Best beach canopies

(Image credit: Amazon)

published 25 September 2020

The warm sun feels nice, but it’s best to limit your exposure to prevent skin damage. Adding a beach canopy to your sand accessories will give you a place to hang out in the shade. Some options require a bit of setup, while others pop open in a flash. We’ve gathered a collection of the best beach canopies so you can find the perfect one for your next shore day.

Staff pick

Coleman beach shade shelter

Doubles as a changing area

Finding privacy can be difficult at a public beach. This option from Coleman not only offers shade to relax in, but it also has a floor extension that can zip closed to the other three sides to create a small changing area. There’s also a line for hanging your wet clothes or towels included, so they won’t sit around in piles or collect sand.

Vibrant colors

Sport-Brella vented sun and rain canopy

Two windows with zippers

You’ll get eight stakes and three tie-downs with this canopy to make sure it stays in place on the sand. It’s water repellant and will resist damage from the sun with built-in SPF50+ protection. Setting it up is as easy an opening an umbrella.

Lightweight

Pacific Breeze easy setup beach tent

Strong frame that weighs very little

You can store sand toys, water bottles, or sunscreen in the pockets built into this canopy. Enjoy the breeze, too, with the two large windows on opposing sides. The material is polyester, and the frame is made of fiberglass, so this canopy is both strong and lightweight at only 4.5 lbs.

Wide open shade

Neso Tents beach tent

Choose from the most color options and patterns

Add sand to the bags included with this canopy to hold it in place. Made of both Lycra and nylon, and featuring reinforced corners, it’s built to last days at the beach. When set up, the canopy is 7-by 7 feet, providing enough space for multiple people to enjoy UPF50+ protection.

Sets up fast

G4Free large pop-up beach tent

Mesh panels on all sides

Instantly pop open this beach canopy for a place for three to four people to relax in the shade. There are mesh windows on all three walls for a cross breeze, preventing the canopy from becoming too hot inside. The fabric is 190T silver-coated and UPF50+, so you’re safe under it all day.

Set up some shade

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If you’re looking forward to having a place to escape the sun while you’re on the sand, a beach canopy is ideal. Our favorite option is the Coleman beach shade shelter. It has two features that you won’t find on other options: a way to close up the walls for privacy and a line to hang clothes.

The bright color options will also make it easy to spot from the water.

If easy setup and take down are the most important features for you, then consider the Sport-Brella vented sun and rain canopy. It opens like an umbrella, and closes like one, too. The only extra step is securing the sidewalls, so they aren’t blowing around in the wind. At 4.5 lbs. it is also one of our lightest options.

Nicole Cozma is a freelance writer for Future. She's known for being inquisitive and finding the tiny details that may otherwise go unnoticed. When she's not writing about products, she can be found playing Blizzard game titles, doing copy editing work, cooking, or expanding her photography skills.