Beach Essentials…and Lots of Other Stuff!

Don’t head for the shoreline before gathering all the beach essentials that make for a fun (and safe) day in the sand, surf, and sun!

Nothing says summer like a day at the beach! But spending time at the beach requires a bit of planning and packing. I’m excited to share my list of essential items to pack for your next trip to the beach.

A little vitamin sea does wonders for the body and soul!

The title “Beach Essentials” may actually be a bit misleading. The only truly essential items you need at the beach are sunscreen and a towel. And depending on the type of beach you are visiting…a swimsuit. I prefer the kind of beaches where swimsuits are required!

Semantics aside, there are a number of items you will want to haul to the beach to ensure a pleasant experience. Especially if you prefer to park your behind in the sand for hours on end as my family does!

If you are staying at a beach house or condo, prior to your trip, ask about beach accessories that come with the accommodations. When driving to your beach destination, load up the mini-van with all the other beach paraphernalia you may need. I’ve provided helpful links below so you can start shopping for your beach vacay now!

If you are flying, have fun shopping at souvenir shops once you arrive to pick up the things that didn’t fit in your suitcase. Then gift those items to new arrivals before flying back home.

And now, categorized for easy browsing, here are Traveling Tanya’s Beach Essentials…and lots of other stuff I tote to the oceanfront.

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you.

Shade

While you may want to work on your tan, too much sun exposure can turn your vacation into a painful experience. Extend your time at the beach, and practice sun safety with a variety of shade options.

Sunscreen: Whether you prefer the lotion or spray variety, sunscreen should be your #1 beach accessory. Apply liberally and often.

Sunglasses and Sunhats: Be stylish and practice sun safety at the same time!

Swim shirt: For little ones or those with fair complexions, a swim shirt may offer the best protection for your day at the beach.

Beach Umbrella: A colorful beach umbrella not only brightens up the beach, but it also adds much-needed shade when the sun is blazing down on you.

Pop-Up Tent: For large groups, you may even want to set up a pop-up tent or two. This will provide ample shade and clearly mark your territory along the shoreline. Just be sure to check the beach rules as not all beaches allow pop-up tents.

Cover-Up: There are many fashionable swimsuit coverups available these days. In addition to wearing a cover-up on your walk to and from the beach, you can throw it on while sitting beachside to protect the parts of your body that aren’t used to all that sun exposure.

Beach Towel and Footwear: Dry off or cover up with a colorful beach towel. And don’t forget to protect your tootsies on your walk to the beach and across the hot sand. I prefer an inexpensive flipflop that I don’t mind getting wet, but you can also invest in water shoes.

Entertainment

Depending on the ages of your beach buddies, you will want a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained while in and out of the water.

Sand Toys: Building sandcastles can be fun at any age!

 

Water Toys: Boogie boards and rafts can provide exhilarating fun on the waves or relaxation as you float in the salty sea.

A Good Book: The kids probably won’t spend much time reading at the beach. But as an adult, there is nothing like a good book while lounging by the ocean.

Balls, Frisbees, Squirt Guns and More: Consider your crew and pack some toys that will show off their athletic prowess or bring out their team spirit.

Portable Speaker and Beach Tunes: Liven up your beach party with some beachy tunes. Some of my favorites include “Toes” by Zak Brown Band and Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville”.

Snacks and Beverages

If you want to avoid the overpriced snack shacks at the beach, come prepared with your own food and drink supply.

Cooler: Keep your beverages cool and your snacks sand-free with a small, lightweight cooler.

Water: While you may be surrounded by water, consuming plenty of cold H2O is critical to staying hydrated while frolicking at the beach. Fill up your water bottles and cooler with plenty of ice so you are prepared to beat the heat for several hours.

Snacks: Depending on how long you plan to camp out at the beach, you will want to bring along snacks or even pack lunch for your gang. Some of my favorite beach treats include watermelon, animal crackers, cheese sticks, strawberries, sandwiches, chips, and pineapple.

Adult beverages: There is nothing better than a fruity cocktail while lounging in paradise! As always, drink responsibly!

Organization

With all these beach “essentials” you are going to need a way to transport everything to and from your seat in the sand.

Beach Wagon: All this gear gets heavy, so you want to be able to roll it with ease. Regular wagon wheels won’t cut it on the sand, so be sure to invest in a good beach wagon.

Mesh Beach Bag: There are so many adorable beach bags available, but the most functional ones are made of mesh. I love lounging on the sand, but I prefer to leave the sand at the beach! With a few shakes, your mesh bag will help limit the amount of unwanted sand that ends up in your car, your beach house, and everywhere else!

Beach Chairs: If you prefer not to have sand in all your special places, bring along a beach chair to park your rear. Then plant it near the water’s edge for access to both surf and sand.

Safety

Toss a few more items in your beach bag to ensure your day at the beach is not only fun but safe. Protect all the beachgoers in your group as well as your beach paraphernalia.

Waterproof Bandaids: When minor injuries occur, these little gems will save you a trip back to your hotel. So bring a small first aid kit and stock it with waterproof bandaids.

Hand Sanitizer: This is a packing essential no matter where you travel these days and the beach is no exception. Cleanse your hands of all that salt and sea life before you dig into the snack bag!

Lip Balm: I must have sensitive lips because they always seem to burn when I spend a week at the beach. Avoid this painful experience by getting lip balm with SPF. I am loving Sun Bum in Pineapple!

Hair Ties and a Comb: Beach hair, don’t care! But you still want to be prepared to tame unruly locks and keep your line of sight open wide.

Ziplock bags: Use large bags to protect your book from water damage. Sandwich bags are perfect for snacks and even cell phones!

Id and Cash: It’s always a good idea to have identification and a little bit of cash on you, just in case. There are a variety of products designed to conceal your valuables and protect them from the elements.

Phone, Portable Charger, and Waterproof Case: It is nice to unplug while on vacation. But you may still need to communicate with those not lucky enough to be at the beach. And who can resist snapping photos of the majestic ocean?! Just don’t make the costly mistake of dropping your device in the water!

Now it’s time to pack your beach bag and head for the sand!

What must-have items are always in your beach bag? Comment below to add to my list!

For more beach inspiration check out my articles on New Smyrna Beach and How to Pick Amazing Beach Accommodations!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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