Beach Chair Wars: Always Give Wide Berth

The Silent Battle Over Front Row Sand Space & Breathing Room

I’m usually set up by 9am—umbrella planted, chair angled just right, iced tea in hand, book nearby. I get there early on purpose. Not just for the peace and quiet, but for a prime front-row seat to the ocean.

But if you’ve spent any time at the beach, you know what happens next.

Someone arrives late. There’s plenty of space around… yet somehow, they set up three feet from you. Maybe even closer. Their towel almost overlaps yours. You suddenly have a neighbor you didn’t ask for, and the whole wide beach starts to feel a lot smaller.

Look, I get it—we all want the best view. But there’s an unspoken rule here: give other beachgoers a wide berth. It’s not just about space, it’s about respect.

When someone scooches too close, I’ll usually ask them to shift a little. If they don’t, I’ll move. I’d rather keep my peace than pick a fight—but I’ll admit, I’m silently rolling my eyes the whole time.

Maybe we need official beach chair boundaries. Or maybe we just need to bring back beach etiquette. Until then, I’ll keep arriving early and claiming my little patch of paradise... while it lasts.