Get a dry bag, not a "beach bag.

No. Most so-called “stylish waterproof beach bags” are either not actually waterproof or not actually stylish. A proper dry bag costs half as much and keeps your phone, keys, and sandwich dry — even if a wave hits it.

The problem with fashionable waterproof bags (the canvas waxed or “water-resistant” totes) is that they leak at the seams, the zipper, or the top. A dip in the ocean or a sudden downpour means wet everything. A real dry bag — the kind kayakers use — rolls shut and seals completely. It’s ugly but works.

If you absolutely need something that looks good and keeps water out, look for a coated nylon roll-top from a brand like Sea to Summit or Yeti. They come in enough colors that you won’t feel like a REI catalog. But honestly, just throw your valuables in a small dry bag inside a cheap canvas tote. You get the style, the function, and you save forty bucks.

Sand in your stuff is inevitable. Ruined electronics doesn’t have to be.