10 Beach Vacation Essentials
(and why they deserve a place in your suitcase)
By Shannan Rose Murray - July 5, 2024
D
ear Reader, When you spend over a week in Florida in the summer, you learn a thing or two about what to pack and what not-to pack. Matthew and I recently spent some time in Miami and Orlando and I NEEDED to be prepared for all the beachy things.
Here’s my 10 Beach Vacation Essentials and why they truly deserve to fill that cherished retail space in your suitcase.
1. A sturdy tote with a zipper (the essential part)
If you’re anything like us on vacation, we were hopping around all day in the car going from this beach to that beach, from restaurant to restaurant, and everywhere in between. Carrying two beach towels, a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, day-to-night shoes/clothes, and more was much more manageable in a tote that had a zipper. Not only did zipping up that puppy keep all the sand out, we didn’t lose anything.
2. Sunnies - simple right?
You need to pack more than one pair of sunglasses. I repeat, please pack more than one pair of sunglasses. On our 8 day vacation, my husband lost his first pair of sunnies and broke the second pair, so it’s a good thing he packed three. Who really wants to spend their souvenir money on an overpriced pair of sunglasses from a gift store, amiright?
3&4. A reusable water bottle & an insulated one too.
One of our most used items that we take on vacation are these reusable water bottles. They can easily roll up and fit in your sturdy tote or belt bag and are reliably spill resistant.
We also brought an insulated water tumbler that we mostly took to the beach and left in the car. This was a game-changer when the temps hit the high nineties and we really just wanted to chug freezing cold water. It seems like it takes up unnecessary space in your suitcase, but you won’t regret it when you’re dying from the humidity/heat.
5. E-reader - kindle, Ipad, nook (whatever suits your fancy)
Of course you want to take that perfect beach read on your beach vacation, but do you want to pack it? No, you don’t. Download titles to your e-reader and pat yourself on the back because not only have you saved yourself so much packing space, you’re also saving the environment (hooray!).
6. I’m asking for some grace on this one… a fanny pack/belt bag.
Okay, let me explain. Let’s not even call it a fanny pack because that sounds crusty and awful. You’re going to want to pack a belt bag because, I didn’t want to believe it at first either, but they really are functional. If you invest in the right belt bag, you’ll be doing your shoulders a favor and you’ll surprise yourself with how much you can carry in one. I felt like Mary Poppins in Miami, no joke.
7. Swimsuit coverups that double as outfits
Those little crocheted swimsuit cover-ups are supes cute but (hot take) they are supes impractical. If I’ve learned anything from my travels in the past two years, it’s that you want every piece in your suitcase to be multi-functional. So pack a swimsuit coverup that doubles as a day dress or something you can wear to bed (no one will know).
8. Sunscreen, aloe, lip balm, hand sanitizer, etc
This one is self-explanatory, but really annoying when you forget and have to make a stop at Walmart to pick it up.
9. A Portable magsafe (wireless) phone charger
Taking beach pics drains a lot of battery on an Iphone (who would’ve guessed!) - having a charger that can do its job while you’re lounging on the beach or taking a dip is (chef’s kiss) perfect.
10. A sunhat
I actually bought a hat on this past vacation because I burnt my scalp and desperately needed some relief. I highly recommend packing a sunhat or baseball hat to protect those beautiful locks and prevent the pain that brushing your hair or showering brings with a burnt scalp. If for some reason you hate hats or feel like you look dumb in them, my apologies for this unhelpful tip, but I bet you’re rocking that hat.
BONUS ESSENTIAL: packing cubes
You’ll either love them or hate them, but they were a game changer for me. My husband thinks I’m crazy, but I truly believe you’re able to pack more when you organize your items into these little suitcase miracles.
I hope you found these beach vacation essentials helpful and have the most lovely trip. Safe travels!
Yours truly,
