Investing in the best beach tents for babies, children and families is fundamental for protection from the harsh Australian sun, especially during the hot summers. This can be an excellent purchase for you and your family’s health, enjoyment and pleasure whilst enjoying Australia’s beautiful beaches.
It is not easy choosing the best beach tent Australia has because there are hundreds of options out there! Although many people consider buying the best pop up beach tent, Australia, because it is so easy to assemble, there are also many other factors to consider before making your purchase. To save you time and make your life easier, in this buying guide I have included reviews and features of the best large beach tents, best baby beach tent Australia, best pop up tents for beach and much more.
The best way to take advantage of a beach shade is to make sure you get protection from the sun, wind and rain. Also, there are many other features that make each tent stand apart. I have researched many different brands, designs and types of shelters to come up with my top picks! Hopefully by reading this guide, you will be able to make a decision as to which beach shade is best for you or your family.
Contents
Comparison Chart – Best Beach Tent Australia
If you want to compare before you buy beach tents, take a look at this handy comparison chart first.
| Product | Image | Type | Capacity | UPF | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zomake Pop Up | | Tent | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.9/5 | Check Price! |
| Coleman |  | Tent | 2-4 adults | 50+ | 4.6/5 | Check Price! |
| Lightspeed | | Canopy | 4 adults | 50+ | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| OutdoorMaster |  | Tent | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| Neso | | Canopy | 4-6 adults | 50+ | 4.4/5 | Check Price! |
| SKLZ Sport |  | Umbrella | 2-3 adults | 50+ | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
| FE Active | | Tent | 50+ | 4.8/5 | Check Price! |
|
| Bestway |  | Tent | 2 adults | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
|
| Glymnis | | Tent | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| Sun Ninja |  | Canopy | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.5/5 | Check Price! |
Beach Tent Reviews Australia
FE Active Pop Up
Specifications
- Type: Tent
- Capacity:
- UPF: 50+
The FE Active Pop Up is a great choice if you’re on the hunt for the best pop up tent for beach. This beach shade is built with high quality, water resistant polyester that’s sturdy and offers sun protection. Assembling the tent is easy; fibreglass poles. Aluminium stakes and clip on hoops are all included to ease the setup process.
The FE Active Pop is open from the front, so you don’t need to worry about adequate airflow. It is also easy to transport to and from the beach with a carry bag included. This is surely a good quality mid range tent that won’t break the bank.
What we love
- Affordable
- Durable polyester material
- Easy to transport weighing just 1.6kg
What we don’t love
- A few users on Amazon commented that the instructions wont so clear on how to assemble the first time of use.
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Zomake Pop Up
It was the easiest thing to set up. It really does just pop open by itself! At the beach itself it was perfect. Allowing ventilation, but shade as well.
– Dee
Specifications
- Type: Tent
- Capacity: 3-4 adults
- UPF: 50+
In terms of ventilation and space, the Zomake pop up is one of the best tent for the beach. Setting the tent up could not be simpler, you just take it out of the bag, and it literally pops up automatically. Folding it is a little harder, but after some practice, you will get the hang of it!
This tent is extremely portable because it just folds into a little circle. You can take this tent anywhere! The Zomake is built with two large doors and two windows as well as a top opening so it will never feel stuffy or suffocating inside. I love how easily you can zip up all these areas for privacy when needed, especially when changing clothes after swimming.
What we love
- UPF 50+ Sun protection
- Folds down into a small bag and a carry bag is included
- Very spacious can fit 3-4 adults inside
- Durable, made of Polyester
What we don’t love
- It’s hard to think of anything!!
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Coleman Shoreline Instant
Portable beach shade, with enough room to change in if you needed to. Sandbags and pegs enough to secure the tent in reasonable wind. Quick to put up and take down.
– Lewis
Specifications
- Type: Tent
- Capacity: 2-4 adults
- UPF: 50+
This is a great option to consider for the best beach tents for shade as it is UPF 50+ and offers a high level of sun protection because of the special material it is made from. The tent is very spacious for families and can even fit two beach chairs. The side pockets are great to store personal belongings and keep them sand-free.
The poles are pre attached to the tent, and users on amazon mention how easy it is to set up, even saying that it can be assembled within a minute. The tent offers a great amount of privacy as it has a hidden privacy door which can be pulled down whenever needed.
What we love
- Rear window is convertible into extra wall or door
- Offers high level of privacy and comfort
- Extremely easy to assemble with pre attached poles
What we don’t love
- A bit more heavier than other tents on the market
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Lightspeed Outdoors Quick Canopy
Specifications
- Type: Canopy
- Capacity: 4 adults
- UPF: 50+
If you’re interested in getting yourself the best beach pop up tent, then this may be exactly what you’re looking for! The tent is a quirky starfish shape from the top with one sidewall that works as a windshield or great to block excessive sun rays. The rest of the tent is open, allowing ample airflow.
A great advantage of the tent and why it is one of the best beach tent for baby Australia is the tent’s flooring that can easily be washed and pet-friendly in case of any accidents. The tent is easy to set up with pre-threaded polls, making it both easy to assemble and disassemble. I also love how it is filled with little pockets everywhere which are so handy to store personal belongings.
What we love
- Great flooring which protects children from burning sand and also washable
- 4 pockets to place personal belongings
- Tent material is strong and sturdy
- Easy to set up and disassemble
What we don’t love
- Does not provide shelter from all sides during extreme rain and windy conditions
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
OutdoorMaster Pop Up XL
Great buy. Would absolutely recommend. It was awesome to watch everyone else at the beach spend 30 minutes setting up their spot then we pop this bad boy open and set it up in less than 5 minutes.
– Steven
Specifications
- Type: Tent
- Capacity: 3-4 adults
- UPF: 50+
This is a good mid range tent option for families! The Outdoor Master Pop up beach tent is a half dome shape which is quite spacious from this inside! Included is a carry bag for quick portability and it weighs just 1.6kg making it easy to carry around. The polyester and nylon material means it’s waterproof, offers UV protection and will keep you safe if the weather takes a change.
There are sandbags sewn to the tent, additional wind strings, fiberglass poles and iron stakes to keep the tent stable during windy conditions. With no extra assembling hassles, simply pull the chords up for an instantx pop up. This tent is definitely a great option when choosing the best family beach tent.
What we love
- Pop up tent means no assembling required
- Durable material
- Sewn sandbags for windy weather and better stability
What we don’t love
- Poles are fragile and some users on Amazon complained they snapped easily
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Neso Tents Grande
Fantastic! Purchased it back in November and have used it many times this summer, while away and at our local beach. Super easy to set up, can easily do it by yourself. – JM
The Neso Tents Grande Beach is a long lasting canopy tent built from lycra and nylon. It has quite a unique design and is surely a great contender for the best beach shade for family use. The tent covers quite a big area, and the poles can be adjusted to safeguard against the sun’s harmful rays.
Specifications
- Type: Canopy
- Capacity: 4-6 adults
- UPF: 50+
Although the canopy does provide UP50+ protection from the sun and is waterproof for rain, the anchors are not strong enough to withstand extremely windy conditions. The Neso tent is available in various colours and very lightweight compared to other canopy tents on the market.
What we love
- Easy to assemble and disassemble; fits into a small bag
- Unique design and different colour options available
- Spacious and great to larger families
What we don’t love
- Not stable enough to withstand extremely windy conditions
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
SKLZ Sport Brella Umbrella Shelter
Specifications
- Type: Umbrella
- Capacity: 2-3 adults
- UPF: 50+
A very cleverly designed product, the SKLZ Sport Brella is an umbrella built with a telescoping pole and walls on its side for more durability. It can definitely accommodate 2-3 people and is spacious enough to fit two beach chairs.
The Sport brella does not come with any flooring, which can be a bit of an inconvenience, but it’s perfect for your child to be able to enjoy playing with the sand under the shade. Easy to set up, this is a great consideration for those on the lookout for the best pop up beach tent for babies and young children. The top wind vents and windows with zips are a bonus to increase protection and maintain airflow.
What we love
- UPF 50+ sun
- Made of durable polyester making it waterproof and suitable for all weather types
- Easy to put up and pack away.
What we don’t love
- Some people might find a pole in the middle of the shelter a bit of an inconvenience
- Doesn’t come with any flooring
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Bestway Pavillo
Specifications
- Type: Tent
- Capacity: 2 adults
- UPF:
Very simply designed as easy to assemble the bestway beach tent is great value for money. It is a good fit for around 2 adults to sit comfortably. It comes with a carry bag so you can easily fold the tent up, making it portable and comfortable to carry.
This tent can also be handy for camping. Although, there are no windows or air vents, the half dome like structure allows for adequate airflow and great shelter against the sun
What we love
- Made from Polyester for long lasting usage
- Easy to set up and portable
- Has an inside pocket to store personal belongings.
What we don’t love
- Not suitable for larger families
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Glymnis Beach Pop Up
Perfect for the beach. Very easy to set up and fold. It’s also lightweight to carry. Quick to put up and take down.
– Mia
Specifications
- Type: Tent
- Capacity: 3-4 adults
- UPF: 50+
There are a variety of reasons why many users believe The Glymnis Beach pop up Tent is the best rated beach tent. The easy set up is highly convenient, and the visual instructions through a video on how to fold the tent is even better. After the tent is folded, it is lightweight and compact weighing only 1.2kgl
The only disadvantage of this tent is that it is not stable enough for windy conditions and may collapse. Glymnis beach pop up tent is quite spacious and can fit 3 to 4 people. The polyester fabric is UPF 50+, and the mesh fabric surrounding the tent provides a great amount of ventilation.
The added bonus of the flooring beneath the tent ensures you and particularly babies and children won’t feel the hot burning sand whilst enjoying their day at the beach. Overall, the Glymnis beach tent is great value for money!
What we love
- Affordable
- Mesh material surrounding tent provides great ventilation
- Can fit 3 to 4 people
What we don’t love
- Won’t resist strong winds
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Sun Ninja
Specifications
- Type: Canopy
- Capacity: 3-4 adults
- UPF: 50+
There are many reasons why The Sun Ninja Pop up is one of the greatest options for the best canopy tent for beach. Not only is this tent good for the beach, but its versatility allows you to use it for family picnics, parks, fishing or any outdoor location. You will just need to stick the poles in the sand, fill the sandbags and your tent will be ready to go within a few minutes.
What I love most about this tent is it comes in different colours and three different sizes. You can choose from a 4, 6 or 8 user tent. The canopy fabric is tough, durable, water resistant, machine washable, and offers UPF 50+ protection. A carry bag is included so you can fit everything inside and take it with you anywhere as well as a one year warranty, which is always handy to have!
The downside is that this tent doesn’t offer much privacy if you want to get changed, but you will get a full 360 degree view and ample ventilation. This tent is highly recommended if you’re looking for the best beach canopy that offers flexibility to use not only at the beach but anywhere outdoors.
What we love
- Choose from different colours and sizes
- Canopy material is tough, waterproof and offers UPF 50+ sun protection
- Easy to assemble
- One Year Warranty included
What we don’t love
- No sidewalls or privacy for changing clothes
>>>Click here to check price on Amazon<<<
Types of the Best Beach Sun Shelter
In order to make an informed decision on the best beach tent for you, I will outline the main types and quickly summarise the main features as well as the pros and cons of each one! There are countless beach shelters to choose from but I hope this guide helps you to find the best shade tent for beach which suits you and your families requirements.
Tent
Very similar to camping tents, a beach tent provides great shelter for families to enjoy by the seaside. The best beach tent for shade will ensure maximum UV protection, wind protection and waterproof for rain protection too. There are cheap beach tents available and expensive ones too; this will depend on your budget and whether or not you want other great features.
- Provides great privacy so you can change your clothes or kids can have a nap
- Most tents will provide great UV protection, wind protection, and rain protection
- Some tents don’t have windows so may not have great ventilation.
- If the tent is hard to assemble maybe more than one person is required, and it will take some time.
Canopy
This particular type of tent is intended for larger families as they cover quite a lot of space on the beach! They typically have four vertical poles which holds up a cloth to create shade. Although most of the best beach tent canopy, do provide UV protection, some of them lack sidewalls. This makes it less durable in adverse weather conditions.
- Very open so great airflow and ventilation
- Great for larger groups of people and big families
- Lacks privacy as there is no side walls
- Might not provide protection during extreme weather conditions
Umbrella
The main reason why people consider looking for the best beach tent umbrella is that it isn’t as complicated as tents and only takes seconds to put up after you arrive, ensuring no precious beach time is wasted. You can also angle and manoeuvre the umbrella at different times to protect you and your family from the sun’s harmful rays.
- Easy to set up
- Affordable
- Only suited for 2-3 people
- Not durable during windy weather conditions
Features of the Best Beach Tents, 2023
Finding the best beach shelter for wind, sun and rain protection is not as easy as it sounds. There are multiple features to consider before purchasing the perfect one. Don’t be alarmed; we have you covered! The purpose of this guide to buying the best beach tent, is to break down all the information and qualities of the tents and shades to make your life easier.
Size and Capacity
You will most likely be spending hours on the beach, so you want to make sure you are comfortable. Finding the correct sized tent is an important consideration when choosing your beach tent. Small beach tents can fit 2-3 people, but some of the larger tents can fit 6 to 8 people. Keep in mind, the bigger the shelter, the more likely it is to be heavier to carry around the beach.
Every family’s needs will be different. Your choice will depend on how many people in your family, do other people often join you? Also, whether or not you want to fit other accessories inside too; such as a cooler or beach chairs.
Material and UV Protection
A major factor to consider when buying your beach tent is the material. Whilst all of them do provide shade; not all tents provide the same level of UV Protection. You will need to check how much UV protection each tent offers, the higher the protection, the better.
Ultraviolet Protection Factors refers to how much UV radiation a fabric permits to reach your skin. A tent that provides 15-24 UPF protection is adequate, but the best beach tent for sun protection are those that offer UPF 50+ as they will block out 97.5% of the harmful UV rays.
In terms of the most affordable, people prefer cotton, nylon or polyester tents. Water resistant tents might be a bit more costly but can be worth it in the long run. Also, be sure that the tent’s material is durable for different weather conditions like wind and rain.
Set Up and Stability
One of the most desirable features that the best beach sun shade should have is the ease of assembling and disassembling. You do not want to waste your precious beach time being hassled on how to open your tent.
With the bigger tents, you sometimes need more than one person to assemble. So if you’re going to be alone or with young children try and opt for tents that are easy to assemble like the pop up tent which is ready in seconds.
Spending money on an unstable and wobbly tent could be your worst nightmare. When choosing your beach tent, make sure the tent offers stability! Keep in mind that many of the best beach canopy tent and the best beach cabana tent offer wind resistance making them more durable for unfavourable weather conditions, which is a must have! Many tents also come with extra sandbags, stakes, augers, and guy lines to ensure extra stability.
Portability
The worst thing that could happen is finding a car park a long way away from the beach, which leaves you dragging around a huge tent that’s bigger than you! To avoid this dilemma, you should look for a lightweight beach tent that can easily be packed into something smaller. Some of the best beach tents for families can be folded into a carry bag with shoulder straps which allows you to carry other beach essentials too, making your life easier!
Other Great Features
The best tents for beach camping will stand apart from others because they come with some other great features you want to look for! Some of these features include:
- Internal pockets for storage: These are great for keeping your personal belongings safe and ensuring they don’t get sandy
- Carry Bag: Carrying your tent in a carry bag makes it much easier for portability.
- Warranty: If things go wrong, having a warranty gives great peace of mind to users.
- Windows or air vents: In summer it can get hot and stuffy, windows will provide good ventilation and airflow
- Removable Sidewalls: Makes tent more adaptable and provides additional privacy and shade when needed.
Recap of Our Favourites
| Product | Image | Type | Capacity | UPF | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zomake Pop Up | | Tent | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.9/5 | Check Price! |
| Coleman | | Tent | 2-4 adults | 50+ | 4.6/5 | Check Price! |
| Lightspeed | | Canopy | 4 adults | 50+ | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| OutdoorMaster | | Tent | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| Neso | | Canopy | 4-6 adults | 50+ | 4.4/5 | Check Price! |
| SKLZ Sport | | Umbrella | 2-3 adults | 50+ | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
| FE Active | | Tent | 50+ | 4.8/5 | Check Price! |
|
| Bestway | | Tent | 2 adults | 4.7/5 | Check Price! |
|
| Glymnis | | Tent | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.3/5 | Check Price! |
| Sun Ninja | | Canopy | 3-4 adults | 50+ | 4.5/5 | Check Price! |
Take a look at our babies page next for more fun and amazing finds to make your mum life easier!
