Essential Checklist For What You Need to Bring to the Beach

Sunset over the water

No matter how hard you prepare and plan for your beach getaway, you seem to find yourself going, “I wish I brought that with me,” or “next time I will bring that”.  We hope this checklist will cover all of the essentials to make your beach vacation less-stressful and more relaxing. Here is a rather-lengthy list of items specific to lounging in the coastal sands.

Swimsuits — Swimwear lands at the top of our list of must-haves for a trip to the beach, and lucky for you, there is no shortage of beach shops along the boardwalk within walking distance if you didn’t bring your suit. Here, of course, our beautiful stretch of Atlantic Ocean beachfront beckons from right outside the resort’s back door. And to take the wet and wild fun (and the need to bring your swimsuits) to another level, the resort is home to multiple outdoor pools and hot tubs, an indoor pool deck and kiddie pool, a pair of lazy rivers, an oceanfront water park featuring the Pirate’s Plunge water slide, and lots more. Check out all the water attractions (and other fun on-property highlights) on our amenities page.

Sunscreen — If you’re planning to spend any time in the sun, it’s always important to protect your skin. So pack plenty of sunscreen, and be sure to slather up before you head to the beach.

Sunglasses — The sun shines bright on our beaches, so you’ll want to bring your shades along to keep the rays out of your eyes.

Cap or beach hat — As noted above, we get a good bit of sunshine in the Myrtle Beach area, and having a cap or hat can definitely come in handy by providing a bit of personal shade.

Beach umbrella — Of course, you can’t have too much shade when spending a day relaxing on the beach, so a beach umbrella is always a welcome addition. Just be sure to know the rules — which during peak periods in Myrtle Beach allow for umbrellas up to 7.5 feet in diameter.

Portable cooler — You and your vacation crew are likely to work up a thirst while having so much fun on the beach — and, of course, cold drinks are particularly refreshing in the hot sun. The cooler is also a great place to stash away some snacks — or even a picnic lunch — for when hunger really sets in.

Water bottle — It’s important to stay hydrated, especially when spending time in the hot sun, so don’t forget to pack a water bottle for each member of your beach crew.

Portable Bluetooth speaker — Especially if you’re planning to spend long stretches of your getaway relaxing on the beach or kicking back in the sun loungers found by one of our outdoor pools, there are few better ways to set the mood than with your favorite tunes by your side.

Flip-flops or sandals — If you’re going to be walking through the oceanfront sands, one of these options is the clear footwear of choice, as they allow for easy on and off, plus simple removal of shoe sand.

Beach towels — You’re going to need to dry off after taking a dip in the water, and a larger beach towel serves a secondary ground-cover role when you’re looking to stretch out on the sands.

Beach blanket — While the above-mentioned beach towels can serve the same ground-cover purpose, having a dedicated beach blanket along is definitely a plus when the towels get wet. And as an added bonus, the blankets tend to offer a bit more square footage for really stretching out along the shoreline.

Beach chairs — In case you don’t want to spend all your lounging time lying vertical in the sands, bring along a beach chair so you can kick back in an upright position.

Good book — Nothing says relaxation on the beach quite like escaping it all with a great read. Bring along your favorite, and dive into your story of choice during a day in the sands or by the oceanfront pool.

Beach game — Add to the fun in the sand with a fun beach game like Bocce, Frisbee or even the Grand Strand’s own signature game Myrtle Ball.

 Beach bag — With all of this stuff to carry, you’re going to need something to help you haul it all. Make sure that your bag of choice is big enough to fit all the essentials.

Ready to pack your bags and head for the Carolina coast?