How To Pack For The Beach

The following six things are your beach bag essentials and they should give you a better understanding of how to pack for the beach to keep your day as fun and relaxing as possible.

1. Sunscreen

This is a necessity at the beach, but for some reason it is the last thing that many of us remember to pack. It is no longer cool to NOT have a barrier between your skin and the sun because not only are you at a higher risk for developing skin cancer, but you are also at risk to develop wrinkles at a quicker rate as well.

The SPF number used to be the biggest indicator of what made a good sunscreen, but research has discovered that UVA rays not only increase the risk of skin cancer but also wrinkles. SPF only prevents the UVB rays from penetrating the skin, so it is important to look for sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or higher as well as one that has ingredients such as titanium dioxide, oxybenzone, ecamsule, avobenzone, and zinc oxide to protect against UVA rays.

2. Water

When you are a kid, you drink water from any water source that is available, but as adults we know that clean drinking water (that has not been contaminated with pee and other things) is the better way to go, even when you are surrounded by water.

Dehydration can occur any day, but when you are at the beach in the hot sun, it is a bigger threat. Drinking enough water will also help to regulate your body temperature and prevent overheating, keep your energy high, and remove any toxins ingested from your surroundings.

3. Extra Towels

Sand is fun to play in, but when it sticks to your body and won't come off it is more of a nuisance than anything, especially when you are trying to get into the car! Sand is very hard to clean once it is reaches your car and home. While most of us remember to bring one towel per person, it is always good to bring extras in case a replacement is needed.

4. Extra Clothes

How many times have you gotten into a car semi-wet after the beach? Even if you change out of your clothes at the beach, it is important to have an extra set of clothes in case they get wet, sandy, or even stolen.

5. A Hat

If you leave the comfort of shade or an umbrella, a hat is essential. It is so easy to burn the top of your head and regret not wearing a hat afterwards. Trust me, you do not want to dread brushing your hair for the next week after the beach.

6. Food

Many of us don't take food with us and instead expect to buy food during our day at the beach. But, you may not always be near food when you get hungry. And it is important to have some food to ensure that your blood sugar stays level so you don't start to lose energy or get dizzy. Pack easy things to carry such as meal replacement bars or bags of pretzels. These will be easy for everyone to grab without much mess or fuss.

There are many different items that can make your beach experience a more enjoyable one. These items help to keep your belongings dry and safe; they can also keep the sun out of your face, the sand off your bottom, your food fresh and drinks cold.

Aside from your swim suit and flip flops below is a list of essential beach accessories you might want to think about bringing along the next time you go to the beach.

If you’d like to be in a more upright position then consider bringing along a beach chair. Some beach chairs are elevated off the a few inches and come with convenient storage pockets and cup holders.

But if you’re looking for some small, compact and simple then the Stansport Sandpiper Sand Chair is perfect. It’s made from heavy gauge powder coated steel with a seat and back made from durable nylon fabric which can support up to 200 pounds.

There’s also a built in mesh pocket behind the back rest and a shoulder strap for easy portability. It comes in the following colors; royal blue, forest green and yellow.

Sunglasses are definitely a beach essential if you don’t want to go around squinting all day long. Not only do they make seeing more convenient but they also provide your eyes with sun protection. Beach sunglasses come in all sorts of styles.

Get one that’s efficient in blocking the brightness of the sun like this Sandy Beach Sunglasses from Maui Jim. It features a lightweight durable nylon frame and has impact resistant polycarbonate lenses with superior optics.

A beach table is another practical beach accessory that keeps your food, drinks, and belongings off the sand and easily accessible.

This portable resin side table has a foldable design and is completely weatherproof. It’s also 100% recyclable making it the more eco-friendly option. The table measurements are 17 ½ by 15 and 20 inches tall.