What to Pack for a Beach Vacation: Essentials You’ll Actually Use
There’s nothing better than the promise of warm sand, ocean waves, and an ice-cold drink in your hand. As a travel agent (and beach enthusiast), I get asked all the time: “What should I pack for a beach trip?”
Spoiler: It's not just swimsuits and flip-flops!
Packing smart can seriously upgrade your beach days from meh to amazing. Below are my go-to beach essentials — and I’ve linked my favorite Amazon finds to make it super easy for you to grab what you need!
Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
👙 1. Swimsuits (and a Backup!)
You’ll want at least two swimsuits — one to wear, one to dry. Plus, who doesn’t love options?
My pick: CUPSHE Women's One-Piece Swimsuit
✔️ Flattering, comfy, and comes in tons of colors.
🧢 2. A Wide-Brimmed Hat
Nothing beats a stylish sun hat for protecting your face and looking effortlessly beachy.
My pick: Furtalk Women's Wide Brim Sun Hat
✔️ Packable, lightweight, and UPF 80+.
🕶️ 3. Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut through glare off the water — a total game-changer for beach days.
My pick: SOJOS Classic Polarized Sunglasses
✔️ Cute, affordable, and offer UV protection.
🧴 4. Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect your skin and the ocean. Win-win. If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I’m obsessed with this sunscreen! I am super pale and have never burned once, plus have sensitive skin!
My pick: Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
✔️ Smells amazing and meets Hawaii's reef-safe standards.
🩴 5. Comfy Flip-Flops or Sandals
Not all flip-flops are created equal. Get a pair that won’t give you blisters after a long beach walk.
My pick: Crocs Women's Kadee II Flip Flops
✔️ Water-friendly and super cushy.
🏖️ 6. A Lightweight, Sand-Free Beach Blanket
Leave the beach at the beach with a blanket designed to shake off sand easily.
My pick: Wekapo Sand-Free Beach Blanket
✔️ Big enough for the whole crew, ultra-compact for packing.
💦 7. A Quick-Dry Towel
Forget heavy cotton towels. Microfiber dries fast and folds up small — perfect for travel.
My pick: Rainleaf Microfiber Towel
✔️ Fast-drying, lightweight, and comes in lots of fun colors.
🥤 8. Insulated Water Bottle
Stay hydrated without your water turning into tea.
My pick: Simple Modern Insulated Water Bottle
✔️ Keeps drinks ice-cold for hours — even under the hot sun.
📱 9. Waterproof Phone Pouch
Capture those perfect beach moments without worrying about your phone!
My pick: JOTO Waterproof Phone Pouch
✔️ Universal fit and touch-screen friendly.
🧺 10. A Roomy Beach Bag
You need a bag that can fit towels, sunscreen, snacks, and all your treasures.
My pick: Dejaroo Mesh Beach Bag
✔️ Lightweight, breathable, and has tons of pockets.
🏝️ Final Thoughts
Packing smart = less stress, more sun-soaked fun. These beach vacation essentials are total game-changers for relaxing, exploring, and making the most of every salty, sandy moment.
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