A beach trip is a perfect way to enjoy a summer or spring break. Heading to the beach can mean a lot of packing and making sure you have everything to stay protected and have a fun time there. Our complete beach packing list has you covered, whether you plan to stay close to home or road trip to the beach with your closest friends.
Prepare for your vacation with the ultimate list of beach needs if you're anxious about what to bring to the beach. You won't forget anything if you stick to these beach essentials, which include everything from basics to extras, toiletries, and luxury leisure.
Beach Luggage
Your luggage should generally be adaptable and light. You'll want to make sure you don't overpack, especially for a beach vacation. The idea is to reduce stress, and avoid anything that will increase it. But we totally understand the dilemma of knowing what to pack with you when heading shore-side.
If you’re going on a weekend trip, try to only bring your backpack as a carry-on and a personal item like a fanny pack or a tote bag. Keep it light! You'll be spending most of your time on the beach in your bikini, so you won't need much. To feel more light-weight, choose easy-to-carry bags.
These are some good options to take:
- Duffel bag
The soft sides of a duffel bag fit just about any place, making it lightweight and adaptable. Throw it over your shoulder and you're ready to go. It's simple to pack, has more capacity than solid luggage, and is more robust than you might think. If your backpack is large enough, you can also use it.
- Wheeled bags
When it comes to large bags or long walks, wheels are the best asset. This is a great back-saver if you'll be on the go more than expected. Especially if you’re going away for a longer period of time, it’s normal to take a bigger suitcase and, in this case, it’s best to have wheels since it’ll be the easiest way to transport the luggage.
- Small bag
Finally, a small fanny pack, cross-body bag, or tote bag are all easy, lightweight, and excellent for a carefree week at the beach where all you need is a swimsuit and a small bag for beach supplies.
Getting Organized
Making sure you have everything organized when heading on vacation is a must to guarantee smooth sailing. To make sure you keep things organized you can use packing organizers to keep your beach essentials organized and compress your clothing to save room. After that, you can effortlessly fit any type of organizer into the drawers of your hotel dresser, making unpacking a breeze.
If everything is organized, then it's easy to pack up and set off on holidays. Compressing your clothes saves up to 80% more space. It's a good way to cut down on the quantity of luggage you'll need for long journeys, making it more likely that you'll be able to fit everything into a roomy backpack.
Use folders to keep your dressier clothes neat and wrinkle-free so you can enjoy a romantic evening without worries. When it comes to toiletries, zipped pockets make it simple to keep track of cosmetics, jewelry, and other essentials.
Finally, if you need to take food to the beach, you'll also need a way to keep it cool. For a beach holiday, a large lunch bag or insulated bag to store your food essentials is better than a cooler.
The Basics: Beach Packing Checklist
Even if your only plans are to relax on the beach and do nothing else, there are a few essentials your beach packing list should include.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suit
- A good book
- Sandals
- Tank tops
- Shorts
- Hat
- Cell phone and portable charger
Your beach checklist will most likely be longer if you plan to sightsee or do anything else. Include walking shoes and socks, as well as additional necessities such as makeup and more lightweight clothing that you may layer if the evenings are cool.
Other items that you can take with you to the beach include:
- Frisbees and beach balls
- Goggles
- Snorkel
- Towel
- Sarong
- Beach umbrella
Travel Health
Even if you're going on a beach vacation, don't forget to bring your prescription medications and other health-related supplies. You don't want to become sick and ruin your trip. It's also good to keep a tiny first-aid kit with band-aids in your bag for any eventualities.
If you're traveling internationally, consult the CDC's website for information on required vaccines, medications, and other travel precautions. You may also require personal healthcare supplies such as glasses, contacts, or allergy medication. Doing a little research always ends up paying off, so be informed and prepared with any information you might need.
Personal Items and Travel Documents
Make sure that your vital travel documents are readily available and stowed in your personal item, even if you plan to check a bag. Photo identification, passports (birth certificates for the children in your gang), insurance cards, credit cards, and airline permits should all be carried on you at all times.
It's also always good to bring any frequent flyer cards, maps, and travel guides you have.
In case your checked bag is lost or delayed, keep an extra change of clothes and some essential toiletries in your carry-on backpack. On long journeys, it's a good idea to bring a light jacket, an eye mask, or earplugs to keep you comfortable. Also, make sure you have your headphones with you.
Consider bringing the following items with you:
- Portable speaker
- Laptop or tablet
- Headphones
- Camera
- Electrical converters or travel adapters
- Journal and pen
- Book
- Chapstick
- Water bottle and bottle sling
- Insulated tote bag or cooler
Conclusion
Before you leave, cross everything off this list to ensure a stress-free trip, and remember that vacations are intended to be fun!
Use these beach packing lists as a starting point for your own customized beach packing list. Make a list of things to bring to the beach that you know you'll need by going over your schedule day by day. Each day, plan your outfit taking into account all weather eventualities and any potential travel mishaps.
You can now gather your besties, pack your belongings, snap a final pre-trip photo for social media, relax and enjoy your wonderful beach vacation getaway!
Sources:
Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself from the Sun | HealthyWomen
If You Need to Relieve Stress, Head to the Beach | Brain Tap