Beach tote: how to choose the right bag for the day

A good beach tote is large, light, easy to empty and open enough to find your things without unpacking everything. For a full day out, the best option is often a pair: an XL tote for towels and belongings, and an insulated bag for drinks and lunch.

Here is how to choose yours.

What makes a good beach tote

Size

This comes first. A beach towel takes up a lot of room, and you soon add a second towel, spare clothes for the kids, a book, sunscreen, a water bottle and a snorkelling mask. For a proper beach day, go for a large size.

At Tropical Factory, the XL classic (€29) is well suited to this. The L classic (€24) suits a shorter trip or one person.

The opening

A wide, open tote lets you see what is inside and grab a bottle or a phone without rummaging. That is the classic tote shape, with two handles to carry it on your shoulder.

Easy care

Sand, salt and sunscreen always end up in the bag. Choose a bag you can easily empty and shake out, and that you will not be afraid to use. Our care tips are gathered in a dedicated post.

The pattern

A beach tote is also an accessory that shows up in every holiday photo. It might as well look like you.

Which designs for the beach?

All our totes can go to the beach. A few designs fit particularly well because of their theme:

• Zanzibar, with its large hibiscus flower, as an XL classic or L classic tote;
• Fano, a tribute to the sea turtles of Réunion’s lagoons, in XL, L, S and pouch;
• Paille-en-queue, the white cliff bird, as an XL classic, XL insulated, S classic and insulated lunch bag M;
• Bora with its large white frangipani flowers and yellow hearts;
• Picasso and Baliste, for reef fish lovers.

Classic tote or insulated bag?

A classic tote carries your things. An insulated bag keeps your drinks and food cool. At the beach, the two work together:

| Need | Recommended size |

|---|---|

| Towels, clothes, a book | XL classic |

| Cold drinks and a picnic | XL insulated |

| A meal for one or two | Insulated lunch bag |

| One cool bottle of water | Insulated bottle bag 1.5 L |

| Phone, keys, cash | Classic pouch |

The whole insulated range is on the Insulated bags page. To pick the right size, read our guide to insulated bags on Réunion Island.

What to pack in your beach tote

A simple list so you forget nothing:

• one towel per person;
• sunscreen and a hat or cap;
• a water bottle, ideally in an insulated sleeve;
• shoes for pebbles or coral, depending on the beach;
• a mask and snorkel for the lagoon;
• a small bag or pouch for valuables;
• a bag for your rubbish, to take home with you;
• dry clothes for the trip back.

For a full day with lunch, also see our post on beach picnics on Réunion Island.

Our little tricks

• Put heavy items at the bottom and towels on top: the bag sits better on your shoulder.
• Keep sunscreen in a closed pouch so it does not leak onto everything else.
• Shake the bag out as you leave the beach, before putting it in the car.
• Keep a pouch just for the beach with sunscreen, hair ties and plasters: all you have to do is drop it in the tote.

A beach tote made from recycled bottles

All our totes are made from recycled plastic bottles. Used all summer, then for shopping the rest of the year, a beach tote becomes a real everyday bag, and that is when it truly makes sense.

FAQ

What size should a beach tote be?

For a day out with several people, choose the XL. For a short trip or on your own, an L is enough.

Can I put wet things in the tote?

Yes, but let the bag air-dry when you get home, before putting it away.

Can a beach tote double as a shopping bag?

Of course. In fact, that is the best way to use it all year round.