As soon as summer approaches most of us already begin to dream about our next beach vacation. In this post, I’ll list everything you need to pack for a relaxing trip to the seaside.
And yes, the same applies if you’re considering a tropical destination to escape the cold.
Also since it’s such a repeatable trip, I decided to make my own printable checklist that I can use to make sure I pack everything I need every single time.
You can find it at the end of this post and save it in PNG format to your computer.
Clothes and accessories
- Flowy and breathable dresses in light colors
- Straw hat/Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- T-shirts in light colors
- Rompers
- Shorts
- Pareo or a beach dress
- Swimsuit and/or Bikini
- Breathable pajamas
- Beach bag
- Flip flops
- Microfiber towel
- Beach towel
- Aqua shoes (optional)
As you’ll be going to the beach, you should focus on packing lightweight and breathable clothing to combat the heat. Consider bringing flowy dresses in light colors, rompers, shorts, t-shirts, and breathable pajamas.
Remember to also pack a straw hat, which not only provides sun protection but it also looks really nice in photos.
When selecting swimsuits and bikinis, it’s best to avoid overly creative designs with intricate cropping. No matter how much sunscreen you put on, these designs may still result in unconventional tan lines, so it’s best to save them for poolside wear.
For snorkeling enthusiasts, I strongly recommend investing in a one-piece swimsuit with sleeves. Since your back and shoulders are often more exposed to the water’s surface, they are more susceptible to sunburn.
Before I bought mine, I had this happen many times. In Maldives, I actually had to wear a t-shirt over my bathing suit to protect my shoulders during the last day, as they were so red (so there’s a tip right there!).
You should also bring flip-flops and a pareo or a beach dress to use as a cover-up when heading to the beach or for meals. A roomy beach bag will also come in handy to carry all your belongings.
If your accommodation does not offer complimentary beach towels, consider packing one. And if you have long, thick hair, a microfiber towel can be quite useful and won’t occupy much space in your luggage either.
Depending on your destination (for example, if there are rocks in the water, sea urchins, or stonefish), you might also need to pack aqua shoes.
Lastly, don’t forget your sunglasses at home!
Skincare & toiletries
- High SPF sunscreen
- Aloe vera gel or sunburn relief cream
- Face cream
- Shampoo
- Hair mask
- Shower gel
- Toothbrush and Toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Antiperspirant
- Razor or shaving cream
- Basic medication
- Makeup (Optional)
- Insect repellent (Optional)
Make sure you pack enough high-SPF sunscreen to last for your entire vacation. If you are flying carry-on only, then make sure you buy it in small bottles (100ml max).
Personally, I have fair skin with many freckles and moles, so I opt for nothing under 50. Depending on your skin type, you may choose a lower SPF, but I’d still recommend staying above 25.
Also, you should also look at the UVA protection factor before buying your sunblock (the higher, the better). Lastly, if possible, opt for environmentally friendly sunscreen products.
But even with careful sunscreen application, sunburns can still occur, so you should bring some aloe vera gel or another type of sunburn relief cream too.
Don’t forget to pack your preferred skincare and personal care products too. To save space in your luggage, you can transfer a bit of product in travel containers. You may also consider bringing a small amount of makeup for when you go out in the evenings.
As you’ll be exposed to a lot of sun and saltwater, I recommend you also pack a good hair mask to provide nourishment for your hair and a detangling brush (I use Tangle Teezer).
And while your hotel will likely provide shower gel, I still suggest you at least bring your own shampoo that caters to your specific hair needs.
Currently, I use the Kemon Actyva Nuova Fibra range for my delicate, easily damaged, bleached hair, which was recommended by the stylist who did my blonde balayage.
If you go to a tropical destination where mosquitos pose an issue, you should pack a good insect repellent.
During my trip to Malaysia and Thailand, I used Care Plus Anti-Insect Spray in both DEET and Natural form and it worked extremely well. So if you can get a hold of it, I really recommend it.
Tech
- Camera
- Extra batteries
- Memory cards
- Charging cords
- External battery
- GoPro (Optional)
- Water dome (Optional)
- Kindle (Optional)
- Drone (Optional)
- Headphones
To save space in your luggage, I recommend considering buying a mirrorless. These cameras snap great photos while being significantly smaller and lighter compared to DSLRs.
I personally love the Sony mirrorless cameras. After some extensive research, I initially purchased the Alpha 5100 and was extremely satisfied with its performance.
Subsequently, when I accidentally damaged the collapsible lenses by dropping the camera on a hard surface (that’s after a previous drop on soft ground in Japan left it unscathed), I acquired its counterpart, the Alpha A6000.
For capturing images underwater however and filming the vibrant marine life while snorkeling, I suggest investing in a waterproof camera such as the GoPro.
Prior to purchasing mine, I experimented with various lower-cost action cameras but found that the quality didn’t quite meet my expectations.
If you want to capture images similar to the one above (partially submerged), you’ll require a water dome for your GoPro. Without it, the image will appear highly distorted.
Before packing your drone, you should verify first if it’s allowed and what rules apply. Even if it is, I would still recommend you to be careful where and when you lift it: you wouldn’t like to be filmed by someone when lying on the beach either.
Use it early in the morning when there are no people on the beach or late in the evening to capture the sunset.
To keep your phone charged while you’re at the beach (it loses battery faster due to heat), bring an external battery. You can even find solar-powered ones.
Finally, consider bringing your Kindle to have something to do while on the beach.
Other useful items (Optional)
- Snorkeling gear
- Floatie
- Waterproof pouch
- Sun umbrella
- Umbrella sand anchor
- Beach towel clips
Honestly, pretty much all the items in this last category are optional, as they depend a lot on your preferences.
For example, if you usually like to rent sunbeds, you’ll likely not need to bring a sun umbrella and an anchor, but they’ll come in handy if you visit a beach without facilities or you prefer to lay directly on the sand.
Also, if you don’t use a sunbed, you’ll not need beach towel clips, but if you do, they really help keep the beach towel in place.
A waterproof pouch is something I strongly recommend however, as you can keep your phone and other valuables with you even when you are swimming.
My beach vacations are usually couple trips and both me and my fiance like to enter the water together, so this item is a lifesaver for us.
But make sure you buy a good-quality water pouch! My fiance didn’t notice he had a tear in his while vacationing in Mallorca and let’s just say he bought another phone when we got back.
Free downloadable beach vacation packing list (PNG format)
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