If you're planning a relaxing day on the beach, a great beach blanket is a must-have piece of gear. We've curated a list of highly-rated beach blankets, each selected for its unique features, quality, and durability. From lightweight, compact options to large, family-sized choices, we've got you covered. Dive in as we explore the various materials, designs, and functionalities that make these beach blankets stand out.

We were not provided with free or discounted products to review. These recommendations were not influenced by manufacturers. We did, however, heavily consider customer reviews at retail websites when deciding which products to feature. We like these products, but we took care to make sure other vacationers agree. Some of the product links include affiliate codes. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices listed are updated regularly, but subject to change at any time.

First Up: The Best Beach Blankets

CGEAR The Original Sand-Free Outdoor Camping Mat – Patented Technology, Water-Resistant and Anti-Fade Material, Military-Grade Construction – Multi Use Outdoor Blanket

CGEAR 12x12' Patented Sand-Free Beach Blanket - Best Function, Utility, and Tech

$144.95

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The CGEAR Patented Sand-Free Beach Blanket is a revolutionary beach blanket (yep, really!). This blanket effectively filters sand through its weave, preventing it from accumulating on the surface. This means you can enjoy a sand-free environment while lounging, picnicking, or sunbathing. How cool is that!? With sizes ranging from 6x6' to 12x12', CGEAR offers a blanket to fit your family. The blanket is crafted from durable, lightweight Polyethelene that is water-resistant, quick-drying, and easy to clean. Heavy D-rings are located on each corner, allowing you to stake the blanket into place on the sand.

WEKAPO Beach Blanket Sandproof, Extra Large Beach Mat, Big & Compact Sand Free Mat Quick Drying, Lightweight & Durable with 6 Stakes & 4 Corner Pockets (Blue, 9x7 FT (1~5 Person))

WEKAPO Ripstop Nylon Beach Blanket - Best Lightweight & Compact

$35.98

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The WEKAPO Ripstop Nylon Beach Blanket is an expansive 9' x 7', with smaller 7x7 and 9x10 options available. This option is constructed from durable, lightweight, and parachute-grade nylon, which it soft, skin-friendly, lightweight, and exceptionally resistant to water, sand, and wear.

One of the standout features of the WEKAPO Beach Blanket is its sand-proof design. The sand easily shakes off the parachute material, ensuring a clean surface throughout your beach day. It's equipped with anchor stakes, keeping the blanket grounded even in windy conditions. This blanket is incredibly compact when folded, fitting into a small, attached compression sack that makes it easy to carry and store.

Big Blanket Co. Big Beachy Oversize Beach Blanket | Sand Resistant, Giant Beach Blanket | Huge Yet Compact and Portable Picnic Blanket | White Stripes

Big Blanket Co Big Beachy Sand Resistant Beach Blanket 10x10 - Best All Natural

$159.00

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The Big Blanket Co Big Beachy is a game-changer for beach goers seeking ample space and comfort on a natural-material blanket. This massive beach blanket stretches an impressive 10ft x 10ft, making it perfect for accommodating large groups or families, ensuring everyone has plenty of room to relax without crowding. Crafted with cotton and bamboo, the Big Beachy is durable and comfortable.

This 4lb. outdoor blanket is not just about size and functionality; it also emphasizes convenience. It comes with a drawstring bag for easy transportation and storage. Whether for a picnic, a day at the beach, or any outdoor gathering, the Big Blanket Co Big Beachy offers the perfect combination of size, comfort, and practicality.

YETI Lowlands Blanket, Multi-Use Blanket with Travel Bag, Alpine Yellow

YETI Lowlands Blanket - Best Premium

$200.00

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The YETI Lowlands Blanket, measuring 55x78 inches, is a versatile and durable outdoor blanket designed for all your adventure needs. Ideal for beach outings, picnics, or outdoor concerts, this blanket combines functionality with comfort. Its unique design features a waterproof and dirt-resistant bottom layer, ensuring you stay dry and clean, no matter the surface.

The top layer of the blanket is made from a soft material that provides a cozy and comfortable seating or lounging space. This dual-layer construction not only offers protection from the elements but also makes the blanket easy to clean – it's machine washable and easily sheds pet hair for hassle-free maintenance. Compact and portable, the YETI Lowlands Blanket easily folds into its own carrying case, making it convenient to transport and store. The YETI Lowlands blanket is sold in several colors.

The Best Beach Towels

EPHESUS TOWELS Turkish Beach Towel - 38x70 inch Oversized - Sultan Design - Turkish Towel for Beach Pool, Yoga - Prewashed, Lightweight, Quick Dry (Aqua, Pack of 1)

EPHESUS Turkish Cotton 39x71 Beach Towel - Best All Natural

$14.90

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The EPHESUS TOWELS Turkish Beach Towel is a luxurious and stylish choice for beach lovers. Made from premium Turkish cotton, this towel is not only soft and absorbent but also quick-drying. Measuring an oversized 39x71 inches, it provides ample space for lounging and drying off, ensuring comfort for any size beachgoer. This is a machine-washable towel that also arrives pre-washed for your convenience. It's easy to see why this is a highly-rated top seller!

CGEAR Sand-Free Towel, Super-Soft, Absorbent, and Quick-Dry (Ocean Stripe)

CGEAR Sand-Free Towel 63x31" - Best Sand Free Experience

$19.99

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The CGEAR Sand-Free Towel is a game-changer for beach enthusiasts. Engineered with innovative dual-layer mesh technology, it cleverly filters sand, ensuring a clean surface during your beach time. This lightweight and compact towel dries quickly and packs away easily, making it ideal for hassle-free travel. The CGEAR towel is 63" x 31" and available in multiple colors and patterns. Perfect for anyone seeking a sand-free, comfortable beach experience.

Bornbay Cotton Oversized Beach Towel - Extra Large 40

Bornbay Cotton 40"X70" XL Plush Beach Towel - Best Oversized

$28.99

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The Bornbay Cotton Oversized Beach Towel offers luxurious comfort and ample space with its extra-large size of 40"x70". Crafted from plush, high-quality cotton, this towel is both soft and highly absorbent, perfect for wrapping up after a swim or lounging on the sand. Its generous dimensions ensure complete coverage and comfort, making it ideal for anyone seeking a bit of extra room and luxury at the beach. Stylish, durable, and machine washable, this towel is a must-have for beach days.

CHARS Camping Towels Microfiber Sand Free Beach Towel (30

CHARS Towels Microfiber Sand Free Beach Towel 63x30 - Best Compact & Quick Drying

$9.99

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

The CHARS Microfiber Beach Towel is highly efficient and versatile. Measuring 63"x30", this super absorbent and quick-drying towel is incredibly soft to the touch and gentle on the skin. Despite its large size, it's ultra-compact and lightweight, easily fitting into the provided carrying bag for convenient transport and storage. This towel really does roll up into a compact package, and is great for folks that like traveling light.

Towel Bands (6-Pack), Beach, Pool & Cruise Chairs, Extra Durable, No Snapping, Cruise Ship & Beach Essentials, Great Alternative to Beach Towel Clips

Bonus: Towel Bands - Best Towel Accessory

$11.99

*Prices are updated regularly but subject to change

Towel Bands are a simple yet ingenious solution for keeping your beach or pool towels securely in place. These stretchable bands are designed to wrap around your towel and lounge chair, preventing the towel from slipping, sliding, or blowing away in the wind. Made from durable, weather-resistant materials, Towel Bands are built to withstand the outdoor elements while maintaining their elasticity and grip. They come in a variety of vibrant colors and can easily be stretched to fit most chair sizes. Compact and lightweight, these bands are easy to carry and store, making them a must-have accessory for any beachgoer or pool enthusiast looking for a hassle-free sunbathing experience.

Risky Business Shrimping and Crabbing
H2OBX Waterpark
Surf Fishing Guide
The Cotton Gin

For those traveling to the Outer Banks, The Cotton Gin is a beloved landmark with its large windmill and picturesque gardens. The Cotton Gin has stood in the same location since 1929, starting as a working cotton gin and growing to a gift store with 4 locations. Visitors are treated to a unique shopping experience in our main store in Jarvisburg, as well as our beach stores in Corolla, Duck, and Nags Head. Explore room after room filled with décor for your home and coastal fashions for both men and women. Discover the brands you really want, like, Vera Bradley, Vineyard Vines, La Mer Luex, Simply Southern, Lindsay Phillips, Scout, Pandora, Kameleon, Brighton, Spartina, Tommy Bahama, Southern Tide and Salt Life and Old Guys Rule - all under one roof!

 

Don’t forget the gourmet market, or shop our beautiful linens for your bedroom and bath. We also feature coastal books and fine art, or just a whimsical fun gift to bring home to family and friends. Stop by soon and don’t forget to try our estate grown wines in our stores or visit our vineyard and winery, Sanctuary Vineyards, located adjacent to the original Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg.

 

Most know The Cotton Gin as a must-stop shop for fine gifts, beachwear, souvenirs and so much more, but this retailer has a long-standing history within the Outer Banks. A local landmark that holds almost a century of memories, The Cotton Gin started from humble beginnings and continues to adapt to the times and tourists. Tommy Wright’s family has been in the Outer Banks for nearly 200 years. His great-great grandfather, Jacob Francis Wright, shipwrecked in Duck back in the early 1800s. Calling these barrier islands his new home, Wright and his family acclimated to their new environment.

 

Adaptation is a common theme for the Wright family. Tommy and his wife Candace, who continue to steer The Cotton Gin, have seen not only their business change with the times, but the Outer Banks as a vacation destination as well. A farm market in Jarvisburg eventually transformed and flourished into several retail locations dotting the Outer Banks.

 

“As the area changed and tourism took off in the 1960s, the family saw people coming for vacations, so they began to grow vegetables and things developed from there,” says Tommy Wright. The Wright family expanded upon the farm market and began to remodel a working cotton gin, later transforming the gin into The Cotton Gin general store in the late 1960s. While the additions to the farm store drew visitors, it was their encounters with the Wright family that kept people coming back year after year, which is something that remains true today.

(More Locations)
Just for the Beach Rentals
Miller's Seafood and Steakhouse

Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse has been a favorite among locals and visitors for more forty years. Offering delicious southern cuisine for both breakfast and dinner in a casual family atmosphere infused with coastal flair, it’s no wonder this Kill Devil Hills restaurant is a family tradition for so many. You’ll love waking up to favorites like biscuits and gravy, farm fresh eggs and buttermilk pancakes. Dinner options are just as tempting with menu items that include the freshest Outer Banks Catch seafood, she crab soup, Angus beef and fried green tomatoes just to name a few. Not only does Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse offer great breakfast and dinner options, Miller’s newest menu item – Hawaiian/American Fusion Sushi – is sure to please the sushi lover in you. From the Miller’s Roll that combines tempura fried crispy lobster tail with tantalizing ingredients to the High Tide and OBX Roller, guests will love choosing from a delicious variety of sushi options developed and prepared by Miller’s expert Sushi chef.

 

Along with its scrumptious cuisine, Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse offers a warm friendly atmosphere coupled with genuine Outer Banks hospitality. You’ll discover that not only is Miller’s a tradition for so many, it’s also a Miller family tradition. Two generations of Millers have worked side by side to make the Kill Devil Hills restaurant a favorite for all who pass through its doors. Owners Brian and Beth Miller want guests to feel at home and can often be found making rounds to check on customers and mingle with them as they dine.

 

Here at Miller’s, everyone is treated like family as they experience an unforgettable dining experience. Large parties are also welcome, making it perfect for extended families to enjoy dining together on their Outer Banks vacation. Come on in and see for yourself why Miller’s Seafood & Steakhouse is more than just a great restaurant. It’s a tradition.

 

It was 1978 when Eddie and Lou Miller first opened Miller’s Seafood and Steakhouse. As a teenager, their son Brian spent his summers working in the restaurant, getting familiar with the family business. After college, Brian and his wife Beth came back to Kill Devil Hills and began working together at Miller’s. Brian and Beth officially purchased the restaurant from Eddie and Lou in 2007. A few years later they opened American Pie together, and both restaurants now carry on the Miller family tradition of quality, excellence and hospitality.