Best things to pack for a beach vacation
A beach vacation is a great way to spend a weekend or week at home. You get the fun of being at the beach while staying within your fun budget. However, there are some things you should know when planning to go on a beach vacation. This article will provide you with some great information to consider when packing for your next trip to the beach.
Whether you’re headed to the beach for vacation, or have a business trip coming up, you are most likely going to be packing your bags. Make sure you’re prepared for your beach destination with these best packed items.
The best part of going on a beach vacation is the fact that you can have your necessities with you at all times. Taking a plane to the nearest beach city isn’t hard, but you should prepare for anything that may happen. Here is what I consider to be
You’re back from your trip and are probably suffering from some sad post-vacation blues. All you can think about is the chlorine smell of the swimming pool and the taste of finely crushed seashells on your tongue, in a sweet combination of salt and sugar. You would gladly pack your bags to go back in time, but that’s not going to happen.
When you’re planning your beach vacation, it’s tempting to just throw in a few swimsuits, sunscreen, and flip flops and call it good. But if you want to truly enjoy your time on the sand, you need to do a little more prep work. Here are some of the best things to pack for a beach vacation:
- Sunglasses: The sun is bright and beautiful, but if you don’t wear sunglasses, it can also be damaging. You don’t need an expensive pair – just make sure they fit over your ears (it’ll protect them from sunburns) and have UV protection built-in so that they block out harmful rays while also allowing you to see clearly!
- A coverup: If you’re going to be in the sun all day long and don’t want to get burned (or if it’s just too darn cold!), make sure you bring along a lightweight jacket or shawl that will keep you warm when the weather changes around lunchtime or later in the day. This will also help protect against bugs!
- Swimsuits: You’ll want at least one nice suit for daytime activities like swimming and boating; if we
Summer is the perfect time to pack up your bags and head to the beach. Whether you’re going on a trip with friends or family, or staying at home, there are some essentials that you need to have with you at all times. Here’s a list of the best things to pack for a beach vacation:
-Sunscreen: The sun is stronger in the summertime, so it’s important to protect yourself from burns and skin damage by using sunscreen.
-Waterproof camera: You never know when you might see something incredible on your trip! A waterproof camera can help you capture those special moments in high quality.
-Snorkel gear: If there isn’t much water around when you’re at the beach, then snorkeling may not be an option for you—but if there is enough water close by, then bring along some snorkel gear so that you can explore underwater worlds without getting wet feet!
1. Beach Coasters
Keep that drink stable with a beach coaster. The arched corners hold beverages steady in the sand. The colors make it noticeable so people don’t accidentally kick your drink over because they don’t see it. This coaster also works very well on grass, too, for soccer games and picnics.
2. Waterproof Playing Cards
Elevate your seaside gin rummy or go fish session with this nifty deck. First of all, your cards won’t get soggy because they are waterproof. Second, because they’re plastic, you can even stand them upright in the sand. Scrap the phone and play an old-fashioned card game with friends or family. These playing cards also make my list of best beach games.
3. Collapsible Sand Buckets
![Packable Pails - Collapsible Silicone Beach Sand Bucket [5 Liter] with Handle + Shovel | Sand Castle, Beach Vacation, Travel, Camping, Fishing, Outdoors, Water, Gardening, Cleaning, Car wash (Yellow)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FBjNTx0bL._SL500_.jpg "Packable Pails - Collapsible Silicone Beach Sand Bucket [5 Liter] with Handle + Shovel | Sand Castle, Beach Vacation, Travel, Camping, Fishing, Outdoors, Water, Gardening, Cleaning, Car wash (Yellow)")
Not only are collapsible sand buckets or pails fantastic for travel, they take up less room in your beach bag or car. Just push the bucket downward to flatten it. I’ve mentioned these in a few other articles and they are very popular for families who want to pack beach toys and take them on vacation.
4. Beach Accessories Carry Bag
Forget piles of sand at the bottom of your bag that are impossible to shake out. A mesh sand beach bag makes life easier because you can simply shake the bag to release the sand, rinse it out, and hang it to dry. Plus, the mesh makes it easier to see what’s inside.
This beach accessory has pockets on the inside and outside to separate items and it can carry up to 150 lbs.
5. Beach Blanket with Stakes
The reviews are impressive and not only does this staked down, big beach blanket (10×9′) stay in place, it repels water so it doesn’t get soggy like the average beach towel. Roll it up in a convenient carry pouch for your next beach or park outing.
6. All-in-One Beach Umbrella System
This beach umbrella was designed based on the input from beachgoers and addresses the (often dangerous) concern regarding umbrellas being lifted up by the wind and blown into someone else’s space. This beach accessory comes with its own carrying case, towel hooks, and weighs 9 lbs.
7. Folding Beach Table With Carry Bag
This convenient, personal-sized beach table enables you to keep your drinks out of the sand but also chilled in a cooler underneath the table portion, which has cup holders for four and a snack bucket. It collapses to folds up into its own carry bag and is made from waterproof material.
8. Sand Anchor and Hanging Hooks For a Beach Umbrella
Among the most clever beach accessories, this two-pack of plastic umbrella hooks slip onto a beach umbrella pole for beachgoers to hang towels, clothes, or handbags to keep them out of the sand and from getting lost. The universal size design enables these hooks to be added easily to any beach umbrella pole and wedged in place. They are easy to install and no tools are required.
Plus, you get a sand anchor that you can put on the bottom of your umbrella to make it easier to wedge into the sand.
9. Beach Umbrella Drink Holders and Tray
You can also add a handy drink holder to your umbrella pole to keep cups out of the sand. Use the tray space for smaller items (though be mindful of them falling into the sand anyway).
10. Family-Size Beach Sunshade
If you’d like full coverage for the family, check out these sunshades. They’re easy to set up with four aluminum poles and manage to screen out 98% of UV radiation. This beach sun shade weighs only 7.5 lbs but can withstand strong winds due to its custom anchor design and sand bag weights.
11. Personal Canopy Sunshade
Here’s a way to support a local business. Neso is an Encinitas-based company that makes popular personal sunshades in a 7×7′ size. They’re lightweight, portable, and commonly seen around San Diego beaches.
12. Beach Wagon
When you head to the coast with young kids and a lot of stuff, it may easiest and most fun to pull your beach gear in a wagon. This one is collapsible as well, making it easier to fit in your car and store when not in use. The outside dimensions are 35x20x23″ but it folds to only 8″ thick and has a carrying handle. This wagon also has two mesh drink holders but is meant for toting things and not people.
However, if you’re not planning on hitting the sand, consider Radio Flyer wagon with canopy that kids can actually ride in for the boardwalks and transport. During a recent San Diego Zoo Safari Park visit we noticed multiple families shading happy kids in this setup. So, yes, you can bring it into theme parks like a stroller (check rules and regulations to be sure, as always).
13. Pop-Up Cooler
Keep food and drinks chilled with this pop-up cooler that collapses flat (and can tuck into the giant mesh beach bag above) when not in use. This way, you have less bulky gear to take back to the car and easy storage.
14. Bucket Ball Beach Game
Bucket ball is considered the ultimate beach game for 2021. It’s lightweight and portable and while it’s probably modeled after beer pong this version is fun for all ages. This beach accessory includes 12 buckets, 2 balls, a carrying bag, and instructions.
15. Surfminton — The Classic Beach Paddle Game
Surfminton is a classic paddle game with water-resistant paddles and two different types of balls that easily slip into a carrying case.