Real Simple

Beach Vacation Packing Checklist

• Accessories 

• Beach bag

• Flip-flops  

• Glasses and/or contact lenses, if necessary (bring an extra pair, too)  

• Sunglasses

• Sun hat  

• Clothing

• Swimsuit

• Swimsuit cover-up  

• Equipment 

• Alarm clock  

• Batteries for small electronics and cameras  

• Beach blanket  

• Beach chairs  

• Beach towels  

• Beach toys  

• Beach umbrella  

• Camera (and film, if needed)  

• Cell Phone

• Chargers for your cell phone, camera, video camera, and laptop  

• Cooler

• Fishing poles  

• Flotation devices  

• Goggles  

• Hair dryer  

• iPod and iPod dock  

• Snorkel and fins  

• Health and Beauty Items 

• Aloe vera gel  

• Antibacterial wipes  

• Body lotion  

• Comb and brush  

• Contact lens solution, if needed  

• Deodorant

• Face cleanser  

• First aid kit, including gas relief tablets, antacid, antidiarrheal medicine, antihistamine for allergies, bandages, candied ginger for motion sickness, mild laxative, non-aspirin pain reliever, thermometer in a hard case  

• Floss

• Insect repellent  

• Lip balm (choose one with SPF 15)  

• Personal-hygiene items  

• Prescriptions

• Razors

• Shampoo and conditioner  

• Shaving gel  

• Soap

• Sunscreen (pack at least one all-purpose sunscreen with SPF 15)  

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Miscellaneous

• Addresses of friends and family for postcards  

• Books

• Healthy snacks, such as chewy granola bars, dried fruit, mini bagels, nuts, and pretzels  

• Maps and directions (try randmcnally.com for maps, directions, and traffic information)  

• Money (cash, ATM cards, traveler’s checks)  

• Printouts of reservations, if applicable  

• Travel journal  

• Travel pillow and blanket  

• Travel-sized detergent