Your Essential Packing List For A Day At The Beach
Who doesn’t love a day at the beach? I think it’s one of the best parts of summer. But if you've ever gotten there and realized you forgot something important, like sunscreen or water, you know how quickly your day can turn from relaxing to stressful. Over the years, I've learned what’s worth tossing in the bag and what you can leave behind, and I’m here to tell you all about it so that you don’t make the same mistakes I once did. Here's my complete list of things to pack that help make your beach day easy, fun, and frustration-free.
A Big Blanket You Don’t Care About
You don't need to run out and buy a fancy beach mat. An old quilt or oversized towel will do the job and gives you plenty of room to stretch out. If it gets sandy or stained, no big deal. It’s not like you’re going to use it for anything else. I keep one in the trunk of my car just for beach days.
Sunscreen You Actually Like
If it smells weird or feels greasy, you’ll avoid using sunscreen, so bring one that you actually want to reapply! Spray, stick, or lotion, it doesn’t matter as long as it works for you. Just make sure it’s broad-spectrum and water-resistant and don’t forget to hit your ears and feet, too.
A Shade Option
Even if you think you'll be in the water all day, it helps to have a place where you can cool off. A beach umbrella, pop-up tent, or even a big hat gives your skin a much-needed break from the sun. Trust me, you’ll be glad that you did.
A Bag Just for Wet Stuff
Plastic grocery bags work, but a reusable wet bag is even better. You’ll want to have somewhere to stash damp swimsuits, sandy toys, or even a cold can that leaked. It’s the best way to keep the rest of your stuff dry and clean.
Snacks That Don’t Melt
Chips, fruit, trail mix, or PB&J; these are all great choices for snacks that won’t turn to soup in the sun. When I go to the beach with a group, I try to pack a mix of salty and sweet so that everyone can get what they want. A small cooler or insulated tote makes it easy to keep everything cool too.
More Water Than You Think
One bottle of water is not going to cut it, especially if it’s hot outside. Trust me, bring more than you think you’ll need. I like to freeze a few bottles of water the night before so they stay cold and double as ice packs until they melt.
Baby Powder
It sounds strange, but baby powder is really good at getting sand off of skin. Just sprinkle some and brush the sand off. It works like magic, especially on sandy feet before getting back in the car. This is one of those odd little beach hacks that really works.
A Basic First Aid Kit
You don’t need anything fancy. A few band-aids, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and aloe gel will do the job. You can even throw in some allergy meds or pain relievers, just in case. When you don’t want to leave the beach all day, a scraped toe or headache can ruin your plans fast.
Flip-Flops or Water Shoes
Walking across hot sand or a rocky shoreline barefoot isn't as fun as it looks. Flip-flops are easy to rinse and toss in the bag, and water shoes are great if you're swimming near rocks or shells. You can protect your feet without getting your favorite shoes full of sand.
Entertainment for Downtime
Sometimes all you want to do at the beach is relax. Bring a book, a crossword, or even a deck of cards to play with friends. A small Bluetooth speaker is great too, just keep the volume down if there are others around you.
A Light Sweatshirt or Cover-Up
Even hot days can turn breezy once the sun starts to set. Packing something lightweight to throw on over your bathing suit definitely helps if you're staying into the evening. Plus, it doubles as extra sun protection if you need it.
Trash Bags or Grocery Sacks
Most beaches don’t have enough trash cans, and some have none at all. Toss a bag or two in with your stuff so you can take your trash with you without getting your beach bag all messed up. Bonus points if you pick up an extra few pieces of garbage before you go.
Cash and Small Bills
Not every beach vendor or parking lot will let you pay with credit cards, so keep a few small bills tucked in your bag just in case. You might want a popsicle or need to feed a meter, and it’s just generally good to have cash on hand. It’s one of those things you don’t think about until you need it.
A Cheap Pair of Sunglasses
You don’t want to bring your best pair of sunglasses if there’s a good chance they’ll end up scratched, lost, or covered in sand and sunscreen smudges. Grabbing a cheaper, but still decent, backup pair lets you enjoy the day and protect your eyes without worrying about losing designer sunnies.
Something to Sit On
Low chairs, beach stools, or even a cooler with a lid can give your back a break from standing or laying all day. This is especially helpful for older knees or if you're planning to stick around at the beach all day. Sitting in the sand all day is less relaxing on your joints than it sounds.
Keep Your Beach Day Simple
You don’t need to bring everything under the sun to have a good time at the beach. Pack what makes you comfortable, keeps you safe, and lets you enjoy the moment. Basically, the stuff you’re actually going to use. And honestly, it’s the simple things; shade, snacks, dry clothes; that turn a good beach day into a great one.