55 Beach Business Ideas You Can Start Today [2023]

Updated: July 24th, 2023

Interested in starting a beach business in 2023?

We put together 54 of the best beach businesses you can start in today.

For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other beach businesses to help you see what it really takes.

Here's the full list:

1. Start a sewing and alteration business

Do you have sewing skills and looking for an entrepreneurship opportunity? You can start your sewing and alteration business.

A sewing and alteration business offers customers clothing repair, custom tailoring, button replacement, and other alterations. You can start a sewing and alteration business at home or set up a retail location.

To start a sewing and alteration business, you will need a commercial-grade sewing machine and a marketing strategy, so target customers learn about your business.

How much you can make: $1,000/month

2. Start a surfboard business

How much you can make: $8,000 — $80,000/month

How long does it take to build: 44 days (?)

3. Start a private escort firm

How much you can make: $200,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

4. Build an iPhone app

The iPhone is the most popular mobile device in the world. It has changed how we interact with information, entertainment, and communication.

The iPhone has also changed the way we interact with each other. Since its release in 2007, it has become a staple in most people’s lives. It is more than just a phone; it is a tool for staying connected to friends and family and creating new connections.

The iPhone app market is an ever-changing landscape of innovation: it’s not just about making something that works well; it’s about creating something that stands out from the crowd.

It would help if you had something that appeals to your audience to succeed in this market. This can be as simple as ensuring your app has a catchy name or as complex as developing an entire brand identity around your app’s functionality.

How much you can make: $150 — $2,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $6,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

5. Start a museum tours business

How much you can make: $250,000/month

6. Start a mobile photography business

Want to start your own photography business? You're not alone. With the rise of social media and photo-sharing, blogging, and online retailing, it's never been easier to start making money behind your camera.

There are photographers shooting weddings, creating images for ad campaigns, freelancing for magazines, touring the world, taking photographs of destinations — the list is endless!

To start mobile photography , research the target audience and determine which specialization area is more lucrative. Invest in high-quality, professional cameras, lenses, and a computer with professional software photo-editing software.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)

7. Start a coffee cart

A coffee cart is a small outdoor structure that serves coffee and other beverages at retail prices. A coffee cart business is a low startup cost business.

All you need to set up a coffee cart business is a professional coffee machine and coffee cups.

To maximize your profits all year round, choose a strategic location and ensure you are readily available to serve your customers whenever they need coffee.

How much you can make: $15,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

8. Start a surf brand

Tropical islands feature amazing beaches with calm waters and are great for surfing. The fantastic weather and calm waters make the beaches within the tropical islands an attractive destination for surfers.

Therefore, starting a surf brand in the tropical islands can be a profitable business. Alternatives include surfing lessons, surfing boards, and surfing accessories.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $100,000/month

How long does it take to build: 67 days (?)

9. Start an apartment rental business

An apartment is a private residence divided into several separate dwellings. If you are interested in starting an accommodation and housing-related business, apartment rental can be a good fit. Your target customers can be business executives, dignitaries, travelers, etc.

To start your business, look for a strategic location and build or buy a ready property. When purchasing an apartment, you may need to renovate the property to be suitable for rental.

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

10. Start a restaurant

If you love cooking and are passionate about entrepreneurship, starting a restaurant can be a fun and lucrative business.

To get started, choose a great location, and hire an excellent support team. You will need a chef to inspect the food and line cooks, waiters, and waitresses to serve the customers. No matter the restaurant type, you need great culinary and business skills to make your dream come true.

If you plan to open a restaurant , gain insight from consumer preferences and focus on serving modern consumers what they need.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $61,650,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

11. Start a local merchandise sales business

How much you can make: $45,000 — $50,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

12. Start a house sitting business

House sitters take care of customers' homes while they are away for extended periods. You may be able to offer house sitting to people with multiple properties for short-term or long-term, depending on how much time you have.

Starting a house-sitting business does not require a huge amount of capital. You can create a website or a social media page and advertise your services. Your typical duties as a house-sitting agent will include the following:

  • Feeding pets, cleaning cages and grooming them
  • General housework and cleaning
  • Maintaining gardens and hedges
  • Taking in the post, newspapers, and junk mail
  • Watering houseplants

You can attract new customers by printing a few business flyers and targeting wealthy housing estates or apartments in the city.

13. Start a bar business

14. Start a fishing guide business

15. Start a grocery store

A grocery store sells a wide variety of food products, fresh or packaged, and other household & personal care items. The grocery store industry is the largest retail channel that makes $682 billion in the United States.

To start a basic grocery store, you can expect to spend a minimum of $50,000. Ideally, the bigger expense would be the rent, equipment, labor cost, cash registers/POS systems, and software. Some of these are recurring monthly fees. However, the location, size of the store, competitors, and local customers will significantly impact the business. A new grocer should sell more items for a lower price to make a more significant profit.

A new grocer can also save costs by buying the items from local distributors. The distributor is the middleman between the manufacturer and the grocery store selling it. Once the store cost and location are decided, the next step is to obtain a seller license. In most states, a grocer's license is required to run a grocery store.

Thus an average grocery store has a profit margin of 3% to 5%. The profit rates depend on the store's location, size, and popularity. On average, a small to medium grocery store can make a profit of up to $300,000 annually if all the profit factors are considered.

Another way to make your business more profitable is to diversify your store and add amenities like a coffee shop or stocking up the front of the store with magazines, batteries, etc., as these items can cross a margin of up to 70%. As a rule of thumb, offering lower prices on higher purchases will ultimately win more customers and increase profitability.

16. Start a street entertainer business

17. Start a car rental business

Car rental can be profitable if you are passionate about starting a business in the auto industry. Retail and corporate are the main segments within the car rental industry. Retail car rentals focus on individuals who rent cars for shorter periods, while corporate car rental targets companies that want to transport clients or employees.

If you are starting a car rental business , target airports, hotels, railway stations, commercial offices, and other high-traffic areas.

Market your business, hire employees who will manage the operations and keep records, and purchase business insurance for both cars and employees.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $583,333/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

18. Start a night club

Night clubs are entertainment venues comprising dance floors, light shows, and a stage for playing live music or featuring DJ music. Humans enjoy dance, and many societies incorporate dance as a prominent aspect of entertainment, socializing, and progression.

Thus, a nightclub is one of the best nighttime business ideas you can start today. Every city has its picks for the most prominent nightclubs, bars, and dance floors.

19. Start a taxi cab business

If you are an experienced driver and know your city well, starting a taxi cab business can be a very lucrative side hustle.

Here are the steps on how to start a taxi cab business.

  • Secure your business licenses
  • Secure financing and purchasing equipment
  • Purchase a commercial insurance

How much you can make: $250,000/month

20. Start a pedal boat rentals business

21. Start a fair or carnival vending buiness

22. Start a hotel booking platform

The explosively popular Airbnb and countless similar services have proven that the market for home and apartment rentals is growing rapidly. As an entrepreneur who loves travel, you see an opportunity to extend this model to hotels. That’s why you start a hotel booking platform where travelers can search for and book accommodations worldwide.

The market size of the online hotel booking platform industry worldwide amounted to nearly $518B in 2020. Starting a hotel booking platform can be so interesting as an idea that can proliferate. It doesn’t require any license, no inventory — only mobile phones, an internet connection, and some motivation to succeed.

How much you can make: $114,200,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

23. Start a jet ski rental business

Are you looking for a business you can start within the coastal locations? A jet ski rental business can be excellent if you target areas that attract water sports tourists. According to industry experts, the global market size for the water sports gear market will reach $55.2 billion in the next decade.

Therefore, starting the ski jet rental business can be a profitable business. To venture into the ski rental business, you may start alone or consider starting as a franchise partner. For an absolute beginner in this industry, a franchise would be advisable.

24. Start a ferry business

25. Start a cruise ship travel agent business

Cruise ship travel agents are professionals who work on board cruise ships. They are responsible for helping passengers plan their trips, make reservations for shore excursions, and assist them with any other travel-related needs.

Cruise ship agents may specialize in a specific area of expertise, such as booking tours or finding excursions that match the interests of the passengers. For example, if the passenger is interested in wildlife viewing or diving, then the agent might have extensive knowledge of which tours would be best for them to take.

The first step to starting a cruise ship travel agent is to find a cruise line you are interested in. The next step is to find out if the company has any openings for an agent. If they do, you will need to apply for the position. If not, you may need to wait until one becomes available.

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

26. Start a welcome service business

27. Start a private jet repair business

According to statistics, private jet ownership is booming across the globe. Therefore, starting a personal jet-related business can be rewarding.

A potential opportunity in this sector is private jet repair and maintenance. Like commercial airplanes, private jets require regular maintenance and repair to keep the plane safe and comfortable. Are you looking to start a private jet repair and maintenance business?

To start, you need factory training, which will focus on performing light line maintenance, heavy air flame inspections, jet engine, APU maintenance, Avionics, cabin entertainment upgrades, and repairs, and the ability to complete interior services.

Alternatively, you can hire a professionally trained aeronautical engineer to do the repair and maintenance on private jets as you focus on business growth.

28. Become a swimming instructor

Swimming instructors help children and adults develop proper swimming techniques. Starting swim lessons can be a profitable side hustle. You can teach swimmers at a private or a public pool.

Swimming teachers charge students per session or hour. To become a swimming pool instructor, consider registering for relevant training courses and take the certification examination. Advertise your business online and target social groups in your area.

How much you can make: $1,000/month

29. Become a documentary photographer

Documentary photographers capture images that portray people, places, and events and offer their audience an accurate visual recording.

To start a documentary photography business, you need a camera, a DSLR, or a regular point-and-shoot device. Proper photo editing skills will help you present quality results to your customers.

30. Start a home inventory business

31. Start a lodging business

32. Start a vintage clothing business

33. Start a personal shopper business

A personal shopper business is a service that helps individuals find and purchase the perfect clothing, accessories, and other personal items for their specific needs and style. As a personal shopper, you will work with your clients to understand their preferences and budget and then use your expertise and resources to curate a selection of items for them to choose from.

To start a personal shopper business, you must have a strong sense of fashion, an eye for style, and excellent communication and customer service skills. It will help if you are organized and efficient, as you must manage multiple clients and their requests simultaneously.

To begin your business, you must establish your target market and determine your pricing structure. You will also need to create a website or online platform to showcase your services and portfolio. Consider building relationships with retailers and designers to access the best products for your clients.

To start a personal shopper business, you will need to:

  • Determine your target market and pricing structure.
  • Create a website or online platform to showcase your services and portfolio.
  • Build relationships with retailers and designers to access the best products for your clients.
  • Develop a marketing plan to attract and retain clients.
  • Establish a system for managing client requests and communication.

34. Start a bike rental store

Bike rental is one of the most profitable business ideas most people overlook. Today, bike rental is in high demand, especially among people who love outdoor activities. Today, people prefer renting a bike as opposed to buying one. Moreover, bikes offer a hassle-free and quicker ride option for daily commuters. In that regard, starting your own bike rental business is exciting and can be profitable.

If you are starting a bike rental business, some avenues you could use to increase business profitability include:

  • Targeting tourists
  • Reaching out to biker clubs
  • Biking training schools
  • Cater to employees in organizations that encourage the use of bikes

Use bike rental software to manage bookings, and market your business on social media and biking clubs, to maximize bookings.

35. Start a horse rental business

36. Start a mobile computer training business

37. Start a delivery service

Delivery service refers to a collection of services that deliver goods and products through the land, air, or waterways across locations. The delivery services serve B2B, B2C, and C2C customers.

The growing e-commerce sect and increased cross-border trade are some factors driving the growth of delivery services. Furthermore, consumer preference for online shopping has greatly contributed to the increased demand for delivery services.

To start a delivery service, make sure you have a cargo van, a fully functional website, and meet all the legalities for operating a business in your state.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $83,333,333/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

38. Start a water sports instructor business

39. Start a boat cleaning service

Boat cleaning is a low barrier to entry business, with high-profit margins and low competition. If you love working on boats and looking forward to starting a boat business, this could be your best time to start the boat cleaning business.

To start a boat cleaning business, target the regions where boats are a popular means of transportation and fishing. Advertise your business, and focus on offering superior service so customers keep returning and referring your services to others.

40. Start a kayak rental business

If you happen to live near a lake or a water body, you may consider starting a kayak rental business. Kayak rental is a low-expense business and easy to operate without so much involvement in person. If you want to keep the business passive, you may want to operate it by appointment only.

41. Start a backyard ponds business

42. Start an e-book writing business

An eBook business is profitable and flexible, letting you start a business from anywhere, while it is a low-cost business that is easy to start. You can make a living self-publishing and selling eBooks online as long as you are ready to invest your time and money in it.

Anyone can start an eBooks business! Just choose a niche that interests the target audience, and ensure in-depth research.

How much you can make: $2,000 — $42,857/month

How much does it cost to start: $67 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

43. Start a plant stands business

The ornamental indoor houseplant trends enhance aesthetics, complementing the interior design and bringing the room together. The hanging plants are among the favorite indoor plants you will find today. To create a strong aesthetic with climbing plants, décor experts use plant stands.

A plant stand is a wooden, metallic, or plastic material that holds potted houseplants. Plant stands are available in different shapes and sizes, and maybe a simple pillar to hold one pot or multiple levels to hold many plants.

Given the increased adoption of climbing plants in indoor space décor, introducing the plant stands can be a lucrative business opportunity. If you are starting a plant stand business, your customers or target market can include home décor experts, offices, and homeowners.

How much you can make: $100,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

44. Start a landscape designing business

Landscape design, also known as landscape architecture, involves arranging and modifying features in a landscape, urban area, or garden. The scope of work requires planning, designing, and managing open spaces to create an appealing environment.

The demand for landscape design is high among homeowners and commercial space owners. According to statistics, the employment of landscape architects will grow by 6% in the next few years. The need for planning and developing new and existing landscapes for commercial, industrial, and residential construction will drive the growth.

Starting a landscape design business can be profitable if you are an experienced designer with excellent artistic skills. To start a landscape design business, do market research and write a business plan. Invest in quality landscape design tools and equipment and register your business.

How much you can make: $2,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

45. Start a laundromat

The first laundromat opened in the United States in 1887. It was invented by the entrepreneur Josephine Cochrane, who was frustrated with having to wash her family’s laundry by hand.

The laundromat is a self-service facility that provides washing and drying machines for personal use. There are many different types of machines available, including coin-operated ones and those that require a card. They also provide various types of detergents and fabric softeners for use with the machines.

A laundromat can make a lot of money if it is in the right location and has the right prices.

How much you can make: $9,300 — $83,333/month

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

46. Become a bed and breakfast owner

Bed and breakfast is a sort of hybrid between a luxury hotel and a private home. The host offers the guests affordable accommodation featuring a bed and breakfast at the room's price. B&Bs offer affordable accommodations and are becoming popular among travelers who prefer a private setting.

If you have realistic expectations, B&B can be a profitable and enjoyable business. To start, you can renovate and turn your home into an inn. Alternatively, you can build or buy a ready house and convert it into a modern B&B.

47. Start a picnic tables business

48. Start a bikini and trunks sales business

How much you can make: $2,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

49. Start a tour guide business

Can you offer a native perspective of a town you know well? If yes, starting a tour guide business can be a significant business venture. Tour guides charge tourists per tour and provide visitors with an area with local tour narration and navigation.

To start a tour guide business, choose an area you know, and study its history. Visitors will often ask questions and expect you to answer them. Therefore, you have to be well-versed in the areas you will cover.

You can partner with a tour & travel company or a game park near you and offer the visitor's tour guide services.

How much you can make: $1,500 — $43,300,000/month

50. Start a private hostel business

A private hostel is a residential premise or center set up by a private entity to accommodate paying guests on a rental basis for a fixed duration. Private accommodation for tourists and travelers can be a good option if you love meeting and hosting different people while creating a passive income from your business.

Setting up your own private hostel business takes a lot of planning. First, find the ideal location and check all the local zoning laws. Then, procure (buy/lease) a perfect building and equip it with beds and other accommodations for guests.

To attract business, network with tours and travel companies and advertise the business on social media.

How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)

51. Start a shuttle service

A shuttle service business provides transportation services to individuals or groups between two locations. This could include airport shuttles, hotel shuttles, or corporate shuttles. To start this business, you will need to obtain a commercial driver’s license and purchase or lease a vehicle that meets the requirements for shuttle services. Depending on your location, you may also need to obtain any necessary permits or licenses.

To run this business successfully, it is important to have a well-planned and organized schedule to ensure that you can meet your clients' needs. Having reliable and trustworthy drivers who can provide a safe and comfortable customer experience is also important. Providing excellent and timely customer service will be key to attracting and retaining clients.

To market your shuttle service business, you may consider partnering with hotels, airports, or corporate clients to offer your services to their customers. You could also advertise online or through local print or radio advertisements. Building a strong online presence through a website and social media channels can also help to attract new clients.

Overall, a shuttle service business can be a lucrative and rewarding endeavor as long as you can meet your clients' needs and provide reliable and efficient transportation services.

52. Start an event organizing business

Here's an idea for those who excel at bringing people together and crafting unforgettable experiences: an event organizing business. Simply put, this venture involves planning events - be they weddings, corporate conferences, or intimate family celebrations - down to the last, memorable detail.

It's the ideal line of work for individuals who have a knack for multitasking, negotiating, and curating aesthetic elements. With each event you plan, you not only construct a tangible experience but also create delighting memories for your clients.

An event organizing business does not necessitate an enormous initial investment. It does demand keen attention to detail, tireless energy, and a skill for juggling diverse tasks. And the payoff? The satisfaction of making dreams come true and the chance to shape unforgettable moments.

But while it is rewarding, this business is not for the faint-hearted. It requires a resilient spirit, ready to face unforeseen challenges around every corner. But fear not, these challenges are nothing but stepping stones paving your path to mastery in event management.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $162,620/month

53. Start a gift shop kiosk

The gifting culture is a trend that will not end anytime soon. People will look for customized or surprise gifts for their friends, parents, relatives, and colleagues.

Do you love the gifting tradition and looking for a chance to help others improve their gifting experiences? Maybe you can start a gift kiosk in your neighborhood.

A Gift kiosk sells greeting cards, books, candy, jewelry, fragrance, inspirational gifts, and baby and fashion items. To start, identify the niche, and set up the shop at a strategic location. It would be best to have high-quality suppliers so your business stands out and attracts return customers.

54. Start a casino hotels business

A casino hotel is an establishment consisting of a casino with temporary lodging and a hotel. Customers have access to gambling facilities, lodging, and other catering services under the same roof.

Casino amenities are profitable businesses, with much of their profits coming from gambling activities. However, they require certain licensing and permit guidelines that may differ from other catering businesses.

Pat Walls,  Founder of Starter Story
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Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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