Stay safe in the sun with these expert-approved tents, cabanas, and umbrellas.

Credit:

Travel + Leisure / Kaya Abrahamson

In my twenties, I lived and worked at the beach as a scuba instructor. Now, I’m raising my kids to love the sea, too, and anyone who has spent time at the beach knows that a fun day at the coast isn’t always an effortless affair: from wrangling kids into hats and sunscreen to keeping sand away from picnics and coolers. You can save yourself a lot of hassle by investing in a beach canopy to make your day a little easier (and more relaxing). A good canopy provides shade, protecting you and your family from harmful UV rays and allowing you to extend your time at the beach. Depending on the design, it can also provide privacy for everything from changing into wetsuits to changing diapers, and provide a respite from the wind and blowing sand.

Options vary from tent-style canopies to gazebo-like beach shades tall enough to stand up in. To help you choose the best beach canopy for your needs, we put several popular choices to the test out on beaches from my home in Scotland to those in Florida, California, and beyond. Each canopy was scored for ease of use, portability, quality, performance, and value with the following products coming out on top.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Cool Cabanas Cabana at Amazon $249 Jump to Review Best Convertible: Qipi Beach Cabana at Amazon $83 Jump to Review Most Durable: Kelty Cabana Shelter at Amazon $107 Jump to Review Best Pop-up: Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Beach Tent at Amazon $86 Jump to Review Most Sturdy: OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent at Amazon $57 Jump to Review Most Versatile: E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy at Amazon $149 Jump to Review Best for Windy Days: Shibumi Shade at Dicks Sporting Goods $250 Jump to Review Best for Extra Height: Sun Ninja Pop Up Beach Tent at Amazon $170 Jump to Review Most Portable: SALE Gorich Beach Tent Sun Shelter at Amazon $50 $40 Jump to Review Best Budget: WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent at Amazon $40 Jump to Review

Best Overall

Cool Cabanas Cabana

Credit: Cool Cabanas $249 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Coolcabanas.com Why We Love It

• This canopy offers the easy, one-person setup of a large beach umbrella, but with greater shade and stability.

What to Consider

• It can be uncomfortable to carry for long distances.

The CoolCabana 5 is a well-constructed, yet lightweight shade that stands out for its quality materials and unusual design. Essentially a large, square-shaped umbrella with four corner columns plus one center pole all equipped with sand bags to keep it in place, the canopy is easy to set up on your own. It took us roughly five minutes and with only three pieces to figure out, you really can’t go wrong. There are two versions: the large, which provides 64 square feet of shade (more than double that of a regular large beach umbrella), and the medium, which provides 43 square feet. With a UPF 50+ rating, it will protect you from harmful UV rays, too. 

We tested the large and, although there were only two of us underneath, we could have easily fit a third or even a fourth person with everyone lying side-by-side. We loved the canopy’s height, abundant ventilation, and the fact that it provided shade throughout the day without having to be repositioned as the sun moved. The canopy packs down into a convenient carry case measuring 41 inches in length. We hiked a total of two miles to and from our favorite beach in La Jolla and found it compact and light enough to carry on a steep trail, although its length wasn’t as comfortable as we would have liked. 

The Details: 79 x 79 inches (medium) and 90 x 90 inches (large) | 11 pounds (medium) and 12.5 pounds (large) | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best Convertible

Qipi Beach Cabana

Credit: Amazon $83 at Amazon $84 at Walmart Why We Love It

• A removable wall allows you to customize the amount of sun and wind protection according to the weather.

What to Consider

• Tall people may not be able to stand up straight at the edges.

Made from waterproof polyester supported by a fiberglass frame, the Qipi Beach Cabana is essentially an umbrella with a large, square-shaped canopy and a removable wall that allows you to customize the amount of shade provided. We loved how quick and easy it was to set up and the fact that even though we tested it on a particularly windy day. The legs are held in place by sturdy sand bags as well as stakes and a sand drill that is used to insert the umbrella pole into the sand. At no point did we worry about it shifting or blowing away, while the UPF 50+ sun protection kept both us and our belongings cool. 

Our favorite feature is the removable wall made from the same polyester as the rest of the canopy. Leave it off on days when ventilation and views are your top priority; or attach it whenever you want a little extra shade or protection from the wind. We also like that all but the tallest people can stand upright under the canopy. There’s plenty of space for storing coolers, beach chairs, and other gear, while summer-ready prints range from stripes in nautical colors to seashells and pineapples. 

The Details: Polyester fly and metal pole | 72 x 72 x 90 inches | 10.4 pounds | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Most Durable

Kelty Cabana Shelter

Credit: Amazon $107 at Amazon View on REI View on Kelty.com Why We Love It

• This is a spacious tent with windows that can open or close and a comfortable, thoughtfully designed carry bag.

What to Consider

• The provided stakes were not strong or deep enough to keep the tent up on an unexpectedly windy day.

The Kelty Cabana Shelter’s polyester fly reminds us of a high-quality tent in terms of lightweight durability and indeed, this product could easily do double duty as a camping shelter. The poles are made from fiberglass and although they bent in the wind during testing, they did not break. Set up is simple, with intuitive instructions although an extra pair of hands is useful. One thing to bear in mind—we were unable to put the tent up on our first try due to high winds and the provided stakes not penetrating far enough into the sand. This problem was remedied with some tougher stakes we purchased separately. Despite this inconvenience, we liked the tent for its large mesh windows, which kept sand and bugs out while allowing ample ventilation.

Both the windows and the door can be closed when you want some privacy, while the amount of shade provided remained consistently good throughout the day. There’s enough room inside for three people to sit comfortably and the crossbody duffel bag was a highlight, as it is easy to pack and comfortable to carry thanks to its wide, adjustable strap. 

The Details: Polyester fly and fiberglass poles | 116 x 76 x 53 inches | 7.3 pounds

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Best Beach Umbrellas for Staying Cool and Comfortable, Tested and Reviewed

Best Pop-up

Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Beach Tent

Credit: Amazon $86 at Amazon View on Easthillsoutdoors.com Why We Love It

• This high-quality canopy is easy to set up and capable of withstanding windy days at the beach.

What to Consider

• Although it’s advertised as being big enough for four adults, we feel it’s better for two adults and up to two small children.

The Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Beach Tent impressed us from the start with its sturdy, high-quality construction and clever pop-up design. Despite initially seeming a little intimidating, we were able to set it up in minutes, although a second pair of hands does help. The design includes a front porch for extra sand-free lounging space, which can also be pulled up to double as a zippered door. With this closed, you have an entirely private space in which to nap, change, or keep your belongings safe while you go for a swim.

Other clever design features include the Velcro-fastened sand pockets, which open out flat to dump sand instantly when you’re in a hurry to pack up. In terms of performance during testing, we liked how well the tent held up on a windy day, as well as the large windows in each wall for allowing cool air to circulate when temperatures peak. The canopy comes with stakes, extra pegs, and guy lines for added stability and packs down into a convenient carry bag with an over-the-shoulder strap.

The Details: Polyester and fiberglass | 99 x 53 x 57 inches and 53-inch porch | 8 pounds | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

Most Sturdy

OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent

Credit: Amazon $57 $51 at Amazon $59 at Walmart View on Outdoormaster.com Why We Love It

• A well-built option designed to withstand the elements, this tent-style canopy can be fully enclosed for complete privacy.

What to Consider

• If there’s no breeze, expect it to get pretty warm inside.

The OutdoorMaster Pop Up Beach Tent is a sturdy, good-looking choice designed for up to four people. We were impressed with the quality of the poles and the fabric, which offers UPF 50+ sun protection and impressive windproofing. This ability to block the wind and the fact that the canopy is enclosed on three sides makes it prone to overheating on hot days; luckily, you can introduce cooling air by opening the three oversized mesh windows. The pop-up style makes setup easy, although it does take a couple of minutes.

The tent comes with sand pockets and stakes and an integrated floor mat that extends beyond the roofed section. This means you can stretch out fully without getting your legs covered in sand, or towel off before entering to keep the amount of sand inside to a minimum. We particularly liked that the floor mat doubles as a zippered fourth wall, to create a completely private space for changing, childcare, or enjoying a midday nap. Mesh storage pockets and a conveniently small carry bag complete this canopy’s list of useful features.

The Details: 95 x 53 x 51 inches | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Most Versatile

E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy

Credit: Amazon $149 at Amazon Why We Love It

• Not restricted to use at the beach, this canopy also comes in handy for tailgating parties and backyard barbecues.

What to Consider

• It’s much heavier than other options we tested.

If you’re looking to invest in a canopy that can be used anywhere—from sandy beaches to stadium parking lots and grassy sidelines—check out the E-Z Up Sierra II Canopy. Unlike many of the other canopies we tested, it doesn’t rely on sandbags for stability. Instead, it uses the angle and weight of its steel legs to stay upright on almost any surface, with a set of stakes included for windy days. Despite its size, we found it to be one of the easiest canopies to set up, even if you’re on your own.

The polyester canopy uses a silver coating to deflect 99 percent of UV rays and is also water-resistant. It has two height settings and, at its tallest, peaks at 8 feet, 7 inches—providing plenty of headroom for even the tallest people in your party. And with 10 feet by 10 feet of ground space, it’s ideal for large groups. Finally, although this canopy undoubtedly takes up more space than others we tested, it’s still relatively compact. We love the hard-sided carry case, which uses a set of wheels and a strong webbed handle to make transportation easy.

The Details: Polyester and steel | 120 x 120 x 103 inches | 35 pounds | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

The 11 Best Packable Sun Hats for Your Next Trip

Best for Windy Days

Shibumi Shade

Credit: Amazon $250 at Dicks Sporting Goods View on Shibumishade.com Why We Love It

• This uniquely designed canopy provides an impressive amount of shade.

What to Consider

• Although we found the noise of the canopy blowing in the wind soothing, others may not enjoy it as much.

The Shibumi Shade was one of our favorites to test due to its ease of use and innovative design, which works with the wind instead of against it. Essentially, it’s a large rectangle of fabric held in place at one end by a curved aluminum pole, but left loose at the other to blow in the breeze. This means it can’t bend, break, or blow away, making it ideal for windy destinations and only requires 3 mile-per-hour winds to work.

Although we took a little while to figure it out the first time, setup takes under three minutes once you know what you’re doing. And with 150 square feet of shade, it’s big enough for a large family or group of friends. It’s also both lightweight and compact, weighing in at under 4 pounds and packing down to 26 x 5 inches — small enough to fit into most beach bags. Finally, the recycled fabric scores major sustainability points, being made from plastic bottles collected from within 50 kilometers of the coast.

The Details: Recycled plastic and aluminum | 4 pounds | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Best for Extra Height

Sun Ninja Pop Up Beach Tent

Credit: Amazon $170 at Amazon $115 at Dicks Sporting Goods View on Sunninja.com Why We Love It

• Well-made and easy to use, this canopy offers extra space for tall people to spread out.

What to Consider

• It’s fully open on the sides and therefore isn’t useful from a privacy perspective.

Combining sturdy aluminum poles with a durable, triple-stitched spandex canopy, this beach tent is made to last. It’s also refreshingly simple to use. We found that the poles snapped easily into place for a total setup time of under five minutes, while the inclusion of a shovel for filling the sand pockets was a welcome extra. The canopy is meant for up to four people and it provides ample coverage for even the tallest beachgoers to lie out flat without leaving the shade — 7.5 feet, to be exact.

In addition to the amount of shade provided, we love that the open-sided design allows the breeze to pass through freely, keeping things cool on even the warmest days. Of course, if you’re looking for a canopy that provides privacy as well as shade, this could be considered a downside. The canopy, which also comes with a stakes for setting it up on grass, folds down into a carry bag small enough to fit into your beach tote or cart.

The Details: Spandex and aluminum | 90 x 84 x 66 inches | 7.2 pounds | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Most Portable

Gorich Beach Tent Sun Shelter

Credit: Amazon $50 $40 at Amazon View on Walmart Why We Love It

• It’s light enough for a child to carry and offers plenty of space and privacy.

What to Consider

• Fitting the canopy back into its bag takes time and effort.

Available in a variety of colors from turquoise to silver, the Gorich Beach Tent Sun Shelter uses a polyester fly and fiberglass poles. We tested it on the beach and at the lake and found the setup process simple enough, even if threading the poles through their sleeves was somewhat time consuming. Once up, the canopy fits four people easily with a floor that extends another 55 inches for sand-free changing space and equipment storage. Despite its generous size, it weighs just 4.85 pounds and was light enough for an 8-year-old to carry. 

When packed it measures 16.5 x 5.5 x 4.7 inches and is therefore compact enough to fit in a backpack or stow in a full car without taking up much space. Getting the tent back into the carry bag is a matter of near-military precision, of course, but that’s a small price to pay when space is at a premium. Other features include three mesh-screened windows for ventilation and 360-degree views; a door that can be closed for complete privacy, and UPF 50+ sun protection. A set of stakes and integrated sand bags provide adequate wind resistance. 

The Details: Polyester fly and fiberglass poles | 86.6 x 59 x 48 inches | 4.85 pounds | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

This Is the Best Sun-protective Women's Clothing for Your Next Vacation

Best Budget

WhiteFang 3-Person Beach Tent

Credit: Amazon $40 $36 at Amazon Why We Love It

• We were impressed by the canopy’s quality materials and thoughtful features, especially considering its affordable price tag.

What to Consider

• It was more complicated to set up and take down than anticipated.

There’s no doubt the WhiteFang 3-person Beach Tent is a budget buy, but spending less doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing quality and we found the materials to be built to last. Although the tent wasn’t difficult to put up, the process was a little more time consuming than expected. And when it came to taking it down, some maneuvering was required to fit it back into the carry bag. These issues aside, we were impressed with the amount of space the tent provided, the humidity-beating ventilation created by the three oversized mesh windows, and the inclusion of sand bags, stakes, and guy lines to defend against the wind. The coated polyester canopy blocks 98 percent of harmful UV rays, and there’s even an extended floor mat that doubles as a front door when you want a little privacy. Be aware that the latter does get hot in direct sunlight. Finally, the tent is lightweight and easy to transport and store.

The Details: Polyester and fiberglass | 83 x 55 x 46 inches | 4 pounds | UPF 50+

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

  Credit: Travel + Leisure

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Others We Liked

Some of the beach canopies we tested could be useful for certain days by the shore, but had some components that we didn't love.

Coleman Beach Canopy Sun Shelter Tent: We liked this tent for its quality materials and thoughtful features, including storage pockets, a clothes line, and a floor mat that doubles as a door. However, it took a while to set up and with no side windows, ventilation was limited.

Embark Beach Shelter Yellow: This huge canopy is ideally sized for families who want maximum space and shade. However, we found it difficult to set up and it has a tendency to collapse in windy conditions. 

Travel + Leisure

GCI Outdoor LevrUp Canopy: We tested the 10 foot by 10 foot design and, while we loved the large size for group trips to the beach, the heavy weight made this a difficult canopy to travel with.

Neso 1: We loved the clever design of the Neso 1, which makes it exceptionally light and portable. However, it’s not particularly stable on windy days and, because it has to be angled according to wind direction, it’s not always ideally positioned for maximum shade. 

Travel + Leisure

Our Testing Process

We tested 26 beach canopies on beach outings, noting it's stability, how easy it was to transport across the sand, and the effort required to assemble it. Upon receiving the product, we evaluated the quality of each canopy's components and practiced putting it up at home to familiarize ourselves with the process. Then, we took the canopies to the beach, noting how easy it was to transport, the comfort and convenience of the carry bag, and whether we had to bring any extra tools to aid with setup. Once settled at the beach, we assembled the canopies, considering the usefulness of any instructions, how long it took to set the canopy up, and whether it was possible to do so solo.

We kept the canopies up for at least two hours to give us enough time to note the quality and amount of shade provided, the canopy’s stability and ventilation, and whether any stakes or sand bags held securely over time. We also evaluated how easy it was to move the canopy to account for the changing position of the sun. Next, we evaluated each of the canopy’s features—from storage pockets to ventilation windows—recording the efficacy of each.

Throughout our tests, we made sure to evaluate the quality of the canopy’s materials and construction before packing it away again. We then timed how long it took to disassemble the canopy and how easy it was to clean and pack away.

Travel + Leisure

Tips for Buying a Beach Canopy

Prioritize portability

Beach trips often require a lot of equipment, from towels and kids’ toys to picnic baskets and coolers. Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose a lightweight canopy with a compact carry case—preferably, one with straps that allow it to be slung over your shoulder, so that you can keep both hands free for other items. One that fits neatly into a beach cart or tote is top prize, although there is some balance to be found between portability and canopy size. For example, if you want to provide shelter for four adults or more, the larger canopy required to meet these needs will probably be both heavier and more bulky than one designed for two people.

Think about sun and water protection

One of the main purposes of a beach canopy is to provide shelter from the elements. However, it’s important to remember that harmful UV rays can penetrate through certain materials, so choosing a canopy with the maximum UPF rating (50+) is essential if you’re likely to neglect your sunscreen schedule while lounging in the shade. UPF 50+ rated materials block 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays and will always be designated as such in the product description. Depending on your destination, you may also want a canopy that can defend against precipitation. Many are coated for water resistance to keep you and your belongings dry during an unexpected shower.

Get the right size

Beach canopies come in a range of sizes. Before buying, consider what your usual beach party looks like—are you buying for solo beach trips, a romantic vacation for two, or summer fun with friends, kids, and dogs? Most product descriptions will include a guideline as to how many people can fit inside. However, be aware that these are sometimes over-generous and do not take into account any belongings you may also want to store in the shade.

Consider the height of the canopy too, and whether you want to be able to stand up straight inside. If you’re especially tall, a canopy with an extended floor mat or porch can make all the difference when it comes to being able to lay out flat without some part of you touching the sand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Jessica Macdonald is a former scuba instructor who lived on the beaches of South Africa and South East Asia. Now a mom of two, she spends time on the beach in all weathers at her current home in Scotland. She has counted a beach canopy among her parenting essentials ever since taking her daughter to the beach for the first time when she was just three days old and has used hers to shelter adults, kids, and dogs alike from the sun, wind, and rain. For this article, she tested a beach canopy herself and utilized testing insights from the T+L team.

The Best Beach Accessories and Gear of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Edited by Read More: