Can You Use a Hammock on the Beach?

Written By Matthew Cordero

The beach is one of the best places for relaxing and hammock camping. It’s the idyllic setting for unwinding as you enjoy the breeze, take a nap, or enjoy a good book. But how does one set up a hammock on the beach?

There are different ways to use a hammock on the beach. You’ll need to find two anchor points either between two poles, trees, or on a horizontal tree then hang it from there. However, if there are no feasible anchor points, you can take a portable hammock stand with hammock to the beach.

Whether there are anchor points or not, you can enjoy a hammock on the beach. Read on below to learn how.

hammock on the beach

How Do You Hang a Hammock on the Beach?

There are two main ways you can hang a hammock on the beach. One is by looking for two anchor points, which can either be between two poles, trees, or on a horizontal tree. The other is by bringing your own portable hammock stand with hammock on the beach, which is a convenient alternative if there are no anchor points or trees nearby to hang from.

Between Two Anchor Points

Ideally, anchor points should be around 10 to 15 feet apart to accommodate most hammocks. Keep this in mind when scouting for a location on the beach. Two anchor points can be found between two poles or trees, but hammocks can also be hung from a horizontal tree as long as it isn’t too close to the ground.

What You’ll Need

When you’re on the beach, hanging a hammock is much simpler since you don’t need any power tools. However, you will need some simple equipment. Below is the list of things you’ll need to hang a hammock on the beach, as well as some hammock recommendations, all of which are available on Amazon (note: we take a small commission from Amazon if you purchase any of these):

-   A beach hammock, ideally made from nylon because these are lighter and portable compared to woven cotton hammocks. In addition, nylon hammocks dry quickly and work well in any climate.

-   Hammock tree straps, which should be durable and wide enough for hanging your hammock without damaging the tree. These should be durable and heavy-duty for your safety.  

-   Carabiners will come in handy for connecting the hammock to the tree straps. Choose heavy-duty carabiners that are designed to withstand more than your own weight.

Process

Once you’ve located your anchor points, you can begin setting up your hammock. Below is a step-by-step guide, and even if you aren’t able to find anchor points, alternatives are included too:

  1. Knot one end of one strap to make a secure loop, making sure there’s a foot-long diameter to the other end.
  2. Place the strap around one tree or pole, some 5 feet off the ground.
  3. Put the untied end of the strap into the loop found on the knot on the other end. Pull the strap through the loop.
  4. Make another loop as close to the tree as possible, and make another knot. This is the knot you will be attaching the carabiner to.
  5. Allocate around one feet long of extra strap then tie a knot on its end. Trim it with a lighter or scissors to avoid fraying later on.
  6. Place a carabiner on the open loop.
  7. Attach your hammock to the carabiner.
  8. Repeat on the other side of the tree or pole. If you are hanging from a horizontal tree, repeat this on another end of the tree. 

Once you’re done with the hammock, you can unpack it and take it with you home or to your next destination.

Hammock Stands

If the beach you’re going to doesn’t have adequate anchor points or trees in the vicinity, portable hammock stands with hammocks are your next best bet. These are recommended because they are lightweight, and you can pack them up in your vehicle when you move from one place to another.

In short, hammock stands let you take a hammock to the beach with minimal effort needed to set it up.

These are some high-quality, portable hammock stands that already come with a hammock. They’re available on Amazon too:

Given these options, you can now hang a hammock no matter what kind of beach you’re going to.

Conclusion

Relaxing on a hammock while on the beach is now possible with these options. There’s no reason you wouldn’t be able to prop up a hammock in any beach.