Preparing for a beach vacation

The main purpose of a vacation is to relax, unwind and escape from the daily grind. As travel sites are increasingly becoming popular and more travel tips and advice is being discovered online, millions of people are looking for the best vacation spots to relax.

When choosing where you want to go for your next vacation, relaxation is an important factor because it helps to relieve the stress our busy lives can bring on. A good beach vacation can be just what you need. After all, they say there’s nothing better than relaxing on a beach because the sun and water are great stress relievers.

Preparing for a beach vacation can be stressful. If you’re anything like me, you want to look your best in a bikini, but you also want to feel comfortable and confident. The key is to be prepared—and that’s where we come in!

Tips to plan a beach vacation

1. Define Your Ideal Beach Vacation

Assuming you would like tips for planning a beach vacation. What are your must-haves? white sand beaches? crystal clear water? waves for surfing?

Once you know what you are looking for, you can begin to research beaches to visit that fit those criteria.

2. Set a Budget

Nothing puts a damper on your vacation plans quicker than overspending. Make a list of what expenses you anticipate. This will help you stay mindful as you make purchase decisions.

Airfare, lodging, food, and activities will all add to the cost. This will help you narrow down your options and make the planning process easier.

3. Choose Your Dates

Be flexible with your dates to get the best deals on flights and accommodation. Choose a time of year for your travel. Bear in mind that hurricane season can affect beach vacations in the late summer and early fall.

4. Choose Your Destination

Not all beach destinations are created equal. Do your research to find a beach that matches your preferences (e.g., tranquil and secluded vs. bustling and lively). Consider factors such as the climate, activities available, and your budget when choosing your destination.

5. Book Your Flights and Accommodation

Take the time to find the best deals on flights and accommodation. Look for places with the best beaches and service Don’t wait until the last minute to book your hotel or rental property. The best places fill up fast, so it’s important to reserve your spot well in advance.

6. Plan Your Activities

The sooner you start planning your beach vacation, the better. This will give you more time to research beach locations, compare prices, and find deals.

If you want your trip to be everything you’ve dreamed of, a little planning can go a long way. Whether it’s swimming, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply relaxing on the sand, make sure you have a list of activities so you can make the most of your time.

7. Pack Wisely

Pack items like sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, a blanket or two for lounging and picnicking, swimsuits, and more. Choose comfortable, versatile clothing that can be layered depending on the weather.

Bring some cash for parking, concessions, and souvenirs. Bring your camera to capture all the memories. Pack beach games or toys to keep everyone entertained.

Packing list for a beach vacation

Sunscreen

When you’re deciding what to pack for a beach vacation, sunscreen should be the first thing in your bag. Check out our favorite sunscreens for every skin type, including the best choices for babies and children. And if you’re a make-up person, consider a BB cream or tinted moisturizer with SPF too, like Dr. Jart’s Premium BB Beauty Balm.

Bug spray

Depending on where you travel, you may want to pack bug spray, too. In places like Florida and North Carolina, summers get buggy, and you’ll be happy to have packed a spray like Sawyer’s Premium Insect Repellent on nights when you want to sit on the porch or dine outdoors. Sawyer’s spray will protect you and your family from mosquitoes, ticks, and chiggers.

Cooling gel

Hopefully, you’re diligent about putting on sunscreen and won’t find yourself with a sunburn. But life happens, and it’s smart to pack an antidote just in case. While there are plenty of aloe vera and cooling gels to choose from, we like Mario Badescu’s After Sun Cooling Gel for its non-sticky, lightweight texture.

Dopp kit

This roomy Dopp kit from Peak Design will hold all your travel necessities: lip balm, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, contact solution or eye drops, a razor, shampoo, conditioner, and body and face wash. Consider another toiletry bag for your make-up or kids’ essentials.

Deodorant wipes

On nights when you don’t feel like jumping in the shower between the beach and dinner, deodorant wipes (like these lavender-scented ones from EO) are the key to freshening up in between. And if you want to give your suit a mid-week wash, travel-size laundry detergent, like The Laundress’ Delicate Wash packets, will help get the job done.

Water bottle

There’s no better time to put your insulated water bottle to use than a day at the beach, when staying hydrated is even more important than usual. Hydro Flask’s wide-mouth thermos will keep water cold for hours, and the 32-ounce capacity means you won’t be hoarding the last sip. For more options, take a look at our favorite reusable water bottles.

Portable chargers

When you’re out on the sand for hours at a time, playing music or taking photos can mean a drained battery. Come prepared with a portable charger: We love the Mophie Powerstation Hub for its versatility.

Kindle

Even for the most loyal of print fans, it’s hard to argue the benefits of e-readers on vacation. They take up less space in your bag, let you have more book options on deck, and in the case of the Kindle Paperwhite, can withstand a splash of water much better than a paperback. Bring one on your next beach vacation and finally cross a book or two off your reading list.

Beach towels

While you may be going to a resort where towels are included, it’s never a bad idea to bring your own, especially if you have one that you love. We’ve found the best beach towel for every occasion, including one from Nomadix that will take up hardly any room in your suitcase. For added comfort, or a larger space for family to sit, consider packing a beach mat, too, like CGear Multimat’s Original Sand-Free Mat. It comes in three size options: six foot by six foot, eight foot by eight foot, and 10 foot by 10 foot.

Beach bag or cooler

A beach bag that doubles as a cooler is a must for family beach days. Keep your water bottles cold, come prepared with snacks for the kiddos and yourself, and store necessities like sunscreen all in one place with this soft-sided, insulated bag from Yeti. If your beach vacation is a drive away rather than a flight, consider investing in one of Yeti’s indestructible Tundra Haul wheeled coolers.

Swim goggles

For more fun (and comfort) underwater, grab a few pairs of goggles, like this classic pair from Speedo. They’re not meant for deep diving, but they’ll come in handy in the pool and in shallow ends of the ocean. Speedo makes smaller googles for kids, too. 

Phone case or waterproof bag

Nothing ruins a vacation quite like having to fish your phone out of the ocean (or pool, or sink, for that matter). If you’re at all afraid of getting your phone wet by the beach, consider investing in the Osprey dry bag. This thing will keep your electronics and other valuables dry as a bone when you’re on a boat, sitting in a splash zone, or in a kayak. If you want to take your phone in the water with you, we recommend one of LifeProof’s Frē Series waterproof cases.

Games

If you’re traveling with kids, games will keep them happy when the shade comes out, when the water’s too cold, or when they need a new activity. For beachgoers a drive away, a Spikeball set will get plenty of use in the backyard and at the beach, but it is something you’ll have to lug onto the sand. More portable options include Geospace’s Pop ‘N Catch game, a set of flying rings to toss back and forth, or waterproof Uno cards.

Portable speaker

A portable speaker might not be an essential, but it’s definitely a bonus for any beach day. The JBL Flip 5 is our favorite portable speaker. At only $120, it has better sound than more expensive speakers. It’s also waterproof (a necessary quality at the beach) and stays powered for 12 hours after a charge. 

Water shoes

Water shoes are just the thing for traversing rocky patches of the beach. They also are a game changer for exploring tide pools. The traction helps you feel secure and grounded, while also protecting your feet from jagged edges and sharp objects. This lightweight, quick-drying pair comes in more than 40 colors, so each family member can pick a different look. 

Picnic or beach blanket 

A beach blanket is a must for room to spread out and lounge—and if you’re having a picnic and don’t want the sand blowing into your snacks. This Sun Squad design folds up easily into a small rectangle, secures itself with a Velcro strip, and can then be toted around on your shoulder for hands-free carrying. After your day at the beach, you can throw it in the wash. It’s really just the best. 

Beach chairs

What’s a beach day without a beach chair? Take your lounging to the next level with this shaded beach chair from GCI Outdoor. It checks all the boxes: You can carry it like a backpack, it reclines, it’s a beautiful blue hue, and it comes with built-in sun protection. It’s the Cadillac of beach chairs. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for an inexpensive basic, the Sun Squad beach sand chair is a good bargain find.

Beach umbrella or sun shade

Like the Sun Squad picnic blanket, the Fatboy sun shade folds up into an easy-to-carry travel pouch. There’s space for two adults and two kids under the tent, and you can set it up in three different configurations to suit your needs. We also love this heavy-duty beach umbrella from Franford Umbrellas. It’s not as lightweight, but it’s sturdy and will last you years (if not decades).

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.

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. 

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.

Robe

After a long day at the beach, nothing feels better than a hot shower and a comfortable pair of pajamas. The one thing that can improve that experience? A robe. If you’re going to bring one from home, you’ll want it to be lightweight and quick-drying, like the Snowe Home’s Honeycomb bathrobe, which comes in white, charcoal gray, and slate blue.