Ultimate 2024 Beach Vacation Packing List [Everything You Need!] (2024)

The best beach vacation locations in the world

The world is home to tens of thousands if not millions of beaches, and each one has something special to offer!

Whether you’re looking for a palm-tree-lined beach or a unique volcanic black sand beach, there are so many incredible places to visit.

Based on our experiences, we believe the following places to be the best beach vacation destinations around the world…

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a tropical island located in Indonesia and it’s known as the ‘Island of the Gods’. Famous for its lush rice paddies, delicious cuisine, and temples, this place has a lot to offer.

However, it’s the beaches in Bali that often steal the spotlight and it’s not hard to see why!

Whether you’re looking to surf, sunbathe, or try out some watersports, this gorgeous island has a lot on offer.

Some of the most popular beaches here include Kuta, Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and Seminyak. It all depends on what you’re looking to do, as to which one you should visit.

Here are some Bali travel guides that you might find helpful:

• Ultimate Bali packing list
• Best places to visit in Bali
• Romantic things to do in Bali

The Greek Islands, Europe

Next up on our list is the famous Greek Islands, which are located in Europe. We spent 10 days island hopping here and got to visit Santorini, Naxos, and Mykonos.

Now, where to start with the Greek Islands?

There are a variety of island groups to choose from in Greece, but there are six main ones; The Cyclades, the Ionian, the Dodecanese, the Sporades, the North Aegean, and the Saronic Islands.

The Cyclades is one of the most popular island groups as it’s situated in the center of the Aegean Sea and is home to Santorini, Milos, Mykonos, and Naxos, as well as over 200 others.

The Ionian is another favored island group, and this is where you’ll find the islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, Paxos, and Zakynthos, along with three others.

No matter which island you visit, you'll have pristine beaches, crystal-clear water, and endless snorkeling opportunities waiting for you!

We’ve also come up with the ultimate Greece Packing List so you’ll have everything you need!

Sri Lanka, Asia

Sri Lanka is an island country that’s located off the coast of Southern India.

Formally known as Ceylon, this country’s had a turbulent past but today it’s one of the most underrated places in the world.

Sri Lanka is known for its safari destinations, mouth-watering food, and temples, although one of the main draws to this country is its beaches!

Some of the best beach destinations to visit in the country include Arugam Bay, Mirissa, Trincomalee, and Unawatuna.

Here, you can head out to snorkel, relax on the beach, look out for turtles, surf to your heart's content, and dine at one of the many beachfront restaurants.

If you’re looking for a beach vacation then this is one of the countries we’d recommend, as Sri Lanka has so much to offer!

Here are some Sri Lanka travel guides that you might find helpful:

• Ultimate Sri Lanka packing list
• The hottest surfing spots in Sri Lanka
• Best things to do in Sri Lanka

Brazil, South America

During our backpacking trip of South America in 2016, we spent a month in Brazil and got to visit some incredible destinations.

Some of the highlights being an Amazon riverboat cruise, visiting the bustling Rio de Janeiro, and exploring the historic city of Salvador.

However, nothing could prepare us for the beaches in Brazil as they were stunning!

Our absolute favorite beach in Brazil had to be the iconic Copacabana Beach, which is located in Rio. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s the perfect place to drink caipirinhas - the country’s national co*cktail.

Rio de Janeiro is also home to the stunning Ipanema beach!

Other fantastic places to visit in Brazil for a beach vacation include Ilha Grande, Buzios, Florianopolis, Taipus de Fora, and Praia de Pipa.

With over 7,400 km of coastline, it’s no surprise to learn that Brazil is one of the top beach destinations in South America. So what are you waiting for?

The Philippines, Southeast Asia

The Philippines is one of the most popular beach destinations in Southeast Asia, and once you visit you’ll quickly see why.

Full of white sands, tropical palm trees, and fantastic snorkeling spots, you won’t be sorry if you choose the Philippines as your next beach vacation.

Made up of over 7,600 islands you won’t be short of places to visit in the Philippines, some of which are relatively untouched by tourism!

For the best experience, I recommend heading to a select few though! This includes Palawan which is where you’ll find El Nido, Coron, and Port Barton.

If you’ve got time, you’ll also want to visit the islands of Siquijor and Siargao too!

Here are some Philippines travel guides that you might find helpful:

• How to backpack The Philippines
• Ultimate 4-week Philippines itinerary
• Best things to do in The Philippines

What types of activities can you do at the beach?

Sunbathing

One of the most popular activities to do on any beach vacation is to simply sunbathe and catch those rays!

It’s the perfect way to relax, so take your beach blanket or chair, and a book with you and simply watch the world go by.

Just make sure you lather up that sunscreen and cover up for part of the day, just to give your skin a break from the sun.

Swimming

If you’re in a hot country, then swimming needs to be on the agenda! It’s the perfect way to cool down on a warm day, so pack your swimmers and take a dip.

Just be aware of the rip tides, the strength of the current, and any wildlife that you may encounter, for those traveling to Africa and Australia especially.

You’ll also want to reapply your sunscreen when you get out, and maybe pack some armbands for the little ones.

Snorkeling

One of the best reasons to visit a beach abroad is to snorkel, as you’ll often get to see a ton of marine life.

Some of the best snorkeling destinations in the world include the Philippines, the Maldives, Australia, and Hawaii.

If you’re looking to see marine life, then pack a snorkel mask and make sure you choose an area where the water’s clear as this gives you a much better chance!

Outdoor games

This is something we love to do, although it’s only really doable if you’re having a beach vacation as a family or group!

Some of the best outdoor games that you can do on the beach include rounders, cricket, football, and volleyball.

If you’re not in a group, then there are some other cool activities that you can do including frisbee, ring toss, bocce, and making sand castles of course!

Here's some more information about fun things to do at the beach...

Reading

If you’re planning to sunbathe or simply relax under a beach umbrella, then make sure you take a book with you!

Getting lost in a good book with the sun on your face is a pretty magical experience.

If you’re limited on space, then why not pack a kindle instead? This way, you can have lots of books on one device, but you’ll need to keep an eye on the battery!

BBQ

Everyone loves a good BBQ during the summer months, so why not take that idea to the beach?

For this, you’ll need a disposable BBQ, a lighter, and plenty of food and drink - preferably in a cooler box.

Just keep in mind that some beaches don’t allow BBQs so you’ll need to check the rules first. If you can have one, then you’re going to need some bricks so it's off the floor.

Picnic

If you’d prefer not to have to worry about a BBQ, then a picnic is your next best bet!

There are so many tasty snacks you can bring to the beach, and that includes sandwiches, savory items like sausage rolls, and other finger foods.

You’ll also want to take plenty of drinks (again, preferably in a cooler box), crisps, fruit, and maybe some cheeky sweets or biscuits!

What to pack for a beach vacation: Travel Essentials

Now, you’ve got a good idea of some of the destinations on offer it’s time to jump into your beach vacation packing list.

Putting together a list of your beach vacation packing essentials isn't easy which is why I’m here to help!

To make this beach packing list easier to digest, I’ve split this section up into five parts:

1. Fun things to pack!
2. Men’s Clothing
3. Women’s Clothing
4. Shoes
5. Your beach bag

Then afterward, I’ll go through some of the other items that might come in handy if you’re packing for a beach vacation, as well as some top tips!

Fun things to pack for the beach

First of all, when we’re heading to the beach the first thought often on our minds is fun!

Whether you’re traveling as a couple, with friends or family, or with little ones, there’s no better way to spend a beach holiday than by having fun!

For this reason, no beach vacation travel packing list is complete without these items…

• Bucket and spade - a must for the little ones!
• Kite
• Snorkel mask - If you’re a keen snorkeler then you might also have some small flippers that you’d like to pack
• Lilo
• Beach umbrella
• Outdoor games equipment - This could be for rounders, cricket, football, etc…
• Bodyboard - Although difficult to pack for international vacations, if you’re traveling overland then it’s a great thing to take with you!
• Portable Bluetooth Speaker - Great for listening to music
• Beach tent - Another great thing to pack if you’re heading to the beach with little ones‍
• BBQ - Just make sure you have access to bricks

Looking for a checklist?

Health and Safety during beach vacations

Although your health and safety isn’t something you often think about when planning a beach vacation, it’s vital!

There are so many factors out there that can ruin a trip, which isn’t what you want - especially after looking forward to it for so long.

So let’s go through some of the things you’ll want to look out for so you can stay safe at the beach!

Sunstroke/sunburn

This is probably the main health issue that can have a negative impact on your trip, and unfortunately, it’s very common.

I can guarantee that the majority of people reading this have been sunburnt at least once in their lifetime, and it’s not a pretty experience.

If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the sun, then make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen (preferably 30 or 50 SPF) and top it up throughout the day.

Many people choose to use ‘tanning oils’ like carrot oil which often has little or no SPF. It’s used to tan quickly, but can have dire consequences if you’re out in the sun for a long time so avoid it at all costs!

Strong currents

Another thing you’ll want to watch out for during your beach trip is strong currents!

Now, this will depend on where you choose to visit as some beaches are more notorious for this than others.

For example, Hanakapiai Beach in Hawaii, Playa Zipolite in Mexico, and Fraser Island are all known for their dangerous rip tides and currents.

We all love a good swim and a snorkel whilst at the beach, but make sure you do your research before you visit. Some beaches even have a flag system, where a ‘red flag’ means rough conditions and that swimming isn’t recommended.

Many of the popular beaches will have stationed lifeguards, but others don’t and that can be a real problem if you get into trouble.

Dehydration

Next up on this list is dehydration, which can be a silent killer!

Typically, it’s recommended that adults consume at least two liters of water a day, with this increasing if you’re planning to exercise a lot or spend time in the heat.

If you’re spending a day on the beach and it's hot, then you’re naturally going to lose fluids through sweat. To combat this it’s important to drink more water!

Signs of dehydration include extreme thirst, dark-colored urine, fatigue, and needing to go to the toilet less, so they are all things to look out for.

You can find out more information about dehydration here, as I’m definitely not an expert and it’s good to be clued in on these things!

Pollution

This isn’t often something that many people think of, but it’s important to consider the water pollution in your area before you head into the sea.

Pollution and contaminants can enter the sea via trash or chemicals that are dumped into the ocean, and you can get extremely sick from swimming in waters like this.

Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai has this reputation and is considered to be one of the most polluted beaches in the world.

With debris from salvaged ships and contaminated water from dumped disposal waste, this isn’t a place that you want to swim.

Beaches like this tend to be few and far between but it’s always best to do a bit of research first.

Wildlife

The last thing to consider for your beach vacation is the wildlife that can be found in the sea! The majority of beaches don’t offer any issues like this, but some do.

You’ll find plenty of beaches that are home to various species of jellyfish. Some are completely harmless, but others like the box jellyfish need to be avoided as their sting can kill.

If you’re heading to destinations like Florida or South Africa, then you’ll want to be mindful of great white sharks. In fact, Gansbaai in South Africa is known as the ‘Great White Capital of the World’.

You’ve also got that threat in Australia, but that’s added to by other dangerous creatures including saltwater crocodiles and venomous snakes. Cape Tribulation is even home to the dangerous cassowary bird as they roam the beach!

Top tips when packing for a beach vacation

Here are some final travel tips to help you put together a beach vacation travel packing list…

Tip 1 - Choose a sunscreen that’s reef-friendly to protect the local wildlife

Sunscreen is one of the most important things that you can pack on your beach vacation and there are a variety of brands to choose from!

However, it’s always best to go for a reef-safe sunscreen especially if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the water. Normal sunscreen can damage coral reefs, and have a negative impact on the marine life that lives there.

Here’s some more information on reef-friendly sunscreen…

Tip 2 - Make sure you pack suitable footwear

One of our top travel tips is to always have comfortable walking shoes with you; whether that be trainers, shoes, or boots.

For the beach, the footwear that you’ll mainly be wearing includes sandals and flip-flops, as these are often the most convenient.

Just make sure you keep a more sturdy pair in your bag in case you need to do a lot of walking! Although this sounds like a hassle, it can be a lifesaver!

Tip 3 - Go for light-colored clothing made from fabrics such as cotton

If you’re looking to stay cool in the sun then you’ll want to go for light-colored clothing as they will reflect most of the heat that falls on them. Whereas, black and dark colors absorb the heat so it can make you feel quite uncomfortable!

I’d also recommend going for lightweight clothing (preferably made of cotton) as this will also help to keep you cool.

Tip 4 - Pack for the weather and always check the forecast

Before you head to the beach it’s always best to check the weather forecast. It may not be completely reliable but it will give you a good idea of what to take, and whether a BBQ is a good idea!

You could always check the weather forecast before you jet off on holiday too, as this will give you a good idea of what to pack.

Tip 5 - If you’re prone to sunburn then make sure to cover up!

This is the number one thing to remember when spending time at the beach! If you’re prone to sunburn then firstly, you’ll want to slather yourself in SPF 50 sunscreen.

You might also want to take a beach kimono with you or lightweight pants so you can cover up for part of the day. Even better, if you’re in a position to take a beach umbrella with you!

This is one of our top packing tips if you're planning a beach vacation.

Cazzy Magennis

As the type 1 diabetic half of Dream Big, Travel Far, I'm passionate about encouraging fellow type 1's to travel the world and not let their diabetes hold them back. I'm proud to now be a full-time digital nomad. Meaning I live my life working and travelling all over the world and am here to help you achieve your dreams as well in any way I can.