, check out the top 10 beach gift ideas for adults!

The strength of this gift card is when you know they will use it on their vacation. Many people book hotels only infrequently, and you don’t want to give a gift card that will sit around, untouched! 

Buy a Fairmont gift card

3. Customized Visa Gift Card

Customize a Visa Gift Card for a Personal Touch

Buy a custom Visa gift card

If you aren’t sure where they are going, or just need a little gift to round off your basket look no further than a customized Visa Gift Card! Visa Gift Cards are usable anywhere Visa is accepted, opening countless doors for your friend to spend this card on their beach vacation. It could be during a meal out, to pay for gas on the way, groceries while they are there, or anything else! We love Visa Gift Cards, and since they are available in any denomination, one of these cards could be the entire gift or you can add a smaller denomination card to round out another gift! 

Buy a custom Visa gift card

4. Beach Gift Box

Get them the essentials in a beach gift box! 

Beach sunglasses

A beach gift box is an excellent gift idea for a beach vacation because there are lots of items you can add that you know will come in handy. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and snacks are always welcome, to name a few. Get creative! What do your friends like to do at the beach? Answering this question is critical to picking out the perfect gift box. 

Complementing these essentials with items like a beach towel, flip-flops, or a portable speaker might make your friend’s beach vacation one for the record books. The variety of items in the gift box caters to different needs and preferences, making it a versatile gift that lets you cater to their unique interests. Feel free to add a little gift card to complete the basket! There are lots of awesome gift cards at GiftYa to make the beach vacation even better.

5. New Cooler

Keep their drinks cool with an awesome new cooler

A couple walking at the beach

A new cooler is a fantastic gift idea for a beach vacation! In the hot sun, keeping drinks cool is essential for staying hydrated and refreshed. Depending on the beach, they can also bring some cold beers and seltzers for luxurious drinking. A high-quality cooler ensures beverages remain chilled all day long with just a little ice, providing a welcome respite from the heat.

You can also store your food in that cooler! Bringing along snacks and sandwiches is especially important for families or groups with kids. If you’re planning on staying at the beach all day long, bringing along food is great so you don’t have to walk the boardwalk for a wilddely overpriced piece of pizza. 

You may get a cooler with multiple compartments, perfect when you are bringing in a wider variety of cooled items. A new cooler is not just a gift for a beach vacation because they can use it again and again!

6. Vacation Book

Find a perfect read with a gift card to Barnes and Noble

Buy a Barnes & Noble gift card 

If you know what kind of book they like, you can get them that book straight away! If you know they are a particularly fast reader, you can always get them a book and a Barnes and Noble gift card, or just the gift card! With a Barnes and Noble gift card, they can grab exciting books for the upcoming beach vacation. 

They have such a diverse collection of books on their shelves that readers of all ages and interests can find a book that they enjoy. If, however, you know they are a fond listener of audiobooks, we put forward Audible as an excellent alternative. Audiobooks are a stellar alternative to reading, and let people listen to their favorite book while up and about. This is perfect for commutes, chores around the house, or drifting off to sleep.

Buy a Barnes & Noble gift card 

7. Sandcastle Supplies

Deep down, everyone loves a good sandcastle

Sandcastle Supplies

Sandcastle-building supplies make a wonderful gift idea for a beach vacation. We know your friends want to build a sandcastle, no matter how old they are. For children, buckets, shovels, molds, and other sandcastle accessories let them construct exciting structures or, as often happens, a nice mound of sand with a little moat around it. 

For adults, the sandcastle building offers a nostalgic and relaxing activity, and it is always a fun break fromor tanning and swimming. Sandcastle building is a great bonding experience, be it with friends or family. 

High-quality sandcastle kits often include a variety of tools to create detailed and elaborate designs, adding an extra layer of excitement and challenge. These kits are usually lightweight and portable, making them easy to pack and carry to the beach. For the artistically inclined and dedicated, sandcastle building kits can turn into really impressive structures. 

8. Beach Picnic Set

Nothing more romantic than a nighttime picnic on the beach

A beach picnic set is an excellent gift idea for a beach vacation, particularly for couples looking to enjoy a romantic outing by the sea. This thoughtful gift lets them enjoy a serene and intimate dining experience where couples can relax and savor their favorite foods while listening to the soothing sound of waves.

With your picnic set, you’ll want to include sturdy but disposable plates, utensils, and cups, along with a lovely wicker basket and a big beach blanket. The bigger, the better! Depending on how you’re feeling, you can also pack in a bottle of their favorite wine and some non-perishables like bread, jam, and more to start their picnic basket. 

A beach picnic creates an unparalleled ambiance. As the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the water, couples can enjoy a cozy meal together, free from the distractions and interruptions of daily life. Sharing this picturesque is a wonderful gift to give your friends. 

The couple also has the final say on what exactly goes into their picnic box. They can choose to pack gourmet treats, a simple sandwich spread, or even prepare a themed meal, adding an element of surprise and excitement to their outing.

9. Beach Games

There are lots of fun games to play in the sand

Beach games are a fantastic gift idea for a beach vacation because they add an element of fun and activity to the seaside experience. Sure, suntanning is great, but you might get restless after sitting for a while. There are plenty of beach games that cater to various group sizes and preferences, so it’s always good to know how many people are going on the trip before getting them games.

Classic beach games like paddleball, frisbee, and beach volleyball are perennial favorites. Paddleball is perfect for two people, allowing for a casual yet challenging game right at the water's edge. Frisbee, on the other hand, can accommodate a few players and is ideal for both casual tossing and more intense play, where you and your friends can sprint up and down the beach throwing competitive play, making it suitable for families or small groups of friends.

For larger groups, games like beach volleyball or soccer are excellent choices. These games can encompass just about any amount ofopf people, perfect for working up a sweat before running into the ocean. Want some more ideas? Check out the top 10 beach gift ideas for him!

Other engaging beach games include bocce ball and cornhole. Bocce ball is great for a relaxed game involving a few people, while cornhole, with its simple setup and straightforward rules, can accommodate larger groups and provide hours of entertainment.

10. New Tote

To carry essentials to and fro 

New Tote

A new tote is a perfect gift idea for a beach vacation because it combines style and functionality, making it an essential accessory for any beachgoer. Spacious and versatile, a beach tote can easily carry all the necessary items, such as towels, sunscreen, snacks, books, and more. Many totes are designed with multiple compartments, helping to keep belongings organized and easily accessible. Waterproof or sand-resistant materials ensure that the contents remain protected from the elements, while sturdy straps make it comfortable to carry. Additionally, with a wide range of designs and colors available, a new tote can reflect personal style, making it both a practical and fashionable addition to any beach outing. 

These are our favorite gift cards for beach vacations!

We hope that this article has answered all your questions about gift ideas for beach vacations! There are lots of great options, and you can pick out gifts that cater to their perfect beach vacation. Good luck!

Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.

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