Are you aware of the dangerous UV rays on the beach? If you are going to the beach, take a beach tent with you. It will protect you from the UV rays and you will also be able to change clothes inside and take a nap.
However, there can be strong winds blowing so you will need to anchor the tent to have safe camping. Tent anchoring in the sand uses different anchoring approaches as camping on the soil.
I will show you how to anchor a tent on the beach and what is important to consider.
Why you should bring a tent to the beach?
Having shelter when the sun is hot and the wind is strong is a must if you want to stay safe, especially if you will bring a child along.
UV rays are not to mess with so take one that has UV protection. It also serves you for changing clothes and for a nap.
Great Beach Day Tips
These tips will help you to anchor your beach shelter easily.
Practice at home
Practice your beach day tent setup process at home. You’ll be able to familiarize yourself with the shelter, and change it for a new one if there is any defect on it.
Know beach rules
Some beaches allow certain tent types or sizes, and some have restrictions on how they are set up and staked. For example, an uncommon rule is that guy lines can’t go past the tip of your tent roof or canopy.
Knowing how to assemble and tie down your shelter for these conditions is a key tip for having a good time. Here are the rules for camping on the California coast.
Tent pegs don’t work with loose sand
Tent pegs rely on the solidity of the earth and its unwillingness to budge. Beach sand is wet, easily molded and sculpted, gritty, non-clumping dirt.
Trying to peg your tent into the sand will only go a little bit better than trying to tie it down to mid-air, which isn’t saying much.
Bring sand anchors
Sand anchors are like a looser, less, labor-intensive sandbag that you dig into the earth. The minimum recommended depth for any sand anchor is two feet.
However, you should read the guide that came with your sand anchors to find out how much depth the manufacturer recommends, especially if you can cross-reference it with the current or expected weather.
When you’re already at the Beach and the Wind kicks up
Weather isn’t always consistent as the ocean can pack some surprising punches. If you’ve found yourself at the beach already and you’re worried about your tent, then you’re still not out of luck.
Improvise with guy lines
If you’ve got a tent setup kit or some ropes, you can use the ropes to create guy lines. Once you have guy lines, you’ll need to attach them to something heavy, like a big rock, a big piece of beach debris, or similar.
For more stability, bury the anchor underneath the sand at least two feet for every “stake”.
Build a sandwall
Another idea is to tell the kids to build a vertical wall around the tent, like a fortress. This helps the wind from getting underneath it and provides a bit more stability. It’s not a saving measure in itself, but it does help with other precautions.
Take the bottom out of the wind’s grasp
An even better idea is to prevent the wind from getting underneath it while weighing it down. Unfortunately, not all tents have the angles to allow this, but it’s worth a try. Simply pile on sand heavy around all the edges of the shelter.
Last ditch efforts to save your tent
The last option is to use makeshift weights and anchors out of anything that you have available. Pillowcases and beach tote bags can be turned into sandbags.
Plastic pails, empty water jugs, empty five-gallon buckets, whatever you’ve got can be filled up with sand.
Burying the object beneath the surface provides even more weight and strength as the object now has walls on all sides of it, plus the weight of the sand on top.
Wet sand is better than dry
If the sand is dry, use water to make it weigh more. It will last longer if you bury the container, and it should make it easier to pack more volume into it.
How do you stake a tent on the beach?
You should know that regular tent stakes won’t work in the sand so you have to get the ones that will function on the beach.
The solution is to purchase sand stakes that are appropriate to use on soft ground.
Staking the tent
Now I am going to tell you the process of staking the shelter so it will be secured. First, you find a perfect location to pitch it. Avoid setting it to close the water and the hide tide can reach it.
Step #1
I advise campers who will spend their free time in the woods not to pitch their tent near or under the trees but this time it is good to make an exception. Trees will give you additional shade and block some wind.
Step #2
Now you will erect it and prepare it for staking. Which type of tent do you have for beach camping? If you have the one that uses poles make sure you have each piece to set it properly.
However, if you have a pop-up version then you will just throw it in the air and stake it.
Step #3
Third, the most important step is to stake the unit to secure it. Grab sand stakes and stake each corner by pushing and twisting it as you press it down.
The sharp end must go into the sand. In some cases when the stake is straight you will need a hammer to do it. Now that stakes are ready, connect the guy lines or tent loops to them.
What kind of stakes are best for sand?
Stakes that are meant for soft ground have an extra-wide surface area to get a deep grip. Many of them have holes because they give them better holding power.
Have a great Beach Day
Now you know how to anchor a tent on the beach. Use my tips and spend the most wonderful time enjoying with your friends and family protected.
