Are you planning a Florida beach vacation and need some beach gear to fully enjoy your days soaking up the sun with your feet in the sand? If so you are in the right place. In this article we share the top 10 beach essentials of 2021 to consider for your trip.
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1) Sand Free Beach Blanket
Sand Free Beach Blankets are essential for travelers who are not staying at resorts or hotels with free beach loungers or cabanas. The beach blankets are compact, easy to pack and budget friendly. They also allow travelers more options to enjoy secluded beach experiences. If you arrive on a crowded beach, it is easy to walk along the beach to a less crowded spot and lay out the blanket.
Once you are done at the beach just shake out the blanket, fold it up and secure it back in the carrying pouch. We would recommend choosing a blanket that has sand pouches to weigh the blanket down, along with stakes for windy days at the beach.
2) Sunscreen
The Florida sun can be intense. If you are visiting from the North, you may burn quicker in Florida than you do at home so we recommend checking the UV index and applying sunscreen accordingly. For example, today the UV index in the St. Pete Beach area in Florida is 12, compared to a UV Index ranging from 5 to 8 in the Midwest in the United States.
After living in Florida for almost 9 years and hosting many guests for beach vacations, we found it to be a frequent occurrence for vacationers to forgo sunscreen and end up looking like a lobster, burnt to a crisp. Bottom line is, sunscreen is essential!
3) More Sun Protection (Yes it is THAT Important!)
If you aren’t a fan of sunscreen, or just want to give your skin a break from the sun while still enjoying the beach, we would recommend considering a SPF shirt or rash guard and a hat. If you find a good SPF shirt it will be light weight and very breathable, which is great for spending time on the beach or exploring around beach towns.
If you are planning a more active vacation and may be in and out of the water kayaking, paddleboarding or swimming, an SPF rash guard may be a better option. Rash guards are designed to get wet and dry fast.
4) Lightweight Beach Towels
If you plan to spend anytime in the water at the beach or at a pool we would recommend packing a lightweight beach towel. There are several options when it comes to quick dry compact towels that are easy to pack. While Florida rentals typically include towels, not all include beach towels. If you are not sure if your accommodation provides beach towels, it is a good idea to bring one of your own.
5) Bug Spray
One item that beachgoers often forget is bug spray. In addition to protecting yourself from the sun, you also may need to protect yourself from the bugs on the beach like the “No-See-Ums” (biting midges) and mosquitos. The “No-See-Ums” are more common in the summer and fall months. They are tricky because you may not see them, but you will sure feel them itch after they bite!
6) Dry Bag (Waterproof Bag)
Once you have gathered your beach essentials, you will need a way to easily carry them and keep your personal items dry and sand free. For this we recommend a dry bag. We always take our dry bag to the beach, but they are also helpful for a day on the boat, kayak or paddleboard. Typical dry bags come as small as 5 liters and as large as 40 liters so you can choose a bag that is right for you.
7) Beach Shoes
When spending time on the beach it is inevitable that your shoes will get sandy. We recommend sturdy flip flops that can get wet and dry fast. Our current favorite beach flip flops are Okabashi. They are comfortable, durable, easy to rinse off and versatile. And best of all, they are made in the USA. If you are spending time on a beach that has shells and rocks, a good pair of water shoes may be a good option as well.
8) Beach Chairs
Beach chairs are also a must to fully enjoy your time on the beach. There are endless options when shopping for beach chairs, so it is important to think about the functionality you need prior to making a purchase. Do you want to sit on the shore line with your legs in the water? Do you want to be able to recline in your chair? Or do you want to relax on the beach and have the option of sitting under shade? These questions will help you when making your decision which beach chairs are right for you.
The chairs that are lower to the ground are better for sitting on the shoreline, and many of them also offer the option to recline. The chairs with built in canopies may be heavier and bulkier to carry but eliminate the need for an umbrella or beach tent. We have used the Kelsyus chairs for years due to the design of the chairs. The canopy clicks up and down easily and it turns into a carrying case for the chair with a strap.
If you have narrowed down your choices and are having a hard time deciding, we would recommend looking into the additional features. Some chairs offer cup holders, a pouch for personal items, an easy carrying option and even a small cooler pouch.
9) Cooler Bag & Water Bottle
For maximizing your time in the sun with your feet in the sand we recommend bringing beach snacks and staying hydrated. Collapsible cooler bags are great for snacks or sandwiches and can easily be packed in suitcases for traveling. If you are needing a larger cooler option you may want to look into a cooler backpack which can be used as a carry on bag if you are flying.
There are also cooler bag options designed more like purses, but we have tried a few of these types of cooler bags and often experienced leaking. We have had better luck with the collapsible cooler bag and backpack designs.
We also recommend bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated. The stainless steel options will keep your drink cold all day, and the collapsible options are best if your packing space is limited.
10) Compact Tent
If you are planning a beach vacation with your family or group of friends, we would also recommend considering a compact beach tent. There are some options with unique designs that offer UV protection and are wind resistant. The technology in the pop up tent options allow for the tent to be set up in minutes. We have recently used a pop up tent and were very surprised at how easy it was to set up. They also come with stakes and sand pouches for windy days. The beach loungers that sit lower to the ground also fit nicely inside of the pop up tents.
The canopy tents do take a little more work to set up, but they are compact, versatile and also offer UV protection. We have been seeing more of the canopy style tents on the beaches lately.
We hope this article gives you an idea of the items you may need to fully enjoy your beach vacation. If you are a seasoned beach goer and have an item you would add to the list, let us know in the comments!
Explorcation consists of Jamie & Skylar, a couple who travel as often as they can and share their experiences and travel tips. They have lived along the gulf coast of Florida for almost 9 years and have quite a bit of experience enjoying Florida’s beaches. If you are planning a beach trip to Florida, we would recommend watching their beach travel guides on their YouTube Channel Explorcation here. If you are interested in exploring beyond the beaches, more Florida travel ideas can be found here.