By Soren Rivero
Have you made plans to take a beach vacation this year?
Whether you choose the exquisite beaches of Mexico or the secluded beaches of Greece, there's a beach out there waiting for you. But, how about what to pack on a beach vacation?
We've got you covered there! Here's a beach vacation packing list for your next sandy getaway.
Beach Vacation Clothes
To some, planning beach vacation outfits is as simple as buying swimwear from the nearest retail store. For others, the art of crafting an elegant (yet appropriate) beach vacation outfit takes hours of consideration. Here are some clothes to pack on a beach vacation:
- Water-specific swimwear
- Beach vacation dresses
- UV Swimwear
- Button up shirts
- Sun hats
- Sturdy shoes and sandals – you’ll want to have both at the beach
- Extra jacket pants
- Extra sports clothes (beach activities)
- Rain gear
- Water Shoes for protection
Of course, you won’t be spending all your time at the beach, so remember to bring all the other necessary clothing items on your vacation.
Sunblock Items
You can’t enjoy the beach without enjoying the sun. If there’s one thing you’ll not only want, but need on your beach vacation packing list, it’s sunscreen.
Choose a sunscreen that has at least 50 SPF to prevent the chance of harmful UV ray absorbance. We also recommend trying out an eco-friendly sunscreen, as you can protect both yourself and the environment at the same time!
Other things to pack on a beach vacation for sun protection:
- Hat
- Suntan (may or may not have SPF)
- Visor
- Umbrella or parasol
- Sunglasses
- Sun protection clothing
- After sun lotion
- Moisturizing and Repairing Hair Product
Hats, visors, and shade are good for cooling down and preventing sunburn. Your eyes can get damaged by the sun’s UV rays too, so wearing sunglasses is quite important. People with especially sensitive skin may want to use after sun lotion to help with sunburns, redness, and dry skin.
Beach Towel
Pro tip: Check ahead if your accommodation offers beach towels. This will allow you to leave your personal beach towels at home and save some room for packing!
Toiletries and First-Aid
Bring these items to ensure safety and security during your beach vacation:
- First-aid kit
- Antibacterial cream and bandages
- Aloe Vera cream
- Rehydration items (sports drinks, electrolytes, etc.)
- Suppositories
- Hand wipes
- Shower/bath wipes (to clean after getting in the water)
Some rare cases might require special attention. For example, the pain from a jellyfish sting can be alleviated with hydrocortisone cream. Look ahead of time if there are any special concerns, so you can purchase the necessary items to put on your packing list for a beach vacation.
Electronics
Living in the age of technology means we’re bringing our little gadgets with us everywhere. If you want to enhance your beach experience, here are some other things to pack for a beach vacation.
- Portable speaker
- Earbuds
- Kindle or Tablet
- Flashlight (if going late at night or early in the morning)
- Powerbank
- Foreign adapter (if at a hotel in a different country)
- Camera
- Drone (if allowed)
Waterproof Items/Cases
It's no secret that many electronics are prone to dying from water or overheating. Here’s some ideas on what to pack for a beach vacation to help protect your devices:
- Waterproof cases
- Waterproof bags
- Water phone pouches
- Water resistant speaker
- Pop up beach tents (help with UV rays, heat, and rain)
- Waterproof camera or a GoPro
- Hand Fans for cooling off overheated devices
Some waterproof bags may even help protect non-electronic items such as wallets, food, keys, and elsewise.
Entertainment
There’s nothing like a great beach day. Bring some extra entertainment items with you to make your time at the beach even better. Here are a few ideas:
- Sports ball
- Books
- Card games
- Inflatable water equipment
- Toys or sand toys
- Art supplies
And anything else you can think of that’s beach friendly to add to your beach vacation checklist.
