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The Best Travel Swimsuits for Any Type of Vacation

SmarterTravel

Swimsuits. The mere word evokes either fear or excitement in your heart, depending on just how confident you are. But if you have an ocean, lake, or pool in your vacation future, you’re going to need one (unless you’re headed to a more risqué destination). Here are some of this season’s best swimsuits for every type of body to help you find something that will flatter you, whether you’re more of a lounger or a hardcore adventurer.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Affordable Swimsuits Under $50

Adore Me

Two views of the same woman wearing a muted blue bikini from Adore Me
Adore Me

Adore Me is a subscription-based clothing brand with most swimsuit styles available for less than $25. This style has removable pads and fully adjustable straps and comes in sizes XS to XL.

Cupshe

Flat lay of the CUPSHE Women's One Piece Swimsuit V Neck Ruched Ruffle Shoulder Swimwear Bathing Suits (left) and Woman wearing the CUPSHE Women's Solid Wavy Edge One-Shoulder Bikini Set Rain of Petals (right)
Amazon

Cupshe swimsuits are available on Amazon, with many styles under $30. Styles range from this trendy two-piece to fuller coverage one-pieces.

Target

Woman wearing a black mesh one piece swimsuit (left) and a man wearing blue and pink patterned swim trunks (right)
Target

Target is my personal favorite for finding affordable swimsuits. The brand carries hundreds of styles available each season for men, women, and kids, all under $50.

Best Active Swimsuits

One-Piece Active Swimsuits

Two views of the Active Deep-V Maillot One-Piece in two different colors on two different models

Sometimes a simple one-piece is all you need to double as your stylish and active swimsuit. Seafolly’s Active Deep-V Maillot One-Piece features sturdy support straps, removable cups, and simple cutout details in the front and back that make it a unique active option. It’s a little pricier, but worth the splurge since you’ll be able to wear it everywhere.

Active Swimsuit Rash Guards

Men standing in yard wearing the UV Skinz Men’s Long Sleeve Sun & Swim Shirt with UPF 50+ in white (left) and woman standing on the beach wearing the UV SKINZ UPF 50+ Women's Water Jacket (right)
Amazon

Long-sleeve rash guards are a must-have for hours of surfing or swimming around unknown terrain. Invest in a long-sleeve swim top like UV Skinz 50 UPF water shirts and jackets. The Women’s Water Jacket is quick-drying and resistant to chlorine and salt, and it zips completely open in the front.

For men, the pullover Long Sleeve Sun & Swim Shirt has additional neck coverage, plus the same sun protection and water resistance.

Hybrid Swimwear-Activewear

AdoreShe Tankini Swim Top and UV SKINZ's Active Swim Shorts

Want activewear that can double as swimwear? Men can rely on board shorts, and for women, some active swimsuits will do the trick. AdoreShe’s Racerback Tankini is essentially a water-friendly active top, and UV SKINZ’s Active Swim Shorts are perfect for hikes or bike trips that turn into kayaking or swimming stops.

Swimsuits with Extra Coverage

Two views of the same woman wearing a long sleeved rash guard

Extra protection from sun, bugs, and other elements is possible with the right active swimsuit. AXESEA’s Long Sleeve Rash Guard is ideal for surfing and kayaking in breezy or sunny conditions—it’ll keep your upper body protected and your legs free.

For men, surf brand O’Neill offers a lot more than just wetsuits: Try a UV-protection top that’s lightweight and quick-drying, like the Basic Skins Sun Shirt.

Stylish Swimsuits for Vacation Trendsetters

prAna

Two women modeling prAna swimsuits
prAna

prAna’s line of swimwear includes shorts, rash guards, cover-ups, and bathing suits (that even fit up to DD-cup coverage) for women, as well as select men’s swim trunks. The brand also has a handy swim finder to help you find the perfect style to fit your swimsuit needs.

Fair Harbor

Woman running along the beach in Fair Harbor swimwear (left) and a man and child wearing matching swim trunks (left)
Fair Harbor

Fair Harbor is a stylish and sustainably produced swimsuit brand that makes styles for women and men, as well as T-shirts, hats, and bags.

SummerSalt

Woman wearing black SummerSalt wrap swimsuit (left) and woman wearing a multi-color one-shoulder swimsuit from SummerSalt (right)
SummerSalt

SummerSalt’s swimsuits are made of recycled material and have UPF 50+ protection. The brand makes stylish swimsuits for women and kids in a variety of trendy styles and bright colors.

Aerie

Two smiling women wearing swimsuits from Aerie
Aerie

Aerie by American Eagle Outfitters makes trendy and affordable swimsuits for all body types. The Bikini Mix & Match finder lets you see what style of bikini top works with a standard bikini bottom.

Plus-Sized Swimsuits

Stylish Swimsuits for Plus-Sized Travelers 

Two women wearing patterned swimsuits from Target
Target

Target offers a variety of two-piece styles for plus-size travelers, like this one-shoulder style and solid-colored halter top.

Active Swimsuits for Plus-Sized Travelers

Swimsuits for All Colorblock One-Piece and Charlie Surplice Racerback Tankini Swimsuit Top
Amazon and Swimsuits for All

Plus-size active swimsuits can be secure one-pieces or versatile two-piece outfits. Always For Me’s Charlie Surplice Racerback Tankini Top looks like a workout outfit but is water-friendly. For a true suit sans shorts, Swimsuits for All’s Colorblock One-Piece has comfortable, wide straps and is perfect for the pool or outdoors.

Specialty Swimsuits for Plus-Sized Travelers

Two women wearing swimsuits from Swimsuits for All
Swimsuits for All

The appropriately named website Swimsuits for All offers plus-size bikinis, one-pieces, swim dresses, and more for sizes 8 to 34. You’ll find fashionable travel swimwear here, including a line designed by plus-size model Ashley Graham.

Ashley Rossi, Caroline Morse, and Shannon McMahon contributed to this article.

Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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