A good-sized beach umbrella will depend on how many people you have in your beach crew. Typically, anywhere from 6 feet to 7 feet of canopy will provide shade for two to four people, and possibly more if your group includes little ones or four-legged friends. If you need protection for one, you might consider a smaller chair umbrella or if you have a larger group, a beach umbrella tent will do the trick. No matter the size, you want to be sure it is lightweight and compact enough to transport to and from the beach.