Get a screw-in sand anchor flag.

That’s the answer. A corkscrew-style anchor twists into the sand without tearing it up, holds in wind, and the tall pole with a bright flag (or windsock) is visible from way down the beach. No holes, no digging.

Regular stakes are fine for umbrellas but they leave a hole and can bend. The screw anchors are designed to be removed cleanly. Paired with a tall flag (5-6 feet) in neon or orange, you can spot your towel from a quarter mile away. They’re cheap — like $15-25 on Amazon.

Just don’t get those giant inflatable markers. They’re a pain to deflate, and one gust sends them tumbling into someone’s picnic.

This is not where you overthink it. Screw anchor, bright flag, done.