Any baby & toddler mom knows that lounging by the pool while your little one plays contentedly under a beach tent will likely work for exactly 2.5 seconds, so it’s best to have a Plan B for when bub gets restless.
It’s also important to keep your little one cool outdoors, so finding a Waterproof Baby Carrier for some one-on-one pool and beach time is an excellent option for families with small infants.
A waterproof baby carrier has been a summer essential in my own beach bag, as I’ve often had to juggle multiple boogie-board wielding children while carting around my own bub. It’s an added convenience that makes life easier for everyone involved – and let’s be honest babies LOVE being close to their parents even in the water.
This post is part of our tried and tested essential family travel product reviews series
No time to read? Our top 3 picks Summer 2023!
- Best Ring Sling Water Carrier: Biubee Water Sling Baby Wrap Carrier
- Best wrap for the water: Beachfront Baby Wrap (featured)
- Best structured baby carrier for the water: Boba Air Baby Carrier
What to Look For in a Waterproof Carrier
A baby water carrier doesn’t need to have many frills. Ideally, you’re just needing a safe and secure way to keep bub’s upper half out of the water. However, there are several essential features you’ll need to look for, and then you’ll be on your way to the water!
Different Waterproof Baby Carrier Designs
Waterproof baby carriers are very similar to regular baby carriers and come in similar models. You can find standard baby carrier designs, baby wraps, and baby slings. Some will work better than others depending on your bub’s age.
Water Sling: Baby slings are, in general, very simple to use. Bub can sit in the pouch safely out of the water, and it’s an easy solution for some laid-back pool time.
However, I would recommend a water sling for younger babies, as all of the weight of the sling gets put on the shoulder. The heavier the child, the more burdensome this becomes.
Baby Water Wrap: The wrap style is an excellent way to keep your bub snuggled up close, and most come in a one-size-fits-all length. This would be an excellent option for infants and younger babies, but I can see this being too restrictive for older babies and toddlers.
Baby Carrier: This is probably the best option for older babies and toddlers, as a baby carrier design will allow bub to face outward and splash around. Baby carriers also typically allow for more even weight distribution, which makes this the most comfortable option for you.
You can see our complete review of the best toddler carriers here
Features to Look For in a Water Carrier
Quick Dry: You’ll want to choose a baby water carrier with a quick-drying mesh or polyester fabric for several reasons. The first is that this type of fabric keeps both you and your bub cooler, even while out of the water.
Quick-drying fabric is also ideal because this way, you won’t be hauling home a soaking wet piece of fabric that will wrinkle and crease as it dries.
Weight: You’ll want to choose a water baby carrier made from a fabric that doesn’t retain much water when it gets wet, as you’ll be carrying the weight of both baby and carrier in the pool, lake, or ocean. An airy, breathable fabric also dries more quickly.
UV Protection: You’ll likely have slathered your precious bub in SPF 100 before they ever set foot in the sand, but finding a water baby carrier with added UV protection is an added bonus. Not every product has this feature, but it’s definitely a perk.
Best Waterproof Baby Carriers
| Water Carrier Name | Design / Material | Recommended Weight | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Biubee Water Sling Baby Wrap Carrier | Ring Sling - Nylon Mesh | Birth to 35 lbs | $ - check here |
  | Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling Carrier | Ring Sling Polyester Jersey Mesh | 8 lbs to 30 lbs | $ - check here |
  | Beachfront Baby Wrap | Wrap Sling - Neoprene | 8 lbs to 30 lbs | $$ - check price here |
  | Vlokup Baby Wrap Sling Carrier | Wrap Sling - Polyester | 8 lbs to 35 lbs | $ - click here |
  | Mars & Stars Breezy Wrap | Wrap Sling - Cotton Mesh | 5 lbs to 35 lbs | $$ - check here |
  | Boba Air Baby Carrier | Baby Carrier Ultralight nylon | 15 lbs to 45 lbs | $$$ - check price here |
  | Angelbaby Baby Carrier Sling for Infants and Toddlers | Baby Carrier 3D Mesh | Up to 33 lbs ( 15kg) | $ - click here |
- $ – Under $30 USD; $$ – $30 to $60 USD; $$$ over $60 USD
Best Waterproof Baby Slings
Biubee Water Sling Baby Wrap Carrier
This lightweight water sling is made of breathable nylon mesh fabric that dries quickly and stores easily in a built-in storage bag. The ring is made of plastic, so there’s no risk of rust, and it’s suitable for newborns through 35 lbs.
Pros: The sling is secure, easy to adjust, and works well for shorter periods of time. It dries quickly and folds easily into the travel bag.
Cons: The wrap doesn’t adjust well to every body type, and sometimes it’s difficult to get the right fit. Several buyers said that they had to readjust the plastic ring too often, so this might be an issue with prolonged use.
Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling Carrier
This polyester jersey mesh wrap comes in 15 vibrant colors to suit any fashion sense. The machine washable baby sling has an aluminum ring, allowing it to be more securely adjusted than those with plastic rings. The water sling is machine washable and is best suited for babies 8 – 30 lbs.
Pros: The Vlokup Baby Water Ring Sling is versatile enough to be used every day, not just for the pool. It’s easy to use, and bub can be worn several different ways. The breathable fabric keeps everyone cool in the hottest situations.
Cons: Finding the right position takes some practice, and you need to be careful about how you insert your bub.
Best Waterproof Baby Wrap
Beachfront Baby Wrap
This neoprene wrap has no rings buckles or snaps to deal with, making it an ideal wrap for parents of all different shapes and sizes as it can be perfectly fitted to your size. Conforming to ASTM F2907-15 safety standard, the product has been rigorously tested and comes with a clear instruction booklet and YouTube video so you can practice before you leave home!
Pros: Wonderfully soft neoprene material is great in any hot climate, not just in the water and it dries super fast so no uncomfortbale dampness between you and bub for hours later.
Cons: Material is not SPF so you will still need adequate skin protection on your bubs too. Some users have complained the material is not quite long enough on a larger adult
Vlokup Baby Wrap Sling Carrier
The Vlokup Baby Wrap Sling Carrier works well for everyday use and allows for you to hold your baby close in the water or on land. The athletic mesh wrap more evenly distributes weight across your back, allowing you to carry bub for longer periods of time. The wrap is ideal for babies 8-35 lbs.
Pros: This baby water carrier comes in a convenient mesh storage bag for easy transportation. The length of the wrap is generous, meaning that one size really does fit all. While slightly stretchy, the fabric allows you to secure your bub firmly and safely while in the water.
Cons: Fabric may not be stretchy enough to suit all sizes, and the thinness of the fabric doesn’t always offer the best support for prolonged wear.
Mars & Stars Breezy Wrap
Light, airy, and breathable, the Mars & Stars Breezy Wrap boasts a sweat-free experience for everyone involved, both in the water and on land. The machine washable fabric of the wrap folds easily into the included carrying bag, and the material dries quickly after an afternoon in the water.
Pros: Very comfortable for extended wear, breathable fabric ideal for warmer climates, incredibly easy to wash
Cons: The fabric could have a bit more elasticity and it’s difficult to find the exact right position where bub is not overly constricted or sagging in the wrap
Best Waterproof Baby Carrier
Boba Air Baby Carrier
We’re creeping into properly structured baby carrier territory here, but a serious contender as one of the most lightweight and versatile baby carriers for traveling families. For a structured carrier, the nylon Boba Air wrap scrunches down seriously small to fit in your luggage and allows both a forward and rear-facing carrier position and a sun hood too!
Pros: Comfortable and quick-drying with breathable mesh shoulder straps; padded leg openings and no fiddly wrap features to get used to for an instant cosy fit for both you and bub.
Cons: The carrier may not be the best option for extended water use, it’s really designed so it can be wet and used at the beach with breathable material, but it’s not designed to be soaked for hours on end. Only suitable from 7kg / 15 lbs so not ideal for newborns.
Angelbaby Baby Carrier Sling for Infants and Toddlers
This 3D mesh water baby carrier is constructed of ultra breathable material and has multiple weight distribution points for ease of carrying. The included UV 50+ hood shields bub from the sun and keeps them out of the wind.
Pros: This baby carrier is comfortable, dries quickly, and works well for shorter periods of time. The material keeps everyone cool while not in the water.
Cons: The carrier may not be the best option for extended wear, and the size of the carrier may not be ideal for the full range of sizes.
No more Bitybean? One of our previous structured faves for the water the Bitybean looks like it’s sadly no longer available, this was our very first water carrier so sad to see it go – we hope a few more of the big brands will venture into products for this market of water-loving families!!
Taking your bub to the beach or pool for some fun in the sun may sound daunting, but a waterproof baby carrier can make things so much easier for minimal expense and a tiny bit of extra room in your diaper bag. We hope these waterproof baby carrier options will allow you to easily carry your precious cargo for a cool dip in the last days of summer.
More important tips for taking baby to the beach
Before you set off to the beach (or lake or local swimming hole – anywhere with bubs where you can all get your toes wet!), you’ll want to dig deeper into our best baby & beach travel advice.
- Start here with our top safety tips and gear recommendations for bringing baby to the beach
- Baby Travel Essentials – the top 10 items we take on any baby vacation.
- Essential reusable swim diapers – keep the water faeces-free with one of these enviro-friendly reusable swim diapers.
- Best Toddler Floatation Vests – when bubs is starting to venture into the water on their own, these safety swim vest will give them the support they need and give you peace of mind!
- Best Baby Sun Hats – keeping babies head protected, don’t head out into the water without a sun hat on your tot too.
- Best Baby Beach Tents – when you’re finished in the water it’s great to have a shaded spot to retreat to out of the UV rays.
- Best beach chairs for babies – keep bubs elevated off the sand for snacks and playtime in the shade.
- Ultimate Beach Packing List – don’t forget a thing next time you head to the beach with our essentials packing list.
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