Top 9 things to bring to the beach!
I am going to let you in on my ultimate top 9 things to bring to the beach!
So, you love the beach! 🏖️ Me too! Have you ever planned to stay for a couple hours, but you end up there into the evening or night?
Sometimes we get so swept away in enjoying the beach, that we stay way longer than we thought we would. This is when we wish we had some specific things with us to make us more comfortable.
I have been there many times! So, I have looked back at all those times that this happened to me and made this top 9 list for you to be comfortable and content at the beach, even if you stay way past sunset!
So, here is my top 9 list of the things that you should bring to the beach, of course, this is besides the obvious things like… bathing suit, towel, sunglasses…
1. Bathing suit bag
A waterproof bathing suit bag is a plastic or waterproof bag that you can put your wet bathing suit into if you want to change. This way your wet bathing suit won’t get everything else in your beach bag wet.
When I wear my bathing suit to the beach, I put my change of clothes in the bathing suit bag.
This way if I end up chilling on the beach for lunch or dinner, and I want to change into something dry I can.
Doing this has helped me out many times, where I ended up enjoying my time and stayed way longer that I thought I would at the beach.
This is a compact zippered bag that can hold your wet bathing suit. It’s waterproof and keeps the wetness inside the bag only!
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2. Hair brush
We have all had times where we were swimming and our hair gets so messy! Maybe you’re swimming under water, or the maybe there are strong waves. Next thing you know, when you get out of the water your hair is a mess!
You walk towards your chair and your hair looks like a bird’s nest! lol!
There may even be some seaweed in your hair! lol!
If you have hair, especially long hair, a brush is a must!
I always pack a small travel size brush in my beach bag. This way it doesn’t take up too much space or weight in your bag.
I can brush my hair to get out some of the frizz and seaweed. It also can help your hair to dry quicker.
This brush is for taking out tangles and works well with wet or dry hair. It’s not too big and it’s durable. It’s travel size and comes in different colours!
I have also included a sand brush. This brush is used to get the sand of your feet, legs, beach chair, cooler, water bottle, you name it! It comes in a nice little case too. It’s worth it when your car or house doesn’t have sand all over the place!
3. Water
This is an obvious one, but easily forgotten. 🚰
It is so easy to get dehydrated while soaking up the sun on a hot day. ☀️
The last thing that anyone wants is to be dehydrated in the sun. Or even worse get heat exhaustion…
‘Water is life’ as they say!
Instead of having to buy bottles of water all day, pack a couple in your beach bag or cooler.
Even better put ice in the water to keep it colder for a longer time.
I like to use an insulated, reusable water bottle or thermos. They stay colder for much longer.
And even better you can refill it for free🆓 usually!
I have attached an awesome 32 ounce thermal water bottle that is leak proof and keeps your drinks for the beach cold!
This second thermos is a 2 quart thermos that is vacuum sealed and keeps drinks either hot or cold. With this one you can use the lid as a cup that holds 8 ounces.
So depending upon which size you want, here are 2 great options for keeping your water or drinks cold at the beach.
4. Change purse
Why a change purse? You only need the essentials, meaning not your 3 credit cards, your points cards, all your money etc..
So, it’s better to leave most of your cards and money at home or your hotel. Leaving these other important cards at home on in your safe area of your hotel room will make sure that you will always have what you need even if your change purse goes missing at the beach.
I usually just bring 1 card to pay for food and drinks, as much cash as I think I will need and 1 piece of ID.
This way, in case your change purse goes missing while you are swimming, you will still have some money, credit cards and forms of ID at home or in your hotel.
* I usually still hide the change purse if I am going swimming… just to be safe.
This is a pack of 10 change purses. There are so many options of funky designs, leopard print, sunflower prints, butterflies, mandalas and more! Honestly, I want to buy 3 or 4 sets! Just for the designs!
This way if you lose one, you have others that you can use.
I would also use one for my earrings or watch if I wore it to the beach, or wanted to wear it out after the beach.
5. Food or snacks
I guess this depends on if you are sitting at a resort or restaurant beach chairs, or if you are going with your own chairs to make your own spot on the beach.
Let’s assume you are not sitting at a restaurant or resort beach…
I usually pack a small cooler with small ice packs in it.
I will also pack, of course some bottles of cold or partially frozen water. I also pack some ‘snacky’ foods like chips, fruit, sandwiches or wraps, trail mix, granola bars…
I try to pack things that will not go bad quickly in the heat and sun.
6. Lip Balm
Have you ever had a sunburn on your lips? It is not fun!
This is something that is often forgotten, until it’s too late.
Pick a lip protector that has sunscreen in it.
Packing a small tube of lip moisturizer and putting it on a couple of times while at the beach can prevent you from getting sunburned lips.
When you are swimming in the water, the reflection of the sun on the water can burn your lips too.
When you go shopping for your lip balm or lip protector, check to make sure that it has SPF in it.
It will say ‘SPF 15’ or another number on it.
Personally, I choose this Blistex.
7. Things to freshen up with
When I go to the beach, sometimes I am having such a good day that I end of staying to watch the sunset or into the evening. Next thing you know I end up at a nice restaurant for dinner or drinks.
It always feels nice to be able to put on deodorant or perfume or cologne. Maybe a bit of make up for your dinner…
I don’t know about you, but I am much more comfortable once I have had a chance to brush my teeth or put on deodorant or perfume, and fix myself up a bit.
I usually bring a small zippered makeup or travel bag and put everything inside of it. This way they are contained and not all over my beach bag.
Here is a 4 pack of waterproof beach make up bags. You could use one for make up, one for deodorant and a hair brush, etc.
8. Change of clothes
know that clothing can make your beach bag more bulky and full. I still feel it is worth packing extra clothes to change into.
You can pick clothes that pack small such as:
- a dress
- a t-shirt & shorts
- skirt and tank top
- capris
- cardigan
I always pack some of these clothes to change into so that I can get out of my wet bathing suit when I want to.
One item that always goes into my beach bag is a sarong! It can be a towel, a bathing suit cover up and much more!
Wondering how else you can use a sarong, check out 17 Ways to Use a Sarong while travelling.
There has been many times where I start off at the beach, then end up leaving the beach to go to a a restaurant or bar close by with my beach bag with me.
For these times, it is so nice to be able to change.
I usually roll my clothes together so that are compact and take up less room in my beach bag.
I also put them in my bathing suit bag while I am wearing my bathing suit.
* I also put a pair of earrings in my toiletry bag so that I feel ready to go out.
If I don’t have earrings in, I just don’t feel ready to go out. lol!
This beach bag is to put all of those things in with lots of great pockets!
There are actually several pockets outside and inside.
It actually comes in so many different colours and patterns too. It closes with a zipper and is water resistant and sand proof! I find this is a great beach bag to fit it all!
This other beach backpack is more simple with a drawstring closure. It has water-resistant fabric too and adjustable straps. It’s big enough to fit a laptop and it has a secret pocket for your phone or other small items.
So, 2 great options depending on if you want a shoulder bag with lots of pockets or a backpack with
9. Sun block
I know, this is a given.
Sunblock with SPF is important so that you can keep having a good time all day at the beach and the day after too!
We have all been there where we were having fun and didn’t reapply sunscreen and next think you know …sun burn!
Then later comes the peeling.. and it takes days to get back to normal.
It is recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. I know I usually stay at the beach for more than 2 hours… what about you?
I hope that these tips help you to have fun without worry or feeling uncomfortable while at the beach if you want to stay longer.
Instead of feeling “I wish I packed that” you will be saying, “I’m so happy that I packed that!”
Enjoy the beach! ⛱️
If you are looking for a beachfront hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico -check out this Beachfront hotel recommendation.
Here are some recommendations for Beaches in Huatulco, Mexico.
Staying somewhere different? Get your hotel near the beach here!
Bringing your phone to the beach?
There are so many times that I have been to the beach and the wifi from the restaurant doesn’t reach the beachfront area.
You’re left with no wifi, and who wants expensive roaming and long distance fees!
You can avoid all of that with Airalo.
You can download their app, then pick the country that you’re in and buy an e-Sim card! No more worrying about crappy wifi!
You can get started here!
I also recommend hiding your phone at the bottom of the your beach bag, in your towel, clothing or somewhere that is not easy to see. Especially if you’re going to leave it to go swimming.
Check out my other blogs and visit my online Shop. If you want to improve your English, check out my English courses.
Also, feel free to comment below! Thanks!
The Comments
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Bev
Your information is very good to know about. I usually take sun block and a hat.
Lorraine Black
> BevThanks Bev. Enjoy your next beach day!
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Cindy
You have inspired me to go to the beach today! 🙂
And, I will be prepared too! 🙂
Lorraine Black
> CindyThank you Cindy! I hope you have a lovely day at the beach!