Nylon and polyester are your only real options for humid beach days.

Nylon and polyester, hands down.

Cotton stays wet all day. Linen dries okay but wrinkles into a mess the second you move. Bamboo “rayon” takes forever in humidity. In a tropical climate, synthetic fabrics are the move because they don’t absorb much water and air movement dries them fast.

Look for nylon or polyester blends with a bit of spandex for stretch. They’ll feel clammy for maybe ten minutes after you get out of the water, then they’re dry. Avoid anything labeled “quick-dry” that’s mostly cotton — that’s just marketing.

You don’t need to overthink it. Check the tag. If it’s not a synthetic, leave it on the rack.