Packing for a full day at the beach can feel overwhelming. Once you’ve gotten the essentials like sunscreen and a beach towel squared away, you’ll need some beach gear: a packable chair for lounging, an insulated cooler for snacks and drinks, and a lightweight umbrella for some much-needed shade. Then there are the extras that can make or break your beach vacation, like a waterproof phone case or some cooling after-sun gel.
While it can feel impossible to remember everything you need to toss into your already-full beach bag (and trunk, depending on how elaborate your setup), there’s no need to worry: We’ve put together a comprehensive list of all the things you could possibly need in our ultimate beach vacation packing list. From sand-friendly games that keep the little ones entertained to foldable beach blankets large enough for the whole family, these are the essentials worth bringing along for a day of fun in the sun.
The ultimate beach vacation packing list:
Beach gear
Beach towels
While you may be going to a resort where towels are included, it’s never a bad idea to bring your own, especially if you’re headed to an Airbnb or your own beach house. The ones we’ve featured below from Mark & Graham, Brooklinen, Cozy Earth, and Elite Trend are lightweight, ultra-soft towels you’ll want to lay on all day long.
Read more: The best beach towels for every type of vacation
Beach cooler
Keep water bottles and lunches cold with these insulated cooler bags. These portable coolers from Hydro Flask, Calpak, RTIC, and Yeti are lightweight enough to carry onto the beach and hold a whole lot more than you think. I packed Hydro Flask’s super-soft Carry Out cooler for beach and pool days every weekend last summer and it earned me countless compliments. It’s just the right size to hold drinks and snacks for a few friends and yourself without becoming too heavy.
Read more: The best beach coolers
Beach blanket
A beach blanket is a must for room to spread out and lounge—and makes a big difference when you’re having a picnic and don’t want the sand blowing into your snacks. The best beach blankets can be rolled up neatly and toted around on your shoulder for hands-free carrying.
Read more: The best beach blankets
Beach chairs
What’s a beach day without a beach chair? The options below are comfortable, lightweight enough to carry down the boardwalk, and feature a cupholder. Best of all, they are easy to fold back up and toss in the trunk of your car without any fuss.
Beach umbrella
A beach umbrella provides extra sun protection on a hot day. If you’re spending the whole day at the beach, you’re definitely going to want some shade—especially if you’re traveling with kids. Compact options like this one from Sport-Brella are lightweight and easy to clip onto your chair or cooler. For enough shade for the whole family, go for something larger like the CoolCabana 5 or L.L.Bean’s Sunbuster.
Read more: The best beach umbrellas
Clothing & shoes
Lightweight clothing
When it comes to choosing which clothes to pack for a beach vacation, less is more. More often than not, you’ll find yourself in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that can be reworn throughout the weekend or week by the beach. We recommend packing clothing made of a lightweight material like linen, which is naturally moisture-wicking and breathable.
Read more: Summer clothing essentials for travelers
Bathing suits
A bathing suit is a must-have on nearly any summer vacation, but it’s not always the easiest thing to shop for. Swimsuits are often too constricting or don’t provide enough support. Some of our favorite (and most flattering) swimsuits come from Miraclesuit and Andie Swim. For swim trunks, we recommend Fair Harbor and Bonobos for options that are as stylish as they are comfortable.
Read more: The best women’s bathing suits and the best men’s swim trunks
Cover-ups
After taking a dip in the water, you’ll want to throw on a lightweight cover-up. The sarongs, pool skirts, and breathable button-downs below are easy to put on even when you’re still damp, and can be worn to lunch or the beach bar. If you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun, the best cover-ups will keep your skin protected while still feeling breezy. Plus, these all take up very little packing room—roll them up tightly then toss them in your beach tote when you arrive.
Read more: The best beach cover-ups for women
Comfortable sandals
The next non-negotiable for a day at the beach is a comfortable sandal that you can easily slip on and off as soon as you reach the sand. These packable sandals from OluKai and Reef are a more elevated take on the classic flip-flop and take up very little room in a carry-on. For a touch more support, Rothy’s The Weekend Slide has a slightly thicker sole and crisscross straps to keep your foot secure and supported—even when you’re walking on uneven terrain.
Read more: The most comfortable walking sandals
Water shoes
Water shoes are just the thing for traversing rocky patches of the beach. They also are a game changer for exploring tide pools. The traction helps you feel secure and grounded, while also protecting your feet from jagged edges and sharp objects. Our favorite pairs include these quick-drying Seekway shoes; for something a little more stylish, Reef sandals are comfortable to walk in all day long and you don’t need to worry about getting them wet.
Accessories
Sun hat
If you don’t want to lug around a beach umbrella, a good summer hat will provide a decent amount of shade for your face and neck. We’re fans of these chic straw hats, but a bucket hat that can be secured around your neck is ideal for boat rides or windy days.
Read more: The best sun hats for hot summer days
Beach tote
One thing’s for sure—you’ll need a beach tote to carry all of your essentials down to the sand. Whether you want something that screams coastal chic like MZ Wallace’s or J.Cew’s crochet totes or a super-roomy, structured Bogg Bag with enough space for you and your kid’s things, we’ve got you covered. You also can’t go wrong with L.L.Bean’s tried-and-true Boat and Tote bag, which works just as well for a day at the beach as it does souvenir shopping around a new city.
Read more: The best tote bags and the best beach bags
Swim goggles
For more fun (and comfort) underwater, grab a few pairs of goggles, like this classic pair from Speedo. They’re not meant for deep diving, but they’ll come in handy in the pool and in shallow ends of the ocean.
Sunglasses
One item you don’t want to forget for a day at the beach: a pair of sunglasses. These chic pairs look great on and won’t break the bank—so you don’t need to worry if you accidental lose them in the water. And of course you can’t go wrong with a classic pair of aviators from Ray-Ban.
Read more: The best sunglasses
Dopp kit
I like packing a small Dopp kit in my beach bag that holds sunscreen, lip balm, leave-in conditioner, and any other beauty essentials I want to have on hand. It’s best to go with something soft and compact that you can press down to save space, like Dagne Dover’s Hunter toiletry bag. But if you’re packing essentials for you and the family, or are tossing it in a suitcase, you may want to go with something bigger and studier, like Calpak’s clear cosmetic case.
Read more: The best toiletry bags
Waterproof pouches
Waterproof pouches or dry bags come in handy for a day at the beach, especially when you’re with little ones. Use them to protect your phone or other tech, or to keep a wet bathing suit away from the rest of your things. When empty, they lie flat and weigh next to nothing, so there is no harm in bringing one just in case.
Water bottle
There’s no better time to put your insulated water bottle to use than a day at the beach, when staying hydrated is even more important than usual. These editor-tested bottles from Owala, Hydro Flask, and Yeti will keep water cold for hours—even after sitting in the hot sun. Our favorite thing about these insulated bottles is that they are completely leakproof, so you can toss them in a full beach bag with no fear of a spill.
Read more: The best reusable water bottles
Beauty & skincare
Sunscreen
When you’re deciding what to pack for a beach vacation, sunscreen should be the first thing in your bag. For body sunscreen, our editors swear by Supergoop’s Play Spray and Sun Bum’s classic sunscreen lotion, both offering broad spectrum SPF 50 protection. If you need enough SPF for the whole family, consider bringing Vacation’s Sun Jug—it has a built-in carrying handle and smells like summer. For face coverage, I’m a fan of Supergoop’s mineral drops for its easy-to-blend in, dewy finish that doesn’t leave a white cast.
Read more: The best sunscreens for every skin type and our editors’ favorites from Supergoop
After-sun lotion
In case you end up being less than diligent about reapplying SPF than planned, bring a cooling fel or aloe lotion for some much-needed post-beach care. These soothing formulas help hydrate the skin and are gentle enough to use on sunburn. Pro tip: Pop the aloe gel in the fridge for a few minutes before using it—it’ll provide an extra-cool feeling on burned skin.
Read more: How to treat a sunburn on vacation
SPF lip balm
One spot you really don’t want to get a sunburn: your lips. There’s nothing fun about chapped, cracked lips after a day in the sun. Two non-sticky and non-tinted lip balms we love are from Supergoop and Aquaphor—they provide sun protection and are ultra-moisturizing.
Bug spray
Depending on where you travel, you may want to pack bug spray, too. In places like Florida and North Carolina, summers get buggy, and you’ll be happy to have packed a spray on nights when you sit on the porch or dine outdoors. These sprays will protect you and your family from mosquitoes, ticks, and chiggers.
Antibacterial wipes
Before eating lunch or after playing in the sand, it’s nice to wipe your hands clean with an antibacterial wipe. These travel-friendly hand wipes and sanitizer fit nicely in your backpack or tote and will always come in handy, especially if you’re with little ones. I never travel without them (they’re also great for wiping down your plane seat and tray table in-flight).
Entertainment
Portable chargers
When you’re out on the sand for hours at a time, playing music or taking photos can mean a drained battery. Come prepared with a portable charger: We love the Anker MagGo for its reliability and the Veger for its ultra-compact size.
Read more: The best portable chargers for travel
Portable speaker
A portable speaker lets you listen to your favorite music while you and your friends catch some sun (just be respectful of those around you). These waterproof options from JBL and Ultimate Ears are extremely lightweight and compact—they even fit in a small fanny pack. The sound quality on these speakers is great—without being too loud that you might disturb others near you at the beach.
Read more: The best portable speakers
Kindle
Even for the most loyal of print fans, it’s hard to argue the benefits of e-readers on vacation. They take up less space in your bag, let you have more book options on deck, and in the case of the Kindle Paperwhite, can withstand a splash of water much better than a paperback. Bring one on your next beach vacation and finally cross a book or two off your reading list.
Waterproof phone case
Nothing ruins a vacation quite like having to fish your phone out of the ocean (or pool, or sink, for that matter). If you’re at all afraid of getting your phone wet by the beach, consider investing in a waterproof phone case. These give you some added peace of mind in case of accidental drops or spills.
Read more: The best waterproof phone cases
Games
If you’re traveling with kids, games will keep them happy when the clouds come out, when the water’s too cold, or when they just need a new activity. For beachgoers a drive away, a Spikeball set will get plenty of use in the backyard and at the beach, but it is something you’ll have to lug onto the sand. More portable options include flying rings and Kan Jam.
Beach table
Rounding out our beach vacation packing list is a portable table with cupholders. This definitely isn’t an essential by any means, but it is nice to have and easy to bring if you’re driving to the beach. These beach tables keep your lunch, drinks, and phone away from the sand and the water, and make it easier and more pleasant to eat while lounging.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
