Going to the beach is one of the best parts of summer. The breeze off the ocean, the sun soaking into the sand, and the crash of waves on the shore are all hallmarks of the season.
It can be tempting to throw all your things in the car and head to the beach at a moment’s notice. But this can end in disaster and a ruined beach day, the last thing anyone wants.
That’s why you need a plan, especially if you’re going more than an hour from home. Planning a beach trip doesn’t have to be difficult, as we’ll show in this post. With a few minutes and a bit of research, you’ll have a perfect day full of sun, sand, and good memories.
Decide…
Where to Go
The very first thing you need to decide is where you’re going! The beach down the road may be great, or you could choose to go to a better beach several hours away.
Keep your beach trip priorities in mind when picking where to go. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll probably want somewhere calm for easy wading. If you’re a solo traveler, you may prefer a more adventurous area with snorkeling or diving.
Once you’ve decided where to go, do a little research to prevent any nasty surprises on arrival. For example, you don’t want to bring your dog to a beach that doesn’t allow pets. You can also check what other travelers say about the beach through TripAdvisor.
How Long to Stay
Another thing you want to decide before you get in the car is how long you want to stay. You could make it a day trip or take a long weekend off work to enjoy the sun.
Once again, your trip length comes down to your priorities. It may also depend on the people you bring and how long they can take off work. If you are traveling with others, run all plans by them to ensure everyone’s on board.
How Much to Spend
Finally, you’ll need a budget for your beach trip. A visit to your hometown beach can be done on almost nothing, while a high-end resort or touristy area will probably require a larger budget.
Even if you’re only doing a day trip, a budget can be handy to prevent overspending. The last thing you want is to come home with an empty bank account.
Plan…
When to Go
Now that you’ve got all the big decisions out of the way, it’s time to get to the nitty-gritty of planning. First up, when you’ll go.
You can go for the weekend, but remember you’ll have to deal with more people. It’s better to plan your trip mid-week when everyone else is still at work. You can also try getting to the beach early on the day of your choice to get a good spot on the sand.
Where to Stay
Day trips won’t require any accommodation. But if you plan to stay a few days, you’ll need lodgings. If you have a large group, an Airbnb right off the beach is a great choice. Otherwise, try finding a good hotel nearby.
Don’t forget to budget for this when planning. You’ll probably also want to book your accommodations in advance, especially during the busy season. You don’t want to roll up to a fantastic hotel at 10 pm only to learn they don’t have any rooms left.
What to Bring
A packing list is vital for any trip, even if you only go for a day. You’ll need the obvious items, such as your swimsuit and sunscreen, but you don’t want to forget less remembered items, such as a water bottle or aftersun care.
But since you’re reading this post, you’re in luck, because we’ve created our beach day must-haves packing list. You can download it for free by clicking the image below!
What to Do
Finally, don’t forget to decide what to do at the beach. Do you want to sit and read? Drift in the waves? Paddleboard? Windsurf? Shop?
Planning all this out beforehand helps your trip go smoothly when you arrive. You can make sure you’ve packed any critical items for your activities, such as a book or snorkeling gear, and make sure the beach you’re going to accommodate that activity.
Planning a beach trip may not be super fun or exciting. But taking time to do it helps you have good, hassle-free travels and a vacation to remember.
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