You’re heading off to a beachy destination, YAY!! But first…packing. You want to pack what you need and not the extra stuff you don’t. So if you’re wondering what to pack for a beach vacation, I’ve got the list perfect list for you.

This post may contain affiliate links. For more info, see my disclosures.

Oh, and get this… women over-pack by 2/3rds when they go on vacation. Don’t be one of them! Use this guide and don’t be tempted to over-pack, mmmkay?

What to pack for a beach vacation?

Okay so the very first thing you’ll do is consider the activities on your beach vacation. Will you be hanging out on the beach the whole trip? Or will you be exploring the area and have more adventures that will require different types of clothing and gear?

It’s important to have a really good idea about which activities you’re planning so you don’t overpack. And so you have everything you’ll actually need at your beach destination.

Will you be tubing the mountains of Kauai? You’ll need a rash guard.

Are you planning to hike through lush national parks in Costa Rica? You’ll probably want decent shoes!

Next you’ll want to check the weather before you go! I’ve forgotten this step and just made assumptions in the past and it’s not a good combination!

Based on your activities and the weather, it’s time to get to packing.

Okay, let’s dive in!

Things to pack for a beach vacation

I’m going to assume your trip is going to be 7 days (because week-long vacations are awesome). So here’s your beach packing list for a week. If your trip is longer or shorter, adjust the number of total outfits you’ll need.

 Just don’t overpack.

Here’s my #1 tip for packing: you’ll always need less than you think!

I’m guessing you don’t want to spend hours packing to leave on your trip. Or waste precious vacation time by having to pack everything back up. So simplify your packing list and you’ll be glad you did.

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For a week-long vacation to the beach, you’ll need:

Clothing:

Dresses or shorts/shirt combo: 3 total outfits.

I prefer dresses so I might take 2 dresses and 1 shorts/shirt. For my trip to Turks and Caicos I didn’t even take shorts. I packed all dresses!

Shop my favorite beach dress here

For you, this might be a cute jumper or shorts and a nice shirt. Whatever you’re most comfortable in works best!

Now you might be thinking 3 outfits for a week is not enough. Well friend you’re going to the beach to enjoy the sunshine, water and sand. You’ll likely be in your swimming suit most of the trip. If you go out for lunch or dress up for the evening, rotate your outfits during your week.

If you work out consistently and are planning to keep that up, you should pack athletic gear. Better yet, wear them on the plane so your big shoes don’t have to go in your luggage.

But if you only *think* you’ll workout during your vacation, skip it because you likely won’t use it.

Related read: What to Wear in Hawaii for Midsize Women (Swimwear, Outfit Ideas & More)

Also for clothing, be sure to pack pajamas! (1 set) This is something I used to forget all the time and it was unfortunate. So don’t skip this!

Last thing before we move on – don’t forget bras, undies and socks. I won’t give you advice on how many pair here, it’s up to you on that one. 😉

Swimming suits: 2 suits, 2 swim covers

Take 2 so you can wear one while the other is drying out. You really don’t need more than 2 swimming suits on your beach vacation. I mean, unless you’re planning to post beachy pics to Instagram. 🙂

Same with swim covers. I mean, who doesn’t love a good swim cover? You can go shear, layer with an actual dress, oversized shirt – love all the options! But just pack 2.

Shop my favorite swim cover here

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Packing for the beach – shoes and accessories:

Shoes: 1 flip flop for the sand, 1 dressy sandal plus water shoes

*Athletic shoes only as needed.

Don’t take 7 different kind of sandals. Truth is, you really won’t need a huge variety. So keep it simple and stick to 2 sandals – one for casual and a dressy pair that works with your outfits.

And I always recommend water shoes for a beach vacation. They’re hands down one of my favorite items to pack for a beach vacation. Some beaches have powdery white sand, like the best beaches in 30A Florida. But many beaches do not! And cutting yourself on a piece of coral is no fun.

These are hands down my favorite water shoes. I love that they’re dual purpose, too. I’ve used them hiking a coastal trail in Hawaii, on the most romantic islands of Greece and of course on beaches where I don’t know if the bottom is sharp or not.

Side story: while exploring the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand, my husband stepped on a sea urchin close to the shore. My water shoes protected my feet though!

Shop my favorite water shoes here

Accessories

When you’re thinking about what to pack for a beach vacation, don’t forget about a fantastic beach hat!

If you don’t have a beach hat, buy a beach hat like this before you go or shop for one at your destination. I love a good beach hat because it’s so functional! It really keeps the sun away from your scalp and face, and even shoulders and ears, too.

Pro tip: wear it on the plane to prevent it from getting bent, or fill it and pack it in the bottom of your suitcase to hold its shape.

Next consider your jewelry.

Simple is better here. When planning outfits, plan one set of jewelry that can go with any of them. Packing and getting dressed are both super simple!

Pro tip: don’t pack anything in your checked luggage of value. I’ve heard too many horror stories of people ‘losing’ special items on the flight.

Beach vacation essentials

There are definitely things that I pack for week-long beach vacations that I don’t pack on other types of trips. Here are the beach vacation essentials that get used most when heading to the beach.

• Lightweight beach towel with hidden pocket. This one is my favorite because it doubles as a blanket on the plane and has a pocket to hide your valuables. Win!
  
• Beach hat. Listed twice because I love them so much.
  
• Beach bag. This can also be used for your carry-on so you don’t have to take multiple bags.
  
• Reef-safe sunblock. Take 2 or more for a week long vacation. Always make sure it’s reef-safe to protect our oceans. (Find out why reef safe sunscreen is important.)

• Sunglasses. One pair will do it!
  
• Lip balm with SPF. Don’t forget to protect those lips.
  
• Lotion. Your skin will thank you after all that saltwater.
  
• Bug spray. I hate to admit it, but most beachy spots have mosquitos. Protect yourself with this spray.
  
• Water-proof case for your phone. Water cases with lanyards are really cheap to buy and will prevent your phone from getting wet or sandy when snorkeling or just hanging on the beach.
  
• GoPro. This is a must-have on any adventurer’s packing list! This GoPro allows you to take photos and videos underwater, and it comes with me on every beach vacation. Don’t forget the float strap!
  
• Drone. If you really want to level up your beach photos, get a drone and learn how to fly a drone. It’s one of my favorite travel accessories, and makes for epic photos!

• Snorkel gear. My husband and I always pack ours so we can snorkel when and where we want to – for free! We even pack snorkeling sets for our kids on family vacations, like a trip to Maui with kids.
  
• Leave-in conditioner. Ocean breeze and salty air are a combination for tangles. Pack some leave-in conditioner and use it daily.
  
• Reusable water bottle. Make sure to get a good insulated cup since you’ll likely be in the warm sunshine.
  
• Packing cubes. More about these later.

Pro tip: if you’re heading to a VRBO or airbnb, make sure to ask them if towels, beach chairs and a cooler are available.

More things to bring to the beach

Here are a few more things you might want to consider packing for the beach. Some of my go-to items are on this short list!

• Collapsible cooler. If your vacation rental doesn’t have a cooler to use, this one will save you so much money on your trip rather than relying on drinks at the nearby bar. Pack drinks for your whole day instead!
  
• Body glide. If your thighs like being real close together, like mine, you’ll want to consider a stick of this. I mean, wearing swimwear and dresses all day plus warm weather is a recipe for disaster.
  
• Dry bag. I have one in orange and take it on all my beach trips. It’s great for kayaking, hiking waterfalls or just to keep the sand out of your stuff.

Now let’s pack items you’ll need for specific activities...

• Hiking up a mountain for the epic view of the coast? You’ll probably want additional clothing or gear, like a hiking backpack. If you want to pack lighter, this small athletic backpack is more compact.
  
• Rash guards are great for water sports or keeping the sun off your skin. There’s also cute one-piece swimming suits with rash guards built in these days, too!
  
• Light jacket. Depending on the time of year and if it’s the rainy season, you may want to pack a light rain jacket just in case.
  

If you’re thinking woah, there’s a lot to consider, you’re right! With so many things to bring to the beach, let’s keep it moving.

Misc stuff I pack for every trip

• Photo ID
  
• Passport and holder for international destinations. Check out this RFID passport holder one that keeps your info safe – and it’s cute.
  
• Cash. Make sure to take plenty of 1’s for tips!
  
• Printed tickets, visas, confirmations or transfer info (if traveling international)
  
• Medications, including motion sickness and/or essential oils
  
• Anti-nausea wristband. Ever since my cruise on Aegean Sea and Mediterranean, this has been a life saver! For me, it works great on planes, boats and even while RVing, too.
  
• Insurance card
  
• Phone charging cord and portable charger – charge this for the plane ride, too!

• International travel adapter (as needed)
  
• Noise cancelling headphones. I didn’t think they were worth it until I borrowed a pair. Now I can’t go on vacation without them!
  
• Neck pillow and eye mask for long flights
  
• Small purse or wristlet
  
• Sweater or denim jacket. Wear it on the plane so you don’t have to pack it!
  
• Personal hygiene items
  
• Makeup. Simple is better here. Lots of makeup is not a good beach look.
  
• Hair products. Keep it minimal to avoid overpacking. #beachhairdontcare
  
• Snacks! For the plane and for the vacation. Packing trail mix or protein bars will save you money on your trip.

Also consider buying travel insurance. As much as we all want our vacations to go 100% perfect, sometimes they don’t. Travel insurance can protect you and the money you spent on your vacation.

Next is putting it all together….the fun part!

How to pack for a beach vacation

After years of traveling, I’ve got packing down to an art. #justsayin

My first tip is to try everything on at least a week before your trip (more time if possible). This will allow you to narrow down what to wear based on how you feel in your clothes. You want to feel your best self on your trip! This also gives you time to grab something if needed.

Next lay out everything you think you might need, according to your list. Then ask yourself if something can be used for multiple things. For instance, can you bring your beach towel and use it as a blanket on the plane?

Instead of a personal item being a backpack or tote, can you use your beach bag? This will help you to save space in your luggage.

Next, buy packing cubes. I mean it! They’re 100% worth every penny. Packing cubes are basically a travel hack that allows you to pack more into less space by condensing everything. It’s like they shrink everything into a wayyyy smaller space.

So they’re pretty much magic. Just buy the packing cubes!

I’ve used them for family trips, beach vacations, and the smaller ones work great if you’re packing super light for a weekend getaway.

Related article: Best Budget Travel Tips (so good you’ll want to try them now)

Packing list for a beach vacation – printable

Okay so here’s your downloadable beach vacation checklist. Just customize it based on your activities, the weather and your length of beach vacation.

And remember not to overpack!

Download the perfect packing list for your next beach vacay!

Send me the checklist

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Well hopefully by now you’ve figured out what to pack for a beach vacation. I hope you have an absolutely amazing time on your beach getaway! Comment below with where you’re going – I’m dying to know!

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