Planning the perfect day at the beach

It’s not every day you pack up and head to the beach with your family, so why not make sure you’re getting the most of it? Especially now that the weather is hot, if you live far from the beach, you should plan at least one day in the water. 

If you’re not often heading to the beach, it’s easy to forget some essentials. Even though it’s just one day, if it’s a long drive, it would be a shame to leave something at home and have to head back; that would ruin the experience.

Protection from the sun

Although you’re getting out of the house to enjoy the sun, ensuring you’re protected is essential. A long day at the beach can make it very easy to get burned if you’re being careless, and that can cause sunstroke - which would be very unpleasant, as well as the days after where you’re having to deal with the soreness and possibly even peeling skin.

Make sure you have enough sunscreen and an extra change of clothes in case you want to cover up in the middle of the day. Try taking extra beach tees with you and something light but big, so you don’t have to risk getting burned.

You might think you’re safe from the sun if you’re in the water for a large portion of the day, but that makes it all the more dangerous. You can get burned much quicker if you go swimming without sunscreen, so it’s a must.

A beach umbrella can be a great way to keep the sun off you while you’re relaxing on the sand, and they’re not too expensive or cumbersome to carry around. It’s extra important if you’re bringing snacks and food you need to keep cool.

It should go without saying that sunglasses are necessary here, but note that cheap sunglasses aren’t always good for eye protection - as some pairs may amplify the damage the sun inflicts on your eyes.

Chairs

Carrying around chairs might seem like a lot of work, but if you’re heading to a beach with a lot of rough stones and rocks, you’ll be glad you brought them. You won’t always find a great place in the sand, and it’s just nice to have a comfortable place to sit down. Camping chairs are perfect for this.

Flip flops

If you’ve ever walked on a sandy beach before, you know how unpleasant it can be to get sand in your shoes. You need flip-flops if you’re going to enjoy your day at the beach, and no matter how uncomfortable you find them - anything beats getting sand inside your shoes. 

Snacks

Nothing makes you hungrier than sitting around all day relaxing, and if you’re a long walk from the nearest restaurant or stall, having a cooler full of snacks is perfect. If you haven’t got a cooler, make sure the food you bring is okay to eat warm, as it’s almost unavoidable when you’re out on the beach.