Hi, thank you, you are right. Sand can damage lenses. But it is a major beach and there are also tables on the grass in front of the beach as well as a promenade.
So if I buy a table-top telescope I can use the table. I think with the Skywatcher Heritage I could also just use the promenade as it can be used on the ground (this is actually a plus when there are no tables available). The only problem is... hopefully nobody would want to steal it from me if it is dark and there is nobody else around...
I don't think so though. I took photos very early in the morning with an expensive camera and had no problems...