Our favourite beach towels will help get you ready for summer 2024

Quick Drying Towels, Whitsunday Blue

Towels still damp from yesterday’s beach day? Musty smells becoming a problem? Look no further than the quick-drying towels from Dock & Bay. These microfibre towels absorb water quickly, allowing for faster dry times and more comfort when you’re getting out of the water. Also, specially designed loopless fabric lets sand and dirt easily fall off, so you don’t experience that unpleasant grittiness when drying yourself. Did we mention that it comes with a free matching storage pouch?

The Cloud Towel Series

It’s called the cloud towel for a reason; it’s light, soft, and plushy (like a cloud!), and it’s extra absorbent. The new cloud towel series from Friday Harbour comes in a variety of colours, from forest green to light pink. These towels are larger than your standard beach towel, providing extra comfort and more surface area for absorption. Despite being on the bigger side, they’re lightweight, easy to carry, and compact, rolling up to a size of only 5″ x 10″. Made from organic bamboo fibres, this towel is quiet luxury at its finest.

Turkish Cotton Body Towel

Turkish cotton is one of the newest trends sweeping the textile industry. Superior to Egyptian cotton, its fibres are shorter, meaning they’re lighter and dry faster. Pomp & Sass has a line of Turkish cotton body towels that comes in many different designs, but the white bears with maple leaves pattern is our favourite. Pomp & Sass is a Canadian owned-and-operated company that prioritizes ethical manufacturing. Plus, they donate part of their profits to the Canadian Women’s Foundation. Their towels are super versatile as well. Getting chilly at night by the pool or lake? These towels double as a convenient sarong or even a lightweight blanket.

Round Beach Towel with Fringe, Pineapple Stripes

This round pineapple towel from Bed Bath & Beyond caught our attention with its beautiful design. You won’t lose this eye-catching towel on a crowded beach! It’s also fringed with tassels for some added style. Plus, at 60″, this towel is extra large and the perfect size for couples or kids to sprawl out on. So get relaxing!

Gradient Pineapple and Purple Scales Jacquard Beach Towel 2-pack

“Honestly, the beach towels from Costco are elite,” says our Senior Editor, Alysha Vandertogt. We couldn’t agree more! Costco is the king of bulk items and deals, and their towels are no exception. Enjoy this two-pack of super-comfortable, ultra-absorbent towels from Costco that comes in two unique designs for only $45.

Checkered Organic Cotton Beach Towel

Simple, elegant, and eco-friendly describe the towels from Simons. We love the checkered pattern, but you can’t go wrong with any design or colour. And at a new, discounted price, the savings can’t be beat. Did we mention they’re made from 100% organic cotton, and that organic cotton is better for the environment? Organic growing methods minimize the use of pesticides and other chemicals and also use less water than traditional cotton cultivation techniques. By purchasing this towel, you’re reducing your carbon footprint, staying dry, and sporting a chic new beach accessory. Win, win, win!

Pink Flamingo Beach Towel

Joe Fresh offers a range of fun and funky towel designs, but we particularly enjoy this one with pink flamingos and tropical plants. These towels have it all: they’re a good size, they offer extra comfort, and they have good absorption and drying properties. Joe Fresh towels can be delicate, though, so be sure to machine wash in cold water on a gentle setting. On sale at only $7.50, this towel is the most affordable on our list, even at the regular price of $10.

Seaside Beach Towel, Turtles

Our Editor, Michelle Kelly, swears by L.L.Bean towels. “My daughter, Mary, is a competitive swimmer and has used hers four times a week over the past year and it still looks great.” Durability? Check. Generous size? Check. Cute sea turtle design? Check, check, check. The wonder of L.L.Bean towels is that they are yarn-dyed, meaning their colours won’t fade over time. That might be why it’s still in good condition, Michelle! Plus, you can get your towel monogrammed for free, so you never need to worry about picking up the wrong one.