Sun, sand and good vibes — the beach is the perfect backdrop for a wild day out with friends. And with the right beach drinking games, your beach day turns into a story you'll be laughing about for years. On the beach, the games that work best combine movement and skill with the party — sand, water and wind included. Here you'll find the best beach drinking games with full instructions, plus tips on what to watch out for in the heat and by the water.
Last updated: 6 June 2024
What makes a good beach drinking game? One that makes the most of the sand, the water and the wide-open space of the beach — usually with some movement, throwing or skill involved. The best ones need little gear, all of it unbreakable, and whoever loses takes a sip.
💡 By the way: that's exactly why we built the wooden mini skis — combined with a glass and a binding, they become the original ski you wear around your neck. More on that below ↓
Active Beach Drinking Games for the Sand
Frisbee Drinking Game
- Two teams stand a few metres apart, each with a cup (or an empty bottle as a target) in front of them.
- One team throws the frisbee and tries to knock over the other team's cup. If it hits, the other team drinks.
- Anyone who fails to catch the frisbee while their own target is being aimed at takes an extra sip. The sand cushions every fall.
Beach Boules (bocce) with a Drinking Twist
- Played like classic boules (or bocce, if you're in the US): everyone tries to throw their ball as close as possible to the small target ball.
- Whoever lands furthest away takes a sip. The winner of each round gets to reposition the target ball.
- Nothing rolls away in soft sand — perfect for the beach.
Beach Ball Roulette
- Everyone stands in a circle (in shallow water or on the shore) and passes a beach ball around.
- Whoever drops the ball or throws it wide takes a sip. The pace picks up after every round.
Pouring a Shotski in Mallorca outside the Bamboleo Bar – @apresallstars
Good to know: the wooden mini skis really come into their own once you add a glass and a binding — that's when they turn into the original ski you wear around your neck.
Creative Beach Drinking Games
The Sandcastle Bet
- Two teams have a set amount of time (say, 15 minutes) to build the best sandcastle.
- An independent jury (or a phone vote from the group) picks the winner. The losing team takes a shared sip.
- Bonus tasks like "with a moat" or "three towers" raise the difficulty.
Beach Flunkyball
- Two teams face off, with an empty bottle stuck in the sand between them. Everyone has a drink in front of them.
- One team throws a ball and tries to knock the bottle over. If they hit it, the whole team can drink — until the other team has stood the bottle back up and shouted "Stop!".
- Whoever empties all their drinks first wins. The running around in the sand is half the fun.
Never Have I Ever — Beach Edition
- For the relaxed moments on the towel: everyone takes turns saying "Never have I ever…", and whoever has done the thing takes a drink.
- Example lines: "Never have I ever lost my swim trunks in the sea", "…gotten sunburned at the beach and not noticed until it was too late".
More Beach Drinking Game Classics for the Group
Beach Volleyball with a Drinking Rule
- Play regular beach volleyball — but with one extra rule: the team that concedes a point takes a sip.
- On an ace (an unreturned serve), the whole losing team drinks. That's how the sports game turns into a rowdy, good-natured contest.
The Seashell Hunt
- The game leader calls out a task: "bring me the prettiest shell", "a stone with a hole in it" or "something blue from the beach".
- Everyone runs off to find it. Whoever gets back last, or comes back empty-handed, takes a sip. A ton of fun that gets everyone moving without anyone noticing.
Categories — Beach Edition
- The beach twist on the classic categories game: for a given letter, players fill in categories like "beach activity", "cocktail", "holiday destination" and "something found in the water".
- Whoever finishes last or leaves a blank drinks. Perfect for a relaxed group in the shade.
Tips for Drinking Games at the Beach
- No glass in the sand: for drinking beach games, stick to unbreakable cups and gadgets made from wood or plastic — broken glass hidden in the sand is dangerous.
- Sun protection and water: sun, heat and alcohol are a risky mix. Drink plenty of water, apply sunscreen and find some shade.
- Don't swim while drunk: anyone who's been drinking stays on the shore — swimming with alcohol in your system is dangerous.
- Take your rubbish with you: pack up cups, bottles and leftovers again — the beach should stay beautiful.
- Play alcohol-free too: every game works just as well with spritzer or juice, so everyone can join in.
Tip from experience: labelling one of the four blank discs on the Miniski Roulette with your own group's inside jokes turns every evening into a game of its own.
More Drinking Game Inspiration
Looking for more drinking games on the beach — or beyond? Find more rules over at drinking games without equipment and the best drinking games. For the campsite, try our camping drinking games, and for the garden, our garden drinking games.
FAQ
Which drinking games work best for the beach?
Movement and skill games — Frisbee Drinking Game, Beach Boules, Beach Ball Roulette and Beach Flunkyball — make the best drinking games for the beach, since they make full use of the sand and water. For quieter moments on the towel, "Never Have I Ever" is the pick.
What gear do I need for beach drinking games?
As little as possible, and always unbreakable: a frisbee, a beach ball, a few boules and sturdy cups made from plastic or wood — that's really all most beach drinking games for adults need. Glass has no business on the beach.
What should I watch out for with drinking games at the beach?
Sun protection and plenty of water, no glass in the sand, no alcohol before swimming, and taking your rubbish with you. That's how the beach day stays safe and fun.
Can you play beach drinking games with no equipment?
Yes. "Never Have I Ever", The Sandcastle Bet and guessing games barely need any gear at all — genuine beach drinking games no equipment can't spoil. For more action, all you need is a frisbee or a beach ball.
Which drinking gadget works well for the beach?
Sturdy wooden gadgets like the Miniskis you wear around your neck, or a Mini-Ski Roulette. They're unbreakable, sand-proof and need no power source.
Do the beach drinking games work without alcohol too?
Yes, they all work just as well with spritzer, juice or water. With sun and heat in the mix, an alcohol-free round is usually the smarter choice anyway.
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