Beach Essentials: Must-Take Items for a Day at the Beach
Summer just does not feel complete without a day at the beach. The closest ocean to us is about a five hour drive so when we decide to take a beach vacation it is important that we pack the essentials. To make our day at the beach as comfortable as possible we try to bring the items listed below. Instead of just tossing on your swimsuit and grabbing a beach towel, use our must-pack beach essentials list below to make your day even more enjoyable.
Must-Pack Beach Essentials
*Sea salt hair spray & mirror cover for iPhone were received as a review. This post contains affiliate links.
- Beach Friendly Tote – carry a tote that holds all your items for the beach that can be easily washed after it gets covered in sand.
- Picnic Blanket – we found our picnic blanket at Five Below. The blanket is more like a sturdy mat than a cotton blanket. It is easy to pick up and dust the sand off. It works perfect for a day at the beach and even has small weights on each end so the breeze does not blow it over. For $4 we could not beat the deal!
- Beach Towel – don’t forget your towel. Even if you plan to dry in the sun you need a nice cotton beach towel to sit on in the car after a long day at the beach or even to wipe your eyes after taking a dip in the ocean.
- Comb or Hair Pick – does your hair get in knots after taking a swim? Don’t forget your comb or hair pick to get them out before it dries. This comes in handy with young girls too. They never worry about how messy their hair is getting while having fun in the water…. until you try to brush it later. Avoid the pain of tangles by using a hair pick at the beach.
- Hair Tie – a quick ponytail or braid will work wonders when swimming. Don’t forget the extra hair ties in case you lose one in the ocean.
- Sunscreen – although you may have put sunscreen on before leaving the house, you will need to reapply throughout the day. Check the bottle of your sunscreen to see what the recommendation is for time between applications. Not all sunscreens are waterproof. You may need to reapply after drying off before sitting in the sun.
- Chapstick with SPF – your body is not the only part that can burn. Your lips can too! Remember the chapstick with SPF for extra protection.
- Sunglasses/Case for Eyeglasses – I wear eyeglasses and often I will run out of the house and forget to grab my sunglasses. For a day at the beach I try to always pack a case to hold my eyeglasses and my sunglasses to protect my eyes. My prescription is not too strong that I cannot go without them but I start to get a headache after so many hours. It’s important for me to carry them with me yet also protect my eyes from the sun.
- Hat – I love my sun hat. It not only prevents my scalp from burning but it also provides me with some much needed shade on my face. It’s easier for me to relax on the beach and read without the sun in my eyes.
- Sea Salt Hair Spray for Curls – there is no sense in me trying to fix my hair before a day at the beach. I have natural curls that are not always pretty. Get them wet and the frizz begins. I always toss a bottle of my sea salt hair spray in my beach bag to spritz on after splashing in the ocean. My new favorite for this summer is DryBar’s Mai Tai Sea Salt Spray.
- Wet Wipes – ever get sand on your shoes, glasses and feet? Eat something sticky and not have a restroom nearby? Pack some wet wipes to clean off before getting in the car.
- Mirror Case for Smartphone – have sand in your eye but can’t see to clean it out? Want to braid your hair back but need a mirror to see? Carrying around a mirror can be dangerous if it gets broken and you have to deal with the glass. Try this smartphone cover from Glam Screen to turn your iPhone screen into a mirror. And it protects your phone screen while at the beach!
Full Disclosure: Two items listed above were received complimentary in exchange for being featured in this post. All opinions are 100% my own. This list was created by me of my must-pack items for our fun at the beach. I occasionally include affiliate links to Amazon for some items to help cover the cost of my hosting fees.