35 Trendy Beach Nails That Scream Summer Style

Ready for some fun in the sun?

Beach nails are a great way to show off your summer style!

In this article, you’ll find cool and colorful nail ideas that are perfect for the beach. From bright colors to ocean designs, your nails will shine.

Let’s get started!

1. Seashell Almond Nails with Iridescent Glow

A photo of a woman's hand with five fingers adorned with almond-shaped beach nails inspired by seashells. Each nail has a soft, pearly pink chrome finish with subtle holographic shimmer that mimics the natural glow of real seashells. The nails are perfectly filed and glossy, catching the natural bright sunlight in an outdoor background, reflecting delicate pastel tones. The hand is gently curved, showcasing the reflective quality of the polish. The skin is dewy and smooth, with manicured cuticles that enhance the fresh-from-the-ocean look.

Nothing says “I just came from the beach” like seashell-inspired nails.

Think soft pearly pinks, iridescent chrome, and a few shell decals thrown in for good measure.

These almond-shaped beauties shimmer in the sun and totally scream mermaid-core.

They’re dainty, dreamy, and made for sipping piña coladas.

2. Teal Wave Tips on a Bare Base

A close-up photo of a woman's hand with five nails painted in a nude base with fluid teal tips designed to resemble gentle ocean waves. The swirled tips are detailed with white foam-like edges, giving them a realistic crashing-wave effect. The hand is relaxed and is placed under natural bright sunlight in an outdoor background. The light casts soft shadows and enhances the clarity of the swirling teal design. The nails have a glossy finish that reflects sunlight. The skin looks luminous and smooth, highlighting the fresh, sun-kissed beach vibe.

Ride the wave—literally—with teal swirl tips that mimic ocean currents.

These look incredible over a sheer nude or milky base and feel playful without being too loud.

Want extra beachy flair? Add a tiny white foam line to make it look like waves are crashing on your fingertips.

3. Coral Reef Nails with Hand-Painted Starfish

A photo of a close-up shot of a woman's hand with vibrant coral-colored nails. The nails are beautifully adorned with hand-painted starfish, coral, and tiny ocean motifs. Each nail is intricately designed, giving the impression of an underwater coral reef, with a mix of soft pinks, oranges, and blues. The natural bright sunlight background lighting from the window illuminates the detailed artwork, making the colors pop and the designs stand out.

Let your nails become tiny underwater scenes.

Mix shades of coral, sand, and turquoise, then paint on starfish and reef details with a micro brush.

It’s like snorkeling on your hands.

Pair with shell jewelry and a salty breeze for a full beach-goddess effect.

4. Golden Sand Gradient Nails

A close-up shot of a woman's hand with five oval-shaped, beach-themed nails. The nails have a smooth gradient of beige to golden sand tones, with a soft nude cuticle area and a shimmery golden tip. The nails are well-moisturized. The background is a bright sunlight. The fingers are arranged in a soft splay.

Channel warm beach sand with a soft ombré of beige, tan, and nude.

Top with fine gold shimmer to catch the sunlight just right.

It’s subtle but stunning—like you dipped your fingers in sunshine and tiny flecks of beach magic.

Bonus: they match every swimsuit.

5. Sunset Palm Tree Nails

A close-up image of a well-moisturized woman's hand with five vivid beach nails showcasing a tropical sunset design. Each nail fades from orange to hot pink to lavender in a vertical ombré, with black palm tree silhouettes delicately painted over the color gradient. The nails are long and coffin-shaped, providing a miniature landscape art surface. The hand is tilted slightly, and the fingers are spread out to highlight each tropical scene individually. The background lighting is from a nearby window, with bright sunlight.

Paint a vacation sunset across your nails with ombré orange, magenta, and purple skies.

Add black palm silhouettes for instant drama.

They’re perfect for beach trips—or pretending you’re on one while typing away at work.

Basically, a tropical escape in nail form.

6. Jellyfish-Inspired Jelly Nails

A close-up of a well-moisturized woman's single hand only, highlighting five fingers adorned with long coffin-shaped semi-transparent jelly nails in pastel purples and blues. The soft swirling patterns within the jelly base resemble drifting jellyfish tentacles. Set against a natural ocean bright blurry evening sunlight outdoor background, the translucence of the nails gleams as light filters through the layers. The hand is posed casually and relaxed, allowing sunlight to dance on the glossy surfaces. The smooth, supple skin and neatly trimmed cuticles underscore the soft aquatic aesthetic of these dreamy beach nails.

These semi-transparent jelly nails have serious underwater vibes.

Choose pastel blues or purples, and layer in soft white swirls to mimic jellyfish movement.

They’re weirdly hypnotic in the best way. Perfect for the beachy dreamer who’s always lost in tidepool thoughts.

7. Bold Beach Ball Stripes

A photo of a woman's hand with five fingers, each adorned with short, square-shaped nails painted with bold vertical stripes in red, blue, yellow, and green. The nails are coated in a high-shine gloss and reflect the cheerful color palette. The hand is positioned in a relaxed pose against a natural bright mountain sunset background. The stripes are clean and playful, and the moisturized, radiant skin enhances the fun, youthful vibe of this beach nail look.

Go full retro with glossy stripes in bright red, blue, yellow, and green.

These nails are pure summer fun—like your nails are ready to dive into a pool party.

Keep the shape short and square for maximum playfulness.

Just add SPF and good vibes.

8. Flip-Flop Accent Nail Art

A close-up of a well-moisturized woman's single left hand only features five fingers adorned with long, coffin-shaped nails with a bright tropical manicure. The nails are painted in vibrant shades like hot pink and turquoise, with one accent nail displaying an adorable tiny flip-flop illustration. The hand is set in a relaxed pose under natural bright sunlight in an outdoor blurry beach and ocean background, which emphasizes the cheerful, beachy color scheme. Each nail is medium-length and perfectly shaped, with a high-gloss finish. The smooth, hydrated skin and playful art create a carefree, summer-day-on-the-shore vibe.

Tiny flip-flops on your nails?

You’re officially the fun one in the friend group.

Go for a bright background like aqua or hot pink and paint teeny sandals on an accent nail or two.

It’s cheeky, nostalgic, and totally beach day-approved.

9. Ocean Marble Nails in Blue and White

A photo of a close-up of a well-moisturized woman's single hand only displays five fingers adorned with long, coffin-shaped nails with beach nails featuring intricate marbling in deep navy, teal, and white, designed to mimic swirling ocean waves. The nails are long and softly squared, finished with a high-gloss top coat that reflects natural sunset bright from the outdoor background. The hand is placed in a relaxed pose, slightly tilted to highlight the fluid motion of the marbling. The skin appears to be oily, soft, and flawless, perfectly complementing the depth and texture of these ocean-inspired nails.

Swirls of navy, turquoise, and white come together to mimic the way waves mix with foam.

No two nails look the same, just like no two waves.

It’s abstract, artsy, and makes you feel like Poseidon personally blessed your mani.

10. Citrus Slice French Tips

A photo of a woman's left hand with long, almond-shaped nails. Each nail has a French-tip style design with hand-painted lemon, lime, and orange slices on the tips. The base is a clean, sheer pink. The nails are rounded and glossy, catching the light as the hand rests in a relaxed pose. The fingers are slightly spread to reveal the crisp detailing. The skin looks fresh and sun-kissed. The background is an outdoor setting with bright sunlight.

Give your French manicure a zesty upgrade.

Use orange, lemon, or lime slice designs on the tips for a fruity twist.

These are playful, colorful, and basically scream, “I brought the snacks to the beach picnic.”

Bonus: they pair perfectly with a spritz.

11. Surfboard Nail Stripes

A photo of a close-up of a well-moisturized woman's single hand only highlights five fingers painted in vibrant, vintage surfboard-inspired stripes. Each nail displays bold vertical bands in bright pink, turquoise, and yellow, separated by crisp white lines. The relaxed pose of the hand, resting naturally in natural bright sunlight outdoor background, emphasizes the playful, summery feel. The nails are short and squared with a high-gloss finish that reflects the light. The skin is smooth and radiant, perfectly complementing the sporty, nostalgic aesthetic of these beach nails.

Inspired by vintage surfboards, these nails feature bold color blocks and swoopy lines in neon or pastel.

Think hot pink and turquoise, or yellow and tangerine.

It’s sporty meets beach babe. You don’t need to surf to rock these—but you might start wanting to.

12. Mermaid Scales with Chrome Shimmer

A photo of a hand with five almond-shaped nails adorned with iridescent chrome finishes layered over a delicate mermaid scale pattern. The nails are seafoam green, lavender, and aqua, and their colors shift depending on the angle. The hand is well-moisturized and has glowing skin. The background is an outdoor setting with bright sunlight.

Transform into a sea siren with scale-patterned nails in iridescent hues.

Use a chrome powder finish for that wet-look shimmer.

It’s glam, magical, and turns every beach walk into your personal runway. Add gems if you’re going full under-the-sea royalty.

13. Tropical Sunset Fade

A photo of a woman's hand with long, rectangular-shaped nails in a gradient of coral, tangerine, and golden yellow. The nails have a seamless ombre effect and glow brightly in the sunlight. One of the nails features a silhouette of a bird flying. The hand is in a relaxed pose, angled slightly to catch the reflection of the sun. The skin is moisturized and has a warm, healthy glow. The background is an outdoor setting.

A vertical fade from coral to golden yellow mimics the look of a dreamy island sunset.

It’s simple, but the blend of colors feels magical.

Add a silhouette of a lone bird flying or a small sailboat for an artsy detail.

14. Nautical Navy and White Stripes

A close-up shot of a well-moisturized woman's hand with long, square-shaped nails. The nails are adorned with alternating navy and white horizontal stripes, and each nail has a clean edge. One accent nail features a tiny gold anchor detail. The nails are short and neatly squared, creating a crisp, classic look. The woman's skin is well-hydrated and smooth, adding to the elegance of the manicure. The background is an outdoor setting with natural bright sunlight.

Clean navy and white stripes give coastal yacht vibes—classic, crisp, and a little bit preppy.

Throw in a gold anchor or rope accent nail if you’re feeling fancy.

These are the nails you wear when you’re not just at the beach—you’re owning it.

15. Textured Sand Accent Nails

A photo of a woman's hand with a manicure. The nails are long and shaped like ballerina slippers. Four nails have a nude color, while one has a beige color. The beige nail is textured to resemble sand. The matte, grainy finish of the sand nail contrasts with the glossy nails surrounding it. Each finger is sculpted to perfection, and the glowing, supple skin enhances the sandy, sun-drenched beach nails effect.

Create a grainy texture with fine glitter or matte topcoats to mimic real sand.

Pair with glossy nude nails for contrast.

It’s subtle, tactile, and makes you want to dip your fingers into the ocean.

They literally feel like a beach day.

16. Glittering Tidal Pool Nails

A photo of a well-moisturized woman's left hand with five fingers adorned with very long, stiletto-shaped nails in semi-transparent aqua and sea blue shades. Each nail is embedded with chunky glitter and iridescent flakes. The nails' appearance mimics sunlight dancing over a shallow tidal pool. The nails gleam in natural bright sunlight. The sea is visible in the background. The hand is in a relaxed pose, with fingers slightly bent. The nails have a glossy, wet-look finish. The woman's skin is smooth, glowing, and perfectly complements this sparkling beach nails design.

Think sparkling sea water, but on your nails.

Use a clear or soft aqua base and layer in chunky glitter or reflective flakes.

It gives that twinkly tide pool effect when the sun hits just right.

It’s like a seaside shimmer show for your fingertips.

17. Flamingo Accent Nails

A photo of a woman's hand with very long, stiletto-shaped nails painted in pastel tones of mint and soft pink. There is a single accent nail with a finely detailed, hand-painted flamingo and lush tropical leaves. The hand is positioned in a relaxed pose, basking in natural bright sunlight in an outdoor background.

Flamingos are the ultimate beach birds—sassy, pink, and fabulous.

Paint one or two accent nails with tropical leaves or a pale blue base.

The rest of the set can stay simple and glossy. It’s cute, quirky, and pure beach bar energy.

18. Pineapple Pop Art Nails

A photo of a woman with well-moisturized skin and long, squoval-shaped nails decorated with bright yellow and green pop-art pineapples. The nails have tiny black polka dots and are painted over a white background. The woman is holding her hand against a bright sunlight outdoor background. The nails are short and round. The skin appears smooth and nourished.

Channel fruity fun with hand-painted pineapples in bright yellow and green. Add a polka-dot background for pop-art flair.

These are playful, fresh, and perfect for sipping piña coladas while watching the waves.

Instant mood-booster on your hands.

19. Abstract Coral Reef Design

A photo of a woman's hand with very long, oval-shaped nails painted with swirling patterns in coral, seafoam green, and lavender, mimicking an abstract view of a coral reef. One nail includes a tiny white fish silhouette for whimsy. The relaxed hand pose is under natural bright sunlight in an outdoor background. The nails are medium-length with a soft square shape and a glossy finish. Her radiant skin and detailed nail art evoke the serene beauty of an underwater reef.

Swirl together shades of coral, seafoam, and lavender for a painterly reef effect.

It’s like snorkeling in pastel dreams.

Add in a tiny fish or bubble detail if you’re feeling whimsical. This one’s for the artsy ocean lover with a creative soul.

20. Clear Ocean Tips with Tiny Shells

A photo of a woman's left hand with five very long, ballerina-shaped glossy nails. The nails have clear gel tips embedded with miniature seashells. The hand is well-moisturized and is displayed in a relaxed pose under natural bright sunlight. The outdoor background is blurred. The light refracts through the transparent tips, creating a shimmering effect. The nails are long and tapered, enhancing the floating-shell illusion.

Use transparent gel tips and embed miniature seashells or gold foil inside for that “message in a bottle” vibe.

These look stunning against sunlit skin and make a splash without being too loud.

Tiny aquariums on your hands? Yes, please.

21. Coastal Cowgirl Nails

A photo of a woman's hand with long, almond-shaped nails painted in a soft sandy nude tone. The nails have turquoise stone decals and delicate white stars. There is a black cowgirl hat painted on one of the nails. The hand is posed in a relaxed position under natural bright sunlight outdoors. The nails have a subtle shimmer.

Merge Western and beach vibes with soft sandy tones, turquoise stone decals, and tiny white stars.

Think beach boots and denim shorts. They’re fun, unexpected, and totally on trend.

Yeehaw meets sea breeze—and weirdly, it works.

22. Message in a Bottle Nail Art

A close-up shot of a woman's hand with long, glossy nails shaped like lipstick tubes. The nails are translucent and have a sandy-beige color. One of the nails has a tiny hand-painted scroll and a glass bottle, detailed with gold foil and tiny shell fragments. The hand is set against a bright sunlight outdoor background, and the nails shimmer slightly under the sun's rays. The hand is in a relaxed pose, with fingers slightly arched, and the high-gloss finish adds a watery glow.

Draw tiny bottles with scrolls or love notes on an accent nail.

The base can be soft blue or sandy beige to keep things dreamy.

These nails tell a story—and yes, someone might actually lean in to read them.

23. Scalloped Shell French Tips

A close-up of a well-moisturized woman's single hand only presents five fingers adorned with very long, mountain peak-shaped glossy nails with a modern French tip twist: soft white scalloped edges outlined in fine gold lines, mimicking seashell ridges. The sheer nude base is ultra-glossy. The hand is posed naturally and relaxed under natural bright sunlight in an outdoor background, allowing the delicate scalloped detail to shine. Each nail is medium-length with a round tip.

Take your French tips to the beach with scalloped edges painted in pearly white or champagne shimmer.

They mimic seashells without being too literal. Classy, a little flirty, and totally sun-kissed.

Just enough detail to keep things interesting.

24. Sea Turtle Swirl Nails

A photo of a well-moisturized woman's hand with long, stiletto square-shaped glossy nails. The nails have deep turquoise and seafoam green swirls, resembling ocean currents. One accent nail features a detailed baby sea turtle swimming along the tide. The hand is placed in a relaxed pose under natural bright sunlight. The background is an outdoor setting. The nails are almond-shaped and carefully manicured.

Add a sweet sea turtle or two swimming across a soft teal or aqua base.

You can include flowy white swirls to mimic ocean currents.

It’s relaxing, cute, and perfect for animal lovers or anyone who’s ever snorkeled with turtles and cried a little.

25. Mediterranean Tile-Inspired Nails

A photo of a woman's hand with long, Ballerina-shaped glossy shiny nails featuring intricate blue-and-white geometric patterns inspired by Mediterranean ceramic tiles. The nails have a slightly different tile motif. The hand is placed in a relaxed pose with fingers gently splayed. The photo is taken in natural bright sunlight outdoors.

Inspired by beachside villas and Grecian getaways, these nails feature blue-and-white tile prints.

Use stamps or hand-paint for a luxe, detailed finish.

They feel expensive and cultured—like sipping espresso by the Aegean in a breezy linen dress. You fancy.