Beach Vacation Packing List
Our two weeks in Navarre Beach made us learn, the hard way, what to take to the beach. We are going to highlight those things we found most important (or would have had we brought them) and then get a little more detailed. Ultimately, this will end up as our beach vacation packing list PDF for our next trip. We found some other good articles on beach vacation packing lists on Real Simple, Smarter Travel and Traveling Mom.
We all love a day full of building sandcastles and splashing in the water, but without a well-thought-out beach vacation packing list, your day can be less enjoyable.
Don’t know where to start? No worries, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll go over a few essential items that you should take with you to the beach to ensure hours of relaxation and joy.
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What To Take To The Beach
We drove 18 hours with 4 people in a sedan and room was limited to bring much of anything past the essentials on our trip. Thankfully we had family that lived in Navarre Beach and we were able to borrow a couple of key things. After exploring some of the local shops on Navarre Beach we, begrudgingly, hit the big box store for some of our essential beach shopping. We want to support local but they were just so much more expensive (Boogie Board $30.00 on the beach and $7.00 in the big box store).
Beach Gear
Beach Chairs
Another key beach accessory is the beach chair. We went to Walmart to get ours. Again, these were going to be thrown away (gave them to my brother before we left) so we went the least expensive route. It got our bottoms out of the sand and gave us a backrest and that did the trick for us. The one below has 5 positions which is an upgrade on what we had. We only got 2 as we thought the kids could rough it on towels. In retrospect, we probably should have got 4 to avoid the arguments and cakewalk like action to get one of the chairs.
While some people prefer to sit or lay on a towel, others prefer to sit on a comfortable chair. If you don’t have too much luggage and there’s actually enough room, consider bringing a beach chair or more if your family is tagging along. The thing about many beach chairs on the market is that they lack durability and it can be challenging trying to find a comfortable yet rugged chair.
You can also check out the Tommy Bahama 2016 Backpack Cooler Chair. Not only does this beach chair offer a comfortable and relaxing sitting experience, but it’s made of durable and lightweight materials that can handle up to 300 pounds. It features 5 adjustment levels, a towel bar, and an incredibly convenient storage pouch that you can use to keep snacks or drinks.
Beach Umbrella or Beach Tent
We bought a 6′ beach umbrella at the big box store and used it semi-successfully the first couple of days. There was no way it was making the road trip back with us so we thought $15 – $20 investments was enough. You may want to check out BEACHBUB’s All-in-One Beach Umbrella System as well.
We then were able to borrow a full beach tent from my brother. Wow! What a difference maker. We were there in July and it was hot as you would expect. With the tent you could stay for hours. I think this Ozark Trail Instant Sport Canopy is the model we borrowed. The key is that it had adjustable legs for positioning it just right. We saw the same model at Walmart for between $70.00 and $80.00 dollars. Target has college sports team themed canopies that are higher priced as well as a version similar to what we used.
We saw a lot of people with tents with the full bug protection as well. We didn’t find the bugs to be a problem and are more worried about sun protection. But if you want something that can do double duty (we definitely have bugs back in Nebraska) something with bug screens may be for you.
I can’t overemphasize how key the beach tent was. My brother had to have the tent back for a volleyball tournament the last couple days we were there. The sun umbrella just isn’t the same. Tip: A beach goer did give us the tip to make sure to point the sun umbrella in the direction of the wind to keep it from flying away and stay secure.
We will definitely find a way to have at tent on our next trip to Navarre Beach or any beach. There are beach umbrella and chair rentals available at some of the beaches in front of the larger condo complexes, but they are expensive. Convenience is worth something but bring your own if you can.
You can also check out the Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent Deluxe offers everything you may need from a beach tent. It’s lightweight and features a design that allows for easy and quick setup. This tent will provide ideal protection from both the sun and water since it features a water-resistant floor and cover. It’s also well-ventilated, so you won’t be swimming in a sea of your own sweat.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
Did you ever want to bring your phone with you into the ocean to take some selfies? Well, with a waterproof phone case, you can. A key item on the beach vacation packing list. The JOTO Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch is arguably the most popular waterproof phone pouch on the market today. It will protect your phone from water and sand, while still providing you with full use of your phone’s touchscreen.
Portable Cooler
Cold drinks are a staple of everything beach expedition. However, they’ll no longer be cold after a few hours under the sun. Don’t leave this off your beach vacation packing list! While traditional coolers do get the job beautifully, they’re can be too heavy to take along, and so your best bet is a portable travel cooler. A product we recommend you check out is the YETI Hopper TWO Portable Cooler.
The manufacturer claims that this cooler is capable of keeping your drinks cool for up to 3 days, which means that one day at the beach with this cooler will be full of frosty cold drinks. Now, it’s a bit of a costly investment, but if you consider what it has to offer, from great insulation to being a waterproof cooler, you realize how practical it is for a lot of applications, not just the beach
Beach Clothes
Swimsuit
Obviously, you can’t go swimming without a swimsuit. For men, we’d highly suggest going with a board short. Some of our favorite board shorts are the Kanu Surf Barracuda Trunks and Speedo Surf Runner 14″ Watershort. Both shorts are pretty comfortable without being too snug, allowing for a highly enjoyable swimming experience.
For women, the CUPSHE Yellow and Leaves Print Lace Bikini Set is a must-try. It’s 80% chinlon and 20% spandex. It also features padding cups and a lace-up back. More of an active gal? You want to get a supportive swimsuit to keep everything intact. In that case, you may want to check out the Tempt Me Women Ruffled Bikini Set.
Flip Flops
You definitely don’t want to be stepping on the burning hot sand with your bare feet. Do yourself a favor and pack a pair of flip flops. We’d include sandals as well but we thought they’d be kind of constricting compared to flip flops.
Change of Clothes
It’s always a good idea to have a change of clothes on hand when you’re at the beach. For men, you’ll find yourself comfortable in a pair of shorts and a tank top. For women, a stylish coverup is a way to go. If you have babies, you may want to consider more than just one change.
Swim Diapers
Swim diapers aren’t only designed for “mommy and me” swim lessons. You can use them at the beach or in swimming pools. If you don’t already have a favorite swim diaper for your child, why not give the Nageuret Reusable Swim Diaper a try? It’s completely eco-friendly, waterproof, and stylish. You’ll love how adjustable and highly durable this swim diaper is. Highly recommended.
Beach Towel
You can’t go to the beach without a good towel that will dry you off after a swim or help you lay down for a nice tan. If you’re heading to the beach alone, you should check out the Elite Trend Microfiber Beach Towel for Travel. It’s pretty light, compact, soft, and durable. If you have your family tagging along, then consider a towel pack like the Utopia Towels Cabana Stripe Towels.
Beach Bag
A reliable beach bag should be capacious and lightweight. Also, you should find it easy to clean it since it’s most likely going to be drenched in sand. Check out the Odyseaco Aruba Mesh Tote Bag. It has everything we just mentioned and it features cooler bag compartment. This tote bag is made of highly durable materials, so it will handle any wear and tear that you throw at it.
Warm Fleece
Going to the beach doesn’t need to take place on a sunny day. If you’re one of those people that enjoy the beach in colder climates, you definitely need something to keep you warm. It’s hard to find fleece jackets that are warm while having a relaxed cut. That’s why we strongly recommend the Columbia Benton Springs Full-Zip Jacket for women. Warm, comfy, and stylish.
For men, Patagonia’s Men’s Better Sweater Jacket is one of the best options on the market. It’s made of bluesign-approved polyester and features shape-holding micro-polyester trim at the cuffs, bottom hem, and back of the neck for increased resistance against abrasion. Warm fleeces are a wardrobe staple that works almost anywhere.
Sun Protection
Sunscreen
These are critical for your beach vacation packing list! Protection against the sun isn’t to be taken lightly. Make sure that you have a quality sunblock in your bag before heading to the beach to prevent the risks of skin disease. Also, you may want to order it online because a lot of the products sold at the beach tend to be of low-quality. In search of high-quality, eco-friendly sunscreen? Try out the All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter.
Sun Hat
We all love a sunny day, but during maximal sunlight at midday, it can be hard to appreciate the sun. A simple sun hat will keep your scalp well-protected from the sun. We absolutely love using the EINSKEY Sun Hat. It’s super stylish and fits both men and women perfectly.
Sunglasses
If your visit to the beach takes place during midday, you need to have sunglasses that are rated for full UVA/UVB protection. If you don’t like sunglasses, then try to stay in the shade for an hour or two until the sun simmers down. The SUNGAIT Vintage Round Sunglasses is one of the best options on the market for women. And for the gents, you’ll love the SUNGAIT Ultra Rectangular Polarized Sunglasses
Rash Guard
Abrasion sucks! If you’re too easily prone to rashes caused by abrasion, make sure that you get yourself a rash guard. Not only will it protect you from rashes, but it will also prevent sunburns. A product we recommend for men is the O’Neill Long Sleeve Rash Guard. For the ladies, you just can’t go wrong with the REKITA Long Sleeve Rashguard Shirt.
Lip Balm
Okay, so you’ve got your face and body well-protected from the sun, but aren’t you forgetting a much more common area to get a sunburn? Your lips are very delicate compared to your skin, which is why it’s important to have a high-quality lip balm with SPF handy. We’d highly suggest going with the Burt’s Bees Natural All-Weather Moisturizing Lip Balm.
Entertainment
Portable Speaker
Imagine lying on a towel, getting that bronze skin tone while listening to your favorite playlist of music. Well, you can’t do that without a speaker. And not just any speaker, we’re talking about a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s completely water-resistant. We’re in love with the JBL Charge 3 JBLCHARGE3BLKAM. It’s lightweight, loud without grating, and multi-functional. The Bose Soundlink is another good option.
Book or Kindle
Okay, maybe listening to music at the beach doesn’t sound so entertaining to you, so how about a good read? Grab your favorite book or kindle and just relax on your chair or inside your beach tent. Just be mindful of people splashing water near you. You don’t want the book to get ruined.
Kite
A day at the beach is not complete without flying a kite. Whether you’re 5 or 50 years old, flying a kite is a beloved activity for all ages. But before you get a kite, make sure that your destination allows flying kites because some beaches don’t permit it.
Frisbee
Again, it’s very hard to imagine a day at the beach without a frisbee, football, volleyball, or some sort of sport. Come on, don’t tell me you wouldn’t like to play beach volleyball with your family. In our opinion, they should make going to the beach without a frisbee or ball illegal.
Fun Floats
We’re not saying you can’t swim, but laying on a fun float shaped like a giant goose is just super fun. But please, do the environment a favor and invest in a high-quality fun float. You don’t want to get a cheaply-made float that you’ll end up throwing away after a single-use. Further, don’t let your float drift off into the ocean. Its plastic body may put lots of aquatic lives in jeopardy.
One float we’re quite fond of is the Sun Pleasure Party Bird Island Giant Flamingo Float. It’s just the coolest-looking thing ever. Not only that, but it’s so commodious that it can fit 6 adults easily. This float comes with its own pump and a carry mesh bag for ease of portability. Also, it features a built-in cooler and convenient cup holder. How cool is that?
Kids Toys
Oh no, you didn’t think you’re leaving the beach without building a castle out of sand with your children, did you? In order to do that, however, you need a sandcastle building set. You can’t go wrong with the Click N Play 13-Piece Sand Castle Mold Set.
Final Words
You’re all set! Now it’s time to use your beach vacation packing list and throw all of these items in the trunk of your car and head straight to the beach and enjoy a great summertime beach escapade with your loved ones. And of course, don’t forget to bring water bottles and snacks to feast on while you’re at it. Have fun!
Check out this article on Navarre Beach rentals. To get a view of what is going on live use our Navarre Beach cam page to get 5 different views of the beach and town. If you are looking to outfit a beach house this is a great rug.