The Ultimate Beach Vacation Packing List

Sunscreen's a given, but it's not the only necessity.

Wrriten by Madison Flager and Meghan Kenny

Finalizing a beach vacation packing list requires a slightly different strategy than other kinds of trips: For one, preventative measures like sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are non-negotiable. Then there’s the sand, the wet clothes, and the keeping-kids-happy, if you’re traveling with young ones, to factor in. Before you jet off on your next beach vacation, be it to Miami, Maui, or the Maldives, consult our ultimate beach vacation packing list below—it's filled with all the essentials you might forget, from the waterproof tech bag that’ll protect your cell phone to the best towels for every kind of beach trip imaginable.

Beach trip essentials:

Clothing & shoes

  • Lightweight clothing
  • Cover-ups
  • Robe
  • Swim goggles
  • Water shoes

Accessories

  • Sun hat
  • Beach tote
  • Reusable bag
  • Sunglasses
  • Dopp kit
  • Water bottle

Skincare & beauty

  • Skrini ya jua
  • After-sun lotion
  • Bug spray
  • SPF lip balm
  • Antibacterial wipes

Interested in learning more? Read here.

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Sawyer’s picaridin lotion lasts a long time, stores well in survival kits and cars, and doesn’t have the laundry-list poison control label like DEET sprays.

Sean Gold
Founder & Lead Writer

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

Secure a small loop of cord to a trekking pole to create a convenient place to hang a water bladder and filter water.

Nathan Pipenberg
Mwandishi

Majina ya Vyombo vya Habari

It contains 20 percent picaridin, a powerful insect repellent that will make nights around the campfire much more enjoyable.

Liz Provencher
Freelane Writer