A combination beach mat and carrying bag comprising a cylindrical pocket member having a cylindrical cavity and closed and open ends and adapted to receive an exercise mat in a rolled configuration, the open end having a movable closure panel to enclose the cavity and a releasable fastener to enable the opening and closing of the closure member, an elongate fabric member having a first end connected to the pocket member along a longitudinal edge, wherein the fabric member may be rolled around the pocket member to provide a cylindrical compact configuration, a fastening means situated at the second end of the fabric member and on a corresponding portion of the bottom surface when in the compact configuration to releasably secure the second end to the bottom surface for maintaining the carrying bag in the compact configuration, and a carrying strap affixed to each end of the pocket member.