Beach Shelters & Sun Shades

Pop up beach tents and sun shelters that go up in seconds and pack down small. Shade, UV protection and a spot to call your own on a busy beach.

Beach tents and sun shelters for family days out

An hour into a hot day on the sand, shade becomes the thing everyone wants. A beach shelter gives you somewhere to get out of the sun, put the bags down and keep small children from going pink, without having to pack up and drive home early.

Our pop up beach shelters are the easiest option. They spring into shape in seconds, pack back into a flat round bag and weigh little enough to carry down to the sand with everything else. Open at the front so you keep the view and the breeze, closed behind so you get proper shade and a bit of privacy for changing.

For a longer day or a bigger group, our sun shade gives you more covered ground and stands taller, so you can sit under it rather than crouch. It takes a couple of minutes longer to set up and rewards the effort on a properly hot day.

Whichever you choose, anchor it properly. Standard tent pegs do very little in loose sand, so fill the sand pockets or weigh the corners down with whatever you have. A shelter that lifts in a sea breeze is no use to anyone.

Take a cool bag to keep drinks cold, a windbreak to block the wind along the ground, and camping chairs so you are not sitting on a damp towel all afternoon. If you need somewhere to sleep as well, look at our pop up tents.

FAQs

What is the difference between a beach tent and a beach shelter?

People use the terms interchangeably, and most products sit somewhere between the two. A beach shelter is usually open at the front for airflow and view, while a beach tent tends to enclose more for shade and privacy. Both are for daytime use rather than sleeping in.

Do beach shelters protect against UV?

Shade from a shelter cuts direct sun considerably, which is why they are popular with families. Any UV rating is listed on the product page. Treat a shelter as one part of sun protection rather than all of it, and keep using sun cream underneath it.

How do you stop a beach shelter blowing away on sand?

Ordinary tent pegs pull straight out of dry sand, so use the sand pockets if the shelter has them and fill them properly. Failing that, weigh the corners with bags, stones or a cool box. Pitching with the closed back facing the wind makes a noticeable difference too.

How many people fit in a beach shelter?

A pop up beach shelter is comfortable for two adults sitting, or a parent and a couple of small children out of the sun. If you want space for a whole family plus bags and chairs, a larger sun shade gives you far more covered ground. Dimensions are on each product page.

Can you sleep in a beach tent?

They are built for daytime shade, not overnight camping, so they are lighter and more open than a camping tent and will not keep weather out the same way. If you need somewhere to sleep, a pop up or dome tent is the right choice.

Where will your next adventure take you?

Whatever you've got planned; a long weekend under the stars, a festival in a field, or a once-in-a-lifetime expedition; we're here to help you make the most of it.

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