8 great techy beach accessories

Whether you’re partying on the sexy sands of Puerto Rico or unplugging on the shores of Hawaii, we’ve got a few fun beach gadgets worth packing for your winter getaway. Need help planning that? Orbitz has beachin’ sand-and-surf travel deals here for up to 50% off.

1.  Blast some beach beats on the waterproof floating Ecoxgear Eco Terra IPX7 Boom Box with internal iPhone/MP3 player case that also holds keys, credit cards, and cash. Or keep the melodies on the QT, thanks to the waterproof headphone jack (waterproof ear buds sold separately).

Available through West Marine for $149.99

2.  If you have a love/hate relationship with sand, the sandless beach mat will help you keep the beach where it belongs. Originally designed to contain sand and dust from military helicopters, a double-layer of patented woven polyurethane filters out particulates through the bottom of the mat. It also has corner grommets for use with stakes (sold separately), as well as a handy travel bag.

Available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $59.99

3.  BYOB to the lake, river or sea, and attach the floating beverage caddy to your raft or water lounger for handy drink and snack access. Constructed out of marine-grade Sunbrella canvas and filled with buoyant foam beads, this drink dinghy is stable enough to make even an ice bucket or pitcher of sangria seaworthy.

Available through Brookstone from $62.23

4.  The ideal image of a tropical escapeshould include a hammock, and the two-person packable variety allows you and your holiday honey to just snuggle up or sack out under the stars. At two pounds in weight and 10.5 feet long, it’s the largest travel hammock available.  Parachute nylon and a handy hanging kit with rope and nautical-grade carabineers support 400lbs of weight between trees, posts, or a standard hammock stand (not included).

Available from Sharper Image for $69.99

5.  For those of us who are unable to unplug on vacation, you may as well harness the sun’s energy to power your smartphone via the ultra-light Nomad 7 Solar Panel. Seven watts of power, USB and 12V compatibility, and two ports mean you can even charge your MP3 player and your GPS device in the sunshine simultaneously.

Available from Goal Zero for $79.99

6.  The Liquid Image Wide Angle Scuba Series HD is made for photogs fixated on underwater flora and fauna. The dive mask allows for hands-free photography while snorkeling, swimming, or scuba diving, and can shoot video or snap photos of friends, family, and fish up to 130ft deep.

Available from Liquid Image for $299.99

7.  Say what’s up to the surf with the Tower Adventurer Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Board. At 24 lb, 9’10 ft long and 6” thick, this SUP is a sturdy alternative to epoxy boards, and includes a diamond-grooved deck pad with rear kick tail, a 2+1 fin configuration with removable center fin, a carrying strap, towing ring on the nose and leash attachment ring onthe tail. The iSup package with pump and paddle is worth floating the extra dough.

Available direct from Tower Paddle Board. Board only for $595, or iSup package for $699

8.  If you’re egging to be that guy on the sand, the Beach Lounger Pack Chair with Speakers and Digital Amplifier is the closet thing to the shoreline version of Rodney Dangerfield’s golf bag in “Caddy Shack”. It’ll take a mere 10 seconds for your luggage to transform into a lounger, equipped with two coolers, umbrella, tote bag, pillow, speakers, storage compartment, and removable leg support. Pack a suit, sunscreen, and a magazine, and roll out with your lightweight aluminum vacation station.

Available from Brookstone for $299.99

Tagged: Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico