After living at the coast for over 8 years, I’ve tried LOTS of different beach day essentials and I’m here to share them with you! If you have an upcoming beach vacation, use this list to get a head start on your packing. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a week-long trip, it’s essential to pack the right items to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable beach getaway. So, grab your shades, slather on some sunscreen, and let’s dive in!
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1. Sunscreen – Protect Your Skin!
It’s safe to say that you’ll be in the sun quite a bit on a beach trip, so make sunscreen your best friend! The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause sunburns, premature aging, and worse, so it’s critical to protect yourself. Not to mention that it’s a major downer to spend your trip sunburned and uncomfortable!
Haven’t found a sunscreen you like? Check out my blog post Reef Safe and Biodegradable Sunscreen: 16 Options To Choose From. What you want to look for is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30-50 and water resistant since you’ll likely be in the water. TIP: Since sunscreen is only effective for 2 hours, set a timer on your phone to help you remember to reapply.
For a good water-resistant formula, check out Play! by Supergoop. I’m also a fan of the Vacation sunscreen oil for body. For face, I love to use a tinted option like the Saie Dewy Slip Tint.
2. Beach Towel or Beach Blanket
A beach towel is one of the most practical and useful items on this list of beach day essentials. No list of beach day essentials is complete without one! You may have towels available at your hotel or vacation rental, but if you’re planning to bring your own, look for a large, absorbent towel that dries quickly and repels sand.
Beach towels aren’t only for drying off! They definitely come in handy for sunbathing, can double as a swim coverup, provide a clean surface for snacking and can even be rolled up and used as a pillow. There are SO many options out there, I recently tried the brand Tesalate and was really impressed! Their towels are super absorbent, repel sand and dry in half the time of a regular beach towel. (P.S. if you love a sale like me, they run them seasonally!) For travel, it’s nice to have a lightweight and packable beach towel.
3. Beach Bag – Carry Your Essentials
A beach bag is an absolute must for keeping all your essentials organized and easily accessible. Here’s what I look for in the perfect beach bag:
- Something spacious that can hold sunscreen, a towel, snacks, water bottle, sunglasses, etc.
- Durability! I’m a fan of straw bags for how cute they are, but other good materials that hold up to salt/sand and water are neoprene, plastic and mesh
- Separate compartments or pockets to keep everything in its place
- A nice thick strap or handles that don’t dig in as you’re lugging your stuff to the beach
4. Water Bottle – Stay Hydrated
I can’t stress this one enough! Our bodies need lots of water on a normal day, and especially on a beach day. Spending time out in the sun can be very dehydrating, so don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle. I have several that I rotate through, but have always been a fan of Swell water bottles because they fit in my car cupholder and have awesome designs.
Single-use plastic often ends up in oceans and waterways, so be part of the solution by choosing to bring a refillable option for yourself. Fill up your bottle before heading to the beach and remember to drink regularly throughout the day. As a bonus, investing in an insulated water bottle will help keep your drink cool and refreshing, even on the hottest of beach days.
5. Swimwear – Make a Splash
One of the best parts of a beach trip is taking a dip in the ocean or lounging by the pool! Be sure to pack your favorite swimwear, and remember that the most important things is that you feel confident!
How many suits should you bring? It’s a matter of personal preference, but always a good idea to bring more than one in case something happens to your first pick. Plus, if one is still wet from your previous water adventures you’ll have a spare.
If you’re planning on spending most of your time at the beach, you’ll definitely want to pack several options for yourself in different styles. I love to have a few one-pieces and a few bikinis in different prints. Here are a few brands I love that have cute and sustainable swimwear:
- Skatie (a personal favorite! I’m wearing one of their suits in the photo above)
- Summersalt
- Kitty & Vibe
- Wolven Swim
- Outerknown
6. Beach Hat – Be Shady
SPF can only take you so far! And especially given the fact that it only last 2 hours before you need to reapply. Hats are a super practical beach day essential to keep you cool, protect your face and hair too.
Look for a wide-brimmed option that provides ample shade and covers your face, neck, hair and shoulders. Another thing you can look for is a “UPF rated” beach hat. Kind of like SPF, UPF is a rating given for clothing and accessories and a a measurement of how much of the sun’s rays are blocked.
Lately I’ve been living in this foldable, wide brim sun hat and I’m obsessed! I love that I can shove it in my bag and it pops back to it’s shape and also dries quickly if it gets wet. It’s also fully adjustable so that’s perfect on windy days at the beach.
7. Sunglasses
Don’t forget to pack a pair of sunglasses! You will use them constantly on a beach vacation – I love to keep them in my carry-on bag so I have access to them right away! As you’re choosing a pair, look for sunglasses with UV protection. Planning on doing any boating or watersports? You may want to get a pair of polarized lenses because they help reduce glare from the water.
The past few years I”ve been using Shade Club for my sunglasses – they have a fun subscription service where you get a surprise pair every time. It’s really fun and I’ve gotten to try styles I wouldn’t have picked for myself (like the ones in the photo above).
8. Beach Chair – For Lounging
Is there anything better than relaxing at the beach? Another beach trip essential you’ll need to comfortably relax and soak up the sun is a beach chair. Keep in mind that you may be carrying it, so look for something lightweight, portable and comfortable. I love the ones that have shoulder straps to be carried like a backpack.
Some other features you may enjoy are built-in cup holders, storage pockets, a built-in pillow, or ability to recline. I’ve even see beach chairs with large wheels for easy transport!
9. Beach Umbrella or Shade Tent
Beach days are the best! But they can also get sweltering, so having some shade will really be a game changer to help you enjoy being outdoors and have a repreve from the sun. There are tons of styles to choose from, in all shapes, sizes and styles. An umbrella will typically only shade 1-2 people while a tent will have more capacity.
What you’ll want to consider is how many people will be using it/what size capacity do you need, ease of setup, and portability. I personally also look for one that is sturdy for those windy days like this one.
10. Snacks and Cooler – Refuel and Refresh
What’s a beach day without snacks? This is always a beach day essential in my book! Spending time at the beach can work up an appetite, so be sure to pack some snacks to refuel your energy. Fresh fruits, bars, sandwiches, and chips are excellent options for beach-friendly snacks. Remember to bring a cooler or insulated beach bag to keep perishable items cold, and of course bring plenty of water and hydrating beverages to stay quenched throughout the day.
As far as coolers go, choosing one with wheels will definitely make transporting it a little easier! Size of your group will determine how big a cooler you need, and be sure to check how long your particular cooler will stay cold. Those days at the beach get hot!
11. Entertainment – Fun Under the Sun
For those moments when you want to take a break from the water, consider packing a good book, a beach ball, beach games etc. to keep yourself entertained. I grew up playing the card game Uno, and recently found out that they make Uno Splash that’s waterproof!
Another must-have to consider is a portable battery with charging cable since you’ll likely need to charge your phone or any other devices you bring with you. This is the 2-pack I bought and it’s come in handy SO many times already. Here are some other entertainment must-haves for the beach:
12. Inflatable Rafts and Floats
Lastly, another fun beach day essential is inflatable floaties for playing in the ocean. Whether it’s an inner tube, floating lounger, or pool noodles, you’ll be glad you have these items because of how fun they are.
Don’t forget to bring a small, travel sized pump to inflate and deflate them for easier packing. They will save you a ton of time and effort, especially if you have an oversized floatie.
Before You Go
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Now that you’re armed with the top 12 beach day essentials, it’s almost time to hit the beach! From protecting your skin with sunscreen to lounging in style with a beach towel and enjoying snacks with a view, these must-have items will ensure you have an unforgettable beach trip. Here are a few other helpful resources I think you’ll like:
- What To Pack for Florida: Essentials You’ll Need
- The Road Trip Checklist You’ll Be Happy You Used
- Beach Makeup for Vacation: Sweat and Humidity Proof
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen: 16 Options To Choose From
