Ask Lemmy

Snacks for energy and drinks for hydration under the sun.

• electrolytes
• not a thing to bring but let people know where you are going just in case you go missing
• something to provide shade like a parasol or portable beach tent
• toilet paper just incase the public bathrooms don't have them
• waterproof bag for electronics
• make sure you've got phone credit so you can call people for help if needed
• whatever those chiller box things are called that can hold ice for a long time to keep drinks cold

Op are you male or female, because that would help people suggesting (for example female hygiene products)

Spare change for ice cream

You're gonna need something to that beer,wine and sandwiches cold. We got one of these Titan Wheeled Cooler. Sooo useful, and at the end of the day you can put all your shit in there to take back and dump responsibly. Costo had them on offer a while back or the usual online places.

• e-ink reader
• flip flops
• cooler

• beer (cheaper away from the beach)
• hat for shade
• fishing pole if you like fishing
• cheap old phone if you have one, can swap your sim card to it. Keeps sand and water away from nice newer phone

Bring a diaper (nappy). When you go swimming, you can put valuables in the diaper (cellphone, jewelry, etc) and not worry that anyone will take it.

What beach? If you're going to one in California, bring a warm set of clothes. Even in the summer, it can be downright freezing. Last time I went down to Santa Cruz it was in the hundreds where I live but only 60f at the beach.

OP it could be helpful to add some context here as flying somewhere like Hawaii and driving an hour to a beach in NW Washington are going to have completely different recommendations.

Flying limits what you can bring and the climate of the beach you're traveling to can make a difference too. More northern areas aren't going to be as hot or dry so it might be advisable to bring a rain jacket or sweater and no swimming gear because the water is too cold.

Hat, maybe a fan if it's gonna be particularly hot

Also bring something to listen to, with headphones usually, but if you know that it won't annoy others, a Bluetooth speaker can be a good addition.

If you're gonna generate any rubbish, something to put that in and take it away again

I like to bring some cold beers too, but that's obviously not for everyone

A great big bottle of tap water or a gallon jug of water for when you're ready to leave. Why? So you can wash the sand/dirt off your feet before getting into your car.

Just leave it in the car and it'll be nice and warm when the time comes 👍

A good book.

Coverup, rash guard, hat. I have to bring at least 2 of everything because wet clothes don't dry overnight here, ymmv. Goggles or snorkel if you like to look underwater. Clothes for going out to eat or bar. Hair ties, shampoo, conditioner, gel, because the beach wrecks my hair so bad, no cute beach waves here, just beach witch hair.

Trashbag, maybe not for what you bring but for the bits of crap you'll find scattered around the beach

Flip flops or beach shoes, some kind of shade, and a HAT!

i find chilling on inflatables with the waves relaxing so i would recommend an inflatable.

[water] bucket if you know the beach is known for fire pit gatherings. some people just bury their firepit in sand which tends to keep the sand warm longer than expected. water buckets are also nice if you want to find crabs hiding in sand.

vinegar, if the area is known for jellyfishes.

eyeglasses, mouth protection/ face mask if windy.

Sunburn relief cream, for when you screw up the sunblock application from not being used to being around the beach.

Not always necessary but can be nice: Bug repellent A cooler with water/ice Shoes/sandals/flip flops for walking in sand

A relaxed and open attitude. Then just enjoy.

Frisbee

Make sure the bag you bring this stuff in is a beach friendly bag that lets the sand fall out through loose knit threads, like a net. Also if you have clothes with pockets like that, bring them instead of clothes that have pockets made of tight knit cloth.

Also bring something to put seashells into for the trip back home. Maybe a plastic jar.

A bucket is always a good idea. You can find collapsible buckets that would be easy to fit inside a bag. Buckets are good for sandcastles and for bringing water to wash sand off of things.

I'm not going without a book/ereader.

And multiple cameras.

(Edit) particularly for the reader, I should mention "be careful of sand" and maybe have one of those little duster cans around to make sure the ports are clear. But it's too much of what I value in between soaking in the water to not bring.)