I look forward to visiting the beach several times a year and have learned that having the right items helps make a beach trip special.
Below are my favorite items to take to the beach. I hope it helps you plan the perfect beach trip.
Click below to get the free printable Beach Vacation Packing List. Or read on for the full blog post.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free Printable Beach Vacation Packing List
Beach Vacation Packing List!
1 – Beach Bag
With all the things you need to bring to the beach, you’ll want a bag that has several compartments for sunscreen, towels, toys, and more.
This beach bag has 9 oversized pockets, two waterproof zipper pockets inside for your valuables, and a comfortable shoulder strap.
2 – Beach Cart
This collapsible wagon is a game-changer for families heading to the beach for the day. I use mine when I have a lot of items to carry to the beach.
It will fit beach chairs, a cooler, a beach canopy, and beach toys and can be pulled through soft sand. It even has built-in drink holders.
3 – Beach Chairs
The right beach chair can make or break your trip to the beach. It needs to be easy to carry and comfortable.
This beach chair has 9 positions, a cup holder, and slots for your face and arms so you can lie on your stomach comfortably.
4 – Rolling Beach Cooler
A rolling beach cooler has made trips to the beach so much easier for my family.
They’re tall enough to fit several cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, beer, and wine. And this cooler even folds up for easy storage. It’s amazing how much easier it is to transport all of your food and drinks to the beach with one of these.
5 – Sunscreen
Every beach packing list should include proper sunscreen. Getting sunburned at the beach can happen quickly and is a great way to ruin the rest of your vacation.
This sunscreen provides an SPF of 50, has a Menthol cooling sensation, and is cruelty-free.
6 – Beach Towels
A family trip to the beach should include lightweight, soft, and easy-to-care-for towels.
These Turkish towels are trendy right now because of how soft and absorbent they are. They’re so beautiful; you can even use them as a throw blanket.
7 – Sand Toys
Building sandcastles and digging for shell treasures will keep your kids entertained for hours while at the beach.
I love that this sand toy collection comes with an awesome carrying bag and includes shovels, molds, buckets, and rakes.
8 – Seashell Collecting Bag
If you’ve been following me for long, you know I LOVE collecting seashells on the beach and identifying them.
This seashell bag makes it easy to stroll along the beach with your hands free while you collect and store seashell treasures.
I’ve bought several of these shelling bags over the years to have plenty to share with friends and family who come to the beach with me.
Read More – Proven Tips For Finding Seashells On The Beach
Read More – The Ultimate Seashell Identification Guide
9 – Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and cut the glare that comes from the ocean.
These Dushine sunglasses have a high-quality plastic frame and are of excellent quality for the price. They’re great for use at the beach as well as driving.
I use my polarized sunglasses at the beach, paddleboarding at lakes, and bike riding.
10 – Kids Snorkel Mask
If you’re at a beach with water clear enough to snorkel (hello, Okaloosa Island, Florida), you’ll want to bring along a snorkel and mask for the kids and maybe even one for yourself.
This amazing one-piece snorkel mask has three separate air channels to ensure you inhale fresh air every time you breathe. This innovative technology makes snorkeling so much easier for kids.
Read More – Find Out Why This Is My Favorite Beach In Florida
Read More – The Gulf Restaurant On Okaloosa Island, Florida
11 – Water Shoes
These water shoes can go from the parking lot to a sandy beach to the rocky ocean floor. Their anti-slip rubber sole protects your feet from sharp objects.
They are ultra-light and dry quickly, making them ideal for beach trips, kayaking, canoeing, and even snorkeling.
12 – Beach Snacks
Having fun in the sun all day will take a significant amount of snacks and drinks to keep your family fueled.
I love these GoGo Squeez Pouches because sandy hands can hold them without getting sand in them. They come in delicious apple, apple-strawberry, and apple-cinnamon flavors
13 – Beach Toys
Playing frisbee at the beach is fun for kids and adults alike, but this Toss and Catch Ball Set is easier for toddlers and younger children.
This set includes 2 softballs and a carry case. It helps increase hand-eye coordination and strengthens arm muscles.
Read More – 82 Things To Do In Atlantic Beach, NC
14 – Bocce Set
Bocce is the perfect game to play at the beach. Even small children can join in. All you have to be able to do is throw a ball.
This Bocce set is a great price for the quality and comes with a durable canvas carrying case to protect the balls no matter where you take them.
15 – Beach Canopy Tent
Spending hours in the sun can take a toll on your skin. Having a nice place to cool in the shade while enjoying the views will make your day more enjoyable.
This beach canopy by Akaso gets high ratings because it’s durable and lightweight while providing a large area of shade. It’s also easy to set up.
16 – Underwater Camera
Yisence makes this underwater camera so affordable that many people buy it for their kids to take pictures on beach trips.
It’s high quality and is waterproof at a depth of 10 feet. It takes pictures and video and is a great choice for snorkeling trips.
17 – Sunburn Pain Relief Lotion
Even if you’re extremely careful about applying sunscreen, it’s still easy to get too much sun while at the beach.
This Sun Bum Cool Down Lotion has Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Cocoa Butter to ease your sunburn pain.
Another tip I have for you is to use straight coconut oil. It helps turn a sunburn into a tan and prevents peeling.
18 – Seashell Identification Guide
I’m a huge fan of seashell hunting while at the beach, and I’ve found that when I know the names of shells, it’s makes collecting extremely rewarding.
This shell identification guide by the Smithsonian is packed with over 500 types of shells with colorful pictures and information. It’s designed to be small enough to transport easily.
Or, jump here to read the shell identification guide I put together for my website. Also, see the button below for a free printable shell identification guide.
Other things you might want to include on your beach packing list:
- Swimsuit
- Swimsuit Cover-up
- Waterproof Wallet
- Sun Hat
- Bug Spray
- Portable Charger
- Insulated Cup
- Lip Balm
- First Aid Kit
- Compact Binoculars
- Wet Wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Head Lamp
- Beach Reads
Read More – 19 Tips For Finding Seashells On The Beach
Read More – Best Shelling Beaches In NC, Including Secret Spots
Read More – Best Electric Bike Under $2,000
Read More – The Ultimate Guide To Shelling on Ocean Isle Beach in NC
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55 Responses
These are great List!
I love your list of beach must-haves. I love the beach bag you show. Having the sides see-through is awesome. We were just on the beach this morning and didn’t have a shell back and we were all carrying them in our hands – not ideal. Tomorrow we will be a bag. So necessary.
I’ve had the experience of trying to carry too many shells by hand. Even having a grocery bag helps.
This is a great list for packing for a beach visit. I don’t have a ton of beach experience, so this is really helpful!
Thanks. I’m glad you like the beach suggestions.
This is the perfect beach packing list! Now if I just had a beach to go to…
🙂
Just added the seashell bags to my Amazon cart. Thanks!
I have them and love them!!!
Great list and so important when you are taking the lil one’s to the beach.
Thank you! Anything that helps get a family to the beach with less stress is worth it!
These are perfect items to pack for the beach. You make it so easier to get ready and go!
I’m glad you liked the beach items. Thanks for reading!
Brings back memories of when I was a kid and we’d go to the Jersey shore. Everyone else had snacks, chairs, and stuff – and we looked on with envy.
When my kids were growing up, we loved in New Mexico, so a beach packing list was not something I ever developed!
Nowadays I go solo, and just need a cloth for the sand, a hat, sunglasses, and a book. And water + beer! Makes me want to go to the beach right now!
It’s so much easier to get to the beach when it’s just yourself! Kids make it exhausting sometimes… 🙂 I love reading about your solo trips.
There’s some great ideas for the beach packing list for family. I have a beach cart that I use at home.
The beach cart makes the trip so much easier!!!
These are the best items to bring on a family beach vacation! It’s the perfect packing list to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Thanks for reading!
Great list of items. I love the mesh seashell bag. Water shoes are wonderful on hot sand.
Yep! I have them both and love them!
Such a great list. I’d love that beach chair and my kiddos love collecting anything they can in seashell bags!
I love the seashell bags. Even though they’re supposed to be for kids, I’ve bought a couple for when I go shelling.
Love the beach and these are must have’s for sure! So happy to see you have included a reef safe sun tan lotion option with Sun Bum!
Yes! I recently realized how important a safe sun tan lotion is.
Great list. The wagon is a must bring for me, I have lots to bring with four young kiddos.
It’s really hard to haul kids and all the stuff to the beach without a good way to carry it.
Great list…I miss beach trips!
I can’t get to the beach enough… 🙂
What a great list for a fun filled trip to the beach.
Thank you!
You’ve got me pumped up to hit the beach! I do have a cooler that I take to the beach, but it gets heavy. Thinking I need to upgrade to a rolling beach cooler!
I can’t tell you how much I love the rolling cooler. You can take it so many places like soccer games, to the park, etc.
I love those shell collecting bags for the beach. Great packing list for families. Games are always fun too.
The shell collecting bags are one of my favorites too.
Love the rolling cooler. It would work well anywhere we go on our daily trips.
We have uses our rolling cooler for all kinds of family activites.
Impressive list! I love those beach canopy tents. Seems like they’re all over the beach these days!
Yep! A canopy makes it so much easier to enjoy a day in the sun.
This is quite the list! I would love a rolling cooler. Definitely makes me wanna go the the beach ASAP!
I love my rolling cooler for all kinds of events too.
This is an awesome beach packing list! I especially love the sea shell guide and sheel bag! The canopy looks like a great option for shade.
Warning! Once you get a seashell guide, you will seriously get so addicted to collecting shells. 🙂
Now that my boys are all grown, it is so nice to be able to go to the beach without a carful of stuff. Couldn’t have done without it then though.
It’s a lot of work getting kids to the beach! Anything that helps is so worth it.
We wouldn’t survive the beach without beach toys! They always help my son get used to the cold water first before walking in all the way.
I didn’t include it in the post, but you can get a net with a long handle for finding shells in the ocean so you don’t have to get wet. Your son might love that.
Great tips! I love that collapsible beach cart. That would come in handy for the beach, camping, and a lot of other things! Thanks for the suggestions.
I love that the cart is collapsible because some ferries in North Carolina won’t let you bring one on unless it’s collapsible.
You’ve compiled a great list! I couldn’t live without my wagon on trips down to the beach! Love the seashell collecting bag as well. There aren’t any shells at our beach but we are avid collectors of beach glass and I find it in every pocket and bag from our trips to the water!
I love beach glass. I haven’t found any, but it’s on my to-do list.. 🙂
Such a perfect and comprehensive list!! I might add bug spray (depending on where the beach is)! Your Pinterest Pins are beautiful too!
Bug spray is definitely important. Great tip!
A beach chair with 9 positions?! That sounds great!
They’ve thought of everything with that beach chair!