Beach Bag Essentials for Summer

Enjoy today’s Guest Post from my friend, Jordan Davis! And remember…there’s still time to make it to the beach this summer!

---

If your happy place is somewhere where the land meets the sea, chances are good you’ll be spending a lot of time at the beach this summer. And what a summer it’s going to be! Weather experts are predicting more 90 degree+ days in the east and above average temps for the rest of the US. Sun, sand and surf? Bring it on!

Of course, for anyone dipping their toes into the sea a well packed beach bag is a must-have. Nothing should be stressful about a day at the beach, and the number one stress buster out there is a little prep. Putting together a grab-and-go beach bag lets you hit the sand any time – just throw on your swimsuit and you’re ready to roll.

So what should you be stashing in your beach bag? That’s ultimately up to you, but here is a list of essentials to get you started.

The bag itself, obvi

You can’t go wrong with a classic straw tote that lets sand fall through so you never end up carrying around a dune. While there are plenty of pricey designer straw bags out there you can get the same utility and a very chic look with a simple French market basket. They’re a durable sun and surf friendly choice and large enough to carry everything you need for a seaside excursion.

The perfect pair of flip flops

Summer sandals are a definite must-have but don’t risk ruining your favorite pair in the sand and surf. Sand can get hot enough to burn your toes, so keep a trusty pair of flip flops in your beach bag so you never have to be without. This isn’t the time to go luxe – your beach bag flips should be super basic so if you lose them in the sand it’s no big deal.

A great pair of sunnies

This isn’t just about fashion. UV rays aren’t just bad for your skin – they can harm your delicate eyes, too. Sunglasses, whether they’re straight off the drug store endcap or a pair of high-end sunnies like Ray-Ban, can block 90-100% of UV rays and absorb HEV rays. Just a note of caution, though. If you do go low commitment with a quick pick off the rack check the label to be sure they have max protection, or just customize your own pair of sunglasses to ensure they get the job done and look cute.

Skin-friendly sunscreen

By now you know you should never, ever go without sunscreen when you’re outdoors but with all the options out there, which to choose? First, look for natural alternatives to the chemical laden options at the supermarket. Then make sure whatever brand you’re considering has both UVA and UVB protection. Try COOLA or Drunk Elephant formulations for amazing scents and solid protection.

A multi-tasking beach blanket

You can lounge with no chair necessary when your beach towel has a built-in pillow. Turkish-style towels from Sand Cloud Apparel are generously sized and so wonderfully soft – the pillow is like a bonus. Even better, they are lightweight so they don’t take up a lot of room in your beach bag and (in a pinch) can even double as a cover up.

No-worries sunhats

Of course you should be wearing your sunhat whenever you’re soaking up the rays but on windy days and at other inconvenient times you may find yourself with a need to hang that hat. Or not since where exactly can you hang a sun hat? So stash a roll up sunhat (with UPF protection) in your beach bag. It will look great when you need it and take up only a tiny bit of space when you don’t.

Serious beach hair rehab

Swimmer’s hair? No thanks! Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Infusion uses a unique combo of sea salt and botanical oils to detangle and rehab crunchy ends before and after an epic surf session. Even better, spray it on before your day at the shore and its UV inhibitors will protect your lovely locks against sun damage and fading.

A water resistant case, just in case

Sand in your iPhone? Never again. The Necessaire bag from Havaianas isn’t just water resistant but also sand resistant so your essentials stay safe from super sticky grains. Use it to hold your phone, camera and keys – maybe even your favorite lip balm.

A super stylish cover up

A cover up that’s basically a full dress will take up too much space in your already packed to the max beach bag so opt for something light and flowy. A lace tunic gets the job done. It can stand up to being splashed, it’s stylish enough for a snack bar run and won’t get bogged down by sand. More importantly, it’s comfy enough to wear on the ride home.

Pretty lip balm with SPF

Don’t sacrifice your current and future beauty! Remember that sunburns don’t just happen to shoulders – lips can get painfully burned, too. You can prevent both burns and chapping with a tinted lip balm with superior sun protection like e.l.f. Studio Lip Balm. It looks great, feels great and gives you lasting protection.

Hydration for your whole self

Water bottles have become around the clock must-haves but for beach days? You’ll want to opt for one that will keep your H2O frigid. The MIRA is a double wall stainless steel bottle that’s vacuum insulated to keep drinks chilly for up to 12 hours. At 17 ounces it holds plenty but it’s still small enough to stash in your bag.

Hydration for your face

Finally, remember that summer sun can dry out your skin even when you’ve been swimming. On the hottest days a cool mist can make all the difference so keep a can of Thermal Spring Water Mist from Avène in your beach bag at all times for an instant burst of refreshment.

You may not use everything in your beach bag every time you head to the shore but it’s worth keeping your tote stocked so that your last beach day of the season is just as relaxing as the first!

Jordan Davis is a Southern California native who loves exploring the great outdoors, trying new recipes, and writing about the hottest new trends.

Know anyone who could use some career advice?

ORDER MY NEW BOOK!

Want the first 10 pages sent straight to your inbox? SUBSCRIBE HERE

Other stuff you might like:

• Generation Y Redefines Success
• How To Be Rich in Your Twenties
• The 5 Most Valuable Lessons Grad School Taught Me
• Pursue a Lifestyle, Not a Job
• Why It’s Okay to Be Excited About the Awesome Stuff You’re Doing
• Why We Need to Get Over Our Fear of Rejection
• Don’t Wait, Be Happy Now
• The 5 Best Investments You Can Make in College

Follow me on:

Twitter// Bloglovin// Facebook// Pinterest// Instagram

*Affiliate links are included in this post.

START YOUR OWN BLOG TODAY WITH BLUEHOST!