Headed to the beach for the weekend or going on a beach vacation soon but struggling with what to pack for the beach? We’ve got you covered with our list of beach essentials and must-have items to ensure you don’t forget anything and have a great time at the beach.
What to Pack for the Beach
Most of the time you will probably be lounging and sunbathing at the beach or dipping into the water for a bit. Here is a list of beach basics you should include in your packing list if you don’t have a clear idea on what to pack for the beach.
- Tote bag (so you can keep your towel and other items handy and accessible)
- Beach bag
- Towels
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Flip flops
- Hat
- Extra pair of clothes (to change into afterwards)
- Swimsuit coverups
- A book (if you plan on reading at the beach)
- Food/snacks
Beach Gear
If you’re planning on a full beach day, then there is also some important beach gear that you should pack as well to make your time at the beach more enjoyable.
- Beach Tent
- Beach Umbrella
- Beach Chairs
- Beach Blanket
- Cooler
- Pillow
- Water Bottles
- Waterproof bag (to keep cellphones in)
- Toys to play in the sand (if you have kids)
- Goggles
- Snorkel
- Boogie board
- Floaties (for kids)
- Inflatable floats
- Water shoes (if the beach is rocky)
Toiletries and Medications to Pack
When packing for the beach, it’s always good to be prepared and bring along some toiletries and medications to stay safe and take the proper precautions. Here are some toiletries and medications you should consider bringing with you:
- Tylenol or Advil
- Prescription Medication (if you’re taking any)
- Band-aids
- First aid Ointment
- Hand Sanitizer
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Wet Wipes
- Lysol Wipes
- Allergy Medication
- Insect Repellant
- Hand Lotion
- Chapstick
- Moisturizer
Other Things to Bring to the Beach
We’ve already covered the essentials you should bring to the beach. Here are some extra items you can add in if you like:
- Earplugs
- Portable Charger
- Waterproof/Underwater Camera
- Go Pro
- Ear Phones
- Waterproof Phone Case
- Tissues
- Garbage Bags
- Hairbrush
- Binoculars
- Disposable plates
What NOT to Bring to the Beach
We’ve discussed what to pack for the beach above, but there are also certain things I would recommend NOT bringing to the beach. They include:
- Laptops and Tablets – While it may be appealing to bring your laptop or tablet to the beach and possibly get some work done or play games to pass some time, I would advise against it. You could risk damaging your devices with water or sand, so it’s best to leave them at home. If you absolutely must bring them, then I suggest placing them in a waterproof bag while they are not in use.
- Other Electronic Devices – It would be safer to only bring waterproof electronics to the beach because the last thing you would want is to have them not work because of sand stuck in them or water damage.
- Cameras – If you want to take pictures, stick to using your phone camera. It would not be a good idea to bring an expensive camera to the beach as you wouldn’t want to leave it unattended and there is always the risk of it getting damaged. Some reasonably priced waterproof cameras I would suggest would be:
- Valuables – This includes things such as your wallet, credit cards, cash, expensive jewelry etc. Lock them up in your car to ensure they stay safe. You could also get a portable safe to keep them in if you prefer to have them with you on the beach.
- Sneakers – If you can opt for flip flops or sandals I would do so. Wearing sneakers to the beach may cause you to feel hotter and you will most likely get sand in your shoes and socks, which won’t be fun to clean later.
Hopefully, you now have an idea of exactly what to pack for the beach or beach vacation. All that’s left now is to pack your bags, and have a wonderful day at the beach!
