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Trying to simplify the packing process for your next beach vacation, but fear forgetting something important? I’ve definitely been there too, which is why I’ve created an intensely thorough beach trip packing list. The below packing guide will ensure you remember all the necessities, so you can focus on planning and enjoying your getaway.
For beach trips, I like to keep my packing fairly minimal, since the main objective is to relax in beautiful surroundings. After lots of trial and error, I’ve basically got my list of beach essentials down pat. My list below includes things I always use on beach trips, whether it’s an absolute necessity or something I just like to have on hand.
This list should help you stay organized, and help your mind stay clear so your don’t miss anything. My hubby and I have had a couple instances where someone forgot something major, like swimwear or a passport. It’s easier to forget these items than you would think when running last minute errands before departure.
With that, here is the complete beach trip packing list, which lists every item you won’t want to leave home without. That way you can do less scrambling, and more lounging among the palm trees!
The Ultimate Beach Trip Packing List
Beach Packing List: The Essentials
These are the very important items you literally cannot travel without, especially if you are flying. Keep these necessities with you in your personal item on the plane for easy access, rather than in a checked bag. That way, if checked luggage gets lost you’ll at least be able to enter your destination and make new purchases, if necessary.
- Driver’s license (if flying, you’ll need REAL ID beginning May 3, 2023)
- Passport if traveling internationally
- Boarding Pass (be sure it reflects TSA PreCheck if you have it)
- Masks if traveling by plane (TSA mandate)
- Credit Cards (I like to bring one Visa and one Mastercard if traveling internationally)
- ATM Card
- Cash if traveling somewhere remote, like an island ($100 to $200)
- Proof of vaccine/test results where required. For some destinations you cannot even board the plane without these items.
- Check your destination for any other required paperwork, such as passenger locator forms
Beach Trip Clothing
Beach clothes are usually easy to fit into a carry-on, since t-shirts and shorts don’t take up much space. Also, as many beach destinations keep things casual, there is less of a need for outfit changes or dressing up for dinner.
For nicer outfits, consider how many times you’ll actually need to dress up. Will you eat at a fancy restaurant more than once or twice?
The weather forecast will also affect what you’ll need to bring. If there will be some cooler rainy days or chilly nights, you may want a light sweatshirt to stay warm. Alternatively, for hot sticky weather, it’s likely you’ll want to change out of sweaty day time clothes before heading out for the evening.
With that, here is the approximate amount of clothing I recommend bringing for a 7-day beach trip.
- 2-3 swimsuits
- Sun shirt (I love these lightweight tops for when my shoulders have gotten enough sun for the day)
- Swimsuit Cover-up (females)
- 2 pairs of athletic shorts, in case you get around to working out or hiking
- 8-10 pairs of socks
- 8-10 pairs of underwear
- Clothes to sleep in for seven nights. I personally bring 1-2 pairs of pajama shorts and 7 ribbed tank tops.
- Light sweatshirt for cooler night temperatures
- 2 bralettes (females)
- 2 sports bras (females)
- 1 regular bra (females)
- 8 tops (mixture of casual and dressy)
- 2 pairs of casual shorts (I bring one denim and one white pair)
- 1-2 nicer outfits
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Jewelry (I like to bring one or two necklaces. Just be careful with any valuables you choose to bring)
If you are staying somewhere with a washer and dryer, you can bring less clothing and save even more carry-on space. For a one week stay, I’d cut socks and underwear down to 5 pairs, pajamas for 4 nights, and 6-7 casual tops.
Footwear for Your Beach Trip
Usually footwear needed at the beach is pretty minimal. However, if you plan to do a lot of walking or hiking, you’ll want to be prepared. Nothing like blisters or arch pain to ruin an otherwise perfect vacation.
- Sandals/flip-flops
- Sneakers
The next three items are for people like me who get foot pain:
- Shoe inserts (I bring custom orthotics)
- Foot Braces (for nighttime)
- Golf ball for rolling foot (sometimes my arches get tight and grumpy if I do a lot of walking)
Why Carry-On Only?
This packing list is geared towards travelers doing carry-on only, i.e. no checked bags. I prefer this method when traveling to harder to reach places, like the Caribbean islands. For example, it can be difficult to lug a bunch of baggage from the airport to a taxi, then to a ferry, and finally onto another taxi or rental car.
Keeping your belongings to one suitcase helps the experience stay much less stressful and laborious. Plus, if you bring less, that’s less items you could potentially lose.
That said, if you are road-tripping or checking a bag, there are definitely perks. You’ll be able to fit more of the below in your luggage and won’t need to purchase as much at your destination.
Personal Care Items for Every Beach Trip Packing List
Below are all the essentials you’ll need for personal care throughout your trip. If flying, you will be limited to a 1-quart bag with up to 3.4 oz. of each liquid, gel, or aerosol you want to bring.
To comply with this, I use small reusable containers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. However, if you aren’t picky, a lot of hotels and vacation rentals provide these items for free. For things like face wash and shave gel, I try to find tiny samples for purchase from stores like Target and Sephora.
If you are driving or checking a bag, you can basically pack whatever you want, but I still recommend minimizing what you carry. After all, baggage can get pretty heavy with a bunch of full containers from home. That said, you can largely disregard my below categorizations since you’ll be able to pack whatever amounts you please.
Pack in Your Carry-on:
- Toothbrush
- Comb (I prefer wide-toothed)
- Cotton Balls
- Q-tips
- Deodorant
- Hair ties
- Chapstick (preferably with spf)
- Razor
- Pads/tampons (females)
- Makeup remover wipes (if bringing makeup)
Pack in a Separate 1-Quart Liquids Bag:
- Face wash
- Toner
- Moisturizer
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Toothpaste
- Hand sanitizer
- Shave gel (I find a squeeze tube like this one fits more easily into a liquids bag)
- Hairspray
If it is difficult to squeeze all this into a small 1-quart bag, see if you can share some items with people you are traveling with. If this is not possible, I’d leave behind the hairspray and hand sanitizer, and simply style my hair less and wash my hands more often.
Buy at Your Destination:
- Sunscreen for face and body (some places require reef-safe varieties)
- Aloe vera in case of sunburn
- Bug spray
- Anti-itch cream for potential mosquito bites if you’re prone like me
Remember any Medications
Remember to include any medications you take daily on your packing list in order to stay well during your beach trip. I’ve also listed a few preventative items you’ll want to bring, just in case. I know I’ve had my fair share of headaches, blisters, and cuts pop up while on vacation.
- Prescription meds
- Advil or other pain reliever
- Band-aids
- Neosporin
- Vitamins to keep your immunity high while traveling
Electronics You’ll Want at the Beach
Even though a beach vacation is all about unplugging, chances are there are a few electronics you’ll want to have on hand. Below are the ones I always have on my beach trip packing list.
- Cell phone/charger
- Hair wand for beachy waves. However, leave the hair straightener at home. In humid tropical climates your hair will frizz as soon as you step outside.
- Hair dryer (only if the place you’re staying at doesn’t have one, and they often do)
- Camera bag (camera, lenses, chargers). I use the Sony a6000 and love it.
- Kindle/charger
- Ipad/charger + download shows for trip
- GoPro/charger – these are fun for active trips, especially for underwater pictures and videos
- Bluetooth speaker for music. Here’s my beach playlist to get you started!
- Portable charger – Amazing to have on hand in case your phone dies while out and about. My husband and I use these all the time.
Other Beach Packing List Necessities
This catch-all category features other miscellaneous items you may find useful for a beach trip. These are definitely things we are always glad to have!
- Global Entry Card – This comes in handy when traveling internationally for avoiding long customs lines.
- Beach Bag – I resisted purchasing a beach bag for years, instead carrying my belongings in my arms, and shoving what I could into my husband’s bookbag. I finally made the investment, and it makes the biggest difference!
- Consider pre-downloading offline Google Maps. That way if you lose cell service, you can still easily navigate around your destination.
- Paper printout or phone screenshot of instructions for accessing your vacation rental or hotel
- Paper printout or phone screenshot of tickets for any tours or excursions
- Books if you don’t have a Kindle
- Sanitizing wipes if traveling by plane. It’s gross how infrequently they actually clean those seats.
- Copy of passport. If you are traveling overseas, it’s good to have a backup in case your passport gets lost or stolen.
- Pen – you never know when you may need one!
- Nail clippers – it is incredibly annoying to have a hang nail on vacation with no way of fixing it.
- Tissues – handy to have in a plane, rental car, or other public transportation.
- Headphones
- Tervis cups/lids for having drinks at the beach
Travel Savvy Tip
If you are a lady traveling alone, you may want to consider bringing a small purse to carry your money, keys, phone, etc.
I learned this the hard way in Charleston. After a beautiful morning at the Isle of Palms, I was exploring downtown with my mom and lost my wallet! Unfortunately, my small wallet sleeve had fallen out of the flimsy pockets of my stylish, but not so functional shorts.
My mom bought me a cute tiny purse with a shoulder strap after this experience, which I used every day on my first solo trip.
Items to Leave Off Your Beach Packing List
It’s always best to avoid packing extra items you don’t need. Many hotels and vacation rentals provide certain necessities that you shouldn’t have to worry about packing.
- Beach towels – Towels can be very bulky, so be sure they are absolutely necessary before claiming that precious luggage space.
- Snorkel Gear – If you don’t already have your own, there is no need to run out and buy snorkel gear. Many places provide these items either for free or to rent.
- Cooler – I’d only bring your own cooler if you’re driving to your beach destination.
• • •
That should cover every single item you’ll need on your beach trip packing list. Now, your mind can be freed up for more awesome things, like planning a super fun day trip for your vacation.
I believe I’ve covered it all, but let me know in the comments if I’ve missed anything!
