Beach Volleyball

The essentials are a beach volleyball, sand socks to protect your feet from hot or cold sand, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Add a headband for sweat and a pair of slides for between games. Setting up your own court? See our court equipment.

No. Beach volleyball is played barefoot or in sand socks, like the Sand Socks Crew, Elite and Short Ankle Sprite styles. Sand socks protect your feet from hot or cold sand and sharp shells while keeping a natural feel. Keep your indoor volleyball shoes for the gym, and bring a pair of slides or sandals for walking to and from the court.

Beach volleyball is usually played with two players per side instead of six, on a smaller 16 x 8 m court instead of 18 x 9 m. Players don't have fixed positions, so everyone passes, sets and attacks. Sets are typically played to 21 points instead of 25, and the deciding set to 15. The ball is softer and slightly larger, and players go barefoot or in sand socks. Shop our beach volleyballs.

We carry the Wilson Volleyball Canada Gold Official Beach Game Ball, along with the Mikasa FIVB 2023 Official Beach Volleyball used in international play and the Wilson OPTX AVP Official Game Volleyball. The ball required for your event depends on the tournament or league, so check its rules. For casual play, see our recreational beach volleyballs.

Wear sport sunglasses with 100% UV protection, apply sweat-resistant sunscreen and reapply between matches, and drink regularly from a large water bottle or jug. Lightweight, breathable apparel, a headband and sand socks for hot sand also help you stay comfortable all day.

A regulation beach court is 16 x 8 m, with the net at the same height as indoor: 2.43 m for men and 2.24 m for women. For a backyard or cottage, a portable set like the Franklin Family Volleyball Set is the easiest option. For permanent posts, add a durable net and a 360 Athletics beach net cable to keep it tight. Shop all court equipment.