There’s nothing better than a spontaneous beach getaway – salty hair, warm sun, and slow days spent swimming and snoozing in the sand. But if you’ve ever arrived at the beach and realised you forgot your towel, sunscreen, or swimmers, you know how quickly the vibe can turn.
Whether you’re heading away for a weekend road trip or hopping on a plane to chase an endless summer, what you pack can make or break your beach holiday. And we’re not just talking about your swimsuit – this is the full list of what you’ll actually use, love, and need every day.
This guide covers everything from the best travel towel to smart sun protection, outfits you’ll actually wear, and the often-overlooked essentials that’ll make your trip smoother. It’s tailored for light packers, carry-on queens, and anyone who wants to travel like a pro without overpacking.
Start with the Basics: Your Everyday Beach Kit
First, let’s cover the essentials you’ll reach for every time you hit the beach.
1. A Sand Free Beach Towel
If you pack nothing else, make sure you bring a good sand free beach towel. These aren’t just thinner versions of your bathroom towel – they’re designed for real beach life. That means they repel sand, dry quickly, and roll down small to fit in your bag.
Our pick? The Nomadique Amalfi Towel. It’s soft, folds up to the size of a T-shirt, and has a hidden zip pocket to keep your phone and card safe while you swim.
Not only is it a functional hero, but it also doubles as your beach mat, picnic rug, impromptu shade, or post-swim wrap-up. You’ll use it more than you think.
2. Travel Towel (Optional but Handy)
If you're planning hikes, hostel stays, or multi-day trips, pack an extra travel towel. These dry super fast and are perfect for showers, gym sessions, or non-beach swims. You don’t want to be using your sandy beach towel at the hostel sink.
Travel towels are lighter and more compact than ever – most weigh under 300g and dry in under an hour. Look for something soft, quick-dry, and durable enough for daily use.
3. Swimmers
Bring at least two pairs of swimmers so one can dry while you wear the other. You’ll always want a dry set ready for the next swim, especially on longer trips.
Choose ones that are comfy enough for ocean swims and cute enough for poolside lounging or beach bars.
4. Sunglasses
They’re a style essential and also protect your eyes from harsh UV. Polarised lenses are a bonus – especially when you’re around bright sand or water all day.
Pack them in a hard case so they don’t get crushed in your bag.
5. Sunscreen
This one’s a no-brainer, but choose a reef-safe formula if you’re swimming in the ocean – many destinations now ban chemical sunscreens to protect marine life.
Bring both face and body options, and reapply every couple of hours. If you’re flying, look for travel-sized tubes under 100ml.
What to Wear: Outfits That Do Double Duty
When it comes to beach travel, less is more – especially if you want to travel light. Choose breathable, versatile clothing that works from beach to café to night out.
6. Linen or Cotton Dress
The hero of every beach wardrobe. Choose something flowy, light, and easy to throw over swimmers. A classic white or neutral tone can be dressed up or down with accessories.
7. Oversized Shirt
Doubles as a beach cover-up, sun protection, or casual shirt for cooler evenings. Wear it open over your bikini or buttoned up with shorts for dinner.
Bonus: it can also act as a makeshift pillow on long train rides.
8. Comfy Shorts or Skirt
Bring one of each – something loose and breathable for the day, and a nicer pair or skirt for evenings. Bonus points if they match your top so you can create multiple looks from a few pieces.
9. Sandals You Can Actually Walk In
Forget stiff slides or strappy heels – you want sandals that can handle beach walks, town strolls, and dancing at sunset bars. Look for something waterproof, easy to clean, and comfy enough for long days.
10. Lightweight Jumper or Jacket
Even beach towns get breezy at night. Pack a light jumper or denim jacket for cool evenings, especially if you’re travelling outside peak summer months.
Beauty and Hygiene: Keep it Simple
Beach trips aren’t the time for a full makeup bag or 10-step routine. Go for a low-fuss kit that keeps you fresh, protected, and glowing without the weight.
11. Leave-In Conditioner or Hair Oil
Sun and salt can be rough on hair. A small bottle of leave-in conditioner or oil will help hydrate your ends and tame frizz.
12. Multi-Use Balm
Great for lips, cuticles, sunburns, or dry skin. Choose one product that does it all to save space and keep your skin happy.
13. Natural Deodorant
Keep things fresh without harsh chemicals. A solid or cream deodorant works well for travel – no spills, no plastic.
14. Body Wash Bar
Forget bulky shower gels. A solid body wash bar takes up no room, lasts forever, and won’t leak in your bag.
Smart Extras You’ll Be Glad You Packed
These are the little things you don’t realise you need – until you do.
15. Reusable Tote or Dry Bag
Perfect for separating wet swimmers or towels, or for carrying your stuff to the beach without a bulky backpack. A small foldable tote takes up no space but saves the day.
16. Refillable Water Bottle
Stay hydrated without buying single-use plastics. A stainless steel or BPA-free bottle will keep your water cold and beach-ready.
17. Portable Phone Charger
Essential for capturing sunset pics, navigating, and booking transport. Look for something lightweight and powerful enough for 2–3 charges.
18. Book or Kindle
You’ll never regret bringing something to read. Whether it’s a paperback novel or your entire library on Kindle, a good book pairs perfectly with a quiet beach afternoon.
19. Snorkel and Mask (If You’re Into It)
If you’re headed somewhere with coral reefs or great underwater life, bring your own snorkel gear. It’s cleaner than rentals and gives you freedom to explore whenever you want.
The One Thing Most People Forget
Storage. Not just for your towel – but for your valuables when you're swimming.
That’s where our beach towel with zip pocket comes in. It’s built for this exact scenario – you want to go for a dip, but don’t want to leave your phone, key, or wallet lying in plain sight. The zip pocket keeps everything hidden and safe.
It’s one of those small things that makes a big difference when you’re travelling solo or just want to swim stress-free.
→ Check out our bestselling sand free towels with pockets
Quick Packing List Recap
Essentials
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Sand free beach towel
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Travel towel
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2 swimsuits
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Sunglasses
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Reef-safe sunscreen
Clothing
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Linen or cotton dress
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Oversized shirt
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Shorts or skirt
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Comfy sandals
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Light jumper
Beauty & Hygiene
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Leave-in conditioner
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Multi-use balm
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Natural deodorant
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Solid body wash
Extras
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Tote or dry bag
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Water bottle
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Power bank
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Book or Kindle
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Snorkel gear (optional)
Pack light, pack smart, and focus on the items you’ll use daily. You don’t need to bring your whole wardrobe – just the pieces that work hard and feel good.
Final Thoughts
Packing for a beach trip doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right essentials, you can spend more time enjoying the sun and less time digging through an overstuffed suitcase.
Start with your towel – seriously. A compact, sand free beach towel or lightweight travel towel will do more for your comfort and convenience than any extra outfit or gadget. And if it comes with a zip pocket? Even better.
The rest is simple. Think layers, dual-purpose outfits, sun protection, and a few little luxuries that make it feel like a holiday. Whether you're heading to Byron Bay, Bali or the Amalfi Coast, this packing list will have you covered.
→ Don’t have the perfect towel yet? Shop our full travel and beach towel range
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