Beach Bum Romance | The Best Dating Apps for Finding Your Memorial Day Beach Buddy

couple kneeling on the beach

It’s a love story for the ages. You meet them. There’s an instant spark, an undeniable connection. The energy vibrates in the room when you’re together, and you just can’t explain it.

Touching them is eclectic, like they’re made of lighting, and you’re a conductor struck by their charge. When you kiss for the first time, your stomach flips, and the butterflies soar, lifting you up and taking you to the moon. Is this love? If it’s not, then you don’t know what the hell is. There’s only one problem

This love exists in the pages of the romance novel you brought with you to the beach. And as you near the end, your face flushes, your heart rate picks you up, and you sit up from your towel and look out on a crowded beach.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and it suddenly hits you how alone you really are. Why didn’t you check out those dating apps when you had the chance? Because let’s be real… You need to get out of the house more if you’re going to find the love that’s written in stories unless you plan to marry your mailman, and chances are he’s already taken. 

Except you’re in luck! Time travel exists, and now it’s not Memorial Day anymore. Now you’re here, reading this blog because you’re ready to find the one. Okay, maybe not the one, but someone fun who you can sit on the beach with, stick your toes in the sand, hop into the sea and catch a wave or two, and maybe a smooch or three.

You’re seeking a fellow beach bum to enjoy the sun, warmth, and the start of summer–the best time for my love in my book. I used to write romance novels, trust me–they always take place in summer. So now’s the time, and let’s get to it. But where do you start?

What’s the best dating app for finding the beach bum who is going to steal your heart and bring the romance from the pages of your books into reality? Let’s find out!

Elite Singles

Elite Singles is a dating app that focuses on matching users with high-quality, compatible matches based on personality traits, interests, and relationship goals. This approach can be particularly beneficial for those looking for serious, long-term relationships, but how does this relate to Memorial Day?

Well, think about it. What do people who love to work all share in common? You know the saying: Work hard, play harder, baby! And what better time to unleash your wild side than a holiday that is all about celebrating your freedom and the people who helped you keep it?

This is when you can spend time with like-minded people and finally take that Monday off to enjoy yourself. Even educated and successful people need a break.

With a user base that allows people to connect over shared values and interests, you can now connect with others over your love for outdoor activities, barbecues, or other Memorial Day traditions.

Elite Singles also puts emphasis on meaningful connections and communication. The app encourages users to create detailed profiles and engage in substantive conversations with potential matches before meeting in person.

This can help users get to know each other on a deeper level and increase the likelihood of building a lasting connection; plus, those conversations can now overflow when you invite your new love interest to your friend’s pool for the holiday.

And what’s best about it? You know that with their intelligence and education, you’re not going to have to worry about introducing your friends to someone boring. They’re going to bring the fun–and the conversation.

Zoosk

Zoosk is a dating app that uses a unique algorithm to suggest matches based on user behavior, preferences, and interests. The more you use this app, the better your future potential partners will be. And because you’ll fill in a compatibility quiz when you get started, you’ll know that even your first few matches will have more in common with you than people on other sites.  

Not only that, but Zoosk’s SmarkPick technology will send matches straight to your page, saving you the time and stress of having to find compatible profiles on your own. By indicating your interests and plans for Memorial Day, you can also increase the likelihood of matching with someone who shares similar values and interests related to the holiday.

Zoosk has a user-friendly design and a range of communication features. The app offers a variety of communication options, including chat, messaging, and video calls, allowing users to connect in a way that works best for them. This can be particularly helpful for those looking for meaningful conversations and connections before meeting in person. Because let’s be honest, the last thing you want is to invite your date on your friend’s boat only to find out that they can’t swim. 

eHarmony

eHarmony is a dating app that uses a comprehensive compatibility quiz to match users based on their similar personalities. This approach can be especially helpful for those looking for something genuine and lasting, as it prioritizes compatibility over superficial characteristics.

The app encourages users to take their time getting to know potential matches and provides a range of communication options to facilitate deep conversations. eHarmony also places a strong emphasis on privacy and security, with features like profile verification and secure messaging to protect user information and prevent fraud.

This means you’ll have less stress when wondering if you should invite the person to your Memorial Day gathering.

Bumble

If you’re a woman who’s tired of swiping through countless photos of shirtless guys holding fish, Bumble is the app for you. With Bumble, you get to take control of the conversation.

As a woman, if you match with someone, you have 24 hours to start a conversation, putting the power entirely in your hands. Gone are the days of unsolicited… messages. And if you’re a man, it’s even better.

Think about it. Now you no longer need to question if this girl is really into you because now she not only swiped right on you, but she also made the first move. Now you also have a step in the door. 

Bumble was created in 2014 by Whitney Wolfe Herd, who was also a co-founder of the popular dating app Tinder. Herd left Tinder in 2014 and started Bumble with the goal of creating a dating app that put women in control of the conversation.

Herd wanted to create a safe space for women in the online dating world and give them the power to make the first move, something that was not typically the case on other dating apps. This idea was inspired by her own experiences with online harassment and misogyny, and she wanted to create a platform that would empower women to take charge of their dating lives.

Today, Bumble has expanded beyond dating and includes features for finding friends and professional networking.

Why is this great for Memorial Day? Because maybe you don’t want a partner or a new love interest. Perhaps you just want someone to hang out with? And now you can’t do that. Dating apps were created for love, but now they’re evolving, and it’s easier than ever to make friends on them as well as connect with potential partners.

So if you see someone who looks like they’d be the perfect beach buddy, don’t be afraid to start swiping. It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or a guy; you can rest assured knowing that this connection is probably something more genuine.

And you wanna know the good news? What’s better than a first date than a day at the beach? Memorial Day couldn’t come quicker.

And if things don’t work out romantically, you can always switch to BFF mode and find a new friend to hit the layout and read those books with.

Hinge

Hinge is like the beach volleyball game of dating apps. You create a detailed profile with photos and information about your interests and hobbies. Instead of just swiping left or right, users can like or comment on specific aspects of another user’s profile. This makes it easier to start a conversation and find someone who shares your love of beach volleyball, sunsets, and Memorial Day margaritas.

Hinge, the dating app that prides itself on being designed to be deleted, is an excellent choice for finding a Memorial Day weekend date. Here’s why:

  • Detailed Profiles: Hinge allows users to create more detailed profiles compared to other dating apps. You can add up to six photos and answer various prompts, including questions about your favorite vacation spot or your go-to beach activities. This feature allows you to showcase your personality and interests and find like-minded individuals who share your love for the beach.
  • Filter By Location: One of the most significant advantages of Hinge is that you can filter potential matches by location. This means that you can easily find people who are spending Memorial Day weekend in the same beach town as you. The app also allows you to set your location so you know that the people you’re matching are going to be close enough to you that they’ll be able to join you by the sea for the holiday weekend.
  • Mutual Friends: Hinge shows you potential matches who have mutual friends with you, which can be a great icebreaker. This feature can also make you feel more comfortable about meeting someone new, knowing that you have mutual connections. Considering holidays are ideal for group meet-ups, this is also an easy chance to invite your match to a friend’s barbecue or to their beach house for some Memorial Day fun.
  • Icebreaker Prompts: Hinge’s icebreaker prompts are designed to help you start a conversation with a potential match. The prompts can range from “Two truths and a lie” to “What’s your favorite beach activity?” These prompts can make it easier to initiate a conversation and find common ground with someone new and will increase the chances that you’ll find a partner in time for the holiday.

Ship

If you’re tired of swiping alone, Ship is the app for you. With Ship, you can invite your friends to join your “crew” and help you find a match. Your friends can swipe through potential matches and give their seal of approval, making it easier to find someone who fits your beach-loving vibe.

Plus, no one knows you better than your friends, and not only will this take away the stress of introducing your match to your friends, it’s probably likely that you’ll have a higher chance of increased compatibility with this person when you have your buds weighing in on your match.

This is also great if you’d prefer to meet up with a group instead of hanging out with a stranger alone. Because let’s be honest, on a day like Memorial Day, you’re going to want to be surrounded by friends, and not only is this an easy way to do that, but your friends will also have to give their approval to invite this person into your crew. 

One Swipe Away from Your Future Smooch

Regardless of which dating app you choose to find a new beau for Memorial Day, the good news is that you still have time.

So get to swiping, friend, because before you know it, that love story you were reading about will soon be the one you’re living. Holidays are for celebration, so why not celebrate with a lot of sand, a little smoochin,’ and your future beach bum sitting by your side? 

Abigail Langton
Abigail Langton

Abigail Langton spends her time deep diving into the facts readers want to know about current dating apps online. You'll find her breaking down the latest price points and how to stay secure dating online.