Preparing for a beach trip is kind of easy, we always have a good idea of what to bring in general. We throw in beach towels, beach chairs, water shoes, a sun hat, plastic bags, and sometimes even a portable speaker.
If you want to dig in more on planning your trip to Brazil, read our guide on traveling to Brazil. Ok, now back to it!
More than just a towel and sunscreen, your beach bag should reflect your plansโwhether youโre going for a quick dip or spending the whole day soaking in the sun.
All the essential items for our beach bag also get packed to reach our beach destination. But what should go in a day at the beach packing list?
This article will help you put together the ultimate day at the beach packing list! So that when your next beach vacation comes up, none of your personal items will be left behind.
The article is divided into three sections: which items you have to bring with you, the ones that go on your beach bag, and bulkier items that should be vacation rentals at your beach resort.
This isn’t a final version of your day at the beach packing list, it is just a great way to create your own list of things for a fun day enjoying a beach getaway.
What to Bring On My Beach Day?
These are bulkier items that can either go in a bag or already on your body, depending on what you feel most comfortable with. They are all essentials on your day at the beach packing list!
Bathing Suit:
I would say that the most important item on any day at the beach packing list is your bathing suit. Whether you are the kind of person who prefers to sunbathe or like to swim for hours, you should think about what kind of bathing suit works best for the activities you have planned.
Beach Cover Up:
Almost as important as your bathing suit or beach towels, you need a beach cover-up on your day at the beach packing list. You don’t need to necessarily buy one, it can be just an old T-shirt or a breezy button-up. A beach cover-up also includes rash guards if there are younger people in your travel group.
Beach and Water Shoes:
Appropriate beach shoes should be in your day at the beach packing list as much as your general packing list, you don’t wanna forget them! You might be able to grab flip-flops at your destination but they will definitely be overpriced.
As for water shoes, they are a must for kids and even adults. It will depend a lot on how the terrain looks like.
Sun Hat:
The most important part of your squad of sun protection items will be a sun hat. You can get into the beach spirit with those big floppy ones, get a baseball hat that could easily go into your beach bag later, or a cute bucket hat. It will help with keeping your eyes safe and even your scalp from sunburning.
Beach Toys:
These items are more important if your group has younger members who won’t be entertained by things like a good book or conversation. Think of toys that are not too small and easily washable to avoid as much trouble as possible.
Complete Beach Packing List for Your Beach Bag:
This part is for you to think about what you should put on your day at the beach packing list for your beach bag. Try to think of a larger one since you will probably want to bring a bunch of stuff just in case.
Cell Phone:
Your cell phone should always be the number one item on every bag, not just on your day at the beach packing list.
It will help you with taking pictures and getting to places, it can even carry your debit and credit cards on a digital wallet and that is besides being super important for communicating with people. Of course, you should still have your physical credit cards plus some cash for emergencies.
Sunglasses:
Another item that has to be on your day at the beach packing list is your sunglasses. I never go anywhere without mine, especially if it is a beach day since I’ve got prescription lenses. Just remember to pack a proper case and wash them with running water so they don’t get scratched.
Sunscreen:
You should also add some sunscreen to your day at the beach packing list. You can put a small travel-sized one on your carry-on bag for easy access and a larger bottle for daily use during your getaway. Having a gorgeous tan without any sunburns will definitely be tense of a perfect beach vacation. Remember to always reapply it during the day!
Snacks:
You might not think that snacks are essential items on your bag for a day at the beach packing list but trust me on this. You will definitely get snacky during a fun day filled with swimming and beach games, it is best to be ready! It is difficult to even order them on your cell phone, although some vendors walk through people on the most visited beaches.
Insulated Water Bottle:
Yes, we always end up buying a ton of drinks at the beach so why pack an insulated water bottle? Because sometimes you just want to relax before starting to buy stuff, or you could prefer to save your money for more exciting drinks. There are so many traditional ones to try if you’re coming to Brazil!
Other Sun Protection:
By now you have probably packed some sunscreen in your beach bag but you do need other kinds of sun protection. I always recommend a sun hat because sunburning your scalp ain’t a nice experience, take it from me. If this trip is more of a family beach vacation, you should also think about those sun protection shirts as well.
Plastic Bags:
This is one of those items people forget often and always regret it. Plastic bags are a must in any day at the beach packing list. You can use them to keep your garbage organized, put your wet swimsuits in at the end of the day, or protect your electronics while you go for a dip in the ocean.
Entertainment:
Even the best beach day will have some quiet moments so you should prepare ahead for them and bring some entertainment. You can bring a good book, go the extra mile, and bring a bunch of them on a Kindle! Also, tons of companies have beach games nowadays, even the splash version of UNO could be a good idea!
Power Bank:
I have talked about how important it is to have your cell phone in your beach bag, it is important to have around in general, to be honest. To make sure you are never stranded, also add a power bank to your day at the beach packing list. And don’t forget a power cord if the power bank doesn’t have one attached.
Small First Aid Kit:
It may seem silly to pack up a first aid kit but I can’t count how many times I needed a bandaid and didn’t have it at hand. You can also mix it up with other stuff you might need like a nail filer or your personal preference of pain medication and extra hand sanitizer.
Bonus Item:
Hair Tie:
If you have longer hair or are traveling with someone who has, or maybe you’d just prefer to be prepared. In that case, you should keep one on you at all times. My hair tie is always on my left wrist and it has saved me so many times. I also suggest you keep one on your first aid kit so you can always find one on a pinch.
Which Items You Shouldnโt Bring On Your Beach Trip:
Most beach resorts will have things like beach towels or a beach blanket available for you to use for the day, so this section is for items you can easily find or rent during your trip. Like this, you won’t be stuck lugging around a heavy checked bag.
Swimming Equipment:
It might be a good idea to leave bigger swimming equipment back home, whether you’re traveling solo or on a beach vacation. Items like paddles, kayaks, and even foot paddles can be a hassle because they count as a checked bag. You will easily be able to rent them on most beach destinations.
Beach Chairs:
Similarly to larger swimming equipment, beach chairs are just too much. You don’t want to be stuck carrying them, especially if you’re flying internationally. One of the best things about staying at nicer beach resorts is that they usually have beach chairs for guests. You can find them for rent on most beaches as well.
Beach Towels:
Although you wouldn’t have to carry beach towels throughout airports, on and off cars, they do tend to be larger than your average towel. They will take up precious space in a checked bag! So it might be a good idea to leave your beach towels at home. You can easily borrow them from your hotel or AirBnB, which saves you the trouble of getting them clean for the way home too.
Beach Umbrella:
If you think carrying beach chairs for your beach trip can be troublesome, take a second to think about a beach umbrella or a beach tent.
They are weirdly shaped and super heavy, which can turn into a hefty checked bag fee. But it is still an essential item for your beach day, which is why most resorts offer some sort of sun protection for guests on the sand strip.
Good times are ahead with your ultimate day at the beach packing list! Remember you are free to add something you might need like baby wipes, or subtract stuff like a rash guard if you don’t plan on rolling around too much.
The best way to figure it out is to spread it on your bed or on a clean floor to see what you have separated. Don’t leave the packing for those last few hours before your trip.
One essential item for however long you’re outside of your home is travel insurance! Beaches can be very unpredictable environments Look for a good policy that covers everything then some. And if you need extra help to prepare for your whole trip, there is a whole article about packing for your beach trip on the blog.
