Everything You Need For A Beach Vacation
Are you planning a beach vacation and looking for everything you need to have a great time? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’ll share some valuable insights and tips that will help your next beach vacation be one of the best vacations ever! Planning a beach vacation can be tricky — especially if it’s your first. Lucky for you, we’ve done the planning and research so you don’t have to. Here is our ultimate guide to visit sunny beach destinations the right way From the neon signs of Miami to the palm trees of California and even the amber waves of Dunes, there’s no denying that vacations aren’t complete without a wee touch of the beach.
When it comes to planning a vacation I’m all about the little details. It’s important to have a nice resort, great flights, and all the fun stuff like jet skis, scuba diving and banana boat rides — but why not make this vacation special by making some of the little details special too? When you travel with your partner or family, it is easy to forget how much work goes into planning the whole trip. It’s easy to forget the little things that make the experience unique and memorable.
Everything You Need For A Beach Vacation
What’s more memorable than counting sand dollars while sipping a cold tropical beverage? I recently spent a week in Destin, Florida for vacation. I have been to this beach town several times, but never for an extended period of time. This time was different. I had all the time in the world to experience everything Destin had to offer. My wife and kids were with me, so it was a really unique experience.
The Essential Beach Packing List
CHRIS GRAY FAUST
Headed on a beach vacation? Use our essential beach packing list to help you pack everything you’ll need for a relaxing beach getaway. Best of all, it can save you money, since packing the right things now will keep you from having to repurchase items once you arrive.
Let other people sweat the small stuff, and streamline your list of hot weather must-haves so you look cool, even when the temperature isn’t. Here’s what to pack for the beach—without overpacking.
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Overall Plan: Light and breezy items should dominate your wardrobe choices. While you want to be comfortable, skip the faded and raggedy T-shirts and instead aim for a summery look that’s casual but polished. And while you’re packing, you may be tempted to focus just on getting there, make sure you also spend some time thinking about how you’ll transport wet and sandy items back home. There’s nothing worse than a suitcase full of sand. CGear has a line of products, including lounge chairs, blankets, and bags, that are “sand-free” and are must-have additions to your beach packing list.
What’s Essential? No beach vacation is complete without a swimsuit. Buy more than one so there’s always something dry to wear, and bring them along in your carry-on. For footwear, pack flip-flops, sandals, water shoes, or canvas tennis shoes, depending on the type of beach you’re on.
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Choose a mesh or nylon beach bag with a distinctive pattern so it’s easy to spot in a crowd, and make sure it has inside pockets, preferably waterproof, to store valuables and small electronics such as your cell phone. Speaking of gadgets, make sure that they’re waterproof or have protective covers. A soft-sided insulated tote for drinks and snacks is easier to carry than a bulky cooler. Pack some disposable wipes for quick clean-up. Reusable plastic bags can be your best friend: Use them to bring food to the beach, and then carry wet swimsuits and towels on the way home. And you’ll probably want a portable speaker, too. For more ideas, see 15 Beach Bag Essentials You Need for Summer.
Secret Weapon: If you wear corrective lenses and your beach sessions involve exploring reefs for colorful fish, you may want to invest in a prescription snorkel mask. Having your own mask can also prevent communicable diseases. (I once got a wicked case of pinkeye from a tainted snorkel mask in Costa Rica. Lesson learned.)
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Safety First: No matter how good it feels, the sun is not your friend. Load up on sun protection with a strong sunscreen that you can reapply often. If you’re traveling to your destination by plane, look into sunscreen towelettes that won’t explode or leak like bottled sunscreen. When you’re lathering up, don’t forget your face. Add SPF lip balm, and wear sunglasses and a sun hat. Make sure to check the environmental regulations at your beach destination, as some places are banning harmful and coral-damaging chemical sunscreens. Instead, shop for reef-safe sunscreens.
Leave at Home: Being on the beach is an excuse to cut loose; avoid bringing clothing that’s too stuffy or structured. If you’re staying at a hotel, find out ahead of time if towels and other beach amenities are included. Many vacation rentals also have “house” items such as camp chairs and barbecue grills so there’s no need to bring your own.
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Finalizing a beach vacation packing list requires a slightly different strategy than other kinds of trips: For one, preventative measures like sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are non-negotiable. Then there’s the sand, the wet clothes, and the keeping-kids-happy, if you’re traveling with young ones, to factor in. Before you jet off on your next beach vacation, be it to Miami, Maui, or the Maldives, consult our ultimate beach vacation packing list below—it’s filled with all the essentials you might forget, from the waterproof tech bag that’ll protect your cell phone and camera to the best towels for every kind of beach trip imaginable.
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Lightweight clothing
When it comes to choosing which clothes to pack for a beach vacation, less is more. More often than not, you’ll find yourself in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that can be reworn throughout the weekend or week by the beach. There are the essentials—bathing suits, walking sandals (there’s no better time to break out your Chaco’s), sundresses—you can’t leave home without. Beyond that, we recommend packing lightweight pieces of clothing like linen pants and flowy jumpsuits, which can be worn on the beach or out to dinner.
Mer Sea beach wrap
For more casual daywear, athletic gear is a good multi-purpose option, since it can be worn over a swimsuit, to exercise, and to sleep on vacation. No matter how great they look over a one-piece, jean shorts are not comfortable at the beach. Instead, go for something that won’t hold on to water, like Outdoor Voices’ quick-drying Hudson or Sunday short. Another piece we love comes from Mer Sea, which makes a beach wrap that can be draped over your shoulders on chilly evenings or tied around your waist like a sarong, and can be spread out to use like a towel on the beach. Since it may be chillier in the evenings near the water, pack a light sweater or cardigan, like Cuyana’s Lightweight Reversible Coat, to throw on.
Hats
After you pack your favorite pair of sunglasses, grab a hat for you and ones for your family members, too: They’ll block out more sun than glasses alone and keep your scalp from getting burned. You could go the straw hat route or look for something more sporty. Brooks has a great option in the Chaser Hat made with a DriLayer fabric (think the texture of a nice running shirt) that won’t leave your head sweaty in the way a traditional baseball cap would.
Anthropologie bead-trimmed paper sun hat
Read more: The Best Sun Hats for Hot Summer Days
Reusable bags
Baggu’s reusable bags will come in handy on many occasions, especially as more cities and companies ban single-use plastic bags: You can drop in odds and ends on your way to the beach, carry wet clothes or bathing suits back to your hotel, or stash your beach accessories without schlepping another full-size tote around. On the way home, use them to wrap up dirty clothes or still-damp suits.