Six of the best gadgets and gizmos on a theme. This week: Six of the best gadgets for a seaside holiday.

By Peter Jenkinson


As you prepare to head off to (hopefully) sunnier climes, you're unlikely to have difficulty getting a bucket and spade from a local vendor.

There are a few toys, however, that we've discovered as we packed our virtual cases to enhance your sand-between-the-toes excursion and keep you beach bound until the sun sets.


Sun Screen - BeachBuoy Tablet Waterproof Case - £24.95 from www.proporta.com

With your tablet encased in this watertight cover, you'll be able to take your shiny device down to the beach without any fear of a short circuit. Featuring a double-sided transparent screen, you'll still be able to use your touchscreen and submerge it in up to 5m of water to capture some underwater action.


Shade Away - Sundome Beach Shelter - £30 from www.cotswoldoutdoor.co.uk

Not simply a shade to keep the sun off your face, this shelter makes a great wind break, too. The dome comes with pegs to secure it to the ground, pockets for storage and a zip at the front to keep your gear a bit more secure when you go off for a dip.


Water Music - Pure Oasis Flow - £134.90 from www.petertyson.co.uk

This rugged DAB radio is happiest when in the great outdoors. A hard case and rubber seals keep the innards safe from the elements. In addition to digital stations, you'll get access to FM too and you can plug in an external music source such as your smartphone to release those music files into the breeze. The Wi-Fi capability of this unit means you can, when back at your abode, hook up to one of thousands of internet stations, too.


Play Time - Waboba Water Ball - £5.99 from www.firebox.com

Not all spheres are created equal, as this one, you see, has been crafted to give maximum fun when played in, on, or around water. A Lycra coating makes this palm-sized ball float and bounce on the H2O, skimming across the surface at speed - it's an absolute must-have.


Ray Watcher - Oregon Scientific UV Monitor - £24.95 from www.boysstuff.co.uk

There is a fine balance between getting too much sun and just the right amount of vitamin D. But this clever gadget monitors the UV rays and calculates the maximum sun exposure based on the SPF of your suncream together with skin type. It's ideal for keeping an eye on how long you have been in the sun and knowing when it's time to go inside for a cocktail!


Sand Space - Reserved Towel - £14.99 from www.firebox.com

Getting up at the crack of dawn to ensure your space is reserved by the pool is an age-old game played between the nations. But it's much harder to do this down by the beach. So this very bold statement - made from 100% cotton - will have no one under any illusions as to who is sitting where!


App of the week: Gets To The Exit - 60p from iTunes

If you are into robo-frogs and yetis and wonder how they could combine to create one of the best iOS games of 2012, then take a look at this. The multi-level game is high on eye-watering graphics, immersive gameplay and plenty of laughs as you progress.