With airlines charging more for checked bags and cracking down on carry-ons, I hate hauling things I never use. I hate it even more when I get to the beach and realize I forgot something I really wanted.
This is the list I use every time I head to the beach, including my yearly trips to the Caribbean. It keeps me from forgetting the important stuff without overpacking.
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Free Printable Beach Vacation Packing List
Click the image to download the checklist, print it, and check things off as you pack. It covers clothing, shoes, toiletries, daytime beach gear, and everything you need for an international trip.
Tuck it in your suitcase for the trip home, too. It’s the easiest way to make sure your charger doesn’t stay plugged in next to the hotel bed.
What to Pack for a 7-Day Beach Vacation
A week sounds like a lot of clothes. It isn’t, as long as you plan around how you’ll spend your days and what you really need to wear.
Here’s what I bring for seven days: three swimsuits, a rash guard, two cover-ups, two T-shirts, one pair of shorts, and three sundresses. I’ve never once run out of things to wear.
I live in my swimsuits during the day, and I only take out real clothes for dinner. Three sundresses rotating across seven nights is plenty, and yes, you can wear the same shorts twice.
Before you pack, check the dress code where you’re staying. Some restaurants want long pants or closed-toe shoes at dinner, and if you need to pack them, do it because no one wants to be turned away from a dinner you were looking forward to.
Clothes and Swimwear
Pack for sun during the day and a breeze at night. Lightweight fabrics that dry fast and don’t wrinkle make everything easier.
Most people skip a rash guard, but it has saved my bacon more than once. It’s critical in the Caribbean if you plan to snorkel, since your back faces the sun the whole time. If you have a day when you overdo it in the sun, it helps you avoid losing your entire vacation to a bad sunburn.
Don’t forget a light jacket or wrap. Restaurants and planes blast the air conditioning, and evenings by the water can get breezy.
- Swimsuits (three for a week)
- Rash guard
- Two cover-ups
- T-shirts and shorts
- Sundresses or other dinner outfits
- Light jacket or wrap
- Workout clothes, if you’ll use the gym
- Pajamas
- Underwear, socks, and bras
- Ball cap and sun hat
- Sunglasses
Shoes
Most people overpack shoes. I wear tennis shoes on the plane, then bring flip-flops and one or two pairs of comfortable dressy sandals that go with every evening outfit.
Whether you need water shoes depends on where you’re going. Rocky beaches, coral, and some excursions mean you absolutely must bring them, while soft sand beaches don’t, so check before you give them suitcase space.
- Athletic shoes (wear them on the plane)
- Flip-flops
- Dressy sandals
- Water shoes, if needed
- Closed-toe shoes, if the dress code requires them
Toiletries and Sunscreen
Check what your hotel provides before you pack any, but I almost always toss my bar shampoo and conditioner in my bag. If they have good shampoo, conditioner, and a hairdryer that works for you, leave yours at home.
If you aren’t sure if the shampoo and conditioner will work for you, look into bar shampoo and conditioner, since they don’t count towards your liquid allotment. I was skeptical when I first tried them, but I actually use this bar shampoo and bar conditioner daily at home now because I love them so much.
Bring plenty of reef-safe sunscreen, because resort shops charge a premium and some destinations and snorkel tours require it. Don’t forget aloe vera and bug spray because I’ll let those “just in case” items take up space.
Sunscreen usually comes in big bottles, so I move mine into these liquid travel containers to follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule. That means liquids in 3.4 ounces or less, all in one quart-size bag per person.
I love these because they’re BPA-free silicone, they hook onto my beach bag strap, and they’ve never leaked on me. I’ve used the same set for years.
Even if you check a bag, keep medications, a change of clothes, and your travel documents in your carry-on. If you fly often, TSA PreCheck makes that security line a lot less painful.
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Aloe vera
- Bug spray
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
- Shampoo and conditioner, if the hotel doesn’t provide them
- Face wash and moisturizer
- Razor
- Hair products, brush, and ponytail holders
- Prescription medications
- Heartburn and other everyday meds
- Feminine hygiene products
- Empty zip-top bags for wet swimsuits
What to Pack in Your Beach Bag
I carry a canvas zippered beach bag every day for sunscreen, books, and sunglasses. When I’ll be around water and sand all day, I switch to a water-resistant tote so a splash doesn’t ruin anything.
My favorite is from SeaBags, made with actual sails and some of the prettiest designs I’ve seen. It rolls up in my suitcase and turns into an extra carry-on when I’ve shopped a little too much.
If I’ll be on a boat, I pack a 20-liter dry bag. It’s completely waterproof and floats if it goes overboard, as long as you seal it properly.
I’ve traveled with my favorite sun hat since 2014, and it’s still going strong. It rolls up without crushing, keeps its shape when it gets wet, and covers my face and ears.
An insulated water bottle is the item most beach packing lists leave off. I bring mine empty, fill it after airport security, and use a wide-mouth one so I can carry a drink from the bar to the pool without spilling.
On my last trip, I used my new Ocean Bottles, and they’re pretty darn cool. The Brew Flask model is perfect for holding my morning coffee when I want to wander without spilling anything.
- Water-resistant beach tote
- Dry bag, if you’ll be on a boat
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Insulated water bottle
- Towel clips
- Waterproof phone case
- Phone case that holds your room key
- Book or e-reader
Documents and Money for International Trips
A blue or black pen sounds silly until someone hands you a customs form on the plane. Fill it out before you land, and you won’t be stuck at the back of the line borrowing one.
Save your destination address and excursion confirmations somewhere you can reach without Wi-Fi. You’ll need that address for the customs form, too.
Bring some cash in small bills for tips and taxis. Check your credit cards for foreign transaction fees before you go, and keep a photo of your passport on your phone.
Travel insurance can be controversial, but if you can’t afford to absorb the cost of a problem on your trip, buy it, and get it from an outside firm like Allianz rather than your travel provider. If you travel a lot, it’s cheaper to get an annual plan like I do.
As always, read the terms and conditions so you understand what it will cover and what it won’t. There are a lot of options out there, and the last thing you want is to think you can cancel for any reason only to realize you didn’t buy that coverage.
- Passport
- Visas, if needed
- Blue or black pen
- Destination address
- Excursion confirmations
- Travel insurance info
- Credit cards
- Cash in small bills
Electronics
Pack chargers and a charging brick in your carry-on so your phone makes it through a long travel day. A waterproof phone case lets you take pictures in the water without panicking.
I bring a tablet loaded with books and a pair of earbuds for the flight and the lounge chair. If you bring a camera or GoPro, pack an extra memory card, because you’ll take more photos than you think.
- Phone charger
- Charging brick
- Earbuds
- Tablet or e-reader
- Camera or GoPro
- Extra memory cards
- International adapter
- International SIM or eSIM, if needed
The Fun Extras Worth the Space
Have you been somewhere with no straws, or worse, paper straws that fall apart in a frozen drink? My travel agent sent me a set of collapsible travel straws with silicone tips, and I. Fell. In. Love.
Each one comes in its own case with a brush, so you can clean them in the bathroom sink. I bought a set for everyone on my last trip, and some bartenders will even rinse them for you.
Drink floaties are just a hoot, and I get so many jealous people asking me where I got them. You get 12 floats plus a pump for well under $15, and kids love them as much as adults do.
Pop your cup into one and relax. The mermaid is my favorite.
Packing for a Caribbean All-Inclusive
I’ve been to Beaches Resorts at least once a year since 2014, and I research what makes each all-inclusive different from a vacation destination you’re used to. Many include snorkel gear and non-motorized water sports, like the free water sports at Beaches Resorts. Check before you pack your own mask and fins.
Dress codes matter more than you’d think. Many specialty restaurants require men to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes at dinner, so pack at least one outfit that fits the rule.
Tipping policies vary by resort. Some include tips and some don’t, so read yours before you decide how much cash to bring so you understand the culture there.
Pack extra reef-safe sunscreen and bug spray. The Caribbean sun is stronger than most people expect, and the mosquitoes come out at dusk.
Beach Vacation Packing List for Kids
Kids need more than you’d guess, and most of it comes down to sun and boredom. I made a separate kids checklist, so you can hand it to older kids and let them pack themselves.
But if they’re like my kids… double-check their work after the “finish” packing. Did my son forget his swimsuit when we went on a Caribbean cruise over New Year’s this past year? Yes. Yes, he did.
Rash guards or swim shirts cut down on how much sunscreen you have to reapply. A sunscreen stick for faces is much easier than lotion when they won’t hold still.
I know the spray is easy. But the AAP doesn’t recommend spray, and in the Caribbean sun, it often doesn’t provide enough protection. And it’s terrible for the environment.
Bring a small medicine kit from home, since resort shops don’t always carry children’s doses. Pain and fever reducer, allergy medicine, motion sickness medicine, and swimmer’s ear drops cover most problems.
For the plane, download shows before you leave and pack headphones and snacks. A comfort item from home helps them sleep in a new room.
Sand toys, a mesh bag to shake them out in, and a wet bag for swimsuits keep your suitcase from coming home full of sand. Glow sticks are a cheap way to make a night walk on the beach feel special.
I used to travel with flashlights, and at night we would pretend to be Winnie the Pooh hunting for Heffalumps and Woozles. It was silly, but it’s a core memory they still talk about today.
Heading out of the country? Kids need their own passports, and it takes longer than you’d expect, so here’s how to get a passport for your child.
If only one parent is traveling with the kids, bring a notarized consent letter from the other parent. Some airlines and countries ask for it.
What to Leave at Home
Leave the beach towels, hair dryer, and full-size bottles if your hotel provides them. Vacation rentals vary, so check the listing before you decide.
Skip the heels, the good jewelry, and the third pair of just-in-case sandals. Sand, salt water, and humidity are hard on them all. As many friends as I know who’ve lost jewelry on vacation, a lot of us now bring costume jewelry or silicone rings for vacations.
Leave heavy jeans behind, too. They take up a lot of room, and it’s too hot to wear them anyway.
Beach Vacation Packing FAQ
How many swimsuits should I pack for a week at the beach?
Three is the sweet spot for a seven-day trip. That gives each one time to dry, and a rash guard covers your snorkeling days.
Can you pack for a beach vacation in just a carry-on?
Yes, if you keep your clothes simple and move liquids into travel-size containers. Swimsuits and sundresses roll up small, and you can wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane.
I recently got a suitcase with a vacuum-compression interior that lets me hold a whole lot more in my carry-on. I make sure it doesn’t get too heavy, but it’s amazing what I can fit in my Airback NEXT carry-on.
Do I need water shoes for a beach vacation?
It depends on where you’re going. Rocky beaches, coral, and some excursions call for them, but soft sand beaches don’t.
If you do get water shoes, go ahead and get the ones that look more like sneakers. They have thicker rubber soles that are less likely to slip and provide way better protection on rocky ground.
What do people forget to pack for the beach?
A pen for customs forms, a rash guard, and an insulated water bottle top my list. Aloe vera, bug spray, and a phone case that holds your room key come close behind.
Should I bring my own beach towel?
Not if you’re staying at a resort, since almost all of them provide towels. For a vacation rental or a public beach, pack a quick-dry towel.
These towels take up way less room, and they work great. My kids actually took ours to college to use for their shower towels because they work so well.
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Great tips! I love the printable packing list—it makes organizing so much easier. I always struggle with packing light, so these strategies will definitely come in handy. Can’t wait for my beach trip!
Thanks – I’m glad this is helpful for you. Enjoy your trip!