How To Pack Your Bags For A Beach Trip: 15 Steps

Spending a day on the beach is a wonderful excursion for most people. Bathing in the cool blue ocean, lazing on the sand, and soaking up the sun. Everyone is having fun, the kids building sandcastles and the adults playing ball games or snorkeling amongst the rocks looking for tiny fish. Or you might find a family sitting under an umbrella, tucking into snacks and drinking cold drinks to quench their thirst.

These are lovely scenes that can be seen on many beaches throughout America. What makes the beach day so special is everything that is packed into what everyone brings to the beach, the beach bag and cooler bag! But how do you pack beach bags, and what items are essential for a day of fun on the beach? Here is my list of items and 15 steps on how to pack your bags for a beach trip.

• Choose The Perfect Beach Bag
• Prepare The Cooler Bag
• Roll Up The Beach Towel Or Blanket
• Pack In Some Protection From The Harsh Sun
• Add Cold drinks For Keeping Hydrated In The Cooler Bag
• Pack In Snacks For The Beach In The Cooler Bag
• And More …

The ideal bag for the beach should be lightweight, made from durable and waterproof material, and large enough to fit all your items into it.

Choosing The Right Beach Bag
Choose a bag that is made from lightweight fabric, but that is strong and durable. Nylon or cotton fabric is ideal for a beach bag. A nylon bag is strong and weather resistant, perfect for the outdoors. Natural cotton will be a bit pricier, but it has a soft feel, is also durable, and is washable.

You could also opt for a mesh beach bag. This bag is made from waterproof Oxford and mesh cloth. Great for the beach; if sand or water gets into the bag, it will flow out the holes of the mesh. The mesh will allow for better aeration, making the fabric more breathable. This is ideal for when you are storing wet towels and bathing suits.

Size is most important when choosing a beach bag. Think about all the items you want to take to the beach! Will they fit into the bag? Choose a roomy bag that can comfortably hold all your things.

A beach bag with several compartments and pockets inside and outside will make packing and organizing your beach bag much easier. Pockets are great for keeping items safe, like your mobile, car keys, and cash, separate from food items or sunscreen lotions.

Choose a cooler bag with a waterproof shell and a liner that is puncture resistant. This bag will keep your cold drinks cool and your lunch at the perfect temperature. Pack reusable ice packs at the bottom of the cooler to keep your items cool during a day at the beach. Keep the ice packs in the freezer, only taking them out when you pack your cooler bag for the beach outing.

If you decide to take a beach blanket or mat and a beach towel, then roll the towel up on the beach mat to save space. A beach mat is great for spreading out on the sand, and it is easy to shake the sand off. You can keep your towel for use after swimming or if you shower in the beach bathroom after your time on the beach.

Protecting your skin from the harsh UV rays is essential as too much exposure to ultraviolet is linked to skin cancers.

Pack good quality sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30, which offers 96.7% protection from UVB rays. This sunscreen can be used for adults and children. Lip balm with an SPF of 25 or more is also a good idea to put in your beach bag. Also, ensure the sunscreen is water resistant, so it will not wash off when swimming in the ocean.

Remember to apply sunscreen every 2 hours while exposed to the sun. You can keep the lotion in a plastic zip-lock bag or plastic container so that it will be easy to find and not be squashed amongst the other items in your bag. Or you can slip the lotion into one of the outside pockets of the beach bag.

If you are not wearing your hat to the beach, be sure to pack one in your bag. You can opt for a floppy beach hat covering your head and face. Or you can choose a visor hat to protect your face from the sun. Store the hat in one of the compartments in your beach bag.

If you are wearing your sunglasses to the beach, you will need to store them in your beach bag when you go for a swim. Pack the sunglasses case in a plastic storage bag to protect against sand and water. Keep the plastic bag in one of the pockets of your beach bag so your sunglasses are safe.

Water is the best drink for a day on the beach. Consider keeping small bottles of water overnight in the freezer, and you will have cold water on hand to quench your thirst. You can also keep fruit juice overnight in the refrigerator and pack these in the cooler bag.

Spending the day at the beach in the fresh air and sunshine will make you feel hungry, so packing some snacks is a must. Pack the food items into the cooler bag.

Cut grapes into small bunches, put them in a plastic container, and keep them in the fridge overnight. You can use white, red, or black grapes. They are delicious to snack on and healthy too. Delicious juicy apples and oranges packed with vitamin C are excellent for the beach. You can pack them in a zip-lock bag and place them in the cooler bag.

Take along some packets of crisps which are always enjoyed on the beach. Make up individual packets of nuts like peanuts, walnuts, almonds, or cashews. You can add some raisins with the nuts or put them in small zip-lock bags. In this way, everyone can have their own packet to snack on.

Getting closer to lunchtime, you will want something more filling on your beach day. So, pack some assorted crackers and an assortment of individually wrapped cheese wedges. Place the crackers in a plastic container and the cheeses in another. Place the bag at the top of the cooler bag, so the crackers remain intact and the cheese cool.

You can fill tortillas with delicious fillings and fold them like a wrap, making them easy to hold and bite into. Filled sandwiches are another lunchtime favorite that will keep the tummies full and satisfied. Wrap individual sandwiches in aluminum foil to stay fresh. Place sandwiches at the top of the cooler bag with the cheese and crackers.

A sweet snack is a definite requirement for a day on the beach. You could pack in some of your baking goodies, like chocolate brownies. Or try a new recipe like peanut butter protein balls. Also, pack some packets of candy like gummy bears, hard candy, and lollipops.

If you plan a full day on the beach, pack in the latest edition of your favorite magazine or a book you want to read. Or, if you have a Kindle, take that with you. This is the best time to catch up on some me-time.

Put the Kindle in a zip-lock bag to protect it from sand or water. It is also not a good idea to leave the Kindle in the sun, so if you have a beach umbrella, consider reading your Kindle while sitting under the shade.

Our mobile phones are a part of our modern world for communication and capturing those special beach moments on camera. Your mobile phone must be in a protected bag. You can opt for a waterproof phone pouch holder or an ordinary zip-lock bag.

You can also pack your portable charger and earphones in a zip-lock bag into your beach bag. If you have an open compartment or pocket in the beach bag, use this for your electronic equipment.

Pack in empty plastic storage bags or large empty zip-lock bags for storing wet bathing suits and towels. These plastic bags will keep your beach bag dry and free from the smell of wet clothes. Also, use plastic bags for wrappers, empty bottles, fruit peels, and other garbage you may have collected on your trip to the beach. These can be discarded at home or in one of the garbage bins at the beach.

Games are always a hit at the beach, so pack in a deck of cards, a Velcro catch ball set, or a frisbee. Adults and kids all love to play games, so keep your family entertained while they enjoy the fresh sea air.

You will always need something to clean your hands with at the beach. Hand sanitizer and wet wipes or tissues are ideal for removing sand and germs. Ensure you and your family wash your hands before eating or drinking to protect your health. Wet wipes are perfect to use after applying sunscreen lotion and wiping off any items that have become sticky from the sea and sand.

A first aid kit is necessary for the beach when you or the kids might graze a toe on the rocks, get rid of a headache, or need a band-aid. A small kit with necessities for emergencies is ideal for sliding into your beach bag.

Taking your wallet with all your credit cards to the beach is not ideal, where they can get lost or stolen. Instead, use a small zip-lock bag to store cash should you want to buy something at the beach shops.
Also, add spare change for a parking meter or in case you need it. In this bag, you can also store your car keys. Use one of the inner pockets of your beach bag to keep your cash and car keys safe.

If you plan to go to the mall or out for a meal after your beach day, you will need a beach coverup or clean, dry clothes. A beach coverup is handy to wear over your bathing suit if you want to buy something at the stalls on the beachfront or if you are taking a stroll along the promenade. But a quick shower in the beach bathrooms to freshen up if you are dining out is a good idea.

Pack a clean set of clothes in a zip-lock bag. You can also pack in a small bottle of shampoo, shower gel, toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant in a small make-up bag or pouch with a zip. Also, add essential make-up and a brush or comb for your hair. Place the clothes and the make-up bag in the bottom of the beach bag, as you will only need these items at the end of your beach day.

If you wear flip-flops to the beach and want to wear something more formal, bring a pair of pretty flat sandals and place them in the outside pockets of your beach bag.

Beach umbrellas usually do not fit inside the beach bag, but you can rest the umbrella on top of the bag. The bag handles will hold everything together when carrying the beach bag. Choose an umbrella that folds up and slots into a sleeve keeping all the poles and folded umbrella together.

Some beaches have umbrellas for hire, but don’t take any chances; instead, bring some shade. During the hottest part of the day, it is best to sit under an umbrella for protection from the sun. Also, keep your beach bag and cooler bag in the shade and out of the hot sun.

When choosing a beach bag for the beach, consider a material that is durable, washable, and large enough to hold all your beach items. A beach bag with compartments and pockets allows you to easily organize your items. Take along the essentials like a beach mat, towel, and protection from the sun, like sunscreen, hats, a clean set of clothes, and your sunglasses. Use zip-lock bags to protect items from the sand and sea.

Pack some drinks, snacks, and lunch into a cooler bag to keep them fresh and to stay cold. Be sure to keep your cell phone, cash, and other electronics protected in zip-lock bags in the pockets of your beach bag.

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