1 week beach vacation packing list
One week beach vacation is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the exotic atmosphere. But before you go, it is necessary to make some arrangements and pack your bags properly. Don’t forget your passport, swimwear and towel. There’s no place like home, but there are tons of places like beaches worldwide. Make sure you are not carrying too much by using this 1 week beach vacation packing list as an aid. Last summer I went on a cruise with my wife. As you can imagine, before the trip I was looking for vacation packing lists everywhere. You know, the advice “10 tips to get organized for your vacation” or “how to pack for a beach holiday”. That kind of thing. But no matter how hard I searched on google, I couldn’t find any useful information. No one seemed to be able to provide me with recommendations regarding what should be included in the perfect beach holiday packing list. So I decided to make my own one week beach vacation packing list, based on my needs and preferences. After we came back from our sunny holiday, many people have asked me about it. Friends had so many questions: “could you tell us again what bathing suits did you take? Did you really need that many T-shirts? This will be also my first time at the beach so please tell me…”.
With a week of beach vacation ahead of you, it’s important to pack the right things.
First, make sure you have some comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so it’s best to have something that provides good support and has a rubber sole that will stick to wet sand or pavement.
Next up is sunscreen. You don’t want to get burned on your first day! Pack at least one bottle of sunscreen in your suitcase and make sure to apply it throughout the day so your skin doesn’t get damaged by the sun.
A bathing suit is another must-have item for beach vacations. You’ll want something that covers more than just your chest—especially if you’re going to be spending time in the water!
Pack some dry shampoo as well—you never know when it might come in handy! And don’t forget about toiletries like toothpaste and deodorant so you can still feel fresh after a long day at the beach!
Beach vacation packing list
- Sunscreen
- Beach towel
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Hat and sunglasses
- Waterproof phone case (if you’re traveling to a beach with waves)
- Lightweight poncho or rain jacket (if you’re traveling to a beach with rain)
what to pack for beach vacation
HE BASICS: BEACH PACKING CHECKLIST
Even if you plan to lounge on the beach and do nothing else, there are some basic items you want to include in your beach packing list.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suit
- A good book
- Sandals
- Tank tops
- Shorts
- Hat
- Cell phone and portable charger
- Underwear
- Pajamas
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Soap
If you plan to sightsee or do anything else, your beach vacation checklist is probably more extensive. You may include walking shoes and socks, additional toiletries like makeup, and more lightweight clothing you can layer in case it’s cool in the evenings.
Other fun things to take to the beach include:
- Frisbees and beach balls to start a friendly game
- Goggles
- Snorkel
- Towel
- Sarong
- Beach umbrella
TRAVEL HEALTH
Even when packing for a beach trip, don’t forget prescription medications and other items to stay healthy. You don’t want to ruin your vacation by getting sick. Take precautions keeping hand sanitizer within reach (and use it even after washing your hands), and pack a small first aid kit with band-aids.
If you travel internationally, check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for the necessary travel vaccines, medication, and other travel advice. You may also need additional personal healthcare items like glasses, contacts, or allergy pills. A little research pays off, so stay informed and always be prepared if you’re traveling far from home or your college campus.
PERSONAL ITEMS AND TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Even if you plan to check a bag, make sure necessary travel documents are always accessible and stored in your personal item. You should have photo identification, passports, (birth certificates for minors in your group), insurance cards, credit cards, and boarding passes with you at all times, perhaps in a money belt.
If you have frequent flyer cards, a student ID (or anything else that might get you a discount), or maps and travel guides, bring those, too.
Also, keep an extra outfit and some essential toiletries with you in your carry-on backpack in case your checked bag gets lost or delayed. It’s a good idea to pack a light jacket, an eye mask, or earplugs to keep you comfortable on long journeys—and be sure you’ve packed your headphones or you’ll regret it.
For entertainment purposes, you should consider packing the following items:
- 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
food packing list for beach vacation
WHY YOU NEED A MEAL PLAN FOR A BEACH VACATION
Going on vacation should be a relaxing experience consisting of leisurely days and lots of time spent with loved ones. No one wants to stand in front of the refrigerator and wonder what to make for dinner. Going in with a plan and a vacation food packing list helps to make your vacation easy. You can do most prep in advance, so you aren’t cooking too much. If you have never done it before, check out our Ultimate Guide to Meal Planning to learn.
Simply put, having a meal plan for a beach vacation will save you time and money.
WHAT FOOD SHOULD I BRING ON VACATION? A COMPLETE VACATION FOOD PACKING LIST
That said, you need to pack breakfast, lunch, and dinners, and don’t forget snacks! Sounds like a lot, right? No need to worry! Here is a complete list of what to pack for a beach vacation based on our 7-day beach vacation meal plan.
DRY GOODS
Steel-cut oats
Granola
Bread
Peanut Butter
JellyCereal
Wraps
Rice
Refried Beans
Chickpeas
Tuna
Capers
Farro
Roasted Red Peppers
Sundried Tomatoes
Buns
Pickles
Coffee
Pasta
Wine, Beer, JuiceChips, popcorn
MEAT
Chicken
Hamburgers
FRUIT/VEGETABLES
Strawberries
Blueberries
Bananas
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Red onion
Cucumber
Parsley
Lemon
Spinach
Garlic
White Onion
DAIRY/COLD ITEMS
Yogurts
Milk
Cinnamon Rolls
Eggs
Bacon
Feta
Cheddar Cheese
Parmesan Cheese
SAUCES/SPICES
Salad Dressing
BBQ Sauce
Maple Syrup
Red wine vinegar
Olive oil
Oregano
Salt and pepper
Ketchup
Mayo
Mustard
Sugar
Paprika
Vinegar
Balsamic Vinegar
Marinara Sauce
FROZEN
French Fries
Brocolli
Vegetables
Tortellini
VACATION PACKING LIST PRINTABLE PDF
Click the image below for a free printable PDF of this packing list.
MEALS MADE AHEAD
Pulled Chicken
Enchiladas
Pancakes
Lasagna Rollups
Chimichurri Sauce
KITCHEN ITEMS FOR YOUR VACATION FOOD PACKING LIST
Most rental kitchens have the essentials—cutlery, plates, pots, and pans. There is enough to make a proper meal. Here are a few non-food kitchen items to pack.
- Knives – Cutting with a dull knife is torture. It takes twice as long and does a terrible job. Pack your sharpened knives to make any prep work a breeze. Here is a great way to safely pack knives.
- Coolers – Most likely, you will pack your food in a cooler but make sure you use one that is a good size for the beach, too. Soft-sided ones are great because they fold down when not in use, leaving trunk space for any souvenirs.
- Lunch Boxes – This is key if you have kids. Bring their lunch boxes. Then, just like for school, pack an individual lunch for each child. This hack will save you from having to grab snacks all the time.
- Corkscrew – If you plan on drinking wine, pack a wine opener.
- BBQ – Plan on using the grill? Double-check that there is one included with your rental.
PAPER GOODS AND CLEANING SUPPLIES FOR YOUR VACATION PACKING LIST
Don’t forget these items when you are packing.
- Clorox Wipes – to clean up dirty counters and messes.
- Paper Towels
- Tupperware – You can pack food in them to bring down and reuse when needed to store leftovers.
- Napkins
- Dish Towels