A beach towel and a beach mat are not the same thing and they are not interchangeable. A towel dries you off after a swim. A beach mat gives the whole group a dry, comfortable base to sit, eat and rest on for the full day, regardless of what the ground underneath is doing. Used together, they solve the two biggest practical problems of a beach day: staying dry from the ground and drying off from the water.
Will and Wind beach mats are built for Australian outdoor conditions. The Oxford fabric top shrugs off spills and wipes clean in seconds. The PVC base stops wet or damp ground from coming through. Four metal pegs keep it in place when the breeze picks up. And the whole thing folds neatly into itself for easy carrying and storage. This guide covers everything: the construction, the designs, where to use them and how to keep them in good shape.
Shop the Will and Wind beach mat range. 3 designs at $119.99 each.
Construction: what makes a proper beach mat
Oxford fabric top: water-repellent and wipe-clean. The top surface is made from Oxford fabric, a tightly woven synthetic known for its durability and water-repellent qualities. Spilled drinks, sunscreen drips and splashes bead off rather than soaking in. Wipe it clean in seconds and the surface is ready to go again. At the end of the day, a good shake removes most surface sand. The fabric is soft enough to lie on directly, tough enough to handle daily outdoor adventures and does not become saturated through a long beach day the way a cotton towel would.
PVC base: stops damp coming through. The underside is a wipe-clean PVC that acts as a proper barrier between the ground and the surface you are sitting on. Wet sand near the waterline, damp morning grass at a park or poolside tiles do not come through to the top. The surface you sit on at 3pm is as dry as it was when you laid the mat down. This is the feature that separates a proper beach mat from a thin picnic blanket.
Four metal pegs. Included with every mat. Push them through the corner eyelets into sand, grass or earth to keep the mat flat and in position on a windy day. At exposed coastal beaches like Cottesloe, Manly or Cable Beach, wind is a constant consideration. With the pegs in, the mat stays put while you relax. Without them, any mat on a breezy day becomes a sail.
Corner pocket with spill cloth. A 10cm x 10cm Will and Wind towel sits in the corner pocket for quick wipe-ups: sandy hands, spilled sunscreen, ice block drips. Small but useful, and it gets more use than most people expect before they own one.
Built-in carry bag with handles and straps. The mat folds into itself and secures with built-in handles and straps. No separate bag to lose, no clips to fiddle with. Folded, it measures 41cm x 23cm x 8cm and weighs 1.5kg with the pegs included. Over the shoulder to the beach, into the boot for the drive home. For the exact folding method, see the how to fold your beach mat guide.
Beach mat versus beach towel: why you need both
A beach towel used as a sitting surface becomes a cold, damp, sandy problem by midday. It absorbs moisture from the ground while also getting wet from swimmers using it above. It collects sand in the fabric that stays there until you wash it. It is not designed for this purpose.
A Will and Wind beach mat never has the damp-ground problem. The PVC base is a barrier. The mat handles the ground all day. What a mat cannot do is dry you off after a swim. That is what the Will and Wind travel towel is for. The mat as basecamp, the towel as active drying tool. For the full family beach day setup, see beach setup essentials for families and the ultimate beach packing list.
How big is 200cm x 145cm in practice
Two adults lying down comfortably, with room for bags, shoes and a small esky alongside. A family of three including a small child with the day's gear spread out. For a family of four wanting full spreading-out room, two mats side by side works better than squeezing onto one. For guidance on size by group, see the large beach blanket guide.
Where to use your beach mat
The beach is the obvious answer. But the Oxford fabric top and PVC base make a Will and Wind beach mat useful anywhere you want a dry, comfortable surface outdoors.
Parks and picnics. The pegs push into grass as easily as they go into sand, which solves the breezy park day problem that a standard picnic rug cannot. The PVC base handles damp grass after recent rain without coming through to the surface. The corner spill cloth earns its keep at picnics where kids and drinks are both involved. A Will and Wind beach mat is more practical than a standard picnic rug in almost every outdoor condition.
Boats and island stops. The mat works well on a boat. Use it on deck or on the island beach during a day on the water. The PVC base protects deck surfaces and boat cushions from wet swimmers and sand. When you head back to the boat, it shakes reasonably clean, folds up with the built-in straps and takes minimal locker space. The elastic strap also makes it easy to secure for the trip back if needed.
Camping and caravanning. At a campsite, the beach mat becomes an outdoor living area in front of the tent or van: a clean, dry surface for shoes, cooking gear and sitting. The PVC base handles damp ground after overnight rain. Folded to 41cm x 23cm x 8cm, it stores flat under a bunk or in a locker without taking meaningful space. For packing efficiently in a caravan, see caravan space saving ideas.
Kids' sport and school events. School carnivals, weekend sport sidelines and athletics days involve long stretches on grass. A Will and Wind beach mat fits in a sports bag, rolls out in seconds and gives the family a comfortable dry surface for the whole event. The pegs keep it in place on a windy oval without any fuss.
Music festivals and outdoor events. Compact to carry in and practical on unpredictable ground. The PVC base handles whatever conditions an outdoor event produces. The Oxford top does not trap grass or mud the way cotton alternatives do.
The boot of the car, permanently. Folded to 41cm x 23cm x 8cm, a Will and Wind beach mat fits in the boot without anyone noticing it is there. When a beach day, park trip, boat stop or sports event happens spontaneously, the mat is already there. This is the use case most customers end up landing on: not planning to bring it, but always having it available. For why the beach mat is already in the car for a lot of Will and Wind customers, see why our beach mats are always in the car.
The three designs
Will and Wind beach mats currently come in three designs, each featuring original Australian photography.
Kalbarri: inspired by the blue holes and crystal clear rock pools of Kalbarri, Western Australia. Photographed by Will and Wind.
Kimberley: inspired by the turquoise blues and red pindan sands of Roebuck Bay, Broome. Exclusive design by Trip In A Van.
Ningaloo from Above: inspired by the red ranges meeting the pristine waters of the Ningaloo fringing reef. Exclusive design by Blue Media Exmouth.
For the photography and photographer stories behind the designs, see the Our Photographers page. For the conservation story behind the marine locations, see marine conservation in Australia: why we care and what you can do.
Are beach mats the same as beach blankets?
Yes. The terms are used interchangeably in Australia. Will and Wind lists products in this category as both beach mats and beach blankets. For the beach blanket framing specifically, see beach blankets that actually make beach days better. For the family beach days case, see why beach mats make family beach days easier without replacing your towels. For the best gear for families at the beach more broadly, see best beach gear for families.
Care
Shake off sand after each use. For a quick clean, spray with a hose and air dry. For a deeper clean, use soapy water and a sponge, rinse with a hose and air dry in the shade before folding up. Beach mats are not machine washable. The PVC base and Oxford fabric are designed for outdoor cleaning rather than machine washing cycles.
Frequently asked questions
What size is the Will and Wind beach mat?
200cm x 145cm laid out. Folded: 41cm x 23cm x 8cm. Weight: 1.5kg including the four metal pegs.
Is the Will and Wind beach mat waterproof?
The PVC base prevents moisture from damp or wet ground coming through to the surface. The Oxford fabric top is water-repellent so spills bead off quickly. The mats are not designed for immersion, but for sitting on damp or wet ground they work well.
Are Will and Wind beach mats sand free?
No. A quick shake removes most sand from the Oxford top, but the mats do not have sand-repelling fibres. The back often needs a quick brush or hose to remove all sand after a beach day.
How do I stop the mat blowing away?
Use the four metal corner pegs included with each mat. They push into sand, grass or earth and keep the mat flat on windy days.
Does it come with a bag?
The mat folds into its own built-in carry bag with handles and straps. No separate bag needed.
Can I use it somewhere other than the beach?
Yes. Parks, camping, boat stops, sports sidelines, festivals and backyard hangs all work well. The PVC base handles damp grass and uneven ground equally well.
Is it machine washable?
No. Spray with a hose for a quick rinse or clean with soapy water and a sponge, then air dry. Do not machine wash.
How does it stay so compact when folded?
The mat folds into itself using the built-in handles and straps. No external bag or clips required. At 41cm x 23cm x 8cm it fits easily in a boot, caravan locker or under a pram.
Shop Beach Mats | Large Beach Blanket Guide | Ultimate Beach Packing List