16-07-2025
The Ultimate Beach Trip Packing List, According to Our Water-Loving Editors
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Come summer, two things are certain in my household. The first is that High School Musical 2 will be queued on the television, and the second is that I'll end up on a sandy shore. That said, a beach trip packing list is essential—even if you're just headed out for the day. Trust me. On a recent Coney Island excursion, I found myself, by day's end, monitoring two friends for heat intolerance and making a plan to organize everyone's emergency contacts and insurance cards.
Whether you're just headed out for the day, or are spending a few weeks seaside, here's a comprehensive list of essentials, spanning clothing and accessories, toiletries, sun burn treatments and beach gear you didn't know you needed. PureWow editors, including a native Floridian, have weighed in on the things they always take with them. My best tips? SPF 50+, a good umbrella and more water than you think is practical.
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Swimsuits
Swim trunks
Swim diapers
Rash guards
Shirts
Shorts
Skirts
Sundresses
Light sweater
Sneakers
Waterproof shoes
Swimsuit coverup
Sunglasses
Hat
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Facial cleanser
Moisturizer
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash/soap
Nail clippers
Deodorant
Sunscreen
SPF lip balm
After sun care (aloe vera, hydrocortisone, calamine lotion)
Allergy medication
Pain reliever
Towels
Umbrella or tent
Beach tote
Rolling bag
Wet bag
First aid kit
Goggles/snorkeling gear
Inflatable kayak (for lake beach)
Beach lounger/chairs
Pails and shovels
Boogie boards
Paddle/surf boards
Instant camera
Cooler
Water
Frozen fruit
Cut fruit and veggies
Cold main dish
Dry and portable snacks
Canned drinks
Napkins
Wet wipes
It might seem obvious, but after anxiously supervising two friends for mild heat stroke on a recent beach trip, I can confirm you can never have too much water. To be safe, start with at least a gallon per person, and be prepared to buy more beverages on site. (And keep everyone chugging!)
'I roll towels and stick them in [a] tote vertically to save space, pack a gallon-size ziploc with snacks at the bottom, and then throw any extras on top,' says former Floridian and PureWow Vice President of Editorial Candace Davison. 'I carry a separate mesh bag with the kids' sand toys, so the sand filters out as you walk to your car and doesn't mingle with your other essentials.'
Davison's other tip is to pack a 'wet bag.'No kid wants to go home drippy, and I can easily throw swimsuits in here and zip it closed for the ride back without getting everything else in my bag soggy.'
PureWow Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth prefers strappy sandals to flip flops on sand. After burning my own feet sliding around in the latter on a beach day, I'm inclined to agree. She swears on her Tevas, but recommends any sandal that will stay secure on your foot and protect the bottom of your feet.
Take it from the editor who's written an in-depth guide to sunscreen. Higher SPF is better. For the face, I'm personally a fan of Versed's Good Defense SPF 50, while PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint's kids finally acquiesced to sun protection after she handed them the clear Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. As for body, Davison loves good-old-fashioned Banana Boat's SPF 50 spray sunscreen, which makes covering more surface area a quick task.
PureWow Food Editor and former competitive swimmer Taryn Pire swears on Dock & Bay. 'These are super light, compact and quick-drying. Since they aren't made of cotton and have a loopless design, they also retain less sand, so you won't make as big a mess in your car or house once you leave the beach,' she says. I also like eco brand Nomadix, which makes similar quick-drying towels that have sand falling away.
My rookie mistake at the beach was having no shade source—which is partially how two of my friends ended up with mild heat stroke. Whether you've got an umbrella, tent or other shade apparatus, trust me when I say it's a must. Davison agrees. 'A pop-up beach tent is crucial for blazing hot days. Kids can rest (or nap) inside of it, or you can bring in some sand and let them play in the shade,' she says.
You're going to be schlepping a lot, so you want a bag to match. Davison says: 'Ideally, I look for a roomy tote with at least three pockets: One for sunscreen, one for a water bottle, one for a cell phone. A key leash is a nice bonus, but a zippered interior pocket is great for holding your keys and wallet.'
On the other hand, I was prepared for my beach day with a tote, but after one minute of trudging under the blazing sun, I was kicking myself for not having brought my Hulken. Hulken, wagon, your repurposed grocery cart: Trust me, you'll be happy you brought it when the sun is blazing down and you think your shoulder is going to fall off hauling all those frozen grapes.
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