Essential beach vacation items

Beach and Blue Mandala beach blanket

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There is countless information on the internet regarding what to bring during a beach vacation. It can get quite confusing as the options seem limitless.  For now, we’ll skip the obvious bathing suits, sunscreens, and so on.  Here is my essential list that served me well on my vacations.  These are multifunctional items that overall, will save you money, and won’t take much space on your suitcase, so that you can fill it with awesome souvenirs instead! 

Sport Sandals

a couple standing on a blue metal steep stairs on the side of a mountain cliff, overlooking the ocean in nusa penida. They are both wearing Teva Sandals.
Smiling woman in colorful dress sitting in front of Sea Circus wearing Teva Sandals

I’ve used these beautiful and sturdy sandals  to walk on the almost vertical metal blue stairs on the side of the cliff down to Peguyangan “Waterfall” located in the island of Nusa Penida, trekked and hiked with this sandals up and down the many steep steps towards Bali’s exciting Sekumpul waterfall. I’ve enjoyed walking with these exploring beaches and touring the town.  Above pic was taken at the Sea Circus restaurant and bar in Bali.  I said before in my coffee post, I like multifunctional things. This is functional for rigorous activities and looks good enough for a casual stroll.  

See these other sports sandals for women and while you’re at it, check sandals for men too.

Dry Bag

Woman with a green dry bag backpack walking in the Muyil Archeological Site in Mexico

I have this particular floating waterproof dry bag. It’s affordable and I’ve recently used it as I walked the beach one rainy day in Tulum,  and on our day trip to Muyil Archeological ruins and Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. That’s me walking on the Muyil site being eaten alive by mosquitoes. That’s a whole other story. Nevertheless, this archeological site is amazing! Anyway, my fiance’s expensive camera along with our change of clothes remained dry in this bag. I like the green color as it blends in with the jungle of Tulum that we were exploring.  

See these other dry bag options.

Waterproof floating phone pouch

Woman in red bathing suit wearing life vest, floating on a cenote in Tulum, wearing teva sandals and has floating waterproof phone case around her neck

I’ve had good experiences so far with this phone pouchI put my phone in it without the case, as well as a couple of paper bills/money (for entrance fees), and it sure stayed dried, as I swam and floated in the cenote.  (I was a bit uncomfortable in this pic and had a resting “beach” face haha!)   I have a phone that is water resistant but why take a chance?  I like that my phone is safe, and nearby so I can capture moments whenever I want to. 

See these other comparable phone pouches.

100% Cotton Beach Blanket

woman standing on stony beach at North Shore Hawaii, looking at Shark's Cove and has a blue mandala beach blanket around her shoulders
woman in black bathing suit sitting on watermelon print beach blanket

This is a thin, beautiful blue mandala blanket, and easily portable.  It truly is a gorgeous beach blanket, don’t you think so? That’s me admiring big waves enveloping the boulders on the right side of shark’s cove.  I also put this beach blanket on top of the beach lounge to give it more pizazz! (See the very first picture taken at the awesome Hotel Mezzanine in Tulum, Mexico.)  It dries quickly and once it does, you can use it as a beach cover up, a shawl, or oversized blanket scarf.   

See these other cotton beach blankets.  

I also have this watermelon blanket with tassels. Its cheerful red color and fun watermelon print matches my happiness of being on a beach soaking some vitamin D. This was taken at the beach of Hyatt Ziva Cancun.  However, this watermelon blanket is a bit thicker and therefore takes more space in the suitcase. 

Floppy Sun Hat

woman wearing floppy hat that has "out of office" print. She is wearing lemon print dress, has a straw bag, and looking at the temple
floppy hat with "out of office" print sitting on top of two knees, view of the beach

The hat  I bought from this seller has embroidery that says “out of office”. Yes, fitting for 9  

to 5er on a much-needed vacation from office politics. I’m not sure if they still have this particular print.  I also like the one that says “hello sunshine” and “beach please”.  Protect that sensitive facial skin with this hat for a stress-free tanning at the beach. This is a statement hat, exuding fashion, and function at the same time.  

See these other floppy hat  options.

What do you think of my beach essential choices? Would you buy these?   If you do, let me know if they worked well for you. What would you add to this list?  Enjoy your vacation!  Hope you start your day with a sip of coffee or drink of your choice And then Do…

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