Planning on traveling carry-on only for your next beach vacation? You can save space by packing one of the best beach bags and totes!
Best Beach Bags and Totes
Table Of Contents
A beach or warm-weather destination is a great place to travel carry-on only, but it helps if you choose a travel-friendly beach bag or tote.
With that in mind, we gathered our picks for the best beach bags and totes to add to your travel capsule wardrobe, so you can save space, pack light, and still have an adorable beach tote to carry to the beach.
These foldable beach bags and summer totes are perfect for stuffing in your carry-on. And, as a bonus, you can use these to hold your daily essentials, for shopping, and to bring back extra souvenirs, too!
Reader Recommendations for Best Beach Bags and Totes
Girl Beach Bags: Pineapple Print
If your style is cute feminine but you want to avoid the fuss, then look no further than this adorable beach tote from Caixia.
The pink pineapple print is both fun and fresh, while its packable design is the traveler’s dream. Plus it’s a nice hearty canvas, perfect for those days spent on the beach.
Match this cute tote with a pair of shorts and a crisp white T-shirt on your next getaway to the Florida Keys!
Where to wear: Portland | Brighton | Lisbon
Shop more canvas bags: Amazon | Nordstrom
Looking for cute summer dresses? Here are our favorites!
Best Packable Beach Bag: Nylon Tote
Just when you thought you wouldn’t find any more packable items among the best beach bags and totes, Baggu’s nylon tote comes along.
These are remarkably versatile nylon beach bags that can easily be slipped in your luggage to Zanzibar. It is roomy enough to carry all your impulsive treasures, and it’s an awesome option for long-term travelers, too!
The variety of prints offered makes this beach bag fun and functional piece to have. Choose whichever one speaks to you the most and pack away!
Where to wear: Osaka | San Francisco | Copenhagen
Shop more nylon tote bags: Amazon | Nordstrom
Reversible swimwear is a travel must-have!
Leisureland Water-Resistant Beach Tote
Cute Beach Bags: Floral Motif
Perhaps old-world vintage is more your style. If that’s the case, this romantic floral print bag is the perfect summer beach bag.
This water-resistant tote is perfect for a beach getaway and even could act as a more versatile bag on a longer trip. Plus the water-resistant material makes this zippered beach bag easy to clean, and the rope handles are an accent. Use packing cubes to compress your clothing for your short vacation!
Flaunt this pretty piece as a carry-all for your beach holiday in Sydney!
Where to wear: Sydney | Nice | Bali
Shop more floral bags: Amazon | Nordstrom
Discover our favorite beach sandals for hot weather vacations!
Multi-Function Nylon Beach Bag
Best Vacation Bags: Simple Nylon Tote
When you’re looking for that cute and fashionable carry-all that will suit all of your storage needs in a flash, go simple with something easy and hassle-free.
A simple nylon tote is our go-to piece among the best beach bags and totes for vacation, with being spacious, versatile, and functional.
This cute bag is suitable for a variety of needs. It can work as a standard beach tote, a reusable shopping bag, or even a cute diaper bag! Bring it along to your family-friendly getaway in Rio de Janeiro!
Where to wear: Cape Cod | San Diego | Kamakura
Shop more canvas totes: Amazon | Nordstrom
Pack a pair of comfortable flip-flops for your beach vacation!
Classic Summer Beach Bag: Canvas Tote
This is a vacation bag that offers a little personalization. The E-Initial Canvas beach tote is a bag you can make truly yours. It offers customizable monograms, so it won’t get lost in Boracay’s thick crowds.
We love the classic look of this tote along with its clear versatility. Whether you’re on the beach or wandering through the bustling city streets, this black and white bag will be a cinch to work into any wardrobe.
Where to wear: Hong Kong | Amsterdam | Boston
Shop more personal monogrammed bags: Amazon | Nordstrom
These are the best sandals for travel in summer!
Danse Jupe Geometric Beach Bags
Cool Beach Bags: Geometric Style
From an afternoon on the sandy shores to an evening shopping on the promenade, this geometric print bag is the perfect compliment to your summer outfit.
Whether you’re in a cute swimsuit or a breezy summer dress, the clean, abstract lines on this cute beach tote will add a hint of refinement while not looking too overdone.
Whether you’re taking in the lights and music at Santa Monica Pier or pairing it with some cute swimsuit on your luxury trip to Turks and Caicos, this bag is bound to add a little stun to your style.
Where to wear: Turks & Caicos | Oslo | Cannes
Shop more geometric bags: Amazon | Nordstrom
One-piece swimsuits are super on-trend! See our favorites here!
Fashion Beach Bags: Animal Print
Two adorable beach bags with the convenience of one? Count us in.
This reversible bag offers a quick and convenient style change to match any wardrobe from a beach outfit to a night on the town. Just do a quick inside-out pattern change, and voila!
Reversible bags tend to come in two solid colors. But this cute vegan leather beach tote offers a chance to kick it up a notch by giving you a vibrant print on one side. Spicing up your look at any given moment is just one bag flip away.
Take this dash of primal fashion with you as you walk through the eccentric beaches of Vanuatu and show off your wild side!
Where to wear: Miami | Ibiza | Cabo
Shop more reversible totes: Amazon | Nordstrom
Find out what to wear for a beach resort vacation this summer!
Faux-Leather Travel Beach Bag & Wristlet
Best Beach Tote: Reverse for Day and Night
If you’re looking for a classic versatile bag to cart around as your beach tote, then this well-loved one from Street Level is easily the best item for the job.
This stylish beach bag comes equipped with a spacious interior, perfect for storing beach necessities like your sunscreen and flip-flops. And once the sun goes down, this bag’s sleek, faux leather exterior will work with just about any evening outfit.
Looking for even more versatility? This tote is also reversible and comes with an additional wristlet. Talk about covering all your bases!
Where to wear: Tokyo | Paris | Berlin
Shop more reversible totes: Amazon | Nordstrom
Convertible travel dresses let you focus on fashion while packing light!
Leather Vacation Bag: Vintage Feel
If you’re craving a beach bag that errs a little more on the structured side, then go for a quality bag in a rich, sleek leather.
Leave it to S-Zone’s classic leather tote to add some instant refinement to your swimwear. But what about that perfect cute casual outfit you have planned for your next Barcelona escapade? This sleek beach bag will work perfectly for it, too!
Where to wear: Stockholm | London | NYC
Shop more leather bags: Amazon | Nordstrom
Check out our favorite bra-sized swimwear by cup size!
Lighten Up Expandable Beach Tote
Best Zippered Beach Bags that Expand
When you’re on a vacation, you want to shop. You DO NOT want to worry about whether there’s enough space in your bag to bring back all of your beloved finds. The solution to this ever-so-common dilemma? Get yourself an expandable tote.
These are definitely some of the best beach bags and totes for a vacation. The Lighten Up expandable tote grows with the swipe of a zipper, changing from a standard beach bag to a weekender luggage bag in an instant.
Bring one of these fashionable totes along on a Thailand island hopping adventure and never fear lacking space for your goods. Plus, you can stuff all your Bangkok shopping inside for the trip back home. So go ahead – shop away!
Where to wear: Florence | Kyoto | Santorini
Shop more expandable totes: Amazon | Nordstrom
We’ve got lots of global shopping guides to help you maximize your shopping time while traveling!
Straw Handbags: Beach Style
Looking for a beach bag that matches your unique style? Perhaps the clash of prints in this fruity design might be perfect to accentuate your style.
With a look that’s equal parts stylish and daring, the Vera Bradley tote will add an instant flare to your look.
This bright and colorful beach tote would be the perfect complement to a coastal Spanish getaway. Pair it with a floor sweeping maxi and a refreshing margarita for the perfect vacation outfit.
Where to wear: Cancun | Portofino | Mallorca
Shop more printed beach bags: Amazon | Target
Learn how to stylishly mix prints like a pro in this post!
Travel Beach Bag: Boho-Chic Style
Does oversized bag with a geo print spark your fancy when it comes to the perfect beach bag? Then this Single Water is perfect for you!
This roomy textured tote has a slouched silhouette giving it a carefree vibe with a sophisticated look. From the shores of Rosarito to sunny Malibu, this vacation bag has you covered.
If you’re looking to up the beach motif, pair it with a solid-colored wide brimmed hat and your favorite pair of shades!
Where to wear: Kathmandu | Phuket | Barcelona
Shop more slouchy totes: Amazon | Nordstrom
These are the most comfortable walking sandals!
Large Le Pliage Travel Beach Bag
Best Beach Bag Ever: Longchamp
The best beach bags and totes are traveler favorites, and Longchamp’s Le Pliage large tote has a well-deserved spot in the “best” category. And it’s not without reason!
The Le Pliage is incredibly stylish, but low maintenance and durable. And it’s versatile enough to accompany you on your Mediterranean cruise then bob along at your side in Europe’s chic streets.
With an impressive list of functions and plenty of colors to choose from, we can see why this bag is such a reader favorite. From land to sea, the Le Pliage tote can do you no wrong.
Where to wear: Singapore | Moscow | Madrid
Shop more Longchamp totes: Amazon | Nordstrom
Are Longchamps the best travel handbags? Read this post for our review of these popular totes!
Tory Burch Packable Beach Tote
Stylish Beach Bags: Logo Tote
The Tory Burch Ella Nylon Logo tote bag is a classic beach bag with a high fashion look. You can pair this zippered beach tote with an evening dress just as well as a swimsuit.
This bag is one of the best beach bags and totes because of its easy packable design and an alluring classic silhouette. You won’t have to sacrifice style for space with this bag! (Learn to Pack Light Stylishly with this guide!)
It’s the best of both worlds for style-conscious travelers who need a refined fashionable tote. With its glossy handles and accents, this bag is perfect for your next beachy Hawaiian getaway!
Where to wear: Monte Carlo | Bangkok | Maui
Shop more packable totes: Amazon | Nordstrom
Check out these new swimsuits we’re obsessed with!
Best Beach Bags and Totes Comparison Chart
The best beach bags and totes are packable, versatile styles. Take all your vacation essentials all in one roomy tote that won’t cramp your style.
| BRAND / MODEL | FEATURES | RATING | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Caixia Packable Beach Bags |
If your style is cute feminine but you want to avoid the fuss, then look no further than this adorable beach tote from Caixia. | Check Price | |
|
Baggu Packable Beach Tote |
You wouldn’t find any more packable items among the best beach bags and totes, Baggu’s nylon tote comes along. | Check Price | |
|
Leisureland Water-Resistant Beach Tote |
This water-resistant tote is perfect for a beach getaway and even could act as a more versatile bag on a longer trip. | Check Price | |
|
Multi-Function Nylon Beach Bag |
A simple nylon tote is our go-to piece among the best beach bags and totes for vacation, with being spacious, versatile, and functional. | Check Price | |
|
E-Initial Canvas Beach Totes |
Whether you’re on the beach or wandering through the bustling city streets, this black and white bag will be a cinch to work into any wardrobe. | Check Price | |
|
Danse Jupe Geometric Beach Bags |
This geometric print bag is the perfect compliment to your summer outfit. | Check Price | |
|
Reversible Vegan Leather Tote |
This reversible bag offers a quick and convenient style change to match any wardrobe from a beach outfit to a night on the town. | Check Price | |
|
Faux-Leather Travel Beach Bag & Wristlet |
This stylish beach bag comes equipped with a spacious interior, perfect for storing beach necessities like your sunscreen and flip-flops. | Check Price | |
|
S-Zone Leather Vintage Bag |
If you’re craving a beach bag that errs a little more on the structured side, then go for a quality bag in a rich, sleek leather. | Check Price | |
|
Lighten Up Expandable Beach Tote |
The Lighten Up expandable tote grows with the swipe of a zipper, changing from a standard beach bag to a weekender luggage bag in an instant. | Check Price | |
|
Vera Bradley Straw Handbags |
This bright and colorful beach tote would be the perfect complement to a coastal Spanish getaway. | NO RATINGS | Check Price |
|
Single Water Beach Bag |
This roomy textured tote has a slouched silhouette giving it a carefree vibe with a sophisticated look. | NO RATINGS | Check Price |
|
Large Le Pliage Travel Beach Bag |
The Le Pliage is incredibly stylish, but low maintenance and durable. | Check Price | |
|
Tory Burch Packable Beach Tote |
This bag is one of the best beach bags and totes because of its easy packable design and an alluring classic silhouette. | Check Price |
Compass Rose Travel Packing Cubes
How to Pack Beach Bags and Travel Totes
The best beach totes and vacation bags are ones that fold flat to pack in your carry-on. You can learn to pack carry-on only using packing cubes.
Learn our hacks with packing cubes in the video above!
I put together a five-part YouTube series showing you the different methods to use packing cubes. If you use this specific packing strategy, they also can compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
A packable beach bag can be stowed on top of, alongside, or even between packing cubes in your carry-on luggage. Take it out when you need it for your day at the beach, pool, or market!
What is your favorite among the best beach bags and totes? Share in the comments!
For more summer travel essentials, please read:
- Cute Shorts for Summer Travel
- Best Beach Towels for Travel
- Many Ways to Use a Sarong
- Summer Dresses Perfect for Paris or Any Trip Abroad
LIKED THIS POST? PIN THIS PIC TO SAVE IT!
You might also like our hand-embroidered, ecofriendly totes. They roll down to the size of a coffee cup, and are one of my travel and everyday staples 🙂
They’re lovely!
I carry Envirosax – these nylon bags rolls and fold into almost nothing, but work great as beach bags, shopping bags, laundry bags, extra luggage bags……….and they come in all sorts of colors and patterns. I have three that are about 5 yrs old – easy to wash and dry, and they tuck into my backpack until needed. Love them!
Great addition!
Love Maison Scotch’s Mint Tote–it has a great soft print I adore! Baggu’s Nylon Tote is also great to have on hand, because you never know when you’ll need an emergency extra. A few companies bags I’ve been eyeing are Mar Y Sol. They have great straw beach totes! Mercado Global is another great option and has woven bags with great patterns.
I use the Longchamp’s Le Pliage Large for both the beach and also somethings we I travel. It’s my favorite tote bag.