Beach theft is so rampant in some places that authorities, like the Honolulu Police Department, recommend people just take their belongings with them into the water while swimming. Okay, so strapping a waterproof bag to yourself is one surefire way to keep things from getting stolen nowadays — but it’s not the only way.
We found a better solution: a small, portable lockbox you can fix to your beach chair or umbrella. Reviewers say it’s also a godsend for camping, cruises, gyms, and hostel stays. Thousands of travelers give this little Safego lockbox five stars on Amazon, where you can get it for 10 percent off right now.
Safego Portable Lockbox
The container looks like a giant combination lock, opening at the top to fit phones, passports, cash and cards, earbuds, cameras, jewelry, glasses, and other small valuables. It locks with either a unique key or three-digit combination and features a heavy-duty, 17-inch steel cable you can tether to any fixed object.
The box is 7 inches tall and 7.5 inches wide and has 88 cubic inches of interior space. The shell is made of ultra-tough ABS plastic that can withstand physical impact and chemical corrosion — in other words, it’s almost impossible to get open without a key or serious tools. “I expected it to be much easier to break into, but we tried as a test and couldn't do it,” wrote one reviewer. “No child could ever get into it, and an adult would likely have to use a hammer to break into it. That's how sturdy it is.”
The lock itself is made of nickel-plated zinc alloy, for which environmental factors like sand, wind, and water are no match. While the lockbox is not entirely waterproof, it does provide some protection from spills and splashes. “I could finally swim in the ocean and not worry about my things being stolen,” another reviewer said. “It made life so much easier at the beach.”
Safego Portable Lockbox
Besides its beach-related uses, reviewers report using the portable safe for water parks, dorm rooms, hotels, and even as a travel purse. It weighs only a pound and takes up practically no space in your carry-on bag, but make sure you keep it unlocked in your checked luggage so TSA doesn’t cut it open.
The black color is typically $50, but it’s on sale for $45 at Amazon right now, while you can also choose from blue, gold, white, pink, and green for the same price. However, reviewers call the item “priceless,” with one traveler writing that “the Safego will be one of the first items I pack in my suitcase every time I travel.”