My Dad’s Only Hobby Is Beach. Here’s What I’d Get Him for Father’s Day.
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When your dad is a hobbyist, you have an obvious starting point for gift giving. It’s a little harder when your dad’s main hobby is going to the beach, because chances are your dad, like mine, has spent decades fine-tuning his setup. However, there is always a better way to beach. So, in that spirit, I’ve compiled a list of gifts for the beach dad. Some of these things are gifts I’ve personally given my dad over the years, others are pulled from our archive, but all of them are sure to please the dad who would rather spend this Father’s Day at the seashore than sitting in a restaurant. And if you need more ideas for the other dads in your life, you can find plenty in ourFather’s Day gift hub.
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My dad already has a serious Yeti collection, but his favorite of all is the backpack. It’s an excellent starter Yeti and, because the weight can be more comfortably disturbed across your back, it’s a lot easier to carry than an over-the-shoulder cooler.
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And if your dad already has a Yeti cooler, this waterproof gear case — which can hold his keys, phone, and money — is a nice accessory to add to it.
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Tommy Bahama’s backpack chairs are ubiquitous. And for good reason: The straps make it super convenient to carry, they have a built-in zippered pouch to keep valuables safe, and they can lay flat for tanning. However, they are very low to the ground, which is not great if your dad has knee problems. And really, at a certain age, what dad doesn’t have knee problems? Which is why I recommend the brand’s Highboy chairs instead. All the Margaritaville look Dad loves, with no struggle to get up when it’s time to get another beer out of the cooler.
[Editor’s note: This chair arrives in 1-8 business days, depending on your shipping address.]
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My dad wouldn’t be caught dead under a Shibumi, but after I lost our beach umbrella last year (long story) an upgrade is called for. The Frankford, which was originally manufactured after World War II, is a top-of-the-line umbrella, used everywhere from the Ritz-Carlton in Miami toBreakers in Montauk. I really love the look of the wooden pole and the stripy awning. As fellow Strategist writer Katherine Gillespie wrote in her Best in Class guide: “If you’re looking for the best in long-lasting beach umbrellas, this is the only one.” And, of course, don’t forget to add in the anchor to make sure your gift doesn’t go blowing down the shoreline.
[Editor’s note: The Frankford umbrella arrives in 5-8 business days, meaning it might not arrive in Father’s Day, but you can give him the anchor now and let him know the umbella’s on its way.]
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Slowtide’s changing ponchos are popular among both kids and surfers and makes a great gift for dads who are sick of struggling with a towel while trying to change out of a damp swimsuit. Plus, they come in lots of different colors.
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Is this stick sunscreen technically for kids? Yes. Is it also great for dads who are similarly reticent about applying sunscreen? Also yes.
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While we’re on the topic of sunscreen, for dads that are starting to thin up top, a scalp SPF is a must.
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Hydration is key at the beach. And Liquid I.V. is my family’s electrolyte of choice, especially in the seasonally appropriate Firecracker flavor.
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A wind screen is a must for blustery days, especially later in the season when the wind tends to pick up. This one is superlight so it won’t add a ton of weight to Dad’s bag. Pro tip? Make sure you buy a little mallet to add to the gift so your dad can actually get the poles into the sand.
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If Dad is the one in charge of the schlep, a good beach cart can make a huge difference. The key to a beach cart lies in its wheels. The larger they are, the better they will travel over sand. While this one is a bit pricey, it handles great and the more heavy-duty construction means Dad will have it for many seasons to come.
[Editor’s note: This beach cart arrives just slightly after Father’s Day, but we think he’ll appreciate it nonetheless.]
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No beach day is complete without music, and the JBL Clip 5 is the most portable of all the Bluetooth speakers I’ve used over the years. It’s super easy to attach to a beach bag or a cooler. And while it isn’t the most powerful speaker of them all, I’ve always felt that a beach speaker should be just loud enough for you to hear it but not so loud that you’re subjecting strangers to your playlist. It’s just good beach etiquette.
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If your dad is sick of Spikeball and Kanjam, Bottle Bash offers a similar thrill packaged in a somewhat new way. The objective is simple: Hurl a Frisbee at a pole in order to knock a large plastic bottle off the top of it. While the defending team must try to catch the Frisbee and the bottle before they hit the ground. If the defending team fails to catch one or the other, the opposing team is awarded points. First one to either 15 points (for quicker games) or 21 points (if you want to stretch the gameplay out) wins. The fun catch? You can only use one hand for the entirety of the game.
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The beach and electronics don’t always mix. Which is why this water- and sand-proof floating phone pouch is a nice inexpensive gift that could save your dad a lot of money down the line.
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And, for the beach dad who is really adamant about not wantinganythingthis year, I suggest getting him a season pass to his beach of choice. In New York, an Empire Pass will grant Dad access to plenty of state-run beaches for the entire year. And if you’re feeling really generous, a Lifetime Empire Pass will have your dad covered for all the beach days to come.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
