Summers are perfect for spending time with your friends and family at the beach. The sun is high, the weather is warm, and the days are long, enabling you to enjoy endless hours lounging on the sand by the sea.
You might plan on heading to the beach with kids, going for a solo pamper day, or to the beach with your friends. Whatever the reason for your beach trip, you need to make sure you are fully prepared with the right accessories.
Below, we’ve covered the important items you need to take with you for a fun day at the beach.
A Large Beach Bag
You’ll need a way to transport your accessories to the beach and store them safely during the day. Invest in a large, waterproof beach bag that fits all of your necessities inside. Choosing a bag made from water-resistant materials ensures your belongings aren’t exposed to moisture and significantly damaged by water.
You can find beach bags of all shapes, colors, and sizes. Some also have internal compartments that accommodate various accessories, such as sunglasses, sunscreen, towels, and snacks.
Beach Ball
Beach balls are great for various physical activities. You can play a game of ‘catch and throw’ with your little ones or round up a group of friends for a game of volleyball.
Beach balls are lightweight and easy to transport, so you can carry them under your arm even though they probably won’t fit inside your beach bag.
A beach ball is an inexpensive accessory that can provide endless hours of fun on the sand. It’s well worth your money to invest in one. You can deflate it when you’re not using it over winter and reinflate it during the warmer months so you can quickly grab it on your way out of the door to the beach.
Sun Protection Accessories
As amazing as the warm sunshine feels on your face and as essential as it is for vitamin D synthesis, the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun can be harmful to your skin. Sunscreen provides a protective layer over the surface of your skin to reduce the amount of UV radiation that can enter your skin cells.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a relatively high sun protectant factor (SPF) rating, such as factor 50. Apply it just before you head to the beach and reapply it at regular intervals throughout the day (ideally every two hours). You might need to apply it more often if you’re sweating excessively or swimming in the sea, especially if it’s not a waterproof sunscreen.
To ensure maximum protection for the skin on your face, wear a sun hat. The hat will block the sun’s UV rays from your eyes, face, and neck, preventing sunburn and skin damage. You can also use sunglasses to protect your eyes from both UVA and UVB radiation.
Swimming Gear
If you plan on swimming in the sea during your trip to the beach, you will need some comfortable swimming gear. You can go for a swimsuit that covers your midriff or choose a more revealing option like a bikini to maximise your sun exposure and tanning capabilities.
Whatever your preference, make sure your chosen swimming gear fits comfortably and makes you feel confident. You might wish to wear a swimsuit underneath a kimono or lightweight jacket so you’re ready to participate in beach sports and swimming activities as and when needed.
Even if you plan on relaxing by the sea on the golden sand all day and have no intention of participating in any sports, a full-coverage swimsuit or bikini will provide a comfortable outfit for the day. It also exposes a lot of your skin, which is ideal if you want to catch a tan.
Just make sure to apply sunscreen appropriately to avoid sunburn and be cautious of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. If you find that you start to feel dizzy or like you’re about to pass out, seek shade and drink plenty of water.
Reusable Water Bottle
Invest in a reusable water bottle made from glass or metal (avoid plastic water bottles for beach days, as they can heat up rapidly in the sun, and some of the microplastics can leech into your water). Fill your water bottle to the brim before you set off to the beach, and make a conscious effort to drink from it regularly throughout the morning and afternoon.
Most beaches have refill stations where you can access fresh water to keep your reusable bottle topped up for optimal hydration. If not, consider taking a couple of water bottles with you in your beach bag or investing in a large bottle to provide more fluids for you to consume during the hot day.
Just make sure to apply sunscreen appropriately to avoid sunburn and be cautious of heat exhaustion
or heat stroke. If you find that you start to feel dizzy or like you’re about to pass out, seek shade and
drink plenty of water.
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Meredith says
This is a lovely reminder of the days to come. It’s snowing here today, and I won’t be hitting a beach for months!
Meredith says
I CAN’T WAIT!! This winter feels long!