Beach Vacation Packing List
This beach vacation packing list is full of things you need for a beach vacation including things you probably wouldn’t have thought of! Thanks to HSN for sponsoring this post. All ideas and content are 100% honest and my own. This post also contains affiliate links.
I know, I know. You’re probably sitting here thinking the summer is over, why in the world is she writing about going to the beach now? This post should’ve been written months ago. Well guess what, just because summer is over doesn’t mean that people don’t still go to the beach all fall and winter long. I mean who doesn’t dream about going on a beach vacation in the middle of the winter when there’s snow on the ground? I know I do. And I actually have a big vacation to Turks and Caicos for the Social Media on the Sand blog conference planned for October. And I’m trying to convince my husband that we really need to go back to Hawaii for our 10th anniversary in March. So forget the summer, this beach vacation packing list is perfect for right now.
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Beach Vacation Packing List
This list is the things that you might’ve forgotten if you didn’t read this post. It’s not the obvious hey you need to bring a swimsuit or you need to bring some clothes to wear. Those are on this beach weekend packing list !
But the items on this beach packing list are just as important to having the perfect tropical vacation as a swimsuit! Okay, maybe not quite but close.
A Scarf
Scarves are great for so many things. They can dress up an outfit, they can keep you warm on a chilly walk on the beach, or they can just be an accessory like a necklace. I always bring a scarf or two in different designs that I can use throughout my vacation. Infinity ones like the Margaritaville Ombré Loop Scarf are my favorite!
A Hat
Sunscreen is great but sunscreen + a hat is better. Plus, how cute would these wide-brimmed Margaritaville hats look with a sundress and sandals? And p.s., don’t forget the sunscreen!
Sandals
This is probably a given but don’t forget to bring a couple of pairs of sandals in different colors and varieties. And even try to pack in one dressier pair like these Canvas Wedge Sandals to wear to a nicer dinner in town.
Comfy (non-sandal) Walking Shoes
These are for the travel days and days you’ll be walking around the city shopping, taking a short hike to a local waterfall, or taking a boat ride where you don’t want to be tripping around in flip flops. These boat shoes are perfect for all of the above!
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Sunglasses
No matter what else you bring, please don’t forget your favorite pair of sunglasses! I promise that you’re going to want them. I mean, you are at the beach after all. I bought this pair of Margaritaville wraparound sunglasses (on HSN.com) specifically for our trip in October and have loved trying them out the past few weeks.
My little sister even tried to steal them when she went home after our dehoarding session last weekend. Don’t you just love the little Margaritaville detailing on the case and on the sunglasses?
A Portable Speaker
Okay, this may just be me but I love listening to music on vacation, especially at the beach. There’s just something about listening to Jammin’ while you’re driving along the beach that makes it feel even more tropical. Since most often you won’t be able to get service for something like Spotify, make a playlist of your favorite beach tunes before you go on your phone and hook it up to this bluetooth boombox for great music throughout your trip.
A Nice Dress
Bring something that you can wear to a nice restaurant if you want to go into town and splurge one night or if you want to go on a romantic walk on the beach. It’s the beach so it can still be something beach town appropriate like this scenic print maxi dress but something different than your typical swimsuit and cover up.
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A Jacket
I promise you that no matter how hot it’s supposed to be while you’re there, you’re going to want a jacket or hoodie at some point. It might be on the airplane ride there, it might be in your hotel room because your husband keeps the room freezing, or it might be on a random chilly day, but you’re going to want it. I typically bring one hoodie like this french terry hoodie and one that’s a little nicer to wear with outfits that don’t go well with a hoodie.
A Small Cross-Body Bag
I’m sure you have already packed your large beach bag that can fit the entire kitchen sink, but don’t forget to bring a smaller cross-body bag that you can take shopping, hiking, and walking around when you don’t want to lug around that huge thing. I recommend a cross-body bag because it’s nice to have your hands free for carrying shopping bags and cross-body bags tend to be safer from pickpockets than say a backpack slung on your back. This cross-body bag is perfect for carrying your credit card and cell phones around all day.
