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Sunscreen – NEVER EVER EVER forget sunscreen! Oh and lip balm too – always use lip balm with SPF.
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Sunglasses – Protect those eyes and pack the sunglasses. Protect the sunglasses and buy a strap to keep them from floating away in the ocean (or losing them).
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Blanket – Have you ever tried a sand and waterproof blanket? There are such things. Light, easy to pack and less mess. FANTASTIC idea!
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Cooler– Some of the things I think about when purchasing the best beach cooler – multilayer insulation that protects the bottom of the cooler from the hot sand, leakproof, water resistant, easy to clean, heavy duty wheels for sand, telescopic handle for easy pulling, ice retention (great for long beach days), cup holder, sit on lid, additional pockets for extra storage.
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KEEP THE COOLER COLD – A simple, cost-effective way to keep your cooler cold for longer is to freeze water bottles. When the water bottles eventually melt, you can drink the water to stay hydrated.
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Water – Staying hydrated is key! There’s nothing worse than going home with a headache and feeling super lethargic after being at the beach.
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Beach Umbrella – This is a great way to take a break from the sun—perfect for lunches and snacks too!
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Snacks – Bring individually packaged snacks. Sandy hands can ruin the whole bag (and no one wants to eat sand).
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Ziplock bags – Perfect way to can keep your phone dry and free of sand. Use them for wet bathing suits as well.
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Beach Chair – Backpack beach chairs – BRILLIANT way to tote the chair!
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Towels – My choice is a towel that is lightweight, easy to compact and made of soft microfiber fabric for quick drying.
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Chip clips – They come in handy to keep beach towels secure on your chair.
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A good book – Pick one.
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Buckets, Pails and Shovels – Alright, more for the kiddos but what adult doesn’t like making sandcastles?!
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Extra clothes – “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” ― Mark Twain. Need I say more? Sunshine can sometimes give way to sprinkles and the beach can sometimes give way to breeze. Always come prepared.
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Flip flops – The sand can get hot!
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Beach Bag – Some of the things I look for – is it waterproof, durable, does it hold everything I need in a semi-organized way?
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Pack baby powder – really! It will help wipe off all the sand after your day on the beach. The powder absorbs the moisture, and the sand falls right off. Best trick ever!
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Bag for garbage – Leave the beach pristine for others and the wildlife.
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And please don’t feed the seagulls … you’ll regret it, trust me.
