I am in love with the beach. IN LOVE. I didn’t get to see the ocean for the first time until I was in my mid-twenties, and now I feel like I need to make up for lost time by going as often as possible. As a beach newbie, there were so many things that NO ONE told me about the beach. Like how sand gets everywhere, for the rest of your life. I still have sand in my car from vacation a few months ago, and in a few months I’m going again. Momentos from the trip I guess? Here are 21 of the best beach hacks I wish someone would have told me! Utilize them, pin them for later, and share them with a friend, be they beach newbie or veteran!
21 Best Beach Hacks
1. Off Brand Sunscreens Seem Better
The best sunscreen I ever used actually came in the form of an off brand (Equate—sold at Walmart) low grade sunscreen plus darkener. It’s supposed to shield the sun slightly while helping your skin to get gradually darker, naturally, by using your time out in the sun. Well, I attempted this and it definitely didn’t work to make me darker, however, I sprayed it on once and was able to spend all day in the sun without getting even slightly burnt. My friend was a little upset that her time had been wasted in the sun but I was jumping for joy that I wasn’t baked like a potato. You can find it HERE.
2. Sit Next to People Similar to You
Sometimes the hardest part about going to the beach, is picking the perfect spot at the beach, crowded or not. Look for a spot next to people similar to you. Have kids? Park your stuff next to an open spot by a family. Just a couple on vacation? Park your stuff next to other couples. Every single time, we have found it makes our experience so much easier. We’ve even (easily) gained friends from the people we were next to and it came in handy a few times for them and us.
3. The Main Beaches Aren’t Everything
I hate crowded, public beaches. There’s no shells, the sand is packed down hard, and there’s tons of people everywhere. If you’re like me, avoid the “main beaches.” I promise you, pretty much all the beaches are very similar to each other. However, the main beaches will always be stuffed with people. This sometimes can make it hard to enjoy yourself or see/find neat stuff. We always hit up a local for advice or do a Google search to see what other beaches are nearby but not frequented by all the tourists. We often have a much better experience and get to see neater things that haven’t been ruined by crowds of people.
4. Find Parking Loopholes
Oftentimes, parking near the beach is nearly impossible, especially if you’re going to one of the more popular beach areas. Many stores and establishments around the beach won’t let you park there unless you’re shopping. However, we have found that if you make a purchase, even a small one, you are permitted to park there to go to the beach. All it usually takes us is a polite demeanor, smile, jokes, and buying something. We often just buy bottles of water or something virtually inexpensive. Much cheaper than paying for parking and much easier than walking twelve miles to get to the beach.
5. Bring Things that Have Wheels
Taking toys to the beach, with kids or not, is really fun. However, having to carry things back and forth to the car/hotel can seriously be daunting. We use our Radio Flyer wagon, and that thing works like a charm! You can hold kids, buckets of shells ( I cannot help myself but to pick them up), beach supplies, personal belongings etc. It rolled easily over the sand as well. This was also an easy way to hold our personal belongings while we were in the ocean. We didn’t have to worry about things getting wet if the tide came in, or them blowing away in the beach wind. I’m telling you, get wheels!
6. Think Twice Before Bringing Things
I promise you, you don’t need as many things while on the beach as you think. It can really be overwhelming if you bring too much. You want to enjoy yourself, not pack up your entire house every time you go to and leave the beach. We brought too much the first time and it really put a damper on things. We’ve learned to keep everything down to either one bag or one tote. Makes things easy to carry and easy to pack up. Virtually no work involved. Plus, the more you bring to the beach, the more sand you bring home. Just think about that.
7. Save Your Money on Hotels
The first time we went, we paid an arm and a leg (we still got a good deal for that place in particular) for our hotel room to be right on the beach. We found that we paid a lot of money for nothing. Now, don’t get me wrong, some places make it worth the money. However, more times than not, unless you’re renting a beach house, (which I suggest) getting a hotel as little as 5 miles away from the beach makes the cost about 50% less and your experience isn’t changed or lessened in the slightest. Plus, then you have more money to spend on exciting things while at, or around the beach!
8. Protect Your Open Drinks
There’s nothing worse than being at the beach and having your cool drink ruined. Sand flies everywhere. Cupcake liners are small and easy to throw into a bag without taking up space, use them to protect your drinks! Tip from: One Crazy House
9. Beach Towel Blanket
I don’t know about you, but I’m always trying to use my bag as a pillow when I’m lying on the beach. Why not just add a small pillow spot on your beach towel?! Brilliant! Tip from: DIY Enthusiasts
10. Netted Toy Box
I’ve been ranting about the sand, but for those of you who have been before, you know I’m right! If you take toys or larger items to the beach, use a netted laundry holder! Keeps the sand out and the items in. Tip from: The Idea Room
11. Nifty Straw Holder
Take one of those cheap travel toothbrush holders and make it a straw holder. I’m obsessed with needing straws for any of my drinks. This makes it much easier to bring them along. Tip from: Camping Livez
12. Turn the Beach Into a Workout
Can you believe that running in the sand burns that many calories?! You don’t even have to feel like you’re working out, just do something fun on the beach like a game and get your cardio burn on. Tip from: Blog Lovin’
13. Know the Flow of the Ocean
It can be scary being in the ocean if you don’t know a ton about it. Check out this tip on what to do if you feel like you’re getting sucked out to sea. Tip from: 1000 Life Hacks
14. Aloe Vera Ice Cubes
Sunburns can suck the fun out of beach life. Aloe Vera is amazing for sunburns. These DIY ice cubes will work even better. Super easy to make too! Tip from: The Dumb Belle
15. Baby Powder Fights Sand
We’re back to the fact that sand seriously is a bummer. However, bring along a little bit of baby powder and say goodbye to that pesky stuff. Sand just wipes off when you use it, and it smells nice too! On this list of the 21 best beach hacks, this one is one of my favorites! Tip from: I Dream of Clean
16. Beach Games
Kids can get bored at the beach. Heck, I get bored at the beach every once in a while. However, I don’t want to leave, I just want something more to do. Turn traditional games into the beach version to make some more fun out of the beach! Tip from: Mom.Me
17. Beach Towel Pockets
Shut up and take my money. This is brilliant. Adding little pockets to your beach towel to hold your items…why can’t I think of these things? Tip from: Making It With Danielle
18. Make Your Keys Float
Whatever goes in the ocean, that isn’t attached to you, stays in the ocean. I’m talking sunglasses, hair ties, hats etc. Taking your keys to the beach is often necessary. Just use this floating trick, you’ll thank us later. Tip from: Green Moxie
19. Juice Box Slushies
Everyone likes something cold when you’re in the sun on the beach! Freeze Capri Suns (or any juice box) and make it a slushy treat for while you’re there! No cooler needed! Tip from: The Girl Inspired
20. Eat Smart Before Going to the Beach
Did you know that foods like tomatoes, if eaten before going out in the sun, add extra protection from the sun’s harmful rays? Tomatoes aren’t the only things. Check out this list of foods that help protect against the sun. Tip from: Prevention
21. Sand Bags
I don’t know about you, but when I’m relaxing on the beach and the wind decides to pick up, I don’t enjoy my towel flopping on me. Sand gets everywhere and it’s just annoying. Take baggies to the beach with you (easy to shove anywhere, easy to clean up) and fill them with sand to weigh down the edges of the towel. They would work as a great pillow too, if you ask me! Tip from: Pinterest
Have any other tips you’d like to add to our 21 Best Beach Hacks? Comment and share, so everyone can have the awesome info! Enjoy your trip to the beach, and remember, the sand will always be with you!
If you liked this post, check out how we save when we vacation to Florida: How To Take a Florida Vacation on the Cheap!
