8 Beach Apps and Gadgets to Win at Summer
July 18, 2017
Relaxation and ocean waves practically go hand in hand, whether it’s a windswept beach on Cape Cod or a crowded stretch of sand in Cancun. There’s no place quite as beautiful to unwind and recharge, catch up on reading, or toss a Frisbee. Simply put, life is better at the beach—and dare we say it, maybe even better with some added bells and techy whistles.
From water safety to tanning tips, and even solar cookers, these beach-centric apps and gadgets provide you with everything you need to make time by the water just about perfect.
1. iTANSMART: The iTanSmart app takes the guesswork out of fun in the sun by using real-time UV data at your location, coupled with info you provide about your skin type and sunscreen preference. From here it determines and manages your maximum exposure time, giving you exposure, re-lotion, and even vitamin D alerts, both audibly and visually, so you can minimize catching the UVA rays responsible for tanning, skin aging, and skin cancer. Doesn't it feel refreshing to be smart about your skin?
2. SOLAR-POWERED STOVE: The SolSource Sport Solar-Powered Stove (say that three times fast) cooks your favorite dishes using—you guessed it—heat from the sun. Its v-shape cutout makes for the perfect chef workspace, and accommodates a variety of cooking styles and cookware, too. Even cooler? It promises zero toxic smoke and soot in your food, and makes for super easy cleanup. Picnic, anyone?
Image courtesy of One Earth Designs.
Image courtesy of One Earth Designs.
3. SAND-FREE MAT: Finally keep sand where it should be: between your toes. The CGear Sand-Free Mat was inspired from landing mats used by U.S. military helicopters during takeoff and landing, and is constructed with a dual-layer weave that acts like a one-way sift. It makes for an ideal beach blanket or towel, letting you kick the annoyance of grit and sand getting into your belongings (or bathing suit) on breezy beach days. It's also easily washable and comes with a cute carrying bag.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
4. TEENY TINY PORTABLE SPEAKER: This lil' bluetooth speaker is cute and compact—a no-brainer for beach days. And aside from bringing you all your favorite tunes, it includes a built-in microphone for making phone calls, power and volume-control, a USB cable for easy charging, and is compatible with almost all smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players. Its silicone handle can be attached to a backpack, a bike, or even a stroller. Bonus: It's totally water-resistant and lasts up to six hours on a single charge.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
5. SURFLINE: If you're into surfing, wake boarding, or waterskiing, this is the app for you. Surfline is a planning app that delivers current and forecasted conditions at your favorite spots for water sporting. Covering everything from wind conditions, tides, and wave heights, it'll help you know exactly what to expect when you set out to catch a wave.
6. UNDERWATER GOPRO: Whether you're swimming with sharks or splashing around in tide pools, the GoPro Hero Session™ is a must-have device for capturing fleeting moments underwater. Hold it in your hand to snap pics as you swim, wear it on your suit while skim boarding, or mount it on your helmet to capture reels of your sickest windsurfing moves. Wanna get social with those beach photos and videos? An optional GoPro Plus subscription lets you access, edit, and share your favorite moments right on your phone.
Image courtesy of GoPro.
Image courtesy of GoPro.
7. HOVERCRAFT: Hey we can dream, can't we? This hovercraft is totally out of a Bond film, and features a 60-horsepower, two-cylinder gasoline engine, and a 12-volt battery to keep things running. Although it does require registration as a boat, it can cruise on ice, water, sand, mud, and short grass, and shorter distances on asphalt or concrete. Conquer land, sea, and air—without switching vehicles! (But for getting to the beach and back? That's when we recommend a Zipcar.)
Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer.
Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer.
8. A COOLER COOLER: Keep your beach treats cool with YETI's portable cooler. It has a waterproof shell that's virtually indestructible and a hazmat suit-like zipper that's fully leak-proof. (Nothing harshes a beach mellow more than an attack on your snacks.) And because it uses high-density fabric, it's also tough as nails. This cooler comes in a variety of sizes to fit the snacking needs of any group, whether you're hitting the beach with friends, one special someone, or sunning solo.
Image courtesy of Hopper.
Image courtesy of Hopper.
1. iTANSMART: The iTanSmart app takes the guesswork out of fun in the sun by using real-time UV data at your location, coupled with info you provide about your skin type and sunscreen preference. From here it determines and manages your maximum exposure time, giving you exposure, re-lotion, and even vitamin D alerts, both audibly and visually, so you can minimize catching the UVA rays responsible for tanning, skin aging, and skin cancer. Doesn't it feel refreshing to be smart about your skin?
2. SOLAR-POWERED STOVE: The SolSource Sport Solar-Powered Stove (say that three times fast) cooks your favorite dishes using—you guessed it—heat from the sun. Its v-shape cutout makes for the perfect chef workspace, and accommodates a variety of cooking styles and cookware, too. Even cooler? It promises zero toxic smoke and soot in your food, and makes for super easy cleanup. Picnic, anyone?
Image courtesy of One Earth Designs.
Image courtesy of One Earth Designs.
3. SAND-FREE MAT: Finally keep sand where it should be: between your toes. The CGear Sand-Free Mat was inspired from landing mats used by U.S. military helicopters during takeoff and landing, and is constructed with a dual-layer weave that acts like a one-way sift. It makes for an ideal beach blanket or towel, letting you kick the annoyance of grit and sand getting into your belongings (or bathing suit) on breezy beach days. It's also easily washable and comes with a cute carrying bag.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
4. TEENY TINY PORTABLE SPEAKER: This lil' bluetooth speaker is cute and compact—a no-brainer for beach days. And aside from bringing you all your favorite tunes, it includes a built-in microphone for making phone calls, power and volume-control, a USB cable for easy charging, and is compatible with almost all smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players. Its silicone handle can be attached to a backpack, a bike, or even a stroller. Bonus: It's totally water-resistant and lasts up to six hours on a single charge.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
Image courtesy of Amazon.
5. SURFLINE: If you're into surfing, wake boarding, or waterskiing, this is the app for you. Surfline is a planning app that delivers current and forecasted conditions at your favorite spots for water sporting. Covering everything from wind conditions, tides, and wave heights, it'll help you know exactly what to expect when you set out to catch a wave.
6. UNDERWATER GOPRO: Whether you're swimming with sharks or splashing around in tide pools, the GoPro Hero Session™ is a must-have device for capturing fleeting moments underwater. Hold it in your hand to snap pics as you swim, wear it on your suit while skim boarding, or mount it on your helmet to capture reels of your sickest windsurfing moves. Wanna get social with those beach photos and videos? An optional GoPro Plus subscription lets you access, edit, and share your favorite moments right on your phone.
Image courtesy of GoPro.
Image courtesy of GoPro.
7. HOVERCRAFT: Hey we can dream, can't we? This hovercraft is totally out of a Bond film, and features a 60-horsepower, two-cylinder gasoline engine, and a 12-volt battery to keep things running. Although it does require registration as a boat, it can cruise on ice, water, sand, mud, and short grass, and shorter distances on asphalt or concrete. Conquer land, sea, and air—without switching vehicles! (But for getting to the beach and back? That's when we recommend a Zipcar.)
Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer.
Image courtesy of Hammacher Schlemmer.
8. A COOLER COOLER: Keep your beach treats cool with YETI's portable cooler. It has a waterproof shell that's virtually indestructible and a hazmat suit-like zipper that's fully leak-proof. (Nothing harshes a beach mellow more than an attack on your snacks.) And because it uses high-density fabric, it's also tough as nails. This cooler comes in a variety of sizes to fit the snacking needs of any group, whether you're hitting the beach with friends, one special someone, or sunning solo.
Image courtesy of Hopper.
Image courtesy of Hopper.
