The Very Stylish Beach Essentials Checklist (2024)

When skies are clear and the weather is hot, wrangling your friends together for a day at the beach is one of the best ways you could spend it. But if you’ve ever been caught up in the swell of excitement and moved a little too quickly, whether to beat the traffic or snag one of the few coveted fire pits, you probably arrived at the glimmering ocean having forgotten a few beach essentials. This is where a checklist comes in handy. Luckily, lists are kind of our thing. And because real life occasionally influences our pitch process—catch me at Rockaway Beach next weekend—I decided to make a beach essentials list for myself and my job. (That’s what work-life balance means, right?) So instead of diverting your precious brain power into the hard science of lists, use this as your handy guide for everything you should bring to the beach.

Swim Trunks

No, regular shorts will not cut it. You’ll need a pair of proper swim trunks, or, at the very least, some technical shorts that repel water and dry quickly.

Sunglasses

Assuming you’re going to the beach because it’s actually nice outside, you’ll need some sunglasses. Once you’re fully down to just your trunks, there’s not much else you can wear to get your beach fit off.

A Camp Shirt

Hardcore beachgoers will head out in nothing but their bathing suit (or, at designated beaches, their birthday suit). You’d be surprised how cold the beach can get. People seem to forget that it’s generally windier, and if you think you’ll be staying there past sunset, you’ll definitely want something to cut the chill. Camp shirts are the perfect option here.

A Beach Towel

Your sandy plot is effectively your open-air living room for the day, and everyone’s interior (exterior?) decorating skills are on full display. So it’s imperative to lay out a sick beach towel to let your stee*z shine whether you’re getting your tan on or catching some waves. Of course, a stylish beach towel should also be able to dry you off and slough off sand easily.

Sandals

Closed toe shoes will trap sand for months. Get yourself a proper pair of sandals—or at least a closed toe shoe with some kind of perforation. And if you’re eager to show off the rare kicks you somehow managed to buy before the bots got them, wear those on through the parking lot and switch into a pair of beach-friendly sandals right after.

Sunscreen

Beachbound or not, everyone—EVERYONE—should be wearing sunscreen. Make sure you get a broad spectrum option with an SPF of at least 30 and remember to re-apply it every two hours (and after you get out of the water).

An Umbrella

Because you actually can have too much fun in the sun. Avoid sunburns and sun sickness with a shady umbrella or tent.

A Chair

Digging your own sand chair is fun. But if you can’t be bothered to build furniture on what is supposed to be a day off, then bring your own chair instead.

A Beach Bag

A beach bag with proper drainage can help keep sand out of your car and home. Just make sure to pack any tiny belongings in a zippered pouch to avoid losing them.

A Cooler

You think those loose beers you transported straight from your fridge to the beach will stay cold? Don’t play yourself. Invest in a cooler and keep the bevs and potato salad cold as God intended.

Snacks

Unless you live right next to the beach, it was probably a trek to get there, meaning you’ll want to be there for a hefty amount of time. Aside from packing sandwiches, you should have something to snack on. Personally, we like Takis. But celery sticks and hummus are cool too, or whatever.

Drinks

Beer, wine, soda, good ol’ fashioned water—whatever your bev of choice is, bring it. As they say, “water water everywhere but not a drop to drink”.

Entertainment

If you can believe it, some folks don’t want to splash around in the water. In-between sunbathing and snacking, there’s gotta be something else to do to pass the time. Tossing around a football, reading a book, playing cards—whatever your jam is, don’t forget to pack it.