From owning a beach house on Floirda’s 30A to growing up 30 miles from Texas beaches, to raising a daughter who played beach volleyball and spending every summer at Hermosa Beach California, we have spent A Lot of time on the beach. And I know firsthand how important it is to pack all the beach essentials to ensure that you are able to make the most of your day in the sand and sun.
From sun protection to entertainment, these are the essentials that we take with us every time we hit the beach.
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This post is all about the best Beach Essentials in 2023.
The Best Beach Essential
Sunscreen
A good high-quality sunscreen is invaluable to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. We typically take at least spa 30 and make sure you reapply every couple of hours. Especially if you are getting in the water.
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Sunglasses
You definitely want to make sure you don’t forget your sunglasses. Between the bright sun, and the reflection off the sand and water, the rays at the beach are no joke. These trendy sunglasses will protect your eyes and keep you looking great.
Hat
A wide-brimmed hat provides shade for your face and neck, and also protects your scalp from sunburn. Whether its a stylish fedora or a simple baseball cap, a hat at the beach is a must/
Floats
Floats aren’t just for the pool anymore. A good float can make all the difference in a day at the beach. Our favorites are the floats that look sort of like a chair. We use those in our pool at home, the river and the beach. They really are the best.
One of the most relaxing ways to sit on your float is to use an anchor to keep it in one place. That way the tide won’t pull you one way or the other.
The very large floats are fun and super Instagram-worthy, but be careful with them because they can quickly catch the wind and turn into a sailboat. You will definitely want to use an anchor for those for added safety.
Beach Towels and Beach Blankets
A nice thick beach towel is a must-have for a beach day. They are perfect for drying off our lounging in the sand. My favorite thing to do is get a pretty beach towel and drape it over my beach chair. This makes for very aesthetic pictures that I may take while lounging on the beach. You want to look for tools that are absorbent and quick drying. My favorites are the towels because I love the colors and patterns they come in.
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Water Bottle
Between the sun and the salt water, it’s easy to get dehydrated at the beach. So, be sure to bring a reusable water bottle. You’re going to want to use one that’s durable and easy to clean.
Beach Bag
A beach bag may just be the most important thing you take with you to the beach. We actually take several. I like to take a mesh bag for our sandy toys. But I also like a larger waterproof beach bag with lots of compartments to hold our lip balm, towels, water bottle, sunscreen, and snacks.
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Water Shoes
Snacks
You definitely want to take lots of snacks to the beach. That sun and surf really work up quite an appetite. Click here for a list of our favorite snacks for the beach. These are the best containers that I have found. The ziptop containers can be a little pricy but they last forever and are dishwasher safe making them super easy to clean.
Entertainment
Whether you prefer a good book, a frisbee, or a beach game like corn hole or spike ball, you are going to want to bring along some activities. Our favorites are definitely frisbee and cornhole. I’m adding a link to a frisbee that lights up. Playing frisbee at night is a whole new level of fun.
Music Beach Essentials
A waterproof speaker is perfect for listening to your tunes on the beach. Be sure to charge it the night before so you can listen uninterrupted for hours. The speaker below is the exact one that I just got and we love it. It plays for hours. But any Bluetooth speaker will do.
Waterproof Phone Case Beach Essentials
We all know the consequences of dropping our phones in the water – Especially salt water. But somehow our phone inevitably ends up out in the water. We just have to get that Instagrammable picture from inside the water, looking back at the beach. You are going to want to make sure that your phone is as protected as possible. This case will do the trick. We also use them in the summer when we float on the river.
We also use our dry bag when we are on the paddle boards. It does a great job of keeping all of our valuables dry.
Beach Chair
In my opinion, Tommy Bahama makes the best beach chair. These beach chairs were clearly designed by someone who actually spends a lot of time at the beach. They have thought of EVERYTHING.
From the ice chest on the back to the cup holder and phone holder on the sides to the fact that you can wear them as a backpack, leaving your hands free to carry more stuff, they are truly the perfect beach chair. They also recline all the way back so you can use them to lie down.
I also added the white chair here because it looks amazing on the beach with the white umbrella linked a little farther down. In my opinion, that is the best-looking setup on the beach. It looks so classy with the white sand and blue water.
Cooler Beach Essentials
Coolers are super important because the beach is hot and the sun is strong. It needs to be large enough to carry plenty of snacks for the day but also insulated enough to keep things cold. You don’t want anyone getting food poisoning from spoiled food.
Cup Holders
Beach Umbrella/Shelter
Beach shelter is one of the most important pieces of a successful day at the beach. The sun is strong and you are going to want to have somewhere to go for some relief. In addition to the sun, the wind can be especially strong, and a half tent will go a long way in protecting you from the elements. If you are going to be a the beach for a few hours, an umbrella will get the job done. But, if you are planning for a long day at the beach, bringing a tent to break the wind will be a welcome addition.
Umbrella Table/Tray
Water Activities
Insect Repellent
Insect repellent might just be the most overlooked item on the list. And let’s be honest, you won’t need it often. But when you do need it, you will suffer if you don’t have it. So, just toss it in your bag and forget about it. Then it will be there when you need it most. You’ll be thankful you did.
Personal Cooling Fans
Small fans can go a long way in staying cool on those hot humid beach days.
Hair Essentials
These hair accessories are essential to survive the salt water, wind and sand on your hair.
Baby Powder
Baby powder will absorb the moisture on your skin making it easy for the sand to rub right off.
First aid kit Beach Essentials
Another often forgotten beach essential. A first aid kit is always a good idea to take to the beach. You probably won’t need it but if you do, you’ll be glad to have it.
Binoculars
Cash Beach Essentials
You will definitely want to stash some cash somewhere in your bag. You never know when you will need it for an ice cream or cool drink on your way to and from the beach.
Wagon
After you pack all of these essentials, you are going to need a nice wagon to tote it all to the beach. this wagon is perfect because it has large wheels to make maneuvering thru the sand a piece of cake.
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