How to Keep Your Things Safe at the Beach

Going to the beach should be fun but one thing that can be stressful is figuring out how to keep your things safe at the beach while you are in the water. If you are at the beach with a group, someone can stay behind and watch everyone’s stuff. But what if you are at the beach by yourself or everyone in the group wants to go to the water at the same time? What do you do?

The most practical way to keep your things safe at the beach is to leave valuable possessions at home, in a hotel room, AirBnB or hostel and bring only a key and a small amount of cash or a credit card. But let’s face it – we rarely leave home without our phones these days so that isn’t always feasible.

Since we want our phones, here are 10 ways to keep your things safe while you are at the beach.

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How to Keep Your Things Safe at the Beach

1. Bring a Waterproof Bag or Water Resistant Fanny Pack

The first way to keep your things safe at the beach is by using a waterproof or water resistant bag. With a waterproof bag, you can bring your things with you into the water. A Ziploc baggie is the easiest option. Many of us already have these in our cupboards or can buy them at the store in multiple different sizes.

Another option is to use a waterproof phone case like this. If you have a key, cash or a credit card, you can slide them into the case along with your phone. You can also bring a small waterproof bag like this. Finally, for hands free fun in the water, try a waterproof fanny pack like this one.

2. Bury Your Things in the Sand

The second way you can keep your valuables from being stolen at the beach is by burying them in the sand. You can wrap your belongings in a towel or put them in a plastic bag, bury them and then put your towel or beach chair over the top.

3. Wrap Your Stuff in a Diaper

The third way to keep your things safe at the beach is to wrap them in a clean diaper. Who is going to want to walk off with what looks like a dirty diaper?

4. Use an Anti-Theft Bag and Lock

Using an anti-theft beach bag and lock is an additional way to keep your valuables safe. You can put your stuff into the back, lock it and then lock the bag to your beach chair. This water resistant nylon bag comes with a lock. Here is another option that comes with a combination.

5. Use Water Bottle with a Storage Compartment

Another way to protect your belongings at the beach is to store them in a Bindle Bottle or a Diversion Safe Water Bottle. These are water bottles with a compartment to store your keys and cash or a credit card. While these would be good for small items such as keys, cash and credit cards, they would not work for phones.

6. Beach blanket with a hidden pocket

Buying a beach towel with a hidden pocket is another way to keep your stuff hidden when you are in the water. This towel is a great size and comes in fun colors too!

7. Ask Someone Sitting Nearby to Watch Your Stuff

This one will require your judgement but can be the best option for how to keep your things safe at the beach. I have utilized this method several times in the past when I have been at a beach by myself. A key is to scope out the people around you and then decide who seems to be the most trust worthy. Usually, I try to find a family who looks like they will be staying put for a while. So far, this method has been fool proof for me and therefore, I recommend it if you are comfortable asking others to help.

8. Get a locker at the beach

If you are at a beach that has lockers you can rent to store your stuff in, it may be worth doing it for the peace of mind. While this is probably the safest option, it may also be the priciest.

9. Rent a chair with an umbrella

Another option that is not free but one to consider is to rent a chair with an umbrella. Oftentimes, when you rent a chair with an umbrella, there are attendants and other beach goers nearby. While this is not a failsafe method, those facts can help protect your things while you are away from them.

10. Keep a watch out

Even when you are in the water, you can remain diligent and keep an eye on your stuff. If someone is hanging around and seems interested, it might be worth getting out of the water to deter them from taking anything.