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Beaches
4 min read
The Beach Getaway Packing Checklist
Beach trips are easy to over-pack. Here's a short list of what's worth bringing, so your bag is lighter and nothing important gets forgotten.
Documents and money
- Passport or ID, and check the expiry date well before you travel
- Booking confirmations, saved offline on your phone
- A credit card plus a backup card, kept in separate places
- Travel insurance details
Sun protection
- Sunscreen, and reef-safe options if you'll be snorkeling
- Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat
- Lip balm with SPF
- Aloe or after-sun lotion, just in case
Clothing
- Two swimsuits, so one can dry while you wear the other
- A light cover-up or long-sleeve shirt for midday sun
- Sandals or water shoes, plus one pair of comfortable walking shoes
- One smarter outfit for dinners out
- A light layer for evenings and air-conditioned rooms
Beach bag extras
- Refillable water bottle
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Quick-dry towel, if your hotel doesn't provide beach towels
- A small zip bag for wet swimsuits
- Snorkel mask, if you have one that fits well
Health basics
- Any prescription medicines, in your carry-on
- Insect repellent
- Bandages and a few basic pain or stomach remedies
What you can leave at home
- Extra shoes. Most beach days only need sandals.
- Heavy beach towels, if your hotel provides them
- Hair dryers and irons, which many hotels supply. Check before you go.
- "Just in case" outfits you never end up wearing
The bottom line
Pack for sun, water and one nice evening, keep your documents and medicines in your carry-on, and leave the rest. A lighter bag makes the whole trip easier.