Are you planning a nice beach vacation in Florida? I love visiting the beach and creating sand castles. As an experienced beach vacationer I have put together a list of items to include in your Florida beach vacation checklist. You’re going to Florida for vacation, and you want to get the most out of your time there. The ideal way to accomplish this is to create a checklist of the most important things you’ll need to do and see.

Florida’s beaches are a traveler’s paradise. The beaches here have beautiful white sands and fine browns of the sea floor, perfect place to go beachcombing. One can not visit certain places in Florida without visiting the beaches of Clearwater, Destin or Fort Lauderdale. A lifetime memory can be made when at the right time, you step into the cool blue waters of the gulf or Atlantic Ocean, or float on a raft while swimming under a thousand perfect day. Unlike other states, there are no real down seasons in Florida. There’s always something to do with water sports, gardens, adventure parks and many other entertainment options. I love Beach Vacation. About three years ago, I visited Panama City in Florida, which was about a 2-4 hours drive to the famous white sandy beaches (Whitesandsbeach.com) in Florida. I spent one week enjoying the beach and meeting new people from different places all around the world. But it was a lot of work and confusing not knowing where to go at first.

Florida Beach Vacation Checklist

What to Pack When You Travel to Southwest Florida

What to pack when you travel to Southwest Florida, especially during times of a pandemic, is more crucial than ever. The easy part is picking your destination but now you have to tackle the endless list of what you need to bring. There is no need to fear though with our list of what to pack for the perfect trip to Sanibel Island. 

What to pack when you travel can be the most stressful part of planning a trip. It doesn’t have to be that difficult though. By mapping out what you need to bring to Southwest Florida in the form of checkoff lists, you can have everything packed in no time. Must have travel items to Southwest Florida include bathing suits, sunglasses, the proper clothes and sandals and all the sanitizing items you need to stay safe. 

What Are Essential Travel Items for a Travel Packing Checklist?

Essential travel items are only essential to that particular traveler. This is a hard question to answer but below we have provided some essential travel items you may not think of on your journey, whether it’s a domestic trip or an international travel trip:

• Noise cancelling earbuds
• A small Bluetooth speaker
• Travel clothes for the airplane
• A pillowcase
• A travel backpack for things that need to stay close to you
• Packing cubes for suitcases that keep you organized
• Reading materials
• A baseball hat for the trip and the sun
• A tote bag for tourist shopping
• Luggage on wheels for convenience
• Packable jackets
• A travel organizer for your passport, credit cards and important documents
• A cosmetic kit with travel size containers

What Should I Pack When You Have a Beach Trip?

Heading to the beach in Southwest Florida is a right of passion. It’s why you come here. The temperature of the warm Gulf of Mexico is perfect and the warm powdery sand in between your toes is calling your name. 

Make sure you pack the following when planning a beach trip to Sanibel Island and Captiva Island:

Sun Protection

That sun in Florida is beautiful but it’s also brutal if you don’t come prepared with some sun protection. What you need to remember is no matter how cool or breezy it is to keep you cool, that sun is still affecting your skin. Always remember to bring lotion with a high SPF and reapply as directed. We also recommend taking a large umbrella or tent that can keep out the wind and the UV rays while you take a beach nap or the kids play in the sand. Bring some aloe vera for the end of the day just in case too. 

Bathroom Options

If you are traveling with kids, remember that bathrooms may be few and far between depending on where you camp on the beach for the day. If you have toddlers with potty training lessons, remember to bring your traveling potty and map out a place where the nearest public bathrooms are. 

Food and Beverages

Even if you just had breakfast or lunch before you hit the beach, that doesn’t mean you should not bring food or beverages with you. The beach life causes you to get thirsty and makes you work up an appetite. Come prepared with a well-stocked cooler of snacks and beverages. Family bonus tip: Freeze some of the beverages the night before to create instant cooler ice packs. 

A Family Beach Bag

You need a family beach bag to keep everything organized. It’s also a safe place for phones, medication and other valuables if you keep it hidden and keep the sand out.

Big Blanket or Beach Mat

A good place for multiple people to hang out is a large beach mat. Another beach tip: Try bringing along an old bed comforter. These are perfect for a beach outing. 

Zip Lock Bags

These bags are your friends for both food and your valuables like phones and other electronics you don’t want getting wet or filled with sand. 

Clothing and Accessories

Always remember the following must-have beach items: 

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat or visor
• Sandals or flip-flops
• Water-proof walking shoes
• Comfortable swimsuits and wraps
• A cellphone with a good camera to take beach and sunset pictures

Must Haves for the Water

Bring along rafts for you and boogie boards for the kids. Anything else you might want in the water, including arm floaties for the little ones, should be added to this beach list. 

Must Haves for the Sand

We’re talking chairs, beach towels, shovels and buckets for the kids and whatever else you might want for your beach enjoyment. Buckets aren’t just for the children either. Bring some along to hold all the beach shells you will collect on Sanibel Island! Some of those buckets come in handy at the end of your beach day to rinse the sand off your feet. 

Bring a Wagon

Now that you have all the must-have beach accessory items you need on the beach, how are you going to get them to the beach and back to the car? A nice nylon wagon that collapses and has tough wheels that can move through the sands is a beach lifesaver. These wagons help you take all your beach items in one trip. You’ll look like a beach pro. 

Be Prepared to Battle the No-See-Ums

In Florida, we have these annoying little bugs called no-see-ums, also known as sand flies, that you can hardly. The annoying bugs are so small they can fly through screens and can cause small itchy bites. Be prepared to tackle them and keep them at bay with a good no-see-um spray and other deterrents!

Beach House Packing List

Are you renting a Naples vacation rental or a beautiful Sanibel vacation rental? A beach house is a perfect place to unwind in Southwest Florida. 

Remember the following items for your beach house packing list: 

• Cleaning supplies
• A dishrag and paper towels
• Extra trash bags if needed
• Your favorite cooking supplies for special dishes
• Dishwasher detergent if needed
• Dish soap
• Knives
• Your favorite bath soap
• Extra toilet paper
• Your pillows so you sleep better
• Beach items which we cover below
• Food that you can pick up upon arrival
• Movies and board games
• Laundry detergent
• A flashlight
• Nightlights