I know about:
- swimsuit
- towel
- sunblock
- kite
- water bottle
- chair
I know about:
UV proof t-shirt for midday swimming
Like a swimsuit but covers shoulders and arms. If you get sunburned easily, this can save your skin. Sunscreen works, but it's not perfect in the water. Most people don't use one, but then most people have unhealthy bright red sunburns
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.)
Do you have a good way to read without the screen being too dim / too bright? Oh maybe I'll need sunglasses
Yeah that solves the dim problem. And I do remember putting on sunglasses to read books if they are too bright as well
I use sunglasses in super bright light, whether books or ereader. They both reflect similarly.
On the mentioning of cameras if you're bringing an expensive one also bring a camera cleaning kit and a clean bag for your camera
Just to make sure you don't get sand in your camera
Sunburn relief cream, for when you screw up the sunblock application from not being used to being around the beach.
Lidocaine will help with pain relief, but Aloe will actually help to heal your skin. They even use it in burn wards.
Trashbag, maybe not for what you bring but for the bits of crap you'll find scattered around the beach
Slippers
*thongs (flip flops / sandles for you non Australians)
Slippers are not suitable for the beach and would be ruined, once you get sand in them it's never coming out
I'd you're going to do some running on the beach bring running shoes that can be easily cleaned
I was going to suggest The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, after all, they will already have a towel.
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
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.
I get the wild hair too... I think I might bring a swim cap as well even though it looks a little dorky
Not always necessary but can be nice: Bug repellent A cooler with water/ice Shoes/sandals/flip flops for walking in sand
I would defenetly bring multiple Towels, if you want to wash them between days.
And I love watershoes, you can use to swim, if you can afford them, it saves you from cutting your feet on sharp objects you perhaps oversee
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.
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 have a bag that used to hold basmati rice, and I kind of like it for a beach bag! I guess the sand does fall out!
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 👍
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.
Mid Atlantic beach, taking a car, but I'll be going with some other people so I probably just have room for motel stuff in one bag and beach stuff in the other
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.