Are you wondering what to pack for the beach? Worried that you’re going to forget something? Here are 5 Items that You’re going to forget when you pack for the beach!
So ok, maybe you’re not going to forget all of these items but these are some items that you don’t want to forget! No matter how many times I go to the beach, which is a few times a year, I always feel like I’m going to be standing on the sand thinking, “Great, I knew I needed that and I left it at home.”
Beach Towels
You’re going to be in the sand and probably in the ocean for a bit while you’re relaxing and enjoying your vacation at the beach, so you know you’re going to need to brush off all of that sand and dry off at some point. Don’t assume that the hotel or AirBnB that you’re staying at is going to have towels for everyone to use for the beach. Of course you can always stop at one of those beach stores like Wings or Waves once you get to the beach but I personally think the beach towels are kind of expensive there. I’d much rather use one I already have or buy one for like $10 at home before I start packing my bag!
Plus, hotel towels are normally kind of small and normally not super soft. So make sure to stuff a few of your own beach towels when you’re headed out!
Beach Umbrella
A beach umbrella is a must for when you’re at the beach. I love the sun, don’t get me wrong but my skin can only take so much of it! When we’re setting up camp in the sand for the day, I stick my umbrella in the sand, open that baby up and then proceed to lay out my beach chair, towels and beach bag under it’s shade.
That way, I can enjoy the sun and ocean but once I’ve been out there for a while, we can retreat back to the shade of our umbrella to relax and unwind without the harsh Carolina sun roasting us in our chairs.
Not to mention, if you have kids this is a MUST! I know that adults can deal with the heat and sun a lot better than kids. No one wants the sun beating down on their little ones all day because little ones in the heat and sun all day equals a great recipe for cranky butts and sun burnt skin!
Sunscreen
Sun burnt skin, that’s what brings us to our next item in the list. Don’t forget your sunscreen! Buy it while you’re at home or run to a place like Walmart or Walgreens (or whatever other store you like) when you get there and stock up.
I try not to buy sunscreen at the stores on the beach because normally they double to triple the prices on bottles of sunscreen because they know people need bottles of sunscreen right now because they’re at the beach.
Also don’t just go without it. Protect your skin! Even if the clouds are out or you don’t think that you’re going to be out there very long, just put it on! Your skin will thank you!
Also, reapply it often. Don’t put it on once in the morning and that bake under that beach sun all day without putting it on again.
Yesterday I put on sunscreen 5 times within a 7 hour time period and I still burnt! Yes I have fair skin but it’s not like I haven’t been out in the sun before haha. I didn’t burn bad, but I can see a red tint. Thankfully it doesn’t hurt. 🙂
However, if I had only put sun screen on once the whole day, it would have been a lot worse.
Aloe Vera
Even if you have tons of sunscreen and apply it multiple times a day you can totally burn anyways. At some point in our lives we’ve all gotten a little too much sun and found our skin tender to the touch, hot at fire and red.
That’s when you’re going to be glad that you remembered to pack that bottle of Aloe Vera! I keep it in the fridge at home and if I get a hotel room with a mini fridge, my aloe is the first thing to go in there.
YES! Cold aloe vera is the best thing when you have a sun burn. No I don’t think that it heals it up any better by being cold, but oh that cold refreshing aloe is amazing on skin that’s been kissed a little to heavily by the sun.
Aloe Vera can also help pull some of that burn out of your skin. Hopefully with a ton of sunscreen and aloe, you won’t have to suffer too much while you’re enjoying your time on the coast.
Baby Powder
Yes, Baby Powder and no we’re not going to be powdering any baby butts!
Baby Powder is great for getting sand off of feet, arms, legs and anywhere else.
Once you get back to the car, or before you go up to your hotel room, sprinkle a little bit of baby powder onto the dry sand on your feet or legs and rub the sand right off.
I know that when you’re at the beach that you can’t keep sand off of everything but every little bit of advice helps when you’re trying to NOT have 1000 pounds of beach sand in your car or in your hotel room.
Don’t worry about getting the best baby powder out there either. Just pick up a bottle of it at the dollar store and you’re ready to go!
So enjoy your time at the beach. Soak in those beach vibes and let the salt water clear your mind. Relax and Recharge!
Just remember this list while you’re packing your bag for paradise!
Robin says
One of our favorite beaches is Myrtle Beach, SC. That’s where I spent my Spring Breaks in college then moved to a quaint little town called Cottageville (between Charleston and Beaufort) after college. When I worked at several emergency rooms we always kept ADOLPH’S MEAT TENDERIZER on hand for jellyfish stings. Rare as they usually are, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and NOT have it. We always take a cheap pair of FLIP FLOPS as well. That hot sand can feel like you’re walking on burning coals when you”re trying to find a place to nest for the day! Then, after you wash your feet off at then end of the day…in the parking lot – you can avoid a floorboard full of sandy feet if you have your flip flops on! (I KNOW some of it will stick to the bottom of the rubber, but you can usually knock that off before you get in! I love the beach and thank you for the tips!
Angie says
We almost moved to Beaufort when we were first married because my husband was being transferred to Parris Island! However, his orders got changed and we ended up staying at Lejeune in NC! I’m adding Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer to my shopping list now! I’ve never had a jellyfish sting but I’m always on the lookout for them when we’re at the beach! I love the beach too. I would live there again if Thomas would move again haha