Finding Reliable Beach Travel Tips For First Time Visitors
Beach travel advice is all the more important for an initial visit to a beach, as it can ruin your vacation if you are not able to find the best tips. Nothing is worse than walking on the hot sand without shoes on and carrying heavy plastic bags that rip open in seconds. I made all the beach mistakes the first time I went to the beach. You are entitled to a hassle-free, sun-kissed vacation free from sunburn, a broken phone, and cookie crumbs.
1. Pack Baby Powder For Easy Sand Removal
Form baby powder into small, easy-to-remove sandbags. Baby powder removes sticky sand from your legs in no time at all. The cornstarch will instantly absorb any excess moisture, which will prevent wet skin from having contact with sand particles. Have a small bottle handy in the side pocket of your car or day bag.
Sprinkle talc-free baby powder on your feet, ankles and hands prior to reentering the boardwalk or car. Use an old makeup brush or a dry washcloth to brush it away for immediate comfort. You won’t have to walk around with the gritty dirt in your shoes.
2. Stash Valuables In Sealed Waterproof Pouches
Unprotected electronics will be destroyed rapidly by water, salt spray and the fine particles of sand. The plastic cases are simple and clear, and have double seals to keep the phone protected, but with the transparent window you can still take photos. If you drop your device near the surf, you won’t have to deal with the expensive incident, as Joto’s floating waterproof pouch catches your device.
Keep car keys, cash and hotel cards in the pouch with your phone. Secure the lanyard around your neck or to the frame of the beach chair. This habit helps you to keep your essential items secure, dry and easily accessible.
3. Apply Sunscreen Before Stepping Outside
Sunscreen needs to be applied for at least 20 minutes before it fully protects your skin. Lotion in your hotel room will help you get to places that are difficult to reach without sand being squashed against your skin. The wide-spectrum mineral-based sunscreen with an SPF of 50 forms a physical barrier to the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Use reef-safe products such as Sun Bum or Blue Lizard when swimming to keep marine life safe. Be sure to reapply every 2 hours or after toweling dry. With the timer set quickly on your mobile phone, you will never forget.
4. Use Beach Travel Tips For First Time Visitors To Anchor Your Umbrella
If not anchored firmly into the ground, coastal winds can make standard umbrellas a dangerous projectile to play with. Today’s augers for sand anchors “screw” directly into the ground, stabilizing your shade even in the windiest afternoons. Rock back and forth and push down until the base is at least sixteen inches deep.
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Avoid having gusts catch the underside of the canopy, so a slight tilt to the wind is a good idea. Whether you are a first-time visitor or not, these tips on how to travel to the beach are useful for all. Be safe and your neighbors on the sand will thank you.
5. Swap Heavy Terrycloth For Turkish Towels
Old thick bath towels absorb tons of water and sticky wet sand. The lightweight flat-weave Turkish cotton towels dry three times faster and come out completely dry with a single snap of the towel. These also roll up tightly to fit in as little space as possible in your tote.
There are brands that offer durable products that can handle multiple uses such as Sand Cloud picnic blankets, sun wraps, and head pillows. They’re lightweight so that they don’t feel heavy when you’re putting several towels in a single bag. This is the end of wearing thick velour towels!
6. Bring An Insulated Water Bottle
Single-use plastic bottles get hot in just 40 minutes in direct afternoon sunlight. Hydro Flask or Yeti double-wall vacuum insulated flasks have the power to keep ice water cold for 24 hours in the direct afternoon sun. You’ll find yourself getting tired really fast in the heat and you have to stay well hydrated for a blast by the waves.
Top with two-thirds of ice cubes in the flask and then add the filtered drinking water. Place the bottle in the shade of the umbrella or tote bag so the metal is cool in your hands. On a hot day, enjoy refreshing, clear ice water.
7. Check Tide Charts Before Setting Up Camp
Dozens of feet of dry sand can be submerged by high tide within an hour. You can see on a free marine app like WillyWeather just when the ocean water will be at its highest level. Find the damp, dark sand line, and place your blanket several yards behind on the dry dune side.
There’s no more relaxing way to a beach than to be able to just kick back and watch all your shoes and backpacks float away, with no need to scramble in the waves to save them. Camp near the highest tide mark and your gear will be dry all day. There is no need to keep an eye on the tide line.
8. Carry A Breathable Mesh Tote Bag
Loose sand gets caught in the bottom seams of solid canvas bags, and you end up with a dirty bottom. Loose granules and water will drain through an open-mesh beach bag as you walk. Items like toys, flip-flops, and wet towels dry more quickly in the air when a flow of air is allowed to pass through the fabric.
To prevent personal items from falling out, look for a reinforced nylon strap and zip-top closure in the tote. Before placing the bag in the trunk, shake it vigorously. This saves close to an entire day after the beach cleaning.
9. Freeze Water Bottles Instead Of Buying Bagged Ice
Bagged water bottles to freeze will create a mess which can ruin beach food and beverages. Several solid reusable water bottles make solid ice blocks that keep food cold for many hours without dropping a drop. This is because the ice liquefies over the course of the day, providing you with additional cold water.
Place perishable food items in a cooler surrounded by these frozen bottles for your sandwiches, fruits and beverages. This is a great idea to keep the food ice cold and without wasting money on store ice. It’s one of the best tips for traveling to the beach for the first time and saving money.
10. Hide Extra Cash In An Empty Lip Balm Tube
Bright purses or wallets lying on the top of a beach towel are a good way to leave them available for opportunist thieves. When it’s time to tidy up an old lip balm tube or solid deodorant container, it’s the perfect opportunity to make a secret stash holder for folded dollar bills and emergency cards. Thieves are drawn to backpacks and designer totes, and nothing else.
Place your little container in the bottom pocket of your bag or under your sun hat. Only carry cash and cards used for that particular outing. This way, you can swim without any worries.
11. Wear Polarized Sunglasses With Full UV Protection
White sand and water reflect the bright light and thus create high glare that leads to eye strain, headache and corneal irritation in the long term. The cheap fashion shades don’t have the proper filters and will cause your pupils to widen and allow damaging rays to pass through. Polarized UV400 sunglasses improve your ability to see the surface rocks or shells clearly, and reduce surface reflections.
Choose a lightweight pair with wraparound frames or rubber nose grips to keep the pair steady when on the move. If you’ll be wading into the surf, leave an adjustable floating eye strap on. Hours in the sun will help to soothe your eyes.
12. Bring A Dedicated Waterproof Wet Bag
Putting soaking wet swimsuits straight into your clean suitcase makes mildew smells and dampens dry clothes. A wet bag is waterproof, lined with a polyurethane laminate and comes with a zipper so that it is easy to put on, take off and wash on laundry day. These are great for messy beach gear and parents use them for cloth diapers.
After changing at the bath house, toss wet bathing suits, rash guards and salted water shoes into the bag. If you’re worried about leaks, simply zip it up and throw it in your duffle bag. As soon as you come back to your room, unpack and wash all items.
13. Learn How To Spot And Escape Rip Currents
Strong swimmers can become panicked and exhausted by ocean rip currents and be swept out to sea very quickly. Before entering the water, watch for a thin band of murky water where there are few waves and notice the lack of breaking waves. Beach conditions can be hazardous and are marked with colored flags by lifeguards – please check conditions at the beach before you go.
If caught in a rip current channel, swim parallel, not against the pull, of the rip current. When the water lets go, turn back towards the shore at a gentle speed. Remaining calm and floating on your back helps conserve energy.
14. Coat Hair In Leave-In Conditioner Before Swimming
When exposed to salt water, the natural oils from the hair cuticles evaporate causing the hair to become brittle, tangled and breakable. By first getting the hair wet with new clean tap water, then coating the hair with a liberal amount of leave-in hair conditioner, you are filling the hair shaft in advance. This barrier helps to keep your hair from getting too much salty ocean water.
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Evenly distribute the product in the ends and pull your hair back into a loose braid or bun. After swimming, rinse off well at the beach shower to get rid of all the salt. Hair will remain silky, soft and easy to detangle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Most Important Beach Travel Tips For First Time Visitors Who Cannot Swim?
Swim in shallow water (no deeper than waist-high) and keep in close proximity to an active lifeguard station. Stay out of the ocean when red flag warnings are on and the surf is rough. A properly fitted life vest will enable you to ride the waves without the worry of falling off balance.
What Should I Wear On My First Trip To The Beach?
Put on swim trunks with light, airy clothes, such as a linen shirt or cotton dress. Pack water-absorbing sandals or flip-flops to shield feet from burning sand. Don’t overlook a broad-brimmed sun hat and polarized sunglasses to protect your face and eyes from direct overhead sun.
How Do I Protect My Phone From Sand And Water At The Beach?
Put your phone in a secure waterproof case or a sturdy zippered bag before heading onto the sand. Do not use sandpaper fingers on the screen, as it may scratch the screen glass. Poke your device in a shaded cooler pocket to ensure it won’t overheat in the sun.
How Early Should I Arrive At A Popular Beach?
Come in between 8 and 9 a.m. and take any of the car park closest to the water or the best sand real estate. Early mornings are also quieter and colder and less crowded. If you’re the more quiet type, you might want to make an early afternoon appointment (after 4 p.m.) as it offers you stunning sunset views.
What Food And Snacks Pack Best For A Beach Day?
Keep food items that won’t be messy, can withstand heat, such as grapes, apple slices, beef jerky, pita wraps and trail mix. Don’t eat chocolate, dairy dips or soft cheeses that melt easily to a gooey mess. Keep all food in plastic sealed containers to prevent wind blown sand from flying into them.
Conclusion
When you know how to manage the sun, sand and surf, you’ll be feeling good as you head out for your first adventure on the coast. Bring the necessary supplies, obey the currents, and have a seat to listen to the waves. What’s the name of the beach you’ll be taking a trip to?
