
Designed by Ellie See
Tip: Download or save this beach vacation checklist to use for your next beach trip.
May 13, 2022
Designed by Ellie See
Make packing for your next beach vacation a breeze with this checklist of essentials.
Packing for your surf-and-sand vacation is as stress-free as a day at the beach, thanks to this easy-reference guide to your essentials for a week.
After a long winter, it’s likely the anticipation of your first summer beach vacation is akin to the same giddy excitement you felt as a kid during the countdown to the last day of school. But alas, you’re an adult now and can’t rely on your parents to pack your pool floaties for you anymore.
If you’re staying at a resort, it’s safe to assume you won’t have to pack essentials like beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels. But if you were lucky enough to snag coveted reservations at an Airbnb beach house this summer, double-check with your host to see what amenities they include. To make sure you don’t show up unprepared—or overpack—use this beach vacation packing list to guarantee you have everything you need for a week-long trip.
Avoid overpacking with this easy formula Wendy Mak, author of The Capsule Wardrobe: 1,000 Outfits From 30 Pieces, uses when she travels: Simply multiply the number of tops with the number of bottoms you plan to bring and that’s the number of outfits you’ll be able to create (as long as each top coordinates with each bottom).
“As a general rule of thumb, if I’m going away for a seven-night beach holiday, I’d pack two to three pieces of swimwear (so that they have time to dry in between), a pair of shorts and a couple of skirts, four tops that match all my shorts and skirts, and a dress in case I go somewhere special,” Mak told AFAR in 2017. In addition to the swimwear, this eight-piece wardrobe will give you at least 13 outfits for when you’re not lounging on the beach in your suit.
If you plan on working out, don’t forget your workout gear and sneakers. And even though it could be warm during the day, be sure to check the weather and pack additional layers to keep you warm at night in case the weather dips after the sun goes down. You wouldn’t want to miss the beach bonfire, would you?
Before you pack, check to see what amenities your hotel or vacation rental includes. Most provide beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels you can use during your stay. Otherwise, you’ll just want to stick to the essentials for keeping you and your family entertained, hydrated, and comfortable during a day out on the sand.
In addition to the basics you pack every time you travel—toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, etcetera—you’ll also want to be sure to pack additional toiletries to keep you protected from the sun and any germs you encounter at the beach. Choose a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or greater that also is water resistant and broad spectrum so you’re protected against both UVB and UVA rays.
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You’ll also want to use a reef-friendly formula that doesn’t use oxybenzone and octinoxate, two ingredients that are banned from being sold in destinations like Hawaii and Key West. To calculate the amount of sunscreen you’ll need for your beach trip, the American Academy of Dermatology Association says most adults need about one ounce to fully cover their body and recommends reapplying every two hours or after swimming.
>> Read more: You Can Travel With CBD—Here’s How
This article was originally published in January 2019; it was updated in May 2021, and again on May 12, 2022, with current information.
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