Save & Splurge: Beach sun shelters for your next holiday by the sea

Beach sun shelters are a brilliant way to protect yourself from New Zealand’s relentless sun and wind. Here are three to consider for your next holiday by the sea.

Bestway Pavillo Beach Shelter

If real estate on the sand is limited this compact beach shelter should do the trick.

At 950mm high it is sitting room only but you can rest assured that you have protection from the elements with the shelter’s certified 80 UV coating.

It can be set up from carry bag to fully upright in under ten minutes. All it takes is angling two fibreglass poles, drilling four pegs into the ground, and filling the built-in sand pockets for stability.

Pick one up from Mitre 10 for $39.

Retreat Umbrella Beach Shelter

Kathmandu have taken your traditional beach umbrella and given it wings to create this wide canopy shelter with 3 metres of sitting room.

The woven polyester shell has been designed to provide expansive sun coverage with 95%+ UV protection, while in-built mesh panels keep things airy.

The shelter pops up within minutes and can be secured into the sand with pegs, guylines and sandbags in case the wind picks up. It packs down into a 3.9kg carry bag.

Buy one from Kathmandu for $169 until December 24, 2022.

Torpedo7 Air Series Gazebo

You may never see the sun again from this four-walled inflatable gazebo from Torpedo7. Measuring at 4.5m x 4.5m with an interior height clearance of 185cm, it has room for the whole family and more.

Given its size the shelter requires more set-up than smaller options, however the air beams which are inflated with a hand pump are far less finicky than traditional fibreglass poles. Tie the beast down with all manner of ropes, pegs and guylines.

The material is certified UV 50+. Pick one up at Torpedo7 for $1599.

Sun shelter UV ratings should not be relied upon as the only form of sun protection.