What can be better than a day at the beach? Before you leave for a day at the beach or for your beach vacation getaway make sure you have the following beach essentials:

 

Beach Bag- A beach bag should be roomy enough to fit all your beach essentials. Also make sure it is durable and washable. The sun, sand, salt water and occasional spill of sunscreen can be harsh on your bag and you want to invest in a bag that can handle these elements. If you use a tote bag make sure to have a small bag inside to keep your personal belongings. For beach vacations bring a beach bag that can easily be packed in your luggage or bring a bag that you can double as your carry-on.

 

Beach Towel – Bring one or two fun and colorful beach towels per person. One can be used for lying on the sand or covering a lounge chair. The other one can be used for drying off or even as a pillow. We all like the large oversized fluffy beach towels but those can be extremely bulky and heavy. Luckily, today there are beach microfiber towels that are soft with great absorption but only take up a fraction of the space of a traditional beach towel.

 

Sun Screen and Sunblock – Pack your favorite sunscreen (spray or lotion) or sunblock. Make sure to apply before heading to the beach as well as reapplying during the day. We love the COOLA line of organic sun care.

 

Sun Protection Swim Shirts – A swim shirt or rash guard with 50+ UPF rating is one of your best defenses against the harmful UVA and UVB rays. Swim shirts and rash guards comes in many different colors and in long sleeve, short sleeve, tight fit and loose fit.

 

Beach Hat – A beach hat will give your hair, neck and face protection from the sun. Choose among a variety of styles such as floppy, bucket, and wide brim. Micro-fiber, canvas and straw sun hats are great for the beach. A beach hat will give you shade and protection from the sun and a beach hat rated 50+UPF will give maximum sun protection.

 

Reading Materials – Bring your favorite magazine, books or Kindle, Ipad or other reading tablet.

 

Sunglasses – Sunglasses are as important as sun screen, beach hats, and sun shirts for sun protection on the beach. Choose quality lenses that give you UVA and UVB protection. Additionally, sunglasses can complete the beach fashion look.

 

Flip Flops – Probably the best footwear for the beach. They came in a range of colors and styles and are so easy to rinse off after the beach.

 

Hair Protectants – If you are not wearing a beach hat you might want to use some spf hair protection to avoid drying and bleaching your hair.

 

Cover-ups – A sun dress or a sarong wrap is the easiest way to cover-up a swim suit and be ready to go from car to beach, resort to beach or cover-up to have lunch.

 

Fun Gear – Beach balls, snorkel gear, sand tools. Be prepared to have a fun day at the beach.