Beach Vacation Must Haves: A Minimal Packing List
Last updated: Feb 2024
I’m currently packing for a quick beach vacay to St. Simons Island with my sister with the goal of fitting everything in my carryon bag. This is no simple task for me but I’m trying to pack less this go around because I overpack for every trip and I’m done paying for checked bags. (Southwest please come to Marquette, Michigan! I miss you desperately.)
Packing for a beach vacation can be daunting; you want to look good and feel comfortable in the sweltering heat and sun. If you’re going anywhere in the coastal south, be prepared for some thick humidity too. Having lived at the coast for most of my life and done my fair share of sweating due to inappropriate clothing, I feel uniquely qualified to share my packing list of beach essentials to help you keep cool and stay stylish for any summer vacation.
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Sunscreen
Lounging at the Jekyll Island Resort
Sunscreen is the most important thing to have with you on your beach vacay. This may sound obvious but I’m blown away when I hear people say they don’t wear any or never reapply. I have sensitive skin and try to pack my sunscreen so I don’t have to go searching at the drugstore when I arrive at the beach. I got hooked on Blue Lizard when we lived in Maui. This block is zinc oxide and titanium oxide formula with no chemicals, parabens, or fragrances. It is thick so you know it’s going to stay on. For my face, I like using Supergoop Unseen Suncreen because it goes on smooth and there’s no whitecast. I also love the COOLA brand of sunscreen I’m particularly interested in the tinted moisturizer with SPF 30 sunscreen stick and anything in their tropical coconut scent. These sunscreen brands are all reef safe as well!
Make sure you put your block on at least 30 minutes before you swim or go in the sun.
Swimsuit
If you’re beach-bound, you’re obviously going to need a swimsuit. As someone with curves, I’ve long hated swimsuit season but I feel like the options these days are better than ever. There’s nothing worse than buying a suit you loathe just because you need one. If you can find a cheap and comfortable suit—lucky you! I tend to spend a bit more to make sure I can wear it all season and find one that will last for more than one summer. You’re likely to spend hours in a suit when at the beach or pool, so finding one that makes you feel comfortable is the best way to go. My go-to styles are one-pieces and high waisted bikinis.
Sweet Paradise Club Lyle Suit
Related content: Escape to the Jekyll Island Club Resort
If you follow me on IG you know I love Sweet Paradise Club’s vintage-inspired suits. The fabric is incredibly smooth, soft, and completely seamless, so there’s no uncomfortable gripping on your body. I have the Lyle one piece (pictured above) and one of the high waisted bikinis and love them both. If you see something you like don’t wait because once the pattern or color sells out they are gone!
Here are a few more that I’m loving this season.
Beach Cover-up
The second most important item is the cover-up. When you’re lounging all day by the pool or hanging out by the beach the last thing you want to do is get fully dressed to go grab lunch. Invest in a quality cover-up that works on and off the beach. I have a few go-to cover-ups that I always pack.
WAY too excited about ice cream
My current fave is from BECASA, a beautiful, mostly linen, resort line made in Georgia. I wear this short sleeve linen tunic nonstop during the summer and it is perfect for the beach. It’s lightweight and just long enough to throw over a suit, and easily doubles as a tunic that looks great over shorts or jeans. My exact tunic is no longer available but you can shop all of their beautiful beach pieces here. I packed it for my February trip to St. Simons and Jekyll Island and wore it over jeans several times when it was a little chilly. While you’re shopping the BECASA collection check out this stack of beach bangles that are perfect for the beach. I rarely leave home without them because they’re waterproof, sunblock safe and really lightweight making them very packable.
Related content: The Ultimate First Timers Guide to St. Simons Island, Georgia
I have cover-ups and slips from Free People that I love to throw on over a bathing suit or shorts. They’re always lightweight and dry really quickly if you happen to get it wet.
Related content: How to spend a weekend in Jekyll Island, Georgia
If I’m going to be in the sun for hours doing something active like kayaking or stand up paddleboarding, then I always bring a sun shirt or rash guard with a UPF rating. These types of clothing help protect against UVA/UVB rays without having to constantly reapply sunscreen to areas that are covered. I love this cool cropped one with a wave pattern and this one with adjustable sides so you can crop it or not.
UPF Sun Hat
Fern and I at the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm in Maui
Who doesn’t love a big floppy hat? Believe it or not, your scalp can burn. This happened to me in Maui and never again! I still have the one I bought in there years ago and the tag is long gone, but I’ve found a few similar ones. This woven hat is similar to the one I have. This woven hat is super cute and packable!
Shades
I blame my sister Madeline for my addiction to sunglasses. She worked at one of the designer sunglasses shops in Maui and had every style and designer line you could imagine, plus an amazing discount. While Ray-Ban aviators are one of my favorite classics, they’re not my favorite to bring to the beach because I can’t wear them on top of my head without the nose piece getting tangled in my hair. I have been rocking these cat-eye polarized wood frames from Root in New Orleans for the past couple of years and I love them. They’re lightweight and the materials have been sustainably sourced. I’ve had Costa del Mar shades forever and I really like their newer collection created from recycled fishing nets. I just need to decide between these round Catherine frame or these tortoise frames.
Poolside at Jekyll Island Club Resort
Sandals
I’ve gushed about my love of Chacos many times before but I’ll say it again. They’re so freaking comfortable! I can walk, hike, and bike in these for hours and my feet feel great. I have a basic black pair but I am interested in trying some of their new leather ones to see if they’re just as comfortable. I also love Olukai sandals because they’re fashionable and comfortable. I have these leather ones with a metallic strap that you can easily wear them to the beach during the day and pair them with a dress for dinner.
Tote
I’ve been using my backpack as my beach bag lately simply because I use it as my carryon. I do love a big woven tote though to lug your supplies in for the day. Here are a few cute ones that I like.
What to wear off the beach
For the most part, beach destinations are pretty casual. Unless you’re headed to West Palm Beach or Malibu I wouldn’t worry about getting dressed up. Dresses and jumpsuits are perfect because you can dress them up or down and add a light jacket if it gets chilly in the morning or evening. I throw in at least one maxi dress (love Free People maxis) in case of a nicer dinner because I feel like they’re a little easier to dress up. I wore this slinky tank dress all day then added a pair of booties and different jewelry for dinner that night. Pro tip: If you have thick thighs like myself, get yourself a pair of these skimmie shorts to wear underneath. These smooth little slip shorts will save your legs from horrible chaffing.
Related content: Local’s Guide to St. Simons Island Restaurants
Exploring Crane Cottage at Jekyll Island
If you know you like to work out when on vacation, pack some workout outfits and go with an all-day athleisure look. That way you can do most any activity and then grab lunch without changing. For my February trip to St. Simons, I walked on the beach every morning then put on sandals to go to a coffee shop or run around with my little cousins. A t shirt-dress like this or these pants and this tank was my daily uniform. I don’t worry nearly as much as I used to about putting outfits together for trips because it just doesn’t really matter. The most important thing is to feel comfortable so just wear what you like.
Most of these photos were shot by Caitlin Lee a local wedding photographer in the Golden Isles area. She’s amazing; go check her out!
What do you pack for a trip to the beach?
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