Can Muslims go to the beach?

Yes, Muslims can go to the beach. The sea is one of Allah's gifts, and a day by the water is allowed. What matters is covering your awrah (the parts of the body that must be covered), lowering your gaze, choosing a quieter spot where you can and praying on time. Seawater is even pure enough for wudu.

The sea is a blessing

Nothing in Islam forbids sand, sun and waves. When a man told the Prophet ﷺ that sailors carry little fresh water and asked whether they could use sea water for wudu, he replied, "Its water is pure and what dies in it is lawful food" (Sunan Abi Dawud 83). The beach itself is never the problem. Clothing and behaviour around it are what count.

What to wear

Men: most scholars say a man must cover from the navel to the knees, so wear knee-length swim shorts or board shorts. See Can Muslim men wear shorts on holiday?
Women: a burkini, or a long swim top with leggings, keeps you covered in the water. Choose thick, non-clingy fabric and pack a loose cover-up or long towel wrap for when you come out. See What is a burkini?

Lowering your gaze

A public beach is full of people in swimwear, so this is the real challenge. The Quran tells believing men to lower their gaze, and the verse after it (Quran 24:31) says the same to women:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do." Quran 24:30

An accidental glance isn't a sin. It's the lingering look we avoid. You can't control the crowd, but you can control where you sit:

Choose family beaches, quieter coves or weekday mornings.
Set up away from the party areas, where alcohol is often served.
Look out toward the sea or at your family rather than around the beach.

Scholars differ on how strict to be. Some advise avoiding mixed beaches altogether where there's another option. Others say it is allowed if you keep your own conduct clean, which is how most Muslims in Europe and the USA approach it, since nearly all public beaches are mixed.

Praying at the beach

A beach day usually covers Dhuhr and Asr, and the Quran reminds us that prayer has fixed times (Quran 4:103). Don't let the sun and the waves push it out.

Pray on clean, dry sand, ideally on a towel or a light prayer mat. Wet sand and rubbish are best avoided.
Sea water is pure for wudu, though it leaves salt behind, so some people bring a bottle of fresh water too.
Use a qibla app and pray a little away from the crowd. See Can I pray outside in a park?

Safety and good manners

Swim near a lifeguard and obey the flags, since rip currents are dangerous. Keep a close eye on children, and take your rubbish with you. For surfing and other water sports, see Can Muslims go surfing?

Key points

The beach is allowed; modesty and prayer are what you manage.
Men cover navel to knee; women choose full-coverage swimwear and a cover-up.
Lower your gaze and choose quieter spots where possible.
Pray on time on clean sand, and use sea water for wudu if needed.

Tip: Keep a small beach bag with a long towel wrap, a light prayer mat, a bottle of fresh water and a qibla app. Then praying takes five minutes and you can enjoy the rest of your day.