Headed to the sandy beaches of the North Carolina Coast for your vacation this year? Nothing says vacation like spending the day at one of our beautiful beaches. When staying in one of our Holden Beach vacation rentals, having the right beach bag essentials will help make your vacation much better. Be sure to check your “beach bag” must have list before you leave for your trip to guarantee you’ll have a good time.

Must Have Beach Bag Items

Beach Bag

Having the right beach bag can make ALL the difference in the world. Sure, you can throw all of your items into any old bag, but did you know that all beach bags were not created equal. We suggest looking at the size, water and sand resistance, security and stylish when searching for your bag. We have found that even using a backpack, diaper bag or an even a large utility tote bag works perfect for a beach bag.

Beach Towels

Pack a towel for everyone in your family whether you are going to sit in the sun or swim in the ocean. Bringing an extra towel with you is always a good idea especially if you have little ones with you. Having a beach towel with a different design can help each member in your group remember which one theirs is. We also suggest that you make a pocket or two for your beach towels too. Just sew a few pockets on one end of the towel to keep a few things handy like sunscreen or your sunglasses.

Sunscreen

With the southern sun on Holden Beach, sunscreen is a must for any beach bag. Use a sunscreen that is designed for your beach activities such as waterproof, sport, high SPF, etc.). Dermatologists recommend that you use a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF while you are enjoying the sunshine. And don’t forget to Reapply throughout your day as we don’t want you to ruin your vacation the very first day your here with a sunburn. If you do happen to get a little more sun than you planned, make sure to have some aloe in your bag as well.

Water Resistant Phone Pouch or Plastic Bag

Between the water, sun and sand, the beach is filled with many things that can damage your phone. Bringing a water-resistant pouch to the beach can be a lifesaver for many. If you come on vacation and realize you don’t have one, a sandwich bag or Ziploc bag will do the same as the phone pouch. They will keep your phone protected from the elements at the beach and you can even use it while it’s in the bag or pouch.

Mesh Bag for Sand Toys

When you go on vacation with kids, bringing toys to play in the sand is a must. But we understand that bringing back the sand into your car or vacation rental can be a hassle. If you pack in your beach bag a mesh bag such as a laundry bag or a bag specifically for beach toys can help eliminate the mess. Just throw the sandy toys into the bag, give it a good shake or two and leave the sand behind at the beach. You should be able to find these bags at any store or you can purchase them online too.

Hat & Sunglasses

Bringing both of these items can be very useful for anyone who visits the beach. The sun in the south is a lot warmer than it would be up north, and so we want to make sure you are protected. Having sunglasses will protect your eyes from the sun bright rays and will offer you some relief when trying to keep an eye on your little ones playing. Whether you have a floppy hot or a baseball cap, you will be happy that you brought these along with you. Be sure to pack one for each member of your family.

Reusable Water Bottle

When you are spending the day in the sun and at the beach, you will want to stay hydrated as well. Throw a few water bottles in the cooler or bring a reusable bottle such as a Yeti Cup or an insulated bottle as they will keep your drink ice cold all day long. The sun and salt will dry you out so make sure that you have enough water to go around for everyone in your family for the whole day.

Baby Powder

You may not have thought that this would be a must, but it is whenever you go to the beach. Whether you are staying in a vacation rental or you decided to drive your car to the beach access, sand will be all over you when you leave the beach. So, bringing baby powder in your beach bag will magically get the sand off of your body without irritation and leave a nice scent too. This is perfect for everyone in the family and not just the kids.

Fitted Sheet

Many years ago, we learned of an easier way to keep your food and beach items sand free. Bring a fitted sheet with you from home that you can prop up on the beach. Use the cooler, beach bag, and a few other things to help keep the area clean. If you have younger kids that don’t like the feel of the sand, this is a way they too can enjoy the beach without the upset of getting sand in their mouths, or even the food.

There are many other items that you can pack into your beach bag for your next trip to Holden Beach, but these are the must have items we thought you should have with you. If you are still looking for a place to stay for your next getaway or vacation, then check out our Holden Beach vacation rentals today. We can’t wait to see you and your family as you enjoy the North Carolina Coast!