Best Beach Shelters for 2024

What’s more frustrating – finding the entire beach in your bathers after only a minute of frolicking in the whitewash, or that random patch of sunburn blotched somewhere the sunscreen didn’t quite reach?

Where sand can be removed almost immediately – sunburn stings, lingers, and can spoil a summer. The only thing that should fry when the weather heats up is a snag on the BBQ.

With hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses – adequate shelter should be top priority on those low-tide days of sand, surf, and rays. To stay hot on it like sunshine on a shade, we’ve collated our top 10 sellers in the beach shelter category for the past year, from your pop-up huts to the opened-up setups. With a range of colours, styles, and prints available too, your seaside, summertime setup just got 10 shades brighter!

10. Beachkit Lovin Summer Beach Tents

Surf the sand of every Aussie beach and kick back on every picnic retreat, with the Lovin’ Summer Beach Tents by Beachkit – available in a range of colours. 

Throw serious shade with a total of 6m2 of cover, while multiple setup options offer true versatility on every escape. With lightweight aluminium poles and a 100% cotton canvas canopy with UPF 40 protection – it’s lightweight, blocking 97.5% of harsh UV. Its simple, one-person setup also means assembling your shady comrade is a walk in a park (or a stroll on the shore)!

Put it this way – we’d understand if the Lovin’ Summer Beach Tents are the only beachy bit in your setup kit that you’re actually shore about!

9. OZtrail BlockOut Shade Dome with Sunwall

The 4.2 BlockOut Shade Dome with Sunwall by OZtrail throws serious shade without the attitude!

The BlockOut coated, seam-sealed, heavy-duty canopy blocks direct sunlight and reduces heat, supported by a full steel frame. In humidity, the zippered roof vent controls airflow while a 1000mm water rating resists rain on the damper days. Thanks to steel shock-cord poles for an easy two-person set-up in only minutes, you can be settled with a snag by sundown! Storage pockets keep your knick-knacks nearby, including space for wallets, keys, and phones. Plus, bask in those blissful backyard barbeques with an additional sunwall for added protection.

Set up beachside under a shade with true pride – the OZtrail BlockOut Shade Dome with Sunwall. 

8. Darche Kozi Compact Shelter

Be it for the beach, bush, or backyard – pop the boot and seize the day with the KOZI Series Compact Shelter from Darche!

Designed with an easy, instant frame featuring quick-release buttons, you’ll be set up fast and packed down faster. Large enough to accommodate the whole family, it meanwhile folds into a lightweight, compact size for easy storage in your vehicle.

The Kozi boasts a 150D PU coated polyester with a 600mm waterhead rating, and a 22mm powder-coated steel frame for robust durability. Roof vents allow for added ventilation, while built-in sand pockets are perfect for the beach – complete with steel pegs, guy ropes, and a carry bag.

 

7. Hollie & Harrie Fringe Beach Umbrellas and Sombrilla Beach Shades

The Fringe 210cm Beach and Shade Umbrella by Hollie & Harrie is the lifeguard of the heatwaves!

A stylish, retro-fringed cotton fabric drapes over a lightweight but robust construction of flexible fibreglass ribs and anodised poles – resisting the rust, so you can embrace the salt-crusted shores of bay life. Its 7-foot-wide canopy is UPF 50+ treated to shield from the rays, while the Quik Twist self-anchoring auger firmly fixes your brollie into loose sand for a secure, seaside setup!

Plus, a three-point tilt feature enables flexible positioning, so you can beat the heat on every Aussie beach.

Standing its ground (literally) in the Top 10, the Sombrilla Beach Shades by Hollie & Harrie cast a shadow on others alike.

With 100% cotton canopy, tested by ARPANSA to block out at least 95% of UV rays, this shade is stands up to harsh Aussie UV as much as it stands out as the most stylish on the beach. Rust-resistant aluminium poles, a crossbar, ropes, and included pegs also make for an easy, convenient setup.

Pitch in different ways depending on the sun’s rays, thanks to three sets of eyelets – and carry the shade to and from the beach thanks to the elegant, zippered shoulder bag for easy, breezy transport. 

Strut into a sandy setup of straight-up style, with the Hollie & Harrie Sombrilla Beach Shades!

Pitch in different ways, depending on the sun’s rays. Credit: Hollie & Harrie

6. Caribee Collaroy Beach Shelter

With the sand as your seat and the saltwater at your feet, beat the heat with the Collaroy Beach Shelter from Caribee.

The only place you should ever feel tide to is the beach – and with a quick and easy setup design, the Collaroy handles strong gusts with minimal flex, sitting multiple people side-by-side thanks to the 2.1m wide opening.

Constructed from UPF50+ UV rated fabric, this shelter comes equipped with sandbags and pegs for a secure seaside setup. Enjoy the breeze through the side and rear mesh ventilation ports, while the drawstring carry bag make for easy transport and convenient storage. 

The Caribee Collaroy Beach Shelter is the perfectly portable beach house for those drawn-out, sandy-towel hangouts. 

The Collaroy boasts a quick and easy setup design. Credit: Caribee

5. Explore Planet Earth Speedy Pop-Up Sunshelter 

So your Dad can assemble an awning, rustle up kick-butt barbecue grub, and probably produce the best campfire damper – but when it comes to pitching a tent in soft sand and erratic wind, he’s useless. Well, the clever Speedy Family Pop-Up Sun Shelter from Explore Planet Earth is the beach tent henchman he’s always wanted but too proud to request!

With an instant, pop-up design, the Speedy Family Pop-Up Sun Shelter shields the fam from the harsh Aussie sun with a UPF 50+ rated fabric. A zippered back panel delivers both additional protection when closed and optimal ventilation when opened, including a detachable floor for sitting on too. 

As easy to set up as it is to pack down, its durable frame boasts a non-corrosive spring steel frame with pegs and a sandbag anchor included for stability too. Plus, built-in sand and storage pockets keep small items at hand.

The Speedy Family Pop-Up Shelter is easy to set up as it is to pack down: Explore Planet Earth

4. Beachkit Daytripper Beach Umbrella 

There’s more shade where that came from, without the attitude – the Daytripper Beach Umbrella, also by Beachkit Australia!

With a mildew-resistant, reverse silver-coated Oxford polyester 210cm canopy – this umbrella also features a UPF50+ rating, tested by ARPANSA to block out 98% of harmful UV rays.

Owing to two-piece anodised, rust-resistant poles, a self-anchoring auger that locks into the sand, and a vented top to assist with stabilising – this umbrella is designed to withstand the windy conditions too. Plus, adjust the canopy using the three-position tilt feature for shade at any time of day.

Kick back with a book and stay well-read, not well-red – thanks to the Beachkit Australia Daytripper Beach Umbrella. 

This shade features a mildew-resistant, reverse silver-coated Oxford polyester canopy. Credit: Beachkit Australia

3. Beachkit Masquerade and Rainbow 240cm Beach Umbrellas

Kick back with your crew under an umbrella that throws shade without the attitude – the Rainbow Umbrella or Masquerade Umbrella from Beachkit!

Their 240cm canopies are constructed from long-lasting, mildew resistant, oxford polyester that boast a rating of UPF50+ rating – tested by ARPANSA to block out at least 98% of harmful UV rays. Change the direction of your shade using the three-position tilt feature, while the self-anchoring auger locks into loose surfaces to prevent your shade from blowing away. Plus, their vented tops help to keep the umbrella secure in the sand. 

Strut the sand with a shade that truly stands out – the Beachkit Masquerade and Rainbow 240cm Beach Umbrellas.

Using rapid hub technology, this shelter sets up in seconds. Credit: Oztent

2. Caribee Long Reef Beach Shade

Well, good gREEF. The Long Reef Beach Shade by Caribee is the sensible, stylish, and second-from-the-top option for summer shade. 

Owing to an easy, one-person setup with the included poles, pegs, ropes, and mallet – the carry bag keeps everything you need under wraps in one neat package. The shade’s setup design allows various options, depending on the angle of the sun throughout the day – simply adjust to suit your needs. 

Seaside escapes are meant for salty air, matted hair, and moments shared – so the Caribee Long Reef Beach Shade offers a more open option over confined, closed-off shelters.

The Caribee Long Reef is the sensible, stylish, and second-from-the-top option for summer shade. Credit: Caribee

1. Oztent Malamoo 2- and 4-Hub Beach Shelters

From lazy afternoons to lagoons and hazy Malibu – the Malamoo 2- and 4-Hub Beach Shelters by Oztent are convenient, compact, and protective. 

Constructed from 190T polyester with UPF50+ protection, this shelter is designed to hold up in harsh Australian conditions. Using rapid hub technology, the frame is easily erected by popping out the two hubs for the ultimate shelter set-up in seconds. A large floor allows plenty of space to lounge, while an extra-large entrance provides both easy access and windows for airflow.

Designed to be compact, lightweight, and easy to carry – keep it in the back boot for spontaneous beach days and seaside getaways.

Constructed from 190T polyester with UPF50+ protection, this shelter is designed to hold up in harsh Australian conditions. Image: Oztent

What does your beachside setup consist of? Let us know in the comments!