Water activities are an invigorating way to mix up your vacation, whether you’re whitewater rafting, surfing, or wading through sea caves. But what you wear can make or break the experience—no one wants to be fumbling with straps, ties, or heavy material mid-adventure.
Active Swimsuits for Your Trip
These 10 active swimsuits for both women and men ensure the comfort and convenience you’ll need to enjoy them on your next trip. The best part: They’re stylish swimsuits, too.
Casual Active Swimsuits

Active swimsuits don’t have to stand out or make you look like a lifeguard. The athleisure trend has given rise to plenty of stylish swimsuits that are sporty yet casual, like Mavele’s Kaia Sport Bikini top and bottom: The racerback top looks like a sports bra and zips up to your neck, while the bottoms have a thick waistband to offer moderate coverage that will stay in place.
For men, Hurley’s One & Only Heather 2.0 Boardshorts are eclectic and secure, with plenty of colors to choose from and an adjustable-tie waist.
Stylish Swimsuits with Extra Coverage

Extra protection from sun, bugs, and other elements is possible with the right active swimsuit. Volcom’s Long Sleeve Bodysuit 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 Tee Sun Shirt.
Active to Swim

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

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, chlorine and salt water-resistant, and 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.
 Stylish Swimsuits for Plus-Size Travelers

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 and for a true suit sans shorts, Krinkle’s Chlorine-Resistant High Neck Tank has comfortable, wide straps and is perfect for the pool or outdoors.
One-Piece Active Swimsuits

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 thicker 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.
More from SmarterTravel:
- 11 RFID-Blocking Travel Items That Won’t Make You Look Like a Tourist
- What to Wear in Florida
- Pickpocket-Proof Clothing: 10 Garments to Protect Your Stuff
Associate Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.
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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