As most people tend to spend a full day at the beach, bringing the essentials you need in your beach bag is a must. Especially if you don’t plan on leaving the beach to go to your car and grab things you have forgotten. I mean, who wants to leave the comfort of your spot on the beach? I know I don’t. The key is to not overpack or under-pack, but to bring exactly what you know you’ll use. Aside from having a good book for the beach, your phone for music or a podcast, or other items for entertainment, bringing certain beach necessities are important. That’s why, the following items are essential to pack in every beach bag.
1 – Water
Whether you bring a personal water bottle or a larger jug, I’ll always reiterate this point. Pack water for your beach bag – it’s essential! The ideal body water percentage for men and women is between 45-65%. As you stay all day in the sun, you’ll quickly get dehydrated and even over-heated. Having water with you throughout the day will cool your body down and give you the hydration you need. And the last thing you want to be is thirsty on a beach. For other ways to stay hydrated, you can read my blog post on 8 Ways To Stay Hydrated For Great Skin While Traveling. These tips are not only for travel, but it’s good to know for general hydration.
2 – Sunscreen
Aside from staying hydrated, applying sunscreen throughout the day is crucial. I know, we all want a good tan. But even when we wear sunscreen, we’ll still get that nice color we want. If you really aren’t a big fan of sunscreen, at least go for an SPF 15. The only difference is that you’re actually being protected against getting burned, age and sunspots, wrinkles and other skin damage. I have an easy and complete guide to sunscreen use – the ingredients you should be looking out for, and how to find the best and safest one for you to use. Because, not all sunscreens are made the same!
3 – Sunglasses
It’s great to relax on the beach when you don’t have to be squinting from the sun the entire time. Sunglasses are essential to have as they not only protect your eyes from UV rays, but are also a fashionable accessory for when you want to take picture at the beach. I used to love getting designer sunglasses, but I find that I either lose or damage them too easily and I rather spend my money elsewhere. I really like Quay Australia as they are very affordable, have great deals, are super stylish and always coming out with new collabs. My favorite style from Quay Australia will always be the Desi Perkins collab: High Key.
4 – Beach Towel
A beach towel is an absolute must – whether you’ll be using it to dry off after a dip in the ocean or just to lie on. I actually like finding my beach towels at Ross or TJ Maxx. They always have new designs and are all under $15 USD. I got a giant Betsey Johnson beach towel from Ross and it’s well worth the money, especially for a designer. For other brands, they can be $12 USD or less. When I bought my other beach towels from Target, they were on sale for under $4 USD and had fun designs as well. I have one that’s a pineapple and another that’s a popsicle stick. They all seem to be of pretty good quality, especially the Betsey Johnson one. But I wouldn’t spend too much on beach towels as they are for casual use for the outside. Checking these department stores for new arrivals and unique designs are always fun and can help save money.
5 – Hat
Sunhats, baseball caps – any kind of head protection is great. Sometimes the sun is so hot I can feel my head and hair heat up so much that it’s uncomfortable. It also helps keep the sun out of your eyes. When I’m lying down, I like to use a hat to cover my face from the sun as it lets me breathe better than having a piece of clothing or towel on my face. As I get older, the last thing I want is sun damage and aging on my face. I don’t mind tanning my body, but I try to keep my face out of the sun. Of course, that can be hard as I love going in the water, but when I’m lying down, I like to have my face covered.
6 – Waterproof Pouch
This is great if you only take one bag with you and have you have to put your electronics in the same bag as your water, towel, etc. I currently have a set of waterproof pouches from MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-Op) that they no longer sell, but a similar one can be found on Amazon here.
7 – Snacks
Another item I can’t leave home without as usual – so of course I need to have this in my beach bag. If I’m not bringing a lot of snacks, food and drinks that need to be kept cold in a larger cooler, I usually put them in my beach bag. The longer you stay out on the beach, go in the water, and play beach games, the hungrier you’ll get. If you are like me and don’t always have to eat (bad, I know), then bringing enough snacks to last you will suffice.
Bonus Items To Pack In Your Beach Bag
These are bonus items as they aren’t necessary, and depends on what you want to do at the beach and the level of comfort you want.
Mask and Snorkel
Every time I go to the beach, especially when it’s not too windy and the waves are good, I have to bring a mask and snorkel. I just like being prepared for when the water is good, and be able to just dive in when I can. It’s also great exercise. I love the ocean so much and I love being in the water and exploring the sea life. Who else dreams of the mermaid life?
I probably wouldn’t bring these items when I go to a beach or lake in Canada – at least in Ontario – unless I know the water is super clean and clear though.
Hydrating Mist
If you don’t plan to go in the ocean, already have your water bottle, but want to stay cool, a hydrating mist is so useful. You can use it throughout your day at the beach to help you cool down and give your skin extra hydration. The one I use also helps with skin burns and bug bites so it will come in handy. You can find details on this blog post under #7.
Once you pack your beach bag with all your essentials, all you have to do is relax and enjoy a well-deserved beach day!