Wild Beach Moments That Were Caught On Camera

When the summer rolls around, most people can only think of one thing: the beach! The sound of waves crashing onto the golden sand. The feeling of the sun on your back and the breeze in your hair. You want to capture this moment of bliss forever. So, you pull out your camera — but then it all goes horribly wrong... We’ve rounded up 40 of the most hilarious, awkward, and perfectly timed beach photos ever. These snaps may not inspire you to head to the shore any time soon, but we promise they’ll make you laugh!

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Rule #1 of beach club: you don't eat without guarding your snacks. Look left, look right, look up, look everywhere! Whatever you do, quality snacking can only be guaranteed if you pay close attention to your surroundings at all times. Those pesky seagulls are relentless, and no ice cream cone will go undetected in their presence. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Right on

Spending a day at the beach is bar "nun" one of the best parts of summer. This lady must have managed to escape the convent for just long enough to shred some waves on her surfboard and hang ten with her habit out. Let's just hope she didn't forget to switch her radicals for a Hallelujah after she hot-footed it back to the nunnery. 

Praise be!

Why stop at surfing nuns when you can get a full-blown miracle? Well, almost. At first glance, it looks like this woman’s makeshift stage is actually floating over the sand. Sorry to disappoint you, though, but that’s just the shadow of a flag behind her. In actual fact, the plank’s securely stationed on the beach. Boo!

Downward dog

Is it a dog? Is it human? Who knows! What we do know, however, is that at the end of a long day at the beach, all you want to do is relax and put your feet up. If you do, though, be sure to know your angles. A photo snapped from the side may make you look like a doggie version of a centaur, and no one wants that.

Something fishy

Not all beach activities — or hilarious photos — happen on the sand. Take this underwater snap, for example. We know that it’s probably just a weird angle, and there’s a person swimming behind the gilled guy at the front. What we really hope, though, is there’s a strange half-man, half-fish hybrid somewhere in the deep blue sea.

Likes long walks on the beach

Whether they're a dog or lonely soul on a dating site, everyone knows someone who enjoys a stroll along the shore. Usually our canine friends take in the vista on all fours, though! Seems like this pup had a different idea in mind, taking on the coast on two feet and looking oddly human in the process. We’ll name him Roger.

Friend still loading

It’s a lovely day at the beach, and a man decides to whip out his balls. Careful now — we mean ones for juggling! And we’re glad he did, as the ball dangling overhead in this snap makes one dude look as though he’s having a software malfunction. A Redditor quipped, “I think he might be frozen because it looks like he has the spinning beach ball of death.”

Turf’s up

Nothing says "We had a great time at the beach" quite like snapping pictures at the end of a pier. You’ve got the quaint wood decking in the foreground and a beautiful backdrop of bright blue sea. What's not to love? Well... territorial avian photobombers for one. Let this be your warning — beware of angry seabirds that will probably peck you for taking photos on their turf!

Abort! Abort!

Okay, so maybe not all dogs are thrilled to be by the ocean. Take exhibit A, for example — this poor pup who was clearly startled by something unexpected appearing in the sand. But what could have caused such a dramatic reaction? As the Redditor who shared the photo described it, “My friend’s dog got a scare from a crab on the beach and hit the eject button!” Creepy crustaceans. Makes sense! 

One... two... three... wheee!

Slippery sunscreen hands -1, family -0. A treasured photo of an adorable family moment taken while they gallivanted across the beach is probably what they had in mind. Well, that’s not what happened for this family, who clearly didn’t plan their pose ahead of their sandy shoot. Fingers crossed the baby landed upright after his few seconds in mid-air. Take note ahead of your next beach photo opportunity, because this is exactly how you don't want it to go.

Why the sand face?

Digging holes. Building castles. Burying that one friend who falls asleep. There are so many classic sand-based activities at the beach! And we imagine this incredible photo will inspire a new trend in the future. Yep, draw in the sand and make use of shadows, and you too can turn yourself into an emoji. Just go easy on the peaches and aubergines, okay?

I heart you, stranger

What’s sweeter than a family photo on the beach? A family photo on the beach with heart hands, of course. Unfortunately, this adorable snapshot will forever commemorate the wrong special someone. See the woman in the back there? Well, she sort of ruined the moment when she unknowingly walked into the frame. Here's hoping she made it onto their Christmas card list or, at the very least, into the family album.

Meet the facekini

If snow people can wear ski masks, why can't beach people wear sun masks? If the answer is because they are the stuff of nightmares, then that makes sense. We shouldn't judge, though, as these sun-conscious pioneers had the last laugh when they avoided sunburns and wrinkles. But what about the tan lines?

Don’t filch my flops

Now you may have been wondering why this beachgoer chose to lock up such a low-cost item, but take a minute to remember the last time you laid your toes on molten sand. Lightbulb moment? Go ahead, make your jokes, but when you're hopping across that boiling hot sand from foot to foot like a life or death version of hot potato, you'd wish you could swipe these flip-flops. 

Plane spotting

Visitors to this destination can guarantee one thing: their beach day will never have a dull moment. And really, there's nothing more relaxing than the dull roar of a plane. Well, whipping winds sending sand into every orifice puts up stiff competition. Hopefully, the guests at this resort were given a discount for their proximity to the action. 

Say cheese!

You've packed up your towels, checked the sand for valuables, and bagged up your beach BBQ remnants. But it feels like you're forgetting something? A selfie! It's kind of a bummer when everyone's having such a good time that they forget to snag photo evidence of the #bestdayever. Good thing these pals made time for a shoot. And judging by their blissful expressions, they go way back.

Paw-sitively hating it

So far this list has featured plenty of happy dogs frolicking on the beach. But we’ve yet to see one smiling coastal cat — and we’re starting to think we won’t find one. Just look at this pet taking what’s apparently its “first and last trip to the beach.” That cat has seen things it doesn’t ever want to witness again.

Gulls just wanna have fun

There are so many certainties in life beyond death and taxes. If you bring food to a beach that has any birds — and let’s face it, that’s pretty much all of them — then you can expect another inevitability. Your picnic will be raided by hungry, shameless seagulls, just as this one was. What can we learn from this? Make sure there's a camera set up at all times to capture the chaos.

You had one job

Way to go, Jerry! Clearly, he did not understand the assignment. In Jerry's defense, he wasn't wrong — that couch is technically a type of fold-out chair. His roommates may have flipped out when they saw the living room was empty, and when they changed the locks, no doubt Jerry curled up on his impromptu water bed. So if you're looking for comfort that's better than a basic lawn chair, simply borrow a buddy's truck, load up your coach, and drive it right up to the ocean. Just make sure your insurance covers water damage!

Cool as a cucumber

And relax! Everyone knows it's impossible to be stressed when your face is covered in cucumbers. At first glance, it appears this girl didn't get the memo about exactly how much cucumber it takes to reach optimum levels of relaxation. On further examination, she probably just packed a veggie-heavy lunch and forgot the plates. Use what you've got, we say! 

Having foam?

Do you remember your first time visiting the beach? If you were as little as this guy, you probably don’t. But if your parents snapped a photo like this one, you’ll be reminded forever. When your first girlfriend comes round, you bet your mom’s whipping out this snap to embarrass you.

Mixed messages

With the sand in your toes and that catchy Mary Poppins song ringing in your ears, you’re walking to the beach with one goal: flying your beloved kite. Good thing that sign in front of you is practically beckoning you to release your toy into the gleaming blue sky. But wait… what does that fine print say? “Actually cannot. Sorry. Find something else to do.” Talk about a letdown.

Dune-not run

Talk about the school of hard knocks. But hey, some lessons just have to be learned the hard way. Take this little girl running down a sand dune, for example. Sure, it would have been pretty easy for her father to have told her she’d probably slip and fall, but would she listen? Probably not. We imagine she totally gets it now, though.

Parkour pups

Got a dog? Then they probably adore the beach. It’s basically a massive sandy park, after all. And when this trio of furry friends headed to the shore, they got involved in what appears to be an intense game of catch. That pup who went for the glory didn’t quite get the ball, but she could still pass her hilarious moves off as, um, barkour.

You want to do what?

At first glance, this adorable photo op seems like a regular recreation pic. Dig a little deeper, though, and it starts to get strange. Luckily, the Redditor who shared this side-by-side photo explained the hilarious way it came about. He wrote, “My lady friend wanted a piggyback picture on the beach.” Then a stranger approached with a bizarre request for the couple. The poster continued, “A random biker watching the sunset said he wanted one, too.” Both unexpectedly cute and kind of creepy!

“Heck no! We won’t go!”

Looks like this little guy has some serious feelings about the sea. It's just a shame their pet parent didn't notice! They must have missed the lesson that not every salty dog is, in fact, seaworthy. Sometimes a pup just likes to rest its fuzzy corgi buns in the warm sand, because when it comes down to it, they recognize a bath in disguise.

Couch on the coast

The internet says that people with wacky but inspired ideas are “living in the year 3020.” Like this pair with their comfy innovation. And you don’t have to wait hundreds of years to follow in their lead. The points and stares won’t matter, either, when you’re sitting pretty with no sand in your butt.

The number two best sunset ever

If you’re on a western-facing beach, you’re in for a real treat at dusk. And as colorful pastels splash across the sky, you take a picture so that you never forget what you’re seeing. If a dog just so happens to walk in front of your camera and do his business, well... you’re sure to remember that for a lifetime, too.

Snarky shark

No one really wants to see a shark while they’re at the beach. You run the risk of going home with one less leg than you came with. But a small finned fish with a lot of personality? We can live with that — especially when it looks more likely to sigh wearily than bite your arm off.

On reflection, don’t bother

One Redditor claimed that a “sweet old man at the beach” offered to take a photo of him and his wife by the sea. A nice gesture, of course… but the senior snapper didn’t exactly follow through. Yes, that’s his own face in shot! We hope the lovebirds had this framed after their vacation.

Starstruck

Well, at least they're not leeches! She got up one morning thinking she'd spend a fun day catching rays. But now that she's been chosen, she has to stay a beach fixture forever. Seriously, though, while starfish are completely harmless, it takes a person with real guts to allow those five-pointed creatures to climb all over their body. Maybe she's part mermaid or something.

Better luck next time

Now, you don't have to be a sea captain to know this doesn't look right. Seems like the skipper revved the engine too hard. And, not to mention, he clearly did not remotely understand how a boat trailer worked. Nevertheless, they would have made it out of the marina parking lot if it weren't for that pesky telephone pole.

Effortlessly cool

Here’s a wholesome addition to the list: a very cool dog who’s having a great day at the beach. Or so we assume, anyway, from the big smile on his face. The real question is, how quickly can we get to the coast? And where can we purchase a pair of those glasses? It’s time to get on this doggo’s level.

Bargain horseback tour

When you think of relationship red flags, skimping on a date might not be on your list of no-nos. But take note — next time you agree to a romantic gallop along the beach, you should probably read the fine print before you dig out your riding crop. Simply make sure you’ll be riding on an actual horse and not just saddling up on a guy who’s wearing a mask. Unless that’s your bag, of course.

Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

Where do seagulls get the sea gall? In hindsight, the next time this hungry beach-goer fancies a shore-side sugar-coated bun, maybe they should focus on scarfing their tempting snack before taking a selfie. But then the world would miss out on wickedly amusing action shots like this. Decisions, decisions...

Keep it casual

There's a time and a place for wearing in a new pair of leather boots. And arguably, a scorching hot beach isn't the ideal spot for such a task. Saying that, there really is no dress code for the beach — a message this fashionista heard loud and clear! Though she'll have to be careful where she's stomping or — pop! There goes her floaty.

Did someone say, “quicksand?”

Most people have endured the long and arduous trek from their car to the sweet release of dive-bombing into the sea. Solution — ride right up to the shore. But before you take a leaf out of this person's book, make sure to check the tide times! Suddenly, all those seashells you've plucked from the sand aren't that impressive. 

Your lawfully wedded penguin

Ever wondered what penguins get up to in the wild? Well, naturally, it's adorable beach-side weddings! And who can blame them? A penguin has to get some use of that natural tuxedo now and again. Plus, the sweet oceanfront view was right at their disposal. Who could resist? They got lucky, too; there was no plan B in case of rain.

Seasick

There’s nothing better than enjoying a beach day with your whole family in tow. Even better if you’re bringing your baby for the first time! It’s lovely to see your little one gaze at the crashing waves in awe. Unless you’re this mom. Her child seems a little sea-sick already. Somebody grab some towels, quick!

Work it

The quintessential beach photo for women with long hair goes something like this. Lean your head forward, plunging your hair underwater. Then flip your head back so your wet tresses fly up through the air. But who knew you could make the same stunning display with an extra-long beard? You do end up getting a faceful of salty water, mind...

Float-o bomb

Lining up on the shore, striking the same pose… this has the makings of a classic beach photo. But what you don’t get every time is the perfect photobomb to go with it. Look between the arms of girls five and six! Yep, that dude could be our new hero.

Seeing triple

Some spots simply can't be beaten when it comes to their photoshoot potential. Unfortunately, that means they’re going to be crowded. And one Redditor didn’t notice his error until he'd already started snapping pics for his other half. He explained, “I stood taking a photo of my girlfriend in the sea, then realized so was every other Instagram boyfriend.” Oops!

Wave!

Not all Instagram boyfriends are created equally. We’re sure there are partners out there who are model other halves. They’re considerate to a T and always go the extra mile to make sure they get the shot. Did someone say, "new profile picture?" But then there’s this Redditor’s other half, who “didn’t warn [him] a wave was coming as [he] posed for a beach photo.” Savage.

Two-tone chic

This looks like someone took the top half of an avid beachgoer and attached it to the bottom half of someone who's never seen sunlight in their life. You're using way too much sunscreen on those legs, bro!

Splash zone

Laying down your towel carefully, you’re ready to settle down into your chosen spot. And it’s perfect: close enough to the water to go for a dip, but far enough away that it can’t wash up and unexpectedly soak you. It’s a great plan until you remember that dogs come to the beach, too, and that canine companion will bring the dreaded splash zone right up to you.

Floaty overload

The single beach shop in this town has to be making a killing. There might be more floaties than people bobbing around those waters. Good thing, since a lifeguard would be feeble against such large crowds.

Bucket? Duck it...

In life, it’s all about perspective. And the same goes for silly beach photos, too! This optical illusion makes it look as though the photographer is about to capture a mother and child beneath a giant bucket. Now they know how hermit crabs and tiny fish feel.

Grabbing a bite at the beach

If you run out of things to read on the beach and you’re too tired to go swimming again, have a little fun with your vacation photos. Why pose next to your friend when you can make it look like you’re a giant who’s going to have her for lunch?

Who let the pigs out?

It may be cliché, but Peter did all his best thinking on a sunset beach stroll. But he better leave before the dark sets in. Witnessing the haunting frivolity of the waterfront spit roast would send him into a tailspin.

Board of staying dry...

We hope this list motivates you to go to the beach and try something new. Or maybe you’ve changed your mind after looking at this snap. According to the Redditor who shared it, he’d “tried standing up on [his] first time paddle-boarding.” Well, they do say God loves a trier — even if they fail.

Baby-man on the beach

Who doesn’t love a beachy optical illusion? This dad is actually carrying his son out into the sea — perhaps for the first time. That would be a big moment perfect to be captured on camera. This weird man-baby hybrid, though? It’s the stuff of nightmares.

No wine-ing

We’re not saying that you shouldn’t drink on your day at the beach. But you should probably stop yourself after a certain number of glasses of wine. If you don’t, you could fall asleep clinging to the bottle — and wake up with a sunburn that lets the world know you really love your booze.

Cartwheel of misfortune

There’s something about the beach that makes us feel whimsical and fancy-free. Perhaps that’s why this Redditor’s friends decided to turn a few cartwheels on the sand. Luckily for the girl at the back, sand makes for a soft landing. Next time, she’ll think twice about flipping wildly when there are cameras around.

Hold on tight

This picture serves as an important warning: make sure it's low tide before you drag your family in the water for a picture. It looks like a stick of dynamite blew up behind them.

Wipe your flippers

"Yes, I wiped my flippers on the rug." One of the pleasures of a beach house is that the ocean is in your backyard. Sometimes it creeps into your entryway, or naps in your bed if you're not careful to lock your doors.

Pier pyre

We all want to take that smoking-hot beach photo… but we don’t really mean that literally. And this beach bunny definitely got a fiery shot thanks to the English town of Eastbourne’s pier burning down in the background.

Keep it cool in the training pool

There are two kinds of kids. We're not saying one is better than the other — some kids need training wheels before they try the real thing — but we'll let you guess who you'd rather build a sandcastle with.

Follow the leader

It's never too late to learn how to swim. But, the strategy of luring the aquatically challenged into water with Fritos wasn't included in the lifeguard handbook. Hopefully that smirking boy brought enough for everyone!

Save the turtles

Instead of tossing returnables into the trash, this guy marched the plastic straight into the ocean. What a savvy way to cut out the middle man and show recycling nerds how it's really done!

Well that didn't go to plan

Guys, it's too late to argue over the miscommunication of the instruction "take it to the car wash." Technically, the car did get the most thorough rinse possible.

Room for a small one?

Humans aren't the only ones who like basking on the beach. Why lounge under the sun by yourself when you can bring along your pet cattle to keep you company? "Moo-ve over and pass the sunscreen, please."

Out of Office

Some people never could learn how to keep work at work. Relocating his one-man company didn't make as big a splash on the market as Timmy anticipated. For one thing, maintaining a WiFi connection is a real beach.

Brotherly love

Andy could never let his brother have the spotlight. That's exactly why he crashed his bro's honeymoon in paradise. As long as he stayed far enough away to be cropped out of pictures, he was allowed to hang around.

Yoink

Now this seagull is just plain rude. Clearly, he can't wear that hat or eat it. He targeted that poor old man just to ruffle his feathers. But, jokes on the bird, because the old man didn't notice his cap had been stolen.

Catch of the day

Take notes: this guy's doing something right. He had not one, but two spectacular catches. But a simple fisherman doesn't make the rules. He just follows them, so he had to throw both back into the ocean.

Ocean spray

Digging and burying someone in a hole is a beachside activity that never gets old… or so we thought. Now that we’ve seen this dog making a kid into its own personal fire hydrant, we’re starting to change our tune.

Who invited Doctor Evil?

Doctor Evil likes the beach just as much as anyone else, but he just happens to travel in the most conspicuous vessel ever. He hasn't quite learned how to make a subtle entrance.

Fancy a dip?

Aww, poor great white shark! All his potential victims want to hang out on shore instead of taking a swim in his dining room. Maybe next time he'll disguise himself a little better rather than pouting in plain sight.

Santa's off-season

If you ever wondered what Santa Claus does during the summer when he's not busy looking after the elves, this is it. He deserves some rest when he's not working tirelessly to make children happy.

No suncream, no problem

This is one surefire way to prevent UV rays from burning your skin while you snooze. It's too bad this guy didn't bring along a few more dogs to keep the rest of his body un-fried.

Everybody needs a pal for a pillow

Well, these two ladies must've had an exhausting day of swimming to fall asleep in this position. Either that, or they brought a bunch of booze to the beach and drank way faster than they should have.

Bobbing breakfast

This cannot be a safe way to enjoy a meal. All it takes is one wave to pass through and suddenly these guys are without food, cups, their tray, and a satisfied appetite.

Wrong gas

Here's to hoping this guy replaced the propane in this tank with oxygen before he jumped into the water and cranked that valve. He'll be needing a lot more than just fresh air if he didn't.

Very wrong turn

"Alright, guys, who drove their truck directly into the sand again?" It's gonna take a lot of manpower to shovel this thing out. Whoever owns the vehicle needs to let someone else drive home next time.

I am the fish finder

Forget these newfangled fish finders and sonar technologies — this guy is the fish finder! Let's just hope he actually spots a fish before the frostbite gets to him...

Catch me if you can

The fishing game is all about smarts, and it looks like this fish has it in spades. After carefully nibbling the bait off each hook, the cocky little guy returned for a quick victory lap just to rub it in the faces of the would-be fishermen.