Best Tents For Beach Camping | For A Sea-through Experience


Camping on the beach is a fun way to spend a summer weekend, but you need the right tent to accommodate this excursion. Fortunately, adding a tent for beach camping to your pack doesn’t have to break the bank. You can get a spacious tent that can accommodate you and protect you from the sun. To help you decide, you need to know each tent’s features and what it can offer you.

To make your purchase decision a little bit easier, we rounded up this objective overview of the best tents for beach camping that you’ll want to consider.

If you want to know the best tent for beach camping without reading, we recommend the Easthills Outdoor Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent because it is a budget-friendly option with lots of room for a large camping party.

Best Tents for Beach Camping

Compare Top Camping Tents For The Beach

ProductOverall ScoreBottom LinePrice
Coleman Sundome Camping Tent
Coleman Sundome
82Great for weatherproof beach campingCheck Out on Amazon
WhiteFang Beach Tent Anti-UV Portable Sun Shade Shelter
WhiteFang Anti-UV
82 Budget Buy
Great price point for a roomy tent
Check Out on Amazon
Pacific Breeze Easy Set Up Beach Tent
Pacific Breeze
74Best for quick setup and teardownCheck Out on Amazon
Easthills Outdoor Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent
Easthills Outdoor Instant
84 Top Pick
Best value for the money
Check Out on Amazon
Coleman Beach Sun Shelter
Coleman Beach Sun
76Great for small space and quick setupCheck Out on Amazon
Ayamaya Pop Up tent
Ayamaya Pop Up
82 High End
Best for big parties
Check Out on Amazon

Detailed Breakdown of Different Beach Tents

1. Coleman Sundome Camping Tent

Coleman Sundome Camping Tent - Review

Overall Score: 82

Advantages

  • Weatherproof and windproof
  • Lots of ventilation
  • E-port for electricity

Disadvantages

  • Heavier than similarly-sized tents
  • Only designed for two people

Material

If you’re looking for a sturdy beach tent that will keep the spray of the ocean and the rain at bay, look no further than the Coleman Sundome Camping Tent.

Made from polyester taffeta and with a 75-denier flysheet, you’ll stay comfortable and dry even in the wettest conditions with high-quality weatherproof material. 

Features

In addition to the weatherproof material, the entire tent is constructed with inclement weather in mind. The corners are welded and have inverted seams, making it more difficult for water to find its way in.

With the optional rainfly, a few summer thunderstorms won’t ruin your camping trip. Not to mention, this tent can withstand winds up to 35 miles per hour.

Ventilation is another key consideration when it comes to the Sundome tent.

This selection for the best beach tent has large windows and a ground vent to keep those ocean breezes blowing so that you can stay cool in the summer weather.

For those staying near a campsite with electricity, it also has an e-port that allows you to run a power cord into the tent.

Weight

As far as tents for beach camping go, the Coleman Sundome is relatively lightweight and weighs around 3.4 kilograms (7.5 pounds).

Since you may have to hike a decent way to get to the ideal beach camping spot, this tent makes it much more feasible.

Size

This is a wonderful two-person tent with lots of room on the interior. You should be able to fit one queen-sized air mattress. The interior measures 7 x 5 feet.

Plus, you’ll be able to comfortably sit in the middle of the tent with a 4-foot height in the center. 

Price

Campers who want something durable and with the prestige of a well-known camping gear brand will do well to invest in the Coleman Sundome.

The two-person tent is affordable with a small price difference if you upgrade to the three-person or even a six-person tent.

Given its overall durability, you’ll want to strongly consider adding this piece of equipment to your pack.

2. WhiteFang Beach Tent Anti-UV Portable Sun Shade Shelter

WhiteFang Beach Tent Anti-UV Portable Sun Shade Shelter - Review
Budget Buy

Overall Score: 82

Advantages

  • Great ventilation with sun-proof material
  • Great for heavy winds
  • Increased privacy
  • Lightweight

Disadvantages

  • Tight squeeze for three people

Material

Unlike the Coleman Sundome, the WhiteFang isn’t designed to keep you dry in the worst weather conditions. It’s primarily polyester and mesh, allowing great ventilation in those beach breezes.

The exterior polyester is a sun-proof material that can block UV rays (up to 98 percent) and helps keep heat out.

This tent is also shored with thickened fiberglass rods and steel elements to help it hold its shape in the wind.

Features

Stability is the name of the game when it comes to excellent beach tents. Sometimes, that wind can pick up, and you don’t want your tent to go flying when it does.

The WhiteFang Beach Tent is mostly windproof, with the option to use thickened fiberglass rods, three sandbags, eight steel stakes, and six sand stakes.

Privacy is also a concern when camping on the beach, which can sometimes be quite crowded. This tent has an omnidirectional zipper, so you can open and close the floor mat from any angle.

You’ll also be able to extend the front floor out onto the beach if you want extra room to lounge around or zip it up to secure a more private area.

Weight

Don’t worry about this beach tent weighing you down too much. At just 3.3 pounds, WhiteFang gives you a solid tent without putting a ton of extra weight on your back if you have to hike to a campsite.

Size

If you’re camping solo, this beach tent will have plenty of luxurious room for you to spread out. However, it’s equally comfortable for bringing along a couple of friends.

This tent is considered a 3-person tent with overall dimensions of 83 x 55 x 46 inches. It might be a bit of a squeeze to accommodate three people comfortably, but you can do it if you don’t mind being so close.

Price

The WhiteFang Beach Tent with the anti-UV sun shade is an affordable option to add to a growing equipment inventory.

It won’t break the bank, especially for something you aren’t sure how often you’ll use. This is at a great price point, even for beginners who will only use it occasionally.

3. Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent

Pacific Breeze Easy Set Up Beach Tent - Review

Overall Score: 74

Advantages

  • Easy setup for busy parents
  • Sun protection in the fabric
  • Good ventilation

Disadvantages

  • Only accommodates 2 people
  • A bit more expensive

Material

The Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent’s material is advertised as water-resistant, not waterproof. The polyester fabric may keep the ocean spray at bay, but it won’t likely do much more.

If you’re planning to head to the beach for a camping trip and want to keep the rain away from your electronics or equipment inside the tent, this may not be the item for you.

It does have sturdy fiberglass poles that allow it to stand up to strong breezes.

Features

People turn to this tent from Pacific Breeze primarily because of its easy setup. You should be able to pitch this tent in just a few minutes.

Especially for parents who have small children coming along, this takes some of the hassles out of getting your camp set up right away.

Another key feature is the tent’s fabric, which boasts UPF 50+ sun protection.

No need to worry about slathering on the sunscreen to keep the sunburn away while you’re hanging out in the comfort of this tent. Plus, it has large windows that are great for ventilation.

It also has interior pockets where you can store items you don’t want to get sandy or wet.

Weight

This may not be the lightest tent included in our ranking, but it certainly packs a lot of features into a compact package.

Coming in at 4.5 pounds, you’ll be able to carry this tent as far as you need to without wearing yourself out. Even if every pound is at a premium, you can get quite far with a tent like this.

Size

This is designed to be a 2-person tent, so you’ll have to remember that it’s a bit smaller than some tents. Once pitched, the tent comes in at 87 inches long by 49 inches deep.

The tent’s height is about as high as the Coleman Sundome at 47 inches, just one inch shy of a full 4-foot ceiling.

Price

The Pacific Breeze isn’t the cheapest tent on the list, but it isn’t so outlandish that it’ll price itself out of the market.

If convenience matters most to you and you want something super simple to pitch on your own, then this is a solid choice you won’t want to skip. It’s worth a few extra dollars to save time on getting camp set up.

4. Easthills Outdoor Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent

Easthills Outdoor Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent - Review
Top Pick

Overall Score: 84

Advantages

  • Dark Shelter technology to block UVA and UVB rays
  • Water-resistant (not waterproof)
  • Stable in winds and easy to pitch
  • Extra roomy

Disadvantages

  • More expensive
  • Heavier

Material

Like most beach tents on this list, the Easthills Outdoor Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent is made of durable polyester material.

One of the benefits of this tent is that it uses what they call Dark Shelter technology that blocks 97.5 percent of UVA and UVB rays.

When you settle inside this tent, you’ll also find that it blocks almost 90 percent of direct sunlight.

In addition, it’s also coated with 300mm waterproof coatings (similar to a standard umbrella). It will keep you dry in a light storm but cannot keep you dry in a full-on rainstorm. 

Features

While many people like to use the Easthills tent because it has an extremely roomy extended front, there are times when you might want some more privacy, such as when changing out of a swimsuit or settling in for the night.

The good news is that you can zip up this front to get a very private space.

The breeze can sometimes be a bit rough on the beach, so it makes sense that you would want to get a heavily anchored tent in case the wind blows.

An extra guyline makes it a bit more stable. You’ll also get good airflow with large mesh windows and two guy-out points that allow a bit of wind to filter through the tent.

Despite the bulkier size of this tent, it’s still convenient to pitch.

They have their patent-pending opening mechanism that glides into place, so you won’t have to struggle and fight to get your camp set up for the night.

Weight

As you might expect from an XL-sized tent, it’s a bit heavier than some other options. It still comes under 10 pounds, with an actual weight of around 8 pounds.

If you’re going with a large camping party, the extra couple of pounds is well worth it, especially as you can trade back and forth with other campers when one of you gets tired of carrying the tent.

Size

The major benefit of the Easthills tent is that it is made for at least four people to comfortably fit inside the tent while laying down. It is 99 inches wide and 53 inches deep, with a center height of 57 inches.

Not to mention, you still get the 53-inch front porch. Despite its great size, it packs down to be compact at just 41 inches x 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches. 

Price

Because this is an extra-large tent, you can expect to pay a little more. Given that it can reasonably accommodate four adults, this tent is a real steal for the price point!

Consider if you need a tent this size to comfortably camp. If you do, it provides great value for your pack.

5. Coleman Beach Sun Shelter

Coleman Beach Sun Shelter - Review

Overall Score: 76

Advantages

  • 50+ UPF sun protection
  • Dry line available for hanging wet clothes
  • Quick and easy setup

Disadvantages

  • A little more expensive than some
  • Smaller footprint

Material

This pop-up beach tent is designed for sunny days on the sand.

The fabric the body of the tent is made from also boasts 50+ UPF sun protection, so you can skip slathering on sunscreen throughout your days at the beach, even in peak sunlight.

Fiberglass poles make them extremely sturdy tents.

Features

Like many of the tents ranked here, this sun shelter allows campers to make the most of the space they have on the beach.

The front floor extends past the shelter so you can rest on the sand, but it also zips closed for privacy at night or while changing.

The back window also can unzip for maximum ventilation, allowing you to enjoy the ocean breeze.

It has integrated storage pockets for all of your valuables that you want to keep off the sand. You can even hang wet clothes from a dry line inside the tent.

Perhaps the best part is the easy setup. Most people can pitch this beach tent in five minutes or less. To do so, you can use the pre-attached guylines and a few well-placed ground stakes.

Weight

You don’t have to worry about how to fit this tent into your pack. Even with a long hike from the car to a remote part of the beach, you’ll have an easy time carrying this 6-pound tent.

It falls solidly in the middle of the best beach tents available on this list.

Size

The shelter may not be as spacious as the Easthills, but it still gives you solid square footage. The Coleman Beach Sun Shelter has a footprint of 7.5 feet x 4.5 feet.

It also has great clearance inside with a center height of 4 feet, 9 inches. This allows you to sit comfortably in the tent and get changed if needed.

Price

For something that is super easy to assemble and provides such roomy square footage, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the price.

The Coleman Beach Sun Shelter is relatively affordable, like most lightweight beach tents. While it may not be the least expensive, it isn’t the most expensive item either.

6. Ayamaya Pop-Up Tent

Ayamaya Pop-Up Tent - Review
High End

Overall Score: 82

Advantages

  • Extremely spacious (4-6 campers)
  • Waterproof material
  • Inner and outer layer
  • Easy setup

Disadvantages

  • Heavier than most
  • More expensive

Material

Perhaps the best part of the Ayamaya Pop-Up Tent is its durable polyester material that promises to be completely waterproof.

You never know when a storm will pop up while you’re on the beach; they often come without warning. You won’t have to worry about getting wet when you can retreat to this tent.

Another important thing to note about the material of this pop-up tent is that it is known for its double-layer construction.

You can prevent condensation from building inside the tent with an inner and outer layer. Plus, this offers extra ventilation.

Features

If you’re thinking about how to set up your tent, think no further. The Ayamaya tent pitches in seconds. All you have to do is open the bag, and the tent pops right up with its pre-assembled poles.

This allows you to get to enjoy your beach camping experience much faster. It also has an electrical cord access port to run power cords into the tent.

Other important features to note about this tent include its double doors, hooded vents, and four windows, all of which contribute to improved ventilation.

You can keep the doors open for the breeze or seal the tent for the ultimate privacy experience. You should also note the fabric and heat-sealed seams that contribute to its waterproof properties.

Weight

Unfortunately, this tent is also the heaviest on our ranking, coming in at over 10 pounds.

While it may not be enough of a difference to slow you down, it’s something to consider in a pack where every pound matters.

Overall, it isn’t too far out of line with the other tents here, and the spacious size makes up for its higher weight.

Size

The Ayamaya tent is designed to fit at least four to six people, along with a vestibule.

For those that come with lots of luggage, you may not be able to fit quite as many people, but you can take a look at the dimensions and decide for yourself.

The interior measures 12.5 x 8.5 feet with a high center height of 53.5 inches.

Price

This tent is a little expensive compared to the other options. While you get a much larger tent with the convenience of easy setup, you may not be able to justify the investment.

This is easily the most expensive of the tents listed here.

Final Thoughts

The ideal tent for beach camping will ultimately depend on whether you want something that can weather the storm with you and how much space you’ll need to accommodate everyone in your family or camping party.

If you’re looking for the best value for the money, you’ll want to consider the Easthills Outdoor Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent.

While it is a bit pricier than some of the other models, you get a much more spacious tent.

Shailen Vandeyar

A proud Indian origin Kiwi who loves to plant trees and play with his pet bunny when not out in the woods, exploring the infinite beauty of mother nature.

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