There's something about a day by the sea that makes everything feel a little easier.
Shoes come off. Phones get put away. Lunch tastes better outside. And somehow sitting on a beach doing very little can occupy an entire afternoon.
The only problem is that a relaxing beach day can quickly become considerably less relaxing when you realise the sun cream is at home, the drinks are warm and nobody remembered a towel.
The answer isn't to take half the house with you.
A little planning is usually enough.
Whether you're heading to the coast for a full day, meeting friends for an afternoon or staying to watch the sun go down, these are the beach day essentials actually worth packing.
Start With Something Comfortable to Sit On
Sand gets everywhere. That's part of going to the beach.
But that doesn't mean you have to spend the entire day sitting directly on it.
A good beach mat gives you a comfortable base for the day and somewhere to put food, bags, books and everything else you inevitably accumulate.
Choose something large enough to actually be useful, particularly if you're going as a couple or family.
It's one of those simple things that can make a surprising difference to how long you actually want to stay.
And unlike a dedicated beach accessory that spends most of the year in a cupboard, a good mat can be used for picnics, outdoor concerts, festivals and afternoons in the garden too.
Towels, Even If Nobody Plans to Swim
Someone will.
Even if everybody insists they aren't going in.
Pack at least one towel for each person who might swim and consider an extra one for sitting on, drying sandy feet or dealing with inevitable spills.
Quick-drying towels are particularly useful if you're trying to travel light.
And take a bag for wet towels and swimwear.
You'll be very pleased you did when it's time to pack everything back into the car.
Keep Food and Drinks Properly Cold
Cold drinks on a hot beach are one of life's simple pleasures.
Warm water that's spent four hours in the sun is not.
A decent cool bag is therefore one of the most useful things you can take for a full day by the sea.
Pack it with plenty of water first, then add whatever else you're drinking along with lunch and snacks that need to stay chilled.
Frozen water bottles can double as ice packs and give you extra cold water later in the day as they thaw.
If you're taking wine or something sparkling for later, keep that tucked away until the sun starts to drop.
That's when you'll appreciate it most.
Take Food That Travels Well
A beach picnic doesn't need to be complicated.
In fact, the simpler the better.
Sand and elaborate food rarely make good companions.
Sandwiches, wraps, fruit, crisps, pastries and easy sharing food all travel well. Avoid anything that becomes unpleasant after an hour in a container or needs an elaborate collection of cutlery to eat.
Bring a few napkins and a small rubbish bag too.
If you're planning more of a picnic than a simple beach lunch, our Ultimate Picnic Checklist covers food, drinks and everything else you might want to take for a day outdoors.
Don't Forget Something to Drink From
It's surprisingly easy to remember the bottle and forget the glasses.
Reusable cups or stainless steel tumblers are particularly useful at the beach because there's no glass to worry about around bare feet.
They're also much nicer if you're planning to open a bottle of wine as the afternoon turns into evening.
Pack a bottle opener or corkscrew if you need one.
There are few things more frustrating than carrying a lovely bottle all the way to the beach and discovering you have absolutely no way of opening it.
Shade Is Worth Carrying
We tend to think about finding shade when we're already too hot.
A parasol, beach shelter or small pop-up shade can make a full day outside considerably more comfortable, especially around the middle of the day.
It's particularly important if you're taking children.
Even if you enjoy being in the sun, having somewhere cooler to sit, eat or read gives everyone a break from it.
And, of course, pack sun cream.
Preferably somewhere accessible rather than buried underneath everything else.
Pack for the Beach You're Actually Visiting
Not every beach means soft sand and warm water.
If you're heading to one of Britain's pebble beaches, beach shoes can make the walk to the water considerably more dignified.
For rock pools, take suitable footwear.
For somewhere exposed, a light layer is worth having even on a sunny day.
And if you're planning a coastal walk as part of the day, think about what you'll want on your feet once you leave the beach.
It's worth checking the beach itself before you go too.
Parking, toilets, tide times and whether there's anywhere nearby to buy food can all affect what you need to take with you.
Bring Something to Do, But Don't Overthink It
You don't need an itinerary for the beach.
That's rather the point.
A book, pack of cards, bat and ball or something for the children is usually enough.
A portable Bluetooth speaker can be nice if you're somewhere suitable, although keep it low enough that the rest of the beach doesn't have to enjoy your playlist too.
If you're going with friends, you may find most of what you've packed remains untouched anyway.
Sometimes sitting, talking and watching the sea is quite enough entertainment.
Remember the Things Everyone Forgets
There are always one or two.
Add these to your beach packing list before you leave:
- sun cream
- sunglasses
- hats
- towels
- water
- phone
- portable charger
- tissues or wipes
- rubbish bag
- wet bag for swimwear
- bottle opener
- any medication you might need
- a light layer for later
If you're taking children, add considerably more snacks than you think any human could reasonably consume.
They'll probably still ask if there's anything else.
If You're Staying for Sunset, Pack Differently
Some of the best beach days are the ones that weren't supposed to last all day.
You arrive after lunch and somehow nobody wants to leave.
If there's even a chance you might stay for sunset, put a couple of extra things in the car.
A jumper or light jacket makes an enormous difference once the temperature drops. A blanket is useful too, particularly if your beach mat has become damp or sandy during the day.
Keep a few drinks and snacks back rather than finishing everything by four o'clock.
Then, when the beach starts to empty and the light changes, you can settle in rather than reluctantly packing up.
Sometimes that last hour is the best part of the day.
Beach Day Essentials Checklist
If you just want the quick version, here's what to pack:
For comfort
- Beach mat
- Towels
- Shade or parasol
- Light layer for later
Food and drink
- Cool bag
- Plenty of water
- Lunch and snacks
- Reusable cups or tumblers
- Bottle opener
Sun and sea
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Swimwear
- Beach shoes if needed
- Bag for wet things
For the day
- Book or cards
- Portable speaker
- Portable charger
- Rubbish bag
- Tissues or wipes
You probably don't need every item every time.
A couple of hours on the beach is very different from arriving at lunchtime and staying until sunset.
Pack for the day you're actually planning.
Beach Gifts for Someone Who'd Happily Spend Every Weekend by the Sea
If you're buying for somebody who loves the coast, their beach habits can also give you some very good gift ideas.
Rather than buying something with Beach Lover written across it, think about what they actually take with them.
Perhaps it's time to replace the old blanket they've been using for years.
Maybe they're forever trying to keep drinks cold in an unsuitable bag.
Or perhaps they'd appreciate something that makes those spontaneous summer afternoons easier to organise.
A quality beach mat, cool bag, stainless steel tumblers or portable speaker can all make thoughtful gifts because they're useful without feeling purely practical.
For a more substantial present, the Kingsley & Harper Socialite Picnic Set brings several outdoor essentials together and works just as well for afternoons by the coast as it does for picnics and garden entertaining.
If you're buying for somebody who's generally happiest outside, you'll find more inspiration in our guide to the Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers.
You Don't Need Much for a Good Day by the Sea
There will always be another beach gadget you could take.
Most of them aren't essential.
Something comfortable to sit on. Food and cold drinks. Sun protection. A towel. Something warm for later.
That's usually enough.
Because the best part of a beach day isn't really what you've packed.
It's realising you've been there for hours, nobody has checked the time and you're all considering staying just a little longer.
