Vamos A La Playa! 50 Spanish Beach Vocabulary Words and Phrases

When the summer comes that means one thing: sunny weather, good vibes, and the beach.

Everyone is happy in the summer.

Perhaps it is because of the variety of colors, the warmth or maybe it is in the fact that we feel free when we go to the beach and enjoy ourselves with our friends and families.

But do you know what else can be a synonym for the summer?

The Spanish-speaking countries.

Accidentally (or not) all those countries are full of warm and open-hearted people. Good vibes are everywhere. And the language somehow makes you think about the summer and the beach.

So, naturally, you should learn some words and phrases that are related to the summer in Spanish.

It is especially useful if you plan your trip to one of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries in summer, or if you are already there and want to immerse yourself in the language.

Let’s get started.

How to Quickly Memorize Spanish Beach Vocabulary?

Memorizing beach-related vocabulary shouldn’t be that hard. But if you want to use some tips and tricks on how to quickly remember new words and phrases, we will suggest some.

• Use new words and phrases often. Using them frequently, helps your brain remember them better every time.

• Flashcard apps can be useful language learning tools, especially for learning new words and phrases.

• Use online resources, especially beach-related lessons to help you memorize expressions more quickly.

• Play Spanish games with words. There are many different and entertaining games you can play alone or with friends, even on the beach so not only you will learn something useful but you will have the time of your life. 

Spanish Beach Vocabulary: 50 Words And Phrase to Love Beach and Summer Even More

To The Beach

• El mar/la mar — Sea

The word ‘mar’ is among few Spanish words that can be both masculine and feminine. What is more important, both terms are correct. The only difference is that ‘el mar’ is commonly used in everyday conversations, while ‘la mar’ is more poetical.

• El océano — Ocean

• La orilla — Shore

• El cangrejo — Crab

• El delfin- Dolphin

• El pez — Fish

• La concha — Shell

• La marea — Tide

• Las olas — Waves

• El castillo de arena — Sandcastle

• El salvavidas/La salvavidas — Lifeguard

Depending on whether you are talking about male or female lifeguards, the article you will use will be different. If you want to use the word for a male lifeguard it is ‘el salvavidas.’ Should you use the words for female lifeguard, you say ‘la salvavidas.’

• El sol — Sun

• La arena — Sand

• La estrella de mar — Starfish

• La isla — Island

• La medusa — Jellyfish

• La playa — Beach

• Las algas — Algae

Things At And For The Beach

• La bolsa de playa — Beach bag

• La cámara — Camera

• La silla de playa — Beach chair

• Las botellas de agua — Water bottles

• Los aperitivos y bebidas  —Snacks and drinks

Beach Activities

What do you do when you go to the beach?

You bathe, swim, play volleyball, etc. But how will you say all these activities in Spanish?

We will help you.

• Bañarse — To be in the water

The verb ‘bañarse‘ is a reflexive verb, which can be literally translated as ‘to bathe oneself.’

• Broncearse — To get tan

• Bucear — To dive or snorkel

• Hacer esquí acuático- Water skiing

• Hacer surf — To go surfing

Apart from ‘haser surf,’ you can also use the verb ‘surfear.’ Both verbs are correct and equally used.

• Hacer velero- Parasailing

• Jugar al frisbee/jugar al disco — To play frisbee

• Jugar al voleibol — To play volleyball

• Nadar — To swim

• Pescar — To fish

• Tomar el sol — To sunbathe

The difference between this verb and ‘broncearse’ is in the action itself. While the verb ‘tomar el sol’ is the action of sunbathing, ‘broncearse’ is the process of getting the tan.

Clothes And Co.

What do you have in your beach bag?

And how would you say it in Spanish?

Let’s see together.

• El balón de playa/la pelota de playa — Beach ball

Surely, you’ve heard that sometimes the Spaniards use the word ‘el balon’ while in some situations they say ‘la pelota.’

So what’s the difference?

There isn’t a particular difference between these two words but we could say that ‘el balon’ usually refers to bigger balls, such as beach ball or basketball, while ‘la pelota’ is used for smaller balls, like baseball for example.

• El cubo — Pail

• El Sombrero- Hat

• La cometa — Kite

• La crema solar/el bloqueador solar/el protector solar — Sunblock

• La pala — Shovel

• La sombrilla — Umbrella

• La tabla de surf — Surfboard

• La toalla — Towel

• Las chanclas — Flip flops

• Las gafas de sol/los lentes de sol — Sunglasses

Useful Spanish Beach Phrases

• ¿Cuáles son las horas de playa?- What are the beach hours?

• ¿Es seguro nadar aquí?- Is it safe to swim here?

•  ¿Hay un salvavidas de servicio?- Is there a lifeguard on duty?

• ¿Quieres ir a la playa?- Do you want to go to the beach?

• ¿Puedo nadar aquí?- Can I swim here?

Final Thoughts

Now that you are well-equipped with 50 words and phrases related to the beach and summer, you can start packing yourself.

However, don’t forget that practicing speaking skills is equally important. For conversations, Spanish tutors are a great help because they all are native Spanish speakers so you will have the same feeling just like you are talking to the locals.