Some say that summertime is the perfect time for a beach vacation. I say any time is the perfect time to get away on a beach vacation. Listening to the waves crash on the shore, kids playing in the background, and the birds above always puts me in my happy place. I could stay on the beach from sunrise until the sun sets over the water.
Planning the beach vacation and the anticipation of going are half the fun. However, once you get to the beach, it requires schlepping a lot of beach stuff with you. You need the beach necessities like chairs, beach umbrellas, beach and water toys, food, towels, and lots to drink.
I have put together an essential beach must-have list to make your beach vacation planning a bit easier.
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Sunscreen
I like to start with the most important stuff, sunscreen. When I was young, our sunscreen came in transparent bottles with names like Baby Oil or Tropical Blend. We would oil ourselves up and flip from our stomach to back under the sun like a pig on a spit.
Thankfully, those days are over and we all now know the importance of keeping our skin safe in the sun.
I always bring a couple of bottles so I can re-apply throughout the day. Slather it on, don’t be shy.
Beach Set-Up
It is essential to have a good beach set up in order to maximize your day on the beach. Plenty of shade, places to sit, and an area to set up.
Beach Towel
I love spreading towels out, but cannot stand having the sand all over them. Yeah, I know, it’s the beach, but sand drives me crazy. I especially hate it when I’m having a picnic on a towel and the sand creeps into my food. Crunching down on little pebbles of sand is so unpleasant.
I found these sand-free towels and they are beach life-changing. My hatred of sand on my towel is no more. Now I can eat without an extra crunch. The best part, they are lightweight and travel easily.
Keep the sand on the beach and off of you.
Umbrella
I love the beach, but not the sun. I have gone from a sun worshiper to a sun fearer. A beach umbrella is a perfect way to avoid the sun while enjoying your day on the beach. I am always in search of a perfect beach umbrella. Every time I put one up, the wind either blows it down or blows the umbrella inside out. I truly have no luck with them. I have found that umbrellas with anchors do help with this issue the best.
Beach Chair
If I am spending a day on the beach, then I want to make sure I have a cozy chair, that will allow me to sit under the umbrella and chill out. I want a chair that is light weight and easy to carry down to the beach.
Sunshade Tent
If you plan to go a large, uncrowded beach, plan to take a sunshade with you. They are a wonderful alternative to a beach umbrella. Sunshade tents offer plenty of room to stretch out under the shade to chill and have your picnic lunch. These are especially great if you have a baby.
Food/Drink Cooler
If you plan to spend sun-up to sun-down on the beach, then you are going to want to stock up on plenty of food and drinks. I love not having to leave the beach to get food for lunch. It’s a great day when you can set up your beach day area, play, relax and have lunch and snacks all right there.
Water Bottle
I love bringing my reusable water bottles to the beach with me. My ice doesn’t melt, resulting in a cool drink on a hot day. It cuts down on waste too.
Portable Safe
I have always struggled with what to do with my valuables while i’m in the water or playing on the beach. I always just threw everything under my towel hoping it would still be there. The portable beach safe is life changing. Now I can go in the water (with my water shoes) and leave my stuff safely at my beach set-up.
For the Water
Make sure to bring all of the water essentials for a day spent splish-splashing around in the surf.
Water Shoes
Every summer when I hit the beach and head into the water, I am inevitably pinched by a crab. Blue crabs live at the beach I visit and being pinched by one hurts. I cannot see to the bottom and therefore don’t know what I could potentially be stepping on as I wade further out.
Water shoes have been life-saving for me. I no longer fear the unknown bottom of the ocean, nor do I fear that attack of the blue crabs. I can walk in the water with full confidence.
Waterproof Phone Case
I’m always taking pictures of my kids on the beach from my smartphone. I will sometimes go in the water to get the perfect shot of them playing around.
However, I tend to drop things a lot. Discovering the waterproof phone case has been a game-changer. I no longer have to worry because my phone is safe if I am to drop it.
It even has a floating device attached. This is good, because I cannot see the bottom of the ocean. If I were to drop the phone and it sunk, I wouldn’t know if I were grabbing the phone or something else. Yikes.
Beach Floats
I do love to float around in the water for hours with my water shoes on and slathered head to toes with sunscreen. Being in the water is so relaxing. I feel that the weight of the world disappears and all things are good.
I discovered these floats last year and I’m in love. They are so easy to sit on and float. They also have a cup holder taking your floating experience to the next level.
If you prefer a float to lay on, then try out this adjustable float. It comes with a caddy to put your drink and of course your sunscreen.
Beach Day Essential Extras
Now that you have the beach set-up complete and are prepared with your water attire, you are ready for the next set of beach day essentials.
Beach Toys
If you are bringing the kids for your day out, then you are going to want to make sure they are busy with plenty to do.
Older kids, no problem, there are plenty of older kids/adult toys to bring to the beach.
Baby Beach Tent
When we brought our kids to the beach when they were babies, we wanted to make sure they were out of the sun and not sitting on the hot sand. The Beach tents were perfect. They are even great for toddlers who need a nap during the day.
Beach Wagon
It’s hard to imagine bringing all this stuff with you for your day on the beach. I personally hate making more than one trip. Once I hit the beach, I want to set up and relax. I don’t want to worry about another trip of schlepping stuff. The perfect solution is to bring a beach wagon to do the schlepping for you. The wagon works in the sand. You can throw most things in it, except children, and only have to make one trip. Genius.
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