what to pack for a beach vacation
summer has arrived, so what better time to plan a vacay. two weeks ago, i headed to Tybee Island for a little R&R. beach vacations are one of my favorite vacays. why? there’s nothing on my agenda except long walks on the beach, watching the waves crash to shore, flipping through magazines, reading a book or two, and evening bike rides. it’s a no-muss, no-fuss experience that never gets old. often times vacations can be sooooo chock full of activities that you feel as if you need another vacation when you arrive back home. not so when you head to the beach. so what did i pack for a beach vacation? today, i’m sharing my list and giving a rundown.
what to pack for a beach vacation
Tybee Island is a four-hour drive from Athens, strewn with small towns along the highway. so it’s easy to pack a suitcase, toss it into the back of my Tiguan, and hit the road. the car ride there and back again is the perfect time to listen to an audiobook or podcasts that make the road trip zip by. with four hours of uninterrupted listening time, i typically choose a book. The Bohemians by Jasmine Darznik and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig were my were recent book club selections, so they were on my reading list. or should i say listening list? these days i digest more content with audiobooks as i can devour a book while i’m walking oscar, cleaning the house, or puttering in my backyard.
packing for a beach vacation is fairly straightforward as much of your day is spent in a swimsuit. but there are always nighttime activities to take into consideration, whether it’s cocktails or dinner at a favorite restaurant. and i love to hop on my bike and Toodle around the neighborhood or pedal along a bike trail. golf carts are a popular mode of transportation too! Tybee also offers boat excursions, dolphin cruises, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. honestly, you can fit in as little or as much as you want to do on a beach vacay. it’s all up to you. so what did i pack for a seven-day beach vacation? here’s my list that can be tweaked to suit your lifestyle and the size of your suitcase. it’s a comprehensive checklist that will serve you well while you’re having fun in the sun.
t-shirts take up little space in your suitcase, so i typically pack two to three. since they come in all sorts of silhouettes, pick the one you love best, whether it’s a crew neck, v-neck, scoop neck, tank top, or polo neck. tee shirts are so versatile as they can fly solo or layered underneath a shirt. and i always love to add a graphic tee for a little fun! tops are next, with a linen button-up at the top of my list. it can double as a coverup and looks great with a pair of pants or shorts. J.Crew carries a slim-fit button-up and a relaxed fit. i also love to wear a short-sleeve popover. speaking of pants, i love to bring along silk pants that can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. and linen pants are easy and breezy to wear. shorts are a must-have item for a beach vacation. embroidered shorts are perfect to wear to a casual dinner. but since i’m a blue jean mama, denim shorts are always a good choice. size up for a roomier fit. don’t forget to pack a sundress or two. and if you’re headed to dinner, a maxi dress will serve you well.
let’s not forget to pack our swimsuits! a beach vacation is predicated on rollicking in the waves. i always bring at least two suits with me as one swimsuit can be hung out to dry while wearing the other one. and, yes, i wear two-piece suits as well as tankinis and one-piece swimsuits. rash guards come in handy too! if you’re staying at a swanky resort, a coverup is a must-have item to swish through the lobby. jelly flip-flops are my go-to beach sandal that can be rinsed off in a jiffy. and don’t forget a hat is your best friend when it comes to protecting your face from the sun.
footwear is next, with a pair of sneakers, dress sandals, and a wedge sandal making my list. last but not least is sleepwear. the past year i’ve come to love nightgowns and pajamas from The White Company. the latest addition is a short tie-hem pajama set that feels like butter. it’s pricey but worth it due to the comfort level. if you’re looking for something a bit more inexpensive, Target carries a nice line of sleepwear
travel jewelry case | charging organizer | makeup pouch
tank top | crewneck tee | v-neck tee | scoop neck tee | polo tee | graphic tee
sleeveless blouse | linen blouse
similar silk pants | linen pants
boxer shorts | embroidered shorts | denim shorts
strapless maxi | linen sundress | denim dress
similar coverup | swimsuit bottom | swimsuit top
similar wedge sandals | espadrilles | sneakers
a comfy outfit makes the grade when i’m traveling by car. a cute button-up from Anthropologie, shorts (old, similar here), and driving mocs are the perfect choices that can be mixed and matched with my beach wardrobe. and an orange slouchy handbag with bamboo handles just screams summer fun!
similar shorts | blouse | driving mocs | handbag | hat
Thanks for the checklist; I’ll refer to it for my next beach getaway.
Nice choices, Beth!
my favorite packing list!
Hey Beth,
What about makeup. What do you pack?
Hi Beth! Thank you for the helpful checklist. It really streamlines what is needed. I tend to always overpack. Can you tell me your experience with the Caslon linen joggers? Do they run true to size, or a little larger/smaller? I think they are something I would wear a lot.
Hope you enjoyed your trip and have another one coming up. Have a great week!!
the linen track pants are tts. it’s suggested they run large but i didn’t find that to be the case.
hope this helps.
Hi Beth, great post! I love beach vacations, so I appreciate your packing list. I checked out many of the clothing items you listed and right now, they are way above my budget, but they all look nice! I can always aspire to better for my next beach vacay, which I hope is soon!
i am certain you can find similar items that fit within your budget. truly, style has no price points.
Very nice summer outfits.
Hope to see you with them.
Have a nice summer vacation!!
thanks, gloria!
Oscar ed Ollie vengono in vacanza anche loro?
I like it best when you model the suggested outfits. You are always so put together and that inspires me in putting things together that I have been too timid to try!