Travel Diaries

Beach vacations are usually a favourite among everyone. Adults and kids love them alike, because there is nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than to spend a couple of days lounging by the beach. But all that said and done, there are many things that quickly make your vacation not-so-relaxing. To avoid that from happening, I have made a list of 10 absolute must haves that you should pack when you head to your next beach holiday.

1. Sunscreen

Duh! This had to be the first thing on my list. PACK THAT SUNSCREEN! I usually pack 2-3 bottles of different types and sizes to cover all bases. Like a small carry-on spray bottle for reapplication throughout the day, a larger lotion bottle that I can apply generously every morning, and a tinted one for my face. Also, please buy waterproof but ocean safe sunscreens that are specifically designed for beach use. These stay on in the water and provide adequate protection for your skin. You might not get the same kind of protection with the regular sunscreen you use in daily life. Trust me, it’s worth the investment. There is nothing worse than coming back from a vacation with a sunburn or tan so bad that people feel sorry for you rather than jealous.

2. Beachwear

This might be another obvious, but let me just cover the bases first. A) Make sure you pack enough swimsuits based on the length of your vacation. Remember, stuff does not always dry out in time, or you might feel the need to change more often than you estimated. B) Pack the right kind of swimwear. Check what the water temperature will be like on your days of visit, and if you are planning any underwater activities, take them into consideration as well. C) Pack coveralls and clothes that could double up as a coverall. If your hotel is not located on the beach or you are planning some touring on the same day as beach visits, make sure to pack coveralls that make sense in both places. Alternatively, women can use linen shorts/oversized shirts/shirt dresses as a coverall so they look good even off the beach. For men, you can find swimming boxer shorts that actually pass off as regular shorts over a good cotton tee or linen shirt. Always keep in kind to pack something that should feel OK if you have to wear it back over your wet swimwear. Public beaches may not always have good public restrooms where you can change. And there’s nothing worse than having to spend time in gross wet swimwear under your clothes.

3. Swimming Accessories

I would highly recommend packing a good pair of protective swimming goggles when going for a beach vacation. I have seen way too many people wearing their regular sunglasses while walking into the ocean, and unless you got them for free, I would suggest not doing it. Salt water is horrible for sunglasses,just a splash are enough to spoil them. Even if you just plan on taking a dip or stay in shallow waters, use a good pair of swimming goggles, which can keep your eyes safe from both the saline water and the sun. If you snorkel or dive, then it is always recommended to carry your own gear for those as well. Though snorkelling masks are commonly given out on rent at most beach destinations, it is better to avoid using public ones for hygiene reasons. If you are someone who needs ear or nose plugs while swimming, don’t forget to pack those as well.

4. Waterproof Phone Covers

This one I discovered way too late in life, but once I did, there was no going back. Though I am not big on clicking photos all the time, this thing still makes sense. There are just way too many ways your phone is at risk of getting wet when you’re doing a beach vacation. It could slip from your hands or get wet when you’re on a ferry/boat/cruise, so putting on a protective cover keeps your mind at ease. Not to mention, these covers come with lanyards, so they hang comfortably around your neck, keeping your hands free. These can help you walk into the water and take pictures of your loved ones. Or if you are doing some water activities on your own, you will feel safe knowing you have a way to be connected to them. All in all, it’s an amazing hack.

5. Quick Drying Towels

Another beautiful invention! If you don’t swim/hike/ camp in your regular life, you might not be aware of this one yet. But just type in “quick-drying micro fibre towel” on amazon and watch the dream unfold. These super lightweight and compact towels absorb moisture and dry off in minutes. They work amazingly to dry off your skin and even double up as a beach blanket to lie down on or as a cover-up after you come out of the water. The best part is that even when it is wet, it still weighs nothing. Look for ones that have a clip-on at one end so you can just clip the wet towel to your backpack and don’t need to stuff it in your bag(ew). It will quickly dry off and be ready for your next use. Most of them also come with their own pouch or case, which you can pack it in. Also, unlike the other stuff, this can be used post vacation too in your regular life. It works great as a picnic mat, light blanket, or sheet anytime you are planning an outdoor activity. You can also carry them for your next gym session or keep them in your car as backup if you have young kids. It’s pretty handy stuff 👌

6. After Sun Products

Unfortunately, not a lot of us think about after-sun care unless you have a tendency of sunburns. But it is always a good habit to use proper after sun products on your skin and hair after each day of sun exposure. Especially if you plan to head out for a day on the beach again the next day. Prolonged exposure to the sun always has some damage associated with it. While we may have stacked up well with sunscreen, it is imperative to take an extra step of caution with after sun lotions/oils/serums. These will help further combat the harmful effects of the sun while helping you soak in all the goodness. Keep calamine lotion and aloe vera gels in hand and apply them dutifully before winding down for bed. If you are travelling with young ones, then this step should not be avoided at any costs as their delicate skin will need the extra tlc to avoid sun damage.

7. Beach hats/caps

Another thing to help you enjoy the sun minus any harm. Apart from all the sunscreen, these are an additional way of keeping your face safe from the sun. Especially if you don’t plan to tan yourself, keep your beach hat on, and find a nice shady spot on the beach. This also helps avoid any heat induced headaches or an uneven tan on your face. If you’re planning on spending a whole day under the sun, make sure you have a nice wide beach hat that can keep you cool and actually help you stay outdoors longer. For babies, it’s a must-have anyway as you don’t want them to get dehydrated or burned while they are busy building their sand castles.

8. Waterproof bagpack

An absolute must-have is to carry solid waterproof bagpacks with you, especially if you plan to use any form of water transport during your holiday. I know most of us focus on our massive beach bags, but a waterproof bagpack just sometimes makes more sense. Unlike a beach bag, a bagpack has various pockets and sections, so you can pack your beach essentials in a way that doesn’t take forever to retrieve. Additionally, if you are travelling to another country, you might need a safe place to keep your passports, currency, etc. You can use one of the pockets of the bagpack to keep these secure and not worry about getting sand or water on them. And it’s much easier to carry them around, even if it’s a bit on the heavier side. You can also get two small ones instead of one big pack, so you and your partner can split the weight. Or even get one small size kiddie version for your young ones to carry with their favourite snacks and toys in it. One of the best parts of this item is that you actually don’t have to waste precious baggage space packing this. I tend to use this as my carry-on in flights instead of a handbag as it can carry more stuff that’s useful while flying like a sweatshirt or water bottle.

9. Anti-Frizz Hair Products

If your hair is longer than 2 inches, then you need to seriously consider packing some fail-safe anti frizz products. Based on when you’re travelling, you can check if your destination will likely be higher on humidity, and if yes, then PLEASE pack some tried and tested anti frizz hair products. We owe ourselves gorgeous holiday snaps, but if your hair is not, there is only so much you can do about it. So, for the sake of those gram worthy shots and just your general confidence level, please do look into products that can protect your hair from the humidity and also something to revive your hair from the effects of salt water if you plan to spend a lot of time in the sea.

10. Linen/ Lightweight clothes

Again, this one should be a no brianer, but I have seen way too many people wearing ridiculous stuff like denim shorts on a beach. Pack enough linen or light cotton clothing items to last your vacation. You shouldn’t have to resort to anything that sticks too much to your skin and/or takes forever to dry on a beach holiday. Everything you pack should be light and breezy. Just think of what item would feel on your skin when it’s wet and if that feels gross and rash inducing and then toss it out of your bag. You can use a lot of your regular summer dresses/shorts/shirts on your vacation. Pair them with some light cotton athleisure for days when you’re doing activities away from the beach.

Some other things you can consider, but I haven’t put on the list are bug sprays, ziploc bags(to waterproof items), .And I can not say this enough, but check the weather conditions on your dates of travel. You don’t want to end up carrying a sweatshirt when it’s humid or not carrying one when the night times are chilly. You get my point.