Beach Equipment Rental in St. Augustine

Where to rent chairs, umbrellas, bikes, and beach gear without buying it for one trip.

If you're flying into St. Augustine for a week at the beach, you don't want to buy a beach chair, an umbrella, a cooler, and a wagon — and you definitely don't want to drag any of it onto a plane. The good news: St. Augustine has a couple of well-established local rental operators who deliver everything you need directly to your hotel, condo, vacation rental, or to the beach itself. Both will set up your gear in the morning and break it down at the end of the day. You don't lift anything heavier than your phone.

Two operators handle most of the local rental market, and locals send tourists to either one depending on who answers the phone first. They're both legitimate, both delivery-based, both reasonably priced. Reserve in advance during peak season (March through August), and you're set.

Where to Rent

Drifters Beach and Bike Rentals

Drifters has been running St. Augustine's beach delivery scene since 2017. They cover St. Augustine Beach, Crescent Beach, and Butler Beach with daily setups ready by 10 AM and broken down at the end of the day. Their inventory leans modern: backpack beach chairs, shade tents, umbrellas, beach games, kids toys, coolers, wagons, and a fleet of bikes including beach cruisers, kids bikes, and e-bikes. They also operate Drifters City Bike Share, a locally focused bike share program with stations at partner businesses across St. Augustine and Anastasia Island.

Reserve online or by phone. Same-day service is often available with a morning call.

Big Bill's Beach Stuff

Big Bill's has been around since 2005 (with roots back to Barney's Beach Service in 1992) and offers the broadest inventory in the area — full beach gear plus baby cribs, surfboards, paddleboards, gas and charcoal grills, and even metal detectors. Their geographic footprint is the widest of any local operator: Ponte Vedra Beach and Vilano Beach south through St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach, Crescent Beach, and Palm Coast.

Like Drifters, Big Bill's is delivery-based. They bring your rentals to the hotel, condo, vacation home, or directly to the beach, and pick up at the end of your rental. Online booking is available, and they stock more baby cribs than anyone else in the area — useful for families flying in.

For Ponte Vedra Beach delivery, call ahead for rates and confirmation.

What You Can Rent

Both operators handle the standard beach gear list and beyond:

Beach setup: chairs, umbrellas, shade tents, beach tables, beach wagons
Bikes: beach cruisers, kids bikes, e-bikes (Drifters specializes here)
Water gear: surfboards, paddleboards, boogie boards
Kids: beach toys, games, baby cribs, pack-n-plays, beach wheelchairs
House gear: coolers, grills (gas and charcoal), folding tables, extra chairs
Specialty: metal detectors, beach-accessible wheelchairs

If you need something specific, call ahead. Both operators are responsive and will tell you straight whether they can help.

How It Works

The process is essentially the same with both companies:

Reserve online or by phone. Most rentals can be booked the day before, but peak season (spring break, summer, holidays) fills up fast — give yourself a few days of cushion.
Choose delivery time and location. Hotel, condo, vacation rental, or directly to the beach.
Gear is set up by 10 AM at most beach locations.
Pickup at end of day for beach setups, or end of rental period for longer-term gear like bikes and grills.
Pay by credit card during reservation; both operators take payment online or over the phone.

Daily and weekly rates are available. Weekly rates save real money for stays of three days or more.

Tips for Visitors

Reserve early during peak season. March through August fills up. Holidays especially.
Confirm coverage for your specific beach. Drifters serves St. Augustine Beach, Crescent, and Butler; Big Bill's covers a wider footprint including Vilano and Ponte Vedra. If you're north of the Bridge of Lions, check before booking.
Ask about discounts for longer stays. Weekly and multi-day rates are usually significantly cheaper than daily.
Check whether your rental property already provides beach gear. Many St. Augustine vacation rentals include beach chairs and umbrellas — your property manager will know.
Beach wheelchairs are available. Both operators have them; reserve in advance.
Don't forget the small stuff. Coolers, beach games, and kids toys are easy to overlook but make the day better.

Where Else to Look

If your beach rental doesn't include gear and the local operators are booked, several St. Augustine vacation rentals include beach equipment as part of the rental package — worth checking before you book. Big-box stores like Walmart and Target on US-1 are options for buying cheap gear if you'd rather own it for the trip and donate it when you leave. But for most visitors, renting from Drifters or Big Bill's is faster, easier, and cheaper for a week-long stay.

Related Guides

Best Beaches in St. Augustine

Crescent, Vilano, St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia — which one is right for your trip.

Things to Do with Kids

Family-friendly attractions, beaches, splash parks, and gear-friendly outings.

Pet-Friendly St. Augustine

Dog-friendly beaches, patios, hotels, and walking routes for visiting with pets.

Plan Your St. Augustine Beach Day

Pair your rental with the right beach and the right place to stay.