Whether you’re a passionate sunbather, an avid swimmer, or simply seeking to unwind in nature, the beach can be a rejuvenating experience for many. However, planning the perfect beach day requires more than packing sunscreen and a towel. To ensure your trip is filled with fun, relaxation, and unforgettable memories, we’ve created a list of five essential tips for planning the ultimate beach day.
1. Location is Key
The first step in planning a perfect beach day is selecting the right location. Some beaches may offer amenities like restrooms, showers, volleyball courts, lockers, and picnic areas. Other beaches may have attractions like water sport rentals or casual dining. You should also take into account the beach’s atmosphere. Do you want to spend your day on a lively beach with bustling crowds and boardwalk, or would you prefer a secluded, tranquil alcove to bask in peace? Researching and selecting a beach that aligns with your desired experience will ensure an amazing day ahead.
2. Pack the Essentials
Being prepared and packing strategically assures a stress-free day in the sun. Start with the obvious, such as high SPF sunscreen to avoid sunburn, skin cancer and premature aging. Beach tents, umbrellas and towels can provide an additional layer of protection from harmful UV rays.
For maximum comfort, make sure to pack a beach chair, sun lounger, and sunglasses. Pack a cooler and bring along plenty of water, finger foods and snacks to keep you and your fellow beachgoers hydrated and energized throughout the day.
The beach isn’t only limited to the sun, the sand, and the water. Consider bringing additional items to supplement beach entertainment. Some ideas include a book, music playlist and speaker, recreational balls, and plastic baggies to collect seashells.
If you have kids on board, make sure to use toys designed for the beach. Avoid bringing toys from home, as the salt air and water can have adverse effects on the toy quality and condition. Plastic buckets and shovels can be used for building sandcastles and digging motes: the ultimate summer fun for kids!
3. Safety First!
Mother Nature plays a significant role in shaping your beach day experience. Before heading out the door, make sure to look at the weather forecast. Clear skies and sun guarantee a great day, but overcast skies and strong winds might require alternative plans.
Consider the tide schedule. Low tide can show you an entirely different landscape of the beach compared to high sea levels. During low tide, biking, collecting seashells, beach combing, and skim boarding are all recommended activities. High tide is better for surfing and boating. Slack tide, which occurs one hour preceding or following a high or low tide, typically has the best current and water clarity for swimming.
Additionally, you should familiarize yourself with common lifeguard signals and nearby signs or flags to ensure safety in and around the ocean. Take it a step further by learning common identifiers for hazardous water conditions, like rip currents. This way, you can prevent dangerous situations before they have a chance to happen.
4. Perfect Timing
Timing can significantly impact your beach experience. Arriving at the beach early in the morning allows you to secure a prime spot and enjoy a tranquil morning before the crowds come. Early to mid-morning arrivals ensure tolerable weather conditions and safety from the UV rays.
On the other hand, aim for a midday beach arrival if you prefer a vibrant, busy beach environment and optimal tanning conditions. Keep in mind the time of year and seasons. Weekdays and off seasons will have less crowds compared to weekends and midseason.
We recommend keeping a device on your person to track the time. Stay updated on the time to ensure regular reapplication of sunscreen, especially after swimming or sweating. Monitor the UV index to inform how much and how often you should apply sunscreen, and how strong the SPF should be to protect your skin.
5. Respect the Environment
While it’s easy to revel in the beauty of the beach, it is our personal and public responsibility to preserve it, as well. The easiest way to do so is to abide by the rules and regulations of your beach, often made available online and in-person.
Make sure to dispose of any garbage in designated bins to avoid littering. Litter is not only unsightly and unhealthy for humans, but it could entangle or kill aquatic animals and wildlife. Debris may also damage nearby boats by breaking anchors or propellers. Don’t leave behind any plastic sand toys, as many contain harmful chemical adhesives that deteriorate in the sun or water.
Be mindful of delicate ecosystems relative to your beach. Maintain safe distance from animal habitats to avoid unwanted interference with wildlife preservation, and animal attacks or illnesses. Consider investing in reef safe sunscreen, as chemicals often found in sunscreen permanently alter the DNA structures of coral, and the millions of underwater organisms that find shelter within them.
The key takeaway? Practical beach etiquette can ensure preservation of our valued coastal environments for even more perfect beach days to come.
Planning the perfect beach day requires careful consideration of various factors based on the experience you want to have. By following these five essential beach tips, you can feel confident that your beach day will be packed with high tides and good vibes. So, pack your bags, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready for a dose of “Vitamin Sea!”