There’s nothing quite like a day at the beach, but to truly enjoy your beach day without any stress, you need to pack the right gear! I’ve put together this guide to help you have the best beach trip ever!
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Swimsuit
Let’s start with the most important item…your swimsuit! While bikinis have their place, one-piece swimsuits have made a major comeback, and I’m here for it! They offer more coverage, tons of style options, and they’re incredibly flattering on every body type.
Here are four one-piece favorites I’m loving right now:
The Classic Scoop Neck: this is perfect if you want something timeless that never goes out of style. It’s comfortable, easy to move in, and works for swimming, tanning, or playing beach volleyball!
The Plunge V-Neck: this adds a touch of glamour to your beach look. This style elongates your torso and looks stunning on its own or under a coverup.
The Square Neck: this gives off vintage vibes and is super trendy right now! It’s flattering on the chest area and looks amazing in bold colors or fun prints.
The Cutout One-Piece: this gives you the best of both worlds! You get the coverage of a one-piece with strategic cutouts that show a little skin and add visual interest.
Swimsuit Coverup
A great coverup is essential for going from beach to boardwalk or grabbing lunch at a nearby cafe. You want something lightweight that’s easy to throw on over a wet swimsuit. Oversized button-down shirts give off effortless and crochet dresses are another fantastic option that lets the breeze through while still providing coverage!
Beach Towels
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good beach towel! You want something large enough to stretch out on, absorbent enough to dry you off, and sand-resistant so you’re not bringing half the beach home with you. I recommend bringing at least two towels per person! Use one as your base layer on the sand and keep the other dry for when you get out of the water. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than trying to dry off with a towel that’s already covered in sand and damp from sitting in the sun!
Beach Wagon
If you’ve ever tried to carry all your beach gear across hot sand in multiple trips, you know how exhausting that can be. A beach wagon changes everything! Look for one with wide wheels that roll easily over sand. Collapsible designs are perfect because they fold flat for storage in your car or garage. Some wagons even come with built-in cooler compartments or cup holders! A good beach wagon can hold your cooler, towels, chairs, tent, and toys all in one trip. It’s an investment that makes beach days so much more enjoyable, especially if you’re going with kids or a big group!
Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker
Music makes everything better, and beach days are no exception! A waterproof Bluetooth speaker lets you bring your favorite playlist without worrying about splashes or sand. Good battery life is also important since you want your music to last all day!
Snack Box
Beach days make everyone hungry! Instead of making multiple trips to the snack bar or bringing a bunch of individual packages, invest in a good snack box system! Bento-style containers with multiple compartments are perfect for this. You can pack different snacks in each section and keep everything organized and fresh. Fill them with grapes, cheese cubes, crackers, sliced veggies, and hummus!
Mesh Beach Tote
A mesh beach tote is a must-have for several reasons. First, sand falls right through the holes, so you’re not bringing it all back to your car. Second, wet items can dry out instead of getting musty. Third, you can see everything inside, which makes finding what you need so much easier! Use your mesh tote for items you’ll need to access throughout the day.
Portable Fan
Beach days can get hot, and sometimes there’s no breeze to cool you down. A portable fan is a lifesaver in these situations! Rechargeable handheld fans are compact and easy to toss in your bag. Some clip onto your beach chair or umbrella so you can enjoy hands-free cooling. Look for ones with multiple speed settings and long battery life. Misting fans take things up a notch! They’re incredibly refreshing on scorching days and kids absolutely love them!
Beach Tent
Sun protection is so important, and a beach tent gives you a shady spot to escape the harsh rays. This is especially crucial during peak sun hours! Some beach tents have mesh windows for ventilation, which prevents the inside from becoming too stuffy. Others have built-in floors to keep sand out of your shady retreat!
Sunglasses
Last but definitely not least, don’t forget your sunglasses! They protect your eyes! And always bring a backup pair to the beach!
Overall, the key to a stress-free beach trip is preparation! When you have everything you need, you can actually relax and enjoy yourself instead of wishing you’d brought something different. Make a checklist of these items and keep it somewhere handy so you never forget anything important! You might even want to keep a dedicated beach bag stocked with sunscreen, a speaker, and other items that can stay packed between trips. What tip would you add to this list?