Get a dry bag for the beach.

Yes. A roll-top dry bag solves both problems. Sand can’t get through the sealed top, and your phone, keys, and wallet stay bone-dry. No sand in the lining, no saltwater damage.

Mesh bags are fine for towels and sunscreen—they let sand fall through—but they’re terrible for valuables. Anything loosescreen or small will get buried in grit. A typical beach tote is just a bucket for sand. You’d have to dig everything out.

Dry bags come in all sizes. Get a 10–20 liter one (about the size of a small backpack). You can toss it in the car, rinse it off, and it’ll last years. Brands like Sea to Summit or Earth Pak are cheap and tough. No zippers to jam, no mesh to tear. Just roll and clip.

Don’t bother with “beach bags” that pretend to be sand-proof. They’re not. A dry bag is the actual solution.