There’s nothing as summery as spending a day – or an entire holiday – at the beach. Yet the most experienced beach goers will know that such an experience can rapidly go awry when you’re not prepared as you should be. We’ve gathered the best tips to prevent your time at the beach from turning into a sandy nightmare.
1. One bag to carry all
Choosing the right beach bag, which is both easy to carry and big enough to fit everything, will start you off right. A giant tot bag with shoulder straps generally works well for the occasion and allows for some items to stick out if needed, giving you a little more flexibility. If you’re going for a particularly isolated piece of shoreline involving some hiking, you might opt for a backpack instead.
2. Beach station for champions
Of course you could just opt to pack light and use your beach towel to lay down on. Yet once you’ve been in the water, that towel will most likely be drenched, and for a lot of people most towels are too small to be really comfy. Packing a giant picnic blanket – a cotton sheet works fine too – will help with that matter. If you’d like to be even more comfortable, you could opt for a special beach chair, which will make all beachgoers around you jealous.
3. Protect yourself
When going to the beach, sunscreen should be the first thing you pack in your bag. Opt for a version with a high SPF and sufficient UVA protection. Don’t forget a pair of sunglasses, as this will allow you to protect your eyes from the sometimes intense sunlight, and a scarf or hat.
Yet even that won’t suffice for an entire day – some form of shade will be essential. While taking an umbrella to the beach might seem like a hurdle, it will make the entire experience a lot more enjoyable, especially when you’re planning on staying for hours.
4. A fresh splash of water
While you’re at the beach, you’ll want to stay hydrated. If you’re somewhere with easy access to a bar this isn’t very difficult, yet at more secluded locations, packing your own bottle of water is the key to success. And unless you like the taste of hot water, we’d recommend opting for an insulated bottle – adding some ice cubes before leaving might help as well.
5. Protect those feet
While getting your feet in the sand feels great, sometimes, you’ll want some extra protection? Maybe there are jellyfish around, maybe the sand is simply too hot to walk on – whatever the reason, a trusty pair of adapted footwear will come in handy. Whether you choose for something closed or a pair of waterproof slippers that you can easily step out of, is up to you.
6. Valuables at hand
When going to the beach, it can be rather tricky to figure out what to do with your valuables. While most of us make the effort of taking as little with us as possible, you will most likely have at least a phone, credit card, and maybe car keys on you. If you don’t want to worry about those when stepping into the water, a small waterproof bag could just be the perfect solution. Just make sure you don’t let go of it while swimming!
- Yeti Sidekick Dry 1l bag, €50
7. Easy changing
Changing outfits is yet another struggle you might be confronted with while at the beach. If you don’t feel like stripping in front of others and don’t want to stay in a wet swimsuit for the entire time, a surf poncho will allow you to quickly change outfits at the beach.
8. Fake that breeze
Even though beaches tend to be known for their easy sea breeze, during summer, you might be confronted with something entirely different. And when there’s not even the smallest amount of wind around, things can get really hot really quickly. If you don’t mind packing yet another thing for your trip to the beach, a small rechargeable fan could become a much-loved essential.
Personal adjustments
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and there’s a good chance that after a day at the beach, you will want to make some personal adjustments. For example, a great comb can be essentials of you’ve got long hair that tangles easily. Disinfecting gel, cutlery, and other food-related goodies might be needed if you plan to eat while on the beach. And a second towel, extra pair of swimsuits, or a portable charger could be unmissable for you. So if you’re spending a dat at the beach anytime soon, make sure to make a list of anything you missed during that time, so that you’re even better prepared for your next outing.
