Beach Costumes

Beach Costumes

Bring the warmth of summer to your next costume party.

Beach costumes are a popular choice for Halloween and themed parties because they are cheerful, easy to customize, and comfortable. Whether you want to dress as a retro lifeguard, a tacky tropical tourist, or a colorful ocean creature, these looks are highly recognizable and fun to wear. This guide focuses on the classic, crowd-pleasing 'tacky tropical tourist' look, which is the easiest and most popular beach-themed costume to assemble.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
~15 min
Budget
$20–50
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40 Beach costume ideas

Ranked by how many people are searching for them this season. Open any one for the full guide and to try it on.

What you need for a Beach Costumes costume

  • Hawaiian shirt

    A brightly colored, short-sleeved button-down shirt featuring tropical floral, palm leaf, or hibiscus prints.

    DIY: Use a plain bright shirt and fabric markers to draw simple green palm leaves and colorful flowers.

    Amazon

  • Khaki shorts or swim trunks

    Classic beige cargo shorts, chino shorts, or vibrant board shorts to match the tropical vibe.

    DIY: Cut an old pair of khaki pants or jeans into casual, raw-hemmed shorts.

    Amazon

  • Straw sun hat

    A wide-brimmed straw lifeguard hat or a classic fedora-style sun hat to block out the imaginary sun.

    DIY: Decorate any old sun hat by wrapping a colorful lei or ribbon around the base of the crown.

    Amazon

  • Flower lei

    A colorful faux-flower garland worn around the neck.

    DIY: String together colorful paper flowers cut from construction paper or cupcake liners.

    Amazon

  • Sunglasses

    Retro aviators, oversized plastic sunglasses, or novelty shades in bright neon colors.

    Amazon

  • Inflatable swim ring or pool noodle

    A bright, inflatable donut-shaped swim ring worn around the waist, or a colorful pool noodle.

    Amazon

How to put it together

  1. 1

    Put on the khaki shorts or swim trunks as your base layer.

  2. 2

    Button up the Hawaiian shirt, leaving the top one or two buttons open for a relaxed, breezy look.

  3. 3

    Drape the colorful flower lei around your neck.

  4. 4

    Place the wide-brimmed straw sun hat on your head and put on the sunglasses.

  5. 5

    Inflate the swim ring, step into it, and pull it up to rest securely around your waist.

  6. 6

    Complete the look by carrying a beach towel over one shoulder or holding a tropical drink cup.

Makeup & hair

Apply a thick dab of white zinc oxide sunscreen (or white face paint) across the bridge of your nose. Keep hair messy, beachy, and wind-blown.

Beach Costumes for couples, groups, kids & more

couples
One person dresses as a tropical tourist while the other dresses as a lifeguard in red shorts with a whistle.
group
A 'beach party' group with tourists, lifeguards, surfers holding cardboard surfboards, and someone in a shark suit.
kids
A cute sea creature like a colorful starfish, crab, or little shark using felt and a matching hoodie.
Plus size
Hawaiian shirts are naturally loose and comfortable, making this look highly adjustable and size-inclusive.
pet
A small dog wearing a miniature Hawaiian shirt and a tiny straw hat secured with an elastic band.

Tips

  • If wearing this outdoors in cold weather, layer a nude-colored long-sleeve thermal shirt underneath the Hawaiian shirt.
  • Wear comfortable footwear like flip-flops or canvas slip-on shoes that are easy to walk in all night.
  • Use a real plastic tropical cup with a straw to hold your party drinks while staying in character.

Beach Costumes costume FAQ

What makes a good beach-themed costume?
Classic options include tropical tourists, lifeguards, surfers, or ocean animals like sharks, crabs, and jellyfish.
How do you dress like a tourist for Halloween?
Wear a loud Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts, a straw hat, sunglasses, a flower lei, and dab white sunscreen on your nose.
Is a beach costume suitable for cold weather?
Yes, just swap shorts for khaki pants and wear thermal layers underneath your tropical shirt to stay warm.

Did you know? The 'tacky tourist' look became a pop culture staple in the 1980s and 1990s, popularized by sitcom characters and vacation movies.