The Best Sunglasses for Your Next Beach Vacation

If you are planning on visiting the beach for your next holiday, one thing you will definitely want to take with you – along with your bikini/boardies and a good book – is a top-quality pair of sunglasses.

Obviously, you’ll want them to make you look like a movie star on the sand – a la Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief or Tom Cruise in the famous beach volleyball scene in Top Gun.

However, you will also want them to provide you with the best possible defence for your eyes, which is very important because, according to ophthalmologists, the strength of UV rays is three times more powerful during the summer months than in winter.

So, how do you go about ensuring your next pair offers you both the level of style and protection you need?

Here are some useful tips on how to choose the best sunglasses for your next beach vacation.

Why Do You Need to Wear Sunglasses at the Beach?

The main reason why you need to wear a good quality pair of sunglasses at the beach or in the summer, in general, is because they serve the dual purpose of safeguarding your eye health and improving your visual experience.

Both the sun and the ocean are reflective surfaces. Therefore, just by wearing sunglasses outside, you will go a long way towards shielding your eyes from the potentially harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays that could otherwise result in immediate or long-term eye issues.

By sheltering your eyes from glare, sunglasses can help to reduce the onset of headaches often caused by squinting or eye strain. Additionally, they can also protect you from sand or other debris, which could fly into your eyes in windy conditions and therefore, impact upon your beach experience.

What To Consider When Looking for Beach Sunglasses 

Should you be looking for a new pair of sunnies for the beach, it is a good idea to book an eye test with a company like 1001 Optometry, as this will ensure you see clearly out of them.

However, when choosing the right style for you, here are some other things you should consider.

1. Style Suits Your Face Shape

If we are all being truthful, the primary concern for most of us when looking for a new pair of beach sunglasses is that it looks good. Therefore, when trying on a new pair of sunglasses, you will want to make sure they suit the shape of your face.

Most people have a face shape that can be roughly categorised in seven different ways. Namely, oval, diamond, oblong, square, round, pear, and heart-shaped.

If you are not sure what your face shape is, here is how you can work it out. Alternatively, you should be able to determine it by using an app like Hi-Face.

However, once you have identified it, you’ll find lots of different brands and styles of sunglasses that are designed to best match it.

2. Brand and Styles

Talking of brands and styles, there are many different types on the market. So, the sunglasses you eventually pick will be influenced by your allegiance to both.

Some brands, such as Ray-Ban, Cartier, and Bulgari, are more prestigious than others, and while they do cost more, they will have more of a ‘WOW’ factor to them that should appeal to you.

Similarly, there are plenty of styles available on the market, including classic aviators, heart-shaped, wraparound, and wayfarer, which you will no doubt be more attracted to.

3. 100% UV Protection

Putting aside what they look like, your sunglasses must offer 100% UV protection to fully safeguard you from the dangers that UVA and UVB rays can bring.

This should be non-negotiable. But, unfortunately not all brands offer it or UV400. Therefore, you are advised to give any pair that doesn’t offer these safeguarding measures a wide berth.

4. Polarised Lenses

As mentioned, the ocean is a reflective surface, which means that the glare that bounces off it can cause significant issues. That is why you need to choose a pair of sunglasses with polarised lenses.

Sometimes called anti-glare glasses, they have a special filter that blocks out this strong light reflection. In doing so, it ensures you don’t have to squint as much and provides you with clearer visibility.

4. Durability of Frame

Sunglasses can be expensive. Therefore, it is a good idea to choose a pair of sunglasses that have a durable frame, as you will want them to last as long as they can. 

Look for ones constructed with impact-resistant and lightweight materials like nylon or polycarbonate, which tend to last longer in coastal environments.

5. Lens Colour

You could be forgiven for thinking that the colour of the lens you choose is just for aesthetics. However, depending on the one you pick, it can improve your level of comfort and visibility whilst at the beach.

For instance, grey lenses can significantly reduce levels of outside brightness without distorting the colours of the landscape, while green lenses can reduce glare and brighten shadows, which can be beneficial if you plan on going fishing by the ocean.