Towels:
If you are going to be spending a lot of time down at the beach, you already know you need a towel. But what kind of towel is the best kind to bring? The answer to that depends on what you plan to do while you are at the beach. For laying out on the hot sand under the summer sun to soak up some rays, you will want a beach towel. Beach towels are bigger than the towels you dry off with after a shower at home. Beach towels will allow you to lay your entire body, so you can keep all of your body off of the scorching hot sand. If you are brining a partner, friend or entire family to lay on the beach with you, you'll need a beach blanket which is bigger than the beach towel and can accommodate three medium-sized or two large people. If you are simply going out for a swim and plan to skip sunbathing at the beach, you don't even need to pack a towel, just take one for each person to dry off with from your hotel room (be sure to request extra towels upon check-in).
Sun block:
No matter what shade of skin you have, prolonged exposure to the sun is bad for your skin. Be sure to use a sun block that contains SPF 30 or higher for your face and body and SPF 15 or higher on your lips. Since you are likely to get wet during your time outdoors at the beach, purchase a water-proof sun block that is guaranteed to last for at least 4 hours.
Beach shoes:
Shoes are a more important part of beach wear than you might think. The sand is hot and course on the bottoms of your feet. Fish bones and broken glass is everywhere just waiting to jab at your feet. Sandals just don't do the trick, even if they are thought of as the ultimate beach shoe. Instead, protect your feet with closed-toe shoes that also have a back that covers the entire heel. Shoes with open toes and without backs just let scorching sand and sharp particles in; you might as will go barefoot. Try a pair of amphibious slide-on shoes that resemble a standard athletic shoe but are really made to we worn on land and in water. These usually come in summer appropriate colors and patterns and are just as easy to slide on and off as a pair of flip-flops.
Swim suit:
It goes without saying that you need to invest in at least one swim suit before you head off to the beach. Some people who wish to save money might swim in their denim shorts and a t-shirt, but these items are just too bulky for swimming. They can also be dangerous because they weigh you down making it harder to swim when you become tired. They are too loose and can get caught or snagged on floating debris, piers, rocks and more. Also, they are a hassle because they don't dry out as fast as a swim suit. Your swim clothes don't need to be designer, but they do need to be designed for water usage. Save money by purchasing a cheap suit from a discount store or at a garage sale instead of skipping the suit altogether.
