The Best Travel Beach Towel for Adults & Kids

Woman walking along the beach holding up a Nakie sand-free beach towel with ocean waves in the background.

When it comes to travel, space is gold. Whether you’re heading off on a family beach holiday or a sneaky weekend away, bulky, slow-drying towels are usually the first thing you regret packing. That’s why a travel beach towel that’s light, compact, and does its job (i.e. properly dries you) is essential.

Enter Nakie’s sand-free travel beach towels. They’re soft, quick-drying, eco-friendly, and pack down small enough to live in your tote bag or backpack permanently. And if you’re travelling with little ones, the kids’ hooded towels will become your best friend.

Woman standing on a coastal lookout deck holding up a round Nakie towel with scenic ocean views behind her.

Why Your Old Beach Towel Isn’t Cutting It

We’ve all done it: packed the thick, fluffy “good” towel thinking it’ll be perfect for the beach. Two swims later, it’s heavy, takes forever to dry, and now smells like old sunscreen and wet dog. Traditional towels are fine at home, but for travel? They’re basically luggage padding.

A proper travel beach towel should be:

Lightweight and easy to pack
Quick-drying, even in humid weather
Absorbent enough to dry you completely
Sand-free so you’re not bringing the beach back with you
Durable and eco-friendly, because why not do a little good while you’re out exploring

Nakie’s sand-free travel towels hit every one of those boxes. And, if you’re wondering if sand-free beach towels actually work, go ahead and read this.

What Makes Nakie’s Travel Beach Towels So, So Good

1. Sand-free weave

Made from 86% recycled plastic and 14% polyamide, the fabric has a smooth, tight weave that stops sand from sticking. One quick shake and it’s gone.

2. Quick-drying and ultra-absorbent

Each towel holds up to a litre of water but dries in around 30 minutes, perfect for back-to-back swims or when you’re on the move.

3. Lightweight and packable

They fold down small into their own water-resistant neoprene bags, so you can throw one in your suitcase, car, or backpack and forget it’s there until you need it.

4. Larger than average

At 160cm × 90cm, Nakie’s towels are 15% bigger than standard beach towels. Plenty of space to lie out, dry off, or share with your mini human.

5. Made for the planet

Each towel saves up to 56 plastic bottles from landfill and the ocean, and Nakie plants four trees for every one sold. So while you’re off exploring the world, you’re giving a little back to it too.

Two women relaxing on the sand on a Nakie sand-free XL beach towels under the sun.

For the Little Travellers: Nakie’s Kids’ Hooded Towels

Kids plus travel equals chaos, and that’s before you hit the beach. The Kids’ Hooded Sand-Free Towel makes things just a little easier with a soft, lightweight towel they can throw on themselves that dries fast, keeps them warm, and doesn’t drag sand through the car.

Made from the same recycled sand-repelling fabric as the standard towel, the hooded design gives them full coverage while keeping their hands free (which means fewer dropped towels and less “Muuum, I’m cold!”).

Plus, it’s available in three handy sizes

Small (1–3 years) – 45 × 50 cm
Medium (3–6 years) – 50 × 60 cm
Large (6–15 years) – 60 × 80 cm

Each one folds into its own little bag, so you can toss it straight into your beach tote or daypack without taking up any space.

And because we get it, they come in matching patterns like Kasey Rainbow, Rosy Tides, and Salty Waves, so your mini-me can twin with you if that’s your thing (or theirs).

Group of kids standing at the edge of the water wearing Nakie hooded towels.

Why Travellers Love Nakie Towels

They don’t stay wet. You can hang them on a tree branch, a shower hook, or the side of your van, and they’ll be dry before you’ve finished your coffee.

They don’t smell. No more damp, mildewy towels lurking in your bag. The quick-dry fabric stops that before it starts.

They don’t shed sand. Shake it once, and the sand stays where it belongs (on the beach, not in your clothes, bag, or car seats).

They’re good-looking and hard-working. With colours and patterns inspired by the Aussie coast, they look as good on the beach as they do hanging off your backpack in transit.

Where Can You Use Nakie’s Travel Beach Towels?

These towels aren’t just for the beach. They’re designed for adventure – anywhere, anytime.

Camping trips: Fast-drying, space-saving, and ideal for swimming holes or showers.
Pool days: Soft on skin, easy to pack, and dry by the time you’re ready to go.
Road trips: Keep one in the car for spontaneous swims or spill emergencies.
Waterfall hikes: Lightweight enough to clip to your bag, strong enough to use as a mat.
Hotels or hostels: Way better than the “one per guest” towel situation.
Sports days or park hangs: Easy to clean, soft to sit on, and quick to shake off grass or dirt.

Basically, if there’s water (or mess), a Nakie towel belongs there.

Woman sitting on the sand near the shoreline on a Nakie sand-free beach towel.

Shop the Travel Range

Ready to pack smarter for your next beach escape? Explore Nakie’s full range of travel-ready essentials:

Sand-Free Beach Towels – lightweight, quick-drying, and made from recycled plastic bottles.
Kids & Adult Hooded Towels – soft, sand-free, and easy for little ones (and big ones) to throw on themselves.
Picnic Blankets – big, soft, and perfect for family beach days or picnics.
Tote Bags & Backpacks – easy to carry, eco-friendly, and made for adventures on the go.
Protein Bars – Nakie’s newest protein bars are essential when you’re travelling – good for energy, recovery, and everyday wellness.

Everything Nakie makes is designed to go anywhere, dry fast, and last for years, so you can spend less time packing and more time enjoying the ride.

One Travel Beach Towel, Endless Adventures

A good travel beach towel should make travelling simpler, and Nakie’s sand-free beach towels definitely do the trick. Whether you’re chasing waves or wrangling little ones, you’ll be glad to have one (or two) in your bag.

SHOP TRAVEL BEACH TOWELS

Woman standing on the beach wearing a red bikini and carrying a folded Nakie sand-free XL beach towel bag.

Travel Beach Towels FAQs

Do Nakie’s sand-free travel beach towels actually dry you properly?

Yep! Each towel absorbs up to one litre of water, plenty for a full dry-off, even after a long swim.

Are they machine washable?

Yes, but we recommend that you hand-wash. However, you can use a cold, gentle machine wash/spin cycle separately with a non-bleaching product.

Do the hooded towels work for older kids?

They do. The large size fits up to around age 15, so even teens can use them comfortably. Otherwise, we have the large, adult versions too!

Do Nakie towels fade or stretch out?

Nope. The recycled fabric blend is durable and keeps its shape and colour, even with regular washing and salty use.

Can adults and kids use the same towel?

Definitely. The regular sand-free towel is a great all-rounder for everyone, and the hooded versions just make life easier for younger travellers.

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