People who were just trying to have a chill day at the beach

The sun, sand, and sea make for an ideal day out—whether you’re flying solo or hanging with friends. But every now and then, the beach turns into a bit of a free-for-all when the crowds roll in.

It’s nearly impossible to visit the beach without stumbling upon something strange or hilarious. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the wildest moments people have captured while soaking up the sun.

When The Sun Is Not Your Friend

For most people, a beach trip means lounging in the sun or taking a refreshing swim—but not for this individual. Sunbathing is completely off the table thanks to a major fear of sunburn. While that’s a valid concern, there are certainly less dramatic ways to stay protected.

We have to wonder—did they stay bundled up like a mummy all day, or sneak a quick peek at the ocean now and then? We’re betting there’s a layer of sunscreen under all that, too!

Romance Might Be Dead

There’s no way to know for certain, but this photo sure looks like a case of irony—a couple caught mid-argument while posing for romantic engagement shots at the beach. You can almost feel the photographer cringing behind the lens, snapping away regardless.

Honestly, we can’t blame the couple either—might as well get their money’s worth, argument or not. Hopefully, one day they’ll look back at these photos and laugh instead of seeing them as a sign of trouble. Wishing them the best either way!

Serious Mud Baths

For centuries, various types of mud have played a role in beauty routines—and it’s clear this family is fully on board. At first glance, they might look like they’re wearing black latex cosplay suits, but it’s actually just a full-body mud treatment.

It’s tough to say what the other beachgoers think, though one woman nearby definitely seems intrigued. Honestly, if it delivers results, we’d give it a shot too. Plus, the ocean’s right there for an easy rinse-off!

Garfield Phones

For three decades, Garfield phones have been mysteriously washing ashore on the beaches of Brittany, France. Many guessed that a shipping container carrying the phones had sunk years ago, resting somewhere on the ocean floor—and they weren’t far off.

The mystery was finally cracked in 2019 when a local farmer revealed he had discovered a metal shipping container filled with Garfield phones hidden in a cave back in the 1980s. Occasionally, the tide would carry the phones out to the beach, creating the strange spectacle.

Just Hanging With The Locals

Sand, water, and a handful of cows—what else could you ask for? Unlike the other animals we’ve encountered, these cows seem totally at ease on the beach, calmly hanging out near vacationers. We’re not sure which beach lets cows roam free like this, but it’s definitely on our must-visit list now.

We can’t help but wonder if they enjoy cooling off in the water—after all, everyone should get the chance to swim alongside some cows at least once. Those tourists better keep an eye on their lunches, though; we’re pretty sure the cows wouldn’t mind snatching a snack or two!

Will You Grab Me My Milk?

This baby should be every vacationer’s spirit animal. We don’t think we’ve ever seen someone kicking back with such suave and ease. The kid looks so relaxed it’s like he were born in that inner-tube. We should all take notes from this baby about what it means to take a load off, although surely their life isn’t all that stressful yet.

This is going to be a picture that the family needs to keep forever so the baby can prove that he’s been chilling since a young age. This would be a great social media photo later on in life. Cheers, little guy.

Beach Master

Here’s someone who really knows how to enjoy the beach. While others are busy dealing with towels, chairs, and grills, this guy is just relaxing with a cold drink. We don’t mind how much time it took to set up this seating—it definitely looks worth it. You could fit all your friends and family there and stay cozy by the fire.

But if you want to try this yourself, be sure to check the rules at your local beach first, because it might not be allowed in some spots.

Take Me Back Home Please!

This photo clearly shows that cats really don’t like water. The cat looks like it’s facing its worst fear, staring out at the vast ocean. It probably wants to escape but also stay as far away from the wet sand as it can.

We feel sorry for this poor kitty, but the picture is definitely worth it. We’re sure the next time this cat gets in a car, it’ll hope it’s headed to the vet and not the beach.

Be Careful What You Read In Public

It’s always smart to be mindful of what you’re reading in public. People often glance at what others have in their hands—whether waiting at a bus stop, riding a train, or relaxing at the beach. This woman should have made sure what her book cover looked like before holding it up to her face.

Fortunately, it’s nothing inappropriate, but it does look a bit strange. Plus, the way her arm is positioned isn’t helping. This might even startle any kids who see her.

The Beach With A View

Can you really say you went to the beach if there wasn’t a big fire on the pier? We’re pretty sure this fire was an unexpected surprise during their day at the beach, which is kind of ironic since the fire is right above the water. What’s really interesting about this photo is how no one seems to notice or care.

The first thing this girl did was snap a selfie with the fire, while the other girls in the background look totally calm. It just goes to show that nothing can ruin a beach day.

Hello Sea Dog, I’m Land Dog

Most dogs don’t get to meet many different kinds of animals in their lifetime, and seeing a sea lion is usually not one of them. These lucky dogs are probably among the few that get to meet a sea creature up close. It’s likely the three of them played together a bit, since sea lions sometimes like to play with dogs.

We’re glad someone captured their reactions on camera—both animals seem unsure what to make of each other. Even the more careful dog is running over just to take a look.

So Pitted

There’s probably nothing more exhilarating than catching a wave and suddenly finding yourself soaring 10 feet in the air, heading straight for the shore. This guy definitely seems like a pro, as it’s hard to believe an amateur could get that much air by accident.

But hey, at least it makes for a great Instagram shot—he looks surprisingly graceful, even though he’s likely about to feel some serious pain. Hopefully, the lifeguard was paying attention, because he may need some help after that fall!

“Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Roads”

We’re going to assume this person was driving along the beach and got caught by the rising tide. There can’t be many things worse than watching your prized truck slowly swallowed by the ocean while you stand there, powerless.

By the time the tide pulls back, this truck will likely be a total loss, so here’s hoping they’ve got solid insurance. Given how stunning this picture is, maybe they could post an ad on Craigslist, and who knows—someone might take it off their hands. But realistically, that’s probably not going to happen.

Couldn’t Contain Its Excitement

This baby elephant is either having the time of its life or possibly a rough day. We’re leaning toward the former, assuming it’s just too excited to be at the beach and couldn’t resist burying its head in the sand and water. Honestly, it looks pretty relaxing, especially for a baby elephant.

Maybe it’s its first time at the beach, and this is its way of reacting to something totally new. All we know is, it’s absolutely adorable and possibly one of the cutest sights we’ve ever seen at the beach.

You Can Never Be Too Careful

We all know that when you’re at the beach, your sandals are at risk of being swiped. This person is clearly taking extra precautions to keep their flip flops safe and sound. Before we judge, though, it’s possible these sandals have sentimental value or could even be a rare, limited-edition pair.

That said, the simplest way to keep them secure might just be to wear them. But hey, who wants to wear sandals at the beach in the first place, right?

A Horse Enjoying Its First Time At The Beach

This is an animal that doesn’t know what to do with itself. Much like the adorable elephant, it looks like this horse is overwhelmed seeing the beach for the first time. It’s probably a mix of amazement and confusion. Horses are generally very smart animals, so they know when they’re somewhere out of the ordinary.

Hopefully, this horse had an opportunity to frolic around in the water with his friends. Who knows, maybe he’ll even be hired to give couples romantic rides on the beach. That would be the life.

Hope He Has A Wireless Hotspot

Bringing your computer to the beach is risky for a number of reasons but that’s not stopping this guy. We’re not sure if there’s any wi-fi to be found on the beach but we’re sure he’s got that all handled. Aside from having a computer, he looks like he’s prepared for a successful workday at the beach.

He’s got a 12-pack of Dr. Pepper, a grill, an ice chest, and a few other beach necessities. We hope he’s watching a beach-themed movie like Endless Summer or Finding Nemo in order to get ready for his day at the beach.

Not The Children!

This is the definition of a family photo gone wrong. There are a multitude of emotions in this one photo, ranging from joy and fear to despair. Considering the smile on the dad’s face, it’s clear that he doesn’t even know what’s about to happen, and that their cute family photo is going to end in disaster. And possibly a mouthful of sand.

To keep things on the lighter side, we’re going to assume that the mom caught her baby by its feet miraculously and the family will be able to nervously laugh the situation off. It’s safe to say this might be their last family picture for the foreseeable future.

Always Look Behind Yourself Before Snapping A Photo!

This girl wanted nothing more than to have a nice selfie of her time at the beach. It is just too bad she didn’t think to look behind herself.

In the back of her photo, there is a night billboard of a young girl sticking her tongue out. It looks as though she is making fun of the girl taking the photograph!

“Every Girl At The Beach”

Listen it’s way too funny how square these guys hit the nail on the head. There’s no way they could be this accurate unless they were forced to take some of these pictures themselves for their sisters.

Just another day at the beach in middle school.