Beach Hairstyles for Long Hair: 15 Ideas for Sun, Sand, and Salt Air
Long hair at the beach can go two ways.
A frizzy mess by noon, or exactly the look you wanted in every photo.
These 15 styles are built for sun, sand, and a little salt water too.
Half-Up Waves with a Scarf
Top section gathered into a loose pony at the crown, the rest cascading down in beachy waves, with a patterned silk scarf tied around the base and left to blend into the hair.
Multi-tonal brunette with golden highlights makes those waves look really alive in the sun.
It is the kind of style that looks like you barely touched your hair, in the best way.
Best for: Long thick hair with natural texture.
How to set it: Sea salt spray on damp hair, scrunch it well, then tie back the top section once the texture has set.
Messy Topknot with Face-Framing Pieces
An undone high bun right at the crown, loose rather than wrapped tight, with wavy tendrils left free around the temples and ears.
Blonde hair with sandy roots looks really natural and easy in this style.
This is the one you reach for when you are actually getting in the water.
Best for: Medium to thick hair, any texture.
Worth knowing: Use a scrunchie instead of a tight elastic to avoid breakage, and pull gently at the front for a bit of lift.
Mermaid Pull-Through Braid
A massive loosely woven braid starting lower on the head and running straight down the back, each section pulled wide for maximum width and softness.
Dimensional blonde with platinum and honey tones makes this braid look genuinely ethereal.
This is the one for a beach wedding guest or a proper photo moment.
Best for: Long high-density hair.
Keeping it secure: Tiny clear elastics at each link of the braid stop it from slipping loose, finished off with a texture spray.
Sleek Half-Up Pony with Polished Waves
Top half combed smooth into a high ponytail, the length below dropping into smooth Hollywood-style waves, framed by a thick side fringe.
Bright platinum blonde gives this style a really upscale, glamorous finish.
Save this one for a beach resort dinner or a yacht evening.
Best for: Very long silky hair.
For uniform waves: A 1.25-inch curling wand, brushed out gently with a wide-tooth comb, finished with a light serum to fight ocean humidity.
Side Dutch Braid into a Low Bun
A thick Dutch braid sweeping from the side part over the ear toward the back, ending in a loose textured low bun with a few un-tucked pieces left out.
Brunette hair with caramel balayage gives this whole style a really rustic, lived-in quality.
Perfect for a beach bonfire or a casual lunch right by the water.
Best for: Medium-density hair with dimensional colour.
For a thicker look: Pull gently at the outer loops of the braid before pinning the bun. It looks twice as full and wonderfully imperfect.
Wrapped Bubble Half-Updo
Top section pulled back and wrapped with a strand of hair to create a textured node, the rest flowing down in loose ribbon curls.
Sandy blonde with golden hues makes this style feel neat but still very soft.
Goes easily from a morning on the sand to a chic boardwalk lunch.
Best for: Long fine to medium hair.
Hiding the hardware: Wrap a small section around the elastic and pin it underneath so the whole thing looks completely seamless.
Minimalist Half-Up Twist
Two thin sections from the front temples twisted slightly and tied together at the back with a simple hair tie.
Dark espresso brunette hair looks glossy and rich left down in this style.
This is the lowest effort option here and it still looks completely intentional.
Best for: Long straight to wavy hair.
Bonus: Works beautifully on damp hair right out of the ocean. The salt water does the texturizing for you.
Crown Braid with a Hair-Rose Accent
A three-strand crown braid wrapped around the back, ending in a coiled hair-rose detail on one side, the rest styled into defined ringlet waves.
Rich chestnut hair with auburn tips makes the rose detail really stand out.
This is a proper fairytale style for a beach festival or a garden-to-beach event.
Best for: Medium to thick hair.
For the rose shape: Pancake a simple braid aggressively on one side, roll it into a circle, and pin it flat against the head.
Side-Swept Hollywood Beach Waves
A deep part, crown smoothed flat, all the hair swept over one shoulder into voluminous structured waves.
Golden-brown hair with honey highlights gives this style serious old-Hollywood glamour.
Built for a sunset dinner or a coastal cocktail hour.
Best for: Very long thick hair.
Holding the shine: A large-barrel curling iron sets the waves, then a flexible-hold glossing spray keeps them frizz-free in the breeze.
Twisted Half-Updo with a Floral Wreath
Top sections twisted inward and secured with a fabric ribbon, the rest falling in bouncy ringlets, with a fresh floral wreath sitting over the whole style.
Brunette hair with sun-bleached golden ribbons makes this feel really whimsical.
The kind of style made for a destination wedding or a maternity shoot by the water.
Best for: Thick textured hair.
Keeping the wreath put: Secure it with U-shaped pins hidden under the twisted sections so it does not shift in the wind.
Wet-Look Mermaid Ripples
Hair left completely down with tight, uniform crimp-like waves from root to tip and a high-shine, just-out-of-the-water finish.
Jet black hair makes this look really edgy and sleek.
This is the one for transitioning straight from swimming into a beach party.
Best for: Ultra-long high-density hair.
How to get it: Curl-defining gel or mousse on damp hair, scrunched well, then air-dried completely without touching it.
Classic French Braid
A single French braid starting high at the crown and woven tight down the center, finishing in a long tail resting over one shoulder.
Thick brunette hair with sun-kissed undertones looks effortless in this style.
The reliable choice for a windy day or beach volleyball.
Best for: High-density thick hair.
Protective bonus: Braid slightly damp hair with leave-in conditioner. It protects against salt air and UV, and gives soft waves when you take it down later.
Criss-Cross Half-Up Braid with a Chain Scrunchie
Two front panels crossed over each other at the back, woven into a three-strand braid down the center, secured with a black velvet and gold chain scrunchie.
Ash-blonde balayage gives this style a really modern, polished look.
Neat enough for beachside dining or a coastal boutique afternoon.
Best for: Medium to thick long hair.
Keep it smooth: A quick pass with a paddle brush on the lower canopy before crossing the front sections over.
Pearl-Encrusted Coastal Low Wave
A low romantic half-up canopy gathered into a folded twist at the nape, the rest falling in soft waves, scattered with pearl pins and a statement pearl headband.
Dimensional ash-blonde with silver and lavender tones makes this style feel genuinely bridal.
Built for a seaside wedding or an upscale oceanside event.
Best for: Long fine to medium hair.
Pin placement tip: Mist with texturizing spray before inserting the pearl pins so they grip the soft waves properly instead of sliding out.
Viking-Inspired Multi-Braid Half-Updo
A thick pancaked center braid flanked by tight micro-braids on each side, two of them crossing directly over the main braid for a caged effect.
Brown hair with honey highlights makes this style look really dynamic and bold.
This one is for a beach festival or anywhere you want to make a real statement.
Best for: Long highly texturized hair.
Keeping the pattern sharp: Small clear elastics anchor each micro-braid before crossing them over the center braid.