A trip to the beach requires a bit of careful packing. There are some things you really don’t want to forget. Most of them are obvious like sunglasses and sunscreen, but it’s always good to have a reminder or a checklist before we go on any trip. Whether you like packing weeks before or a day before your trip (are there any same day-ers around?), here is a great list of things you must pack for a trip to the beach.
7 Things You Must Pack For A Trip to the Beach
1. Bluetooth Speaker
A bluetooth speaker should be high up on your list. You can use it at the beach, by the pool, in your room when you’re getting ready… And if you head to the beach in Florida, you can rent an apartment or home, and enjoy the speaker while eating, cooking, while having drinks, or just relaxing. I use mine at home daily.
With the JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth Speaker you get amazing value for your buck. You get great sound and it’s waterproof (!) a requirement if you’re bringing it to the beach, or at least buy a splash-proof speaker. The battery on the JBL Charge 3 lasts for up to 20 hours of playtime and it also charges smartphones and tablets via USB. Plus, it comes in several cool colours.
2. Hat
A cute floppy hat, a baseball cap, a summertime straw fedora… Having a hat on hand while at the beach is always useful. Whether you have dark hair and want to avoid absorbing heat from the sun, or you’re fair skinned and want to protect your hair and your face, a hat is the way to go. Plus, you can make a fashion statement while you’re at it.
3. Sunglasses
Bringing sunglasses is another obvious one and absolutely essential for sunny days at the beach. Or sunny days anywhere. It’s hard to see when you have the sun on your face, and it also protects your eyes from UV rays. Unless you’re wearing $5 dollar sunglasses.
Decide if you want them to be polarized as well. Polarized sunglasses have a special coating that prevents glare from reflective surfaces like water. This glare can be harmful and uncomfortable. If you’re suddenly wondering why you can’t see the screen on your phone or camera, take off your glasses.
And if you normally wear glasses, you can get some really cool and affordable prescription sunglasses at Warby Parker.
4. Reading Material
A book is an all-time beach trip essential! A trip to the beach is one of the best places to relax and catch up on reading, for both beach bums and those who prefer to stay in the shade (or even inside!).
I’ve always been a fan of a physical book, turning its pages and enjoying the book cover, but I do have to say that my Kindle has replaced a lot of that. Especially for travel. Books can get heavy, and a Kindle can fit tons of books in one. I have the Kindle Paperwhite which is glare free and the pages look like a real book, not a tablet screen.
They say you should bring “summer reads” but I say bring any book that sounds good to you, something you’ve been wanting to read for a while. All subjects and authors are players, from Dostoyevsky to Vonnegut. The Alchemist is one of those enjoyable thought-provoking books I’d recommend to anyone.
Some on my to-read wishlist include:
- Cult favourite: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
- The romcom: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
- The sci-fi novel: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
- And one I haven’t read from my old time favourite British author Nick Hornby: Funny Girl. Years ago, I read and loved High Fidelity and A Long Way Down.
5. A Positive Attitude
I’m not a super happy go lucky person, but I’d say that it’s always good to bring a positive attitude anywhere. And the beach is no exception. During travel in general, things can go differently to planned. A positive attitude includes being flexible, accepting when things go wrong and adjusting accordingly, seeing the bright side, enjoying yourself, and complaining as little as possible. Complaining is a bad habit I can be guilty of.
6. A Bathing Suit
Obvious, huh? But don’t you hate it when you actually need a bathing suit and forgot one and you have to go buy an ugly cheap one? Or worse, an expensive one you don’t like that much. If that’s never happened to you, great. Keep bringing that cool and/or cute bathing suit of yours. Just don’t get something like this.
It didn’t happen to me on a trip to the beach, but it has happened to me several times at hotels near the mountains where I didn’t think I’d need one, but then there’s a hot tub you must get in. Especially if the trip is a spontaneous road trip. Ever since, I keep a bathing suit in the car! That same expensive bathing suit I don’t like that much.
7. Sunscreen
Another obvious one, but important. One of your goals at the beach might be to get some colour, a nice tan. But don’t underestimate the dangers of sun rays. You can still get a tan while also wearing sunscreen. And don’t abuse the sun. Take breaks from the sun by enjoying the beach from your shady balcony and cooling ice cream on hand.
But if you do get sunburnt, my next and final item will be your saviour…
8. Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is the best for sunburn. It’s soothing and healing. It’s also a great post-sun moisturizer even if you don’t get sunburn.
Now you know what you must pack for a trip to the beach. It’s time to go shopping for those things you don’t have to make the best out of your next trip.
Go shopping
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Which other items are essential for you to bring to the beach?
A New Life Wandering 