There’s nothing quite like the joy of spending a day at the beach. There’s something almost therapeutic about the sound of waves and the warmth of the sun on your skin! But before you can actually get to the beach, there’s a lot of preparation and planning that happens first, right? Packing yourself, packing the kids, making sure you have all the beach gear necessary, etc. It can be stressful! To help you make the most of your beach time, we’ve compiled a simplified list of must-have essentials for your vacation at the beach. With these items packed, you’ll be ready to relax and fully enjoy your beach getaway!

Looking for beach vacation outfits? Check out this post next with 15 outfits for every beach vacation occasion!

What To Bring On A Beach Vacation

Every beach vacation is different. What you need for a beach trip differs by beach destinations, whether you’re driving or flying, if you’re traveling with children, etc. For example, a beach trip driving to Florida from Texas with 3 kids is going to look a lot different than a beach trip to Mexico with your significant other.

For this post, we’re only covering the essentials you actually need while you’re on the beach. We won’t be diving into all of the details on beach umbrellas or tents, beach toys, beach chairs, etc. This post is taking a more simplified approach and only covering what you need to pack for the beach to look stylish, stay sun-safe, and pack as much as possible for your beach day.

10 Essentials For Vacation At The Beach

Perfect Swimsuit

The first and most obvious beach trip packing list essential is the perfect swimsuit! If you’re new here, make sure you check out this post with Erin’s favorite swimsuits for women over 40, the best brands, and more. When you’re at the beach, you want a swimsuit that feels secure but also makes you feel super confident. This swimsuit is by one of Erin’s favorite swim brands, Robin Piccone. The cutout at the bust is small, super flattering, and the girls still feel secure. The bum coverage is also really nice and it has adjustable straps! It comes in multiple colors but the black will be best for a beach trip.

Find even more swimwear posts by searching “swim” in the search bar!

Easy Coverup

Next, you’ll want an easy coverup you can throw on and go. This Elan coverup is one that Erin has owned for years. The fabric is super quick drying, lightweight, and breezy. It has fun strappy details and we love that it’s a shorter length. With longer maxi coverups, you run the risk of getting them super dirty from dragging on the boardwalk, sand, and water.

Find more of the best swim cover ups in this post if you’re interested.

Sun Hat

The next three items are must-haves in the sun protection department. First, you’ll want a sun hat. This one by Brixton has been a heavy hitter in Erin’s vacation wardrobe for years, it’s super versatile, and it’s affordable. Wear it all day at the beach or add it to your dinner look for an extra stylish touch.

Sunglasses

Add some glam to your beach look with a pair of chic sunnies like this pair by Le Specs. They come in a few colors and are a great way to block out the sun and keep your eyes protected while adding some style.

Sunscreen & SPF Lip Balm

And of course, you can’t forget sunscreen! This Supergoop set is on major sale right now and a must-have in every woman’s beach bag this summer. If you’re looking for a good lip balm with SPF, we love this Supergoop balm with SPF 30. If you’re looking for a nice, clean body sunscreen, try this Coola spray.

Flip Fops

Keep your feet cool and comfy with easy slip-on/off flip flops while you’re at the beach. No fuss, comfortable, AND cute!

Must-Have Beach Bag

Next, you’ll want a beach bag that can carry it all. While a chic raffia tote would be ideal for a solo or spouse vacation, something a bit more robust is needed for a family trip. This Bogg bag is a must-have if you frequent the beach and have a bunch to carry. It’s waterproof, washable, and super durable. Plus, it comes in a ton of colors!

Cooler

If you can carry your Bogg bag and a cooler, we highly recommend it. A cooler for water, drinks, and snacks is really nice to have, especially if you’re at the beach with kiddos. This IceMule is super easy to carry over your shoulder, holds quite a bit, and comes in multiple colors.

Beach Towels

Beach towels can take up SO much room in a beach bag and can be really bulky. These Dock & Bay beach towels are super lightweight, thin, and compact. They’re quick-dry, absorbant, and stay sand-free…just trust us, they’re SO good! Plus, they come in a bunch of fun colors.

Portable Speaker

Don’t forget the tunes and/or a beach read! This small Bose Bluetooth speaker has powerful sound but doesn’t take up a lot of room. It has a strap on the back so you can attach it to your beach chair, umbrella, or tent. And it’s water resistant…a must on the beach!

Optional Beach Essentials

If you’re headed to the beach and need more than just the essentials above, we’ve linked a few favorites below including a beach umbrella or tent, beach chairs, water shoes, a first aid kit, a beach wagon, and an underwater camera. These items aren’t completely necessary for the beach vacation checklist depending on where you’re going. But they are nice to have! You can get some great beach toys for the kids on Amazon too!

Beach Packing Tips

Pack Light When Possible!

There’s nothing worse at the end of a long beach day than having to lug a ton of stuff back to your beach house or condo. It’s more difficult with kiddos, but we recommend packing light if possible. Pack what you really need and will use, and ditch what you don’t need!

Prioritize Sun Protection

If you can’t pack light and don’t have a ton of room in your beach bag, and you’re having to cut items, never compromise on sun protection like sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, coverups, etc. It’s better to be overprepared than underprepared on that front!

Don’t Forget About Trash

If you’re packing a cooler with water bottles, drinks, snacks, etc., don’t forget to bring a small bag for your trash…it makes cleanup much easier!

What do you have on your beach packing checklist that we forgot? Let us know in the comments below!

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