Things to Remember What to Bring On a Beach Vacation

Traveling to the beach can be both an enjoyable and relaxing vacation. You can simply lay on the beach, take a swim in beautiful waters and enjoy a game of beach volleyball or look for seashells, or you can also experience the nightlife and other amenities/activities in the area.

Photo credit: damo_4701

Since the beach has plenty of things to offer, there are certain items that you need to bring with you to ensure that you have everything you need.

Beach Clothes

Obviously, if you are going to the beach, you will need to bring a swimsuit. You should also bring a light colored t-shirt or tank top and a pair of shorts. You could also bring a cover up dress, shirt or skirt. All of these will help protect you from the sun.

Since the sand is always hot, you will need a pair of sandals or flip flops. A hat is also a good idea to protect your face from the sun, and sunglasses will protect your eyes.

Sunscreen

Protecting yourself from the sun is the most important thing to remember when at the beach. Make sure that you bring a waterproof sunscreen with a high SPF, and make sure that you apply it every hour or so. You should also bring aloe vera or vitamin E capsules to comfort burned skin.

Regular Clothes

Though you will spend a lot of time at the beach, you won't spend all of your time at the beach. For this reason, it's a good idea to bring regular, casual clothes with you. Socks, underwear, shorts and shirts/tank tops are a safe bet. Lighter colored clothes that are made of cotton or an airy material will keep you cool. If you plan on doing a lot of walking, you should bring a comfortable pair of gym shoes. It is also a good idea to bring a long pair of pants and a sweatshirt just in case the temperature drops one day or if a store or restaurant has the air conditioning turned on high. 

Dress Clothes

Bringing one nice outfit is always a safe idea. Though most restaurants and nightclubs in beach areas will allow beach attire, there may be a few that are more strict. It's always a good idea to have one on hand at all times—you never know when you're going to need it.

Accessories

Make sure to pack all of your beach gear, such as towels, beach umbrellas, coolers, beach chairs, volleyballs, sand toys, metal detectors and anything else you want to play with or use while on the beach. If you have small children, you may want to bring life jackets or floaties to keep children safe while in the water. It's also a good idea to have large sealable bags if you plan on bringing seashells home with you.

By packing all of these items, you will be prepared for every activity and event. This will also keep you from having to spend a large amount of money on buying these items at higher-priced beach resorts.

Joseph Peach lives in Miami and works as a lifeguard.  He recently took a trip to a bahamas beach resort where he trained new lifeguards.