There are a few things that are obvious to bring when you’re spending the day at the beach:
Swimsuit ✔️
Beach towel ✔️
Sunscreen✔️
What about the not so obvious items that should be in your beach bag? Sometimes the little things can make a big difference in how much you enjoy the day. Below are a few of most overlooked beach bag essentials that you might not have thought to pack. Every single item on this list was so helpful while in Cancun!
UV Hair Protector
We protect the rest of our body from the sun, so why not our hair too? Plus, when you’re at the beach, the combination of saltwater, wind, and sun have the potential to do triple the damage. Because the elements at the beach can be so harsh, it’s important to protect your hair before your beach day even begins.
This leave in spray is amazing because it protects your hair from sun damage, prevents annoying scalp sunburns, and acts as a leave in conditioner and detangler to help with any salt water or wind damage. Bonus is that it won’t make your hair feel greasy at all. If your hair is on the finer side like mine, you know how important that is!
SPF Lip Balm
There are few things worse than sunburned lips. Protect your lips with a SPF lip balm and make sure to reapply throughout the day, especially after eating, drinking, or enjoying the water.
This lip balm is my absolute favorite! It doesn’t have that sunscreen taste that so many others do and it comes in 15 different colors that are all subtle enough for a day at the beach. So easy to throw into your beach bag, and it makes such a difference.
Beach Read
The perfect beach read is fun and easy to read. Bonus if the book has short chapters (in case you decide to hit the water after a few pages). If you would rather spend your day watching the waves instead of a page, an audiobook is a great option as well.
My latest beach read is Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat? It’s a collection of short stories by a mother and daughter that has the perfect feel for a lazy day in the sun.
Hand Sanitizer or Wipes
Hand sanitizer and wipes are beach bag must haves, especially if you’re planning on eating at the beach. I hate that sticky salt water, sandy feeling, so hand wipes are definitely important.
I love a scented hand sanitizer, but literally any type works.
Waterproof Phone Pouch
If you’re planning on taking pictures or bringing your phone near the water it’s important to make sure it’s safe from water damage. Not bringing your phone near the water? A good pouch is essential anyway. When you’re laying out sand gets everywhere, including in your beach bag. That sand can scratch and mess up your phone. Not ideal.
To protect your phone, invest in a simple waterproof pouch to keep the water and sand out. I’ve brought this one on several trips and it’s kept my phone safe every time.
Extra Sunglasses
My first day in Cancun I was knocked over by a wave and my sunglasses were lost at sea. That same day I overheard another woman talking about how she lost hers in the water too. People seriously lose sunglasses at the beach all the time.
Don’t lose your sunglasses without having a spare in your beach bag. I recommend having a cheap pair on hand just in case (and also not wearing your favorites to the beach to begin with).
What are your beach bag essentials? Let me know what you can’t spend a day at the beach without!
