For any beach lover nearing retirement, celebrating with coworkers, friends, and family at the coast is a great way to start this new chapter of life. So why not start with a simple beach-themed gift they’ll love?
Choosing a thoughtful gift is a great way to show your appreciation for their hard work. Whether they are looking to retire full time at the coach, or are looking forward to a few more extended vacations, there are plenty of great gift ideas out there in this category.
Retirement is a time for celebration, fun, and gratitude for their work. Let your gift(s) reflect these feelings!
With that said, here are 10 of the best beach-themed retirement gifts I’ve hand-picked that you can order right now.
1. Golf gift voucher at their favorite ocean course
With more time to hit the links, one creative idea for any retiree that loves golf is a gift certificate or voucher for a round of golf somewhere tropical.
Whether it’s Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, South Florida, or the California coast, this is a great choice if you already know where this special person spends their time.
An ocean course is my personal favorite, and would highly recommend a course set in a community like Naples, Florida, or another retirement community with lodging and activities nearby.
Tip: Make sure the voucher doesn’t have an expiration date if possible to give them more flexibility when planning a golf vacation.
2. Stand up paddleboard bundle by Drift
Stand-up paddleboards are one accessory many retirees are gravitating towards these days, and a fun way to stay active.
This bundle by Drift is lightweight, making it great for beginners, and comes with:
- a carrying backpack
- detachable fin
- coil ankle leash
- aluminum paddle
- air pump
- repair kit
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty
- 250 lb weight capacity
- Drop-stitch construction
This paddleboard can be quickly inflated/deflated and fits in the bag. Whether you’re going to the beach or hiking to an alpine lake, these boards are highly durable and are made for continuous use in the ocean, rivers, or lakes.
3. Waterproof Kindle paperwhite with subscription
One of the more practical accessories for beach lovers and anyone nearing retirement is a device to make reading easier.
With a sleek design and glare-free display, this waterproof Kindle Paperwhite has the portability of a tablet and reads like a book in direct sunlight. This one is particularly ideal for a relaxing day at the beach or an afternoon at the poolside.
Don’t worry about getting it wet because this Kindle is waterproof. With a long-lasting battery and 8 or 32 GB storage options, you can store plenty of your favorite books, comics, and magazines.
If you want to listen to a book instead, this Kindle has Audible available. Here are a few features worth noting:
- Bluetooth pairing
- Adjustable screen light
- Access to millions of titles with Kindle Unlimited subscription
- Waterproof
4. Fitbit Versa 2 smartwatch
It’s important to stay on top of your health and fitness routines. At under $150, this Fitbit Versa 2 is perfect for jogging on the beach, and tracks heart rate data, sleep quality, the number of daily steps taken, and more.
This smartwatch has a large display and provides easy access to weather information, call, and text messages, and can even be used to control your smart home devices.
You can also use the sound of your voice to activate Amazon’s assistant, Alexa, to manage various apps hands-free. It includes:
- Small and large bands
- 6-day battery life
- Full touch screen
- Multiple color options
- Alexa voice command
A perfect choice for anyone active, even if they prefer to only use wearables occasionally.
5. ‘I’m Retired Have Fun at Work Tomorrow’ beach towel
Make them laugh with this hilarious beach towel they can take on their next beach trip. A microfiber polyester blend, this towel is great for the beach, swimming pool, or bathroom.
This makes a great gift accessory for my next beach-themed item on the list.
6. Tommy Bahama striped beach chair set
Speaking from personal experience owning a pair of these, this Tommy Bahama Striped beach chair set is probably the best beach chair on the market in my option. This one has five different reclining positions and can also lay flat.
The chairs come in a pair, each of them with a striped blue pattern.
Each chair includes:
- A heavy-duty polyester fabric
- Lightweight aluminum construction will hold up to 300 lbs
- Insulated beverage pouch
- Adjustable pillow, cup holder, and folding towel bar.
You can also sometimes find these with an included umbrella to match.
7. Arctic Zone Titan cooler
Time spent relaxing under the hot sun needs to be accompanied by an ice-cold beverage. This Arctic Zone Deep Freeze cooler is the perfect cooler for just that.
It’s also compact and under 15 pounds, making it ideal for traveling. It features:
- Seamless design
- Integrated fish ruler
- Microban protection
- Tight seal lid
The bear-resistant, durable construction and polyurethane insulation will keep the contents secure and cold for up to 4 days.
Furthermore, the Microban protection and large drain help keep it clean and protected from bacteria and mold build-up.
8. ANDOILT polarized retro sunglasses men or women
Available in a variety of colors, these ANDOILT Polarized Sunglasses are super affordable, stylish, and great for the beach for him or her.
The polarized lens comes with a UV Protection coating, providing a clear view and ultimate protection from the sun’s rays at a much more lower price point than many offering similar specs.
- Composite frame/lens
- UVA and UVB protection
- 30-Day money-back guarantee
9. Suncreat outdoor hammock with stand
If you’re looking for a really comfortable gift for any retiree, this hammock on Amazon is one of the better ones I’ve come across.
I like this one because it comes with a stand, comes with a pillow, and a detachable quilted pad that you can wash.
The frame is also powder-coated, and it contains a magazine bag and bottle holder, making it the perfect gift.
Most hammocks I’ve seen in stores only include the nylon rope and wooden spreader bar (with maybe a stand), so this one really is the total package.
10. Cantilever style outdoor umbrella with stand
While you can find umbrellas just about anywhere, cantilever designs really stand out and are quite elegant in a variety of settings.
Many people use them near hot tubs, on decks, and by the pool, and are a great retirement gift they’re sure to enjoy.
This one pictured above you can pick up on Amazon for less than $200, comes in a variety of tropical colors and also includes:
- A 2-year warranty against fading
- 5 tilt settings and ability to rotate 360°
- Sturdy aluminum and iron frame
- Water and UV protection
Looking for even more beach-related ideas? Be sure to check out these two posts I wrote!
Retirement: Starting a new journey
Whether you go the practical route or the fun route, a simple gesture goes a long way. Most everyone loves the feeling of being at the beach, and what better way to celebrate than with a thoughtful gift.
If you’re looking into planning a vacation yourself or have been considering finding a place to get away at the coast, be sure to check out my post on buying a beach house vs a condo for a few basics to consider.
Hope it helps!
