There is always that question whenever you are hitting the beach, “What should I bring along?”

Sure, there are aplenty to pack, but what do you really need to enhance your experience, and to cover you for all that you need? Here, we make a checklist of the items that you should pack. These are the 12 Beach Essentials that should go into your beach bag for that wonderful day out in the sun.

Let the sea and the sunshine set you free…

FLIP-FLOPS

To move around easier on the sand, wear your flip-flops. The brighter the colour, the better! Life is colourful and fun by the beach.

TOWEL

You would need something to wipe yourself clean after your swimming and tanning. We love stripe pieces that easily makes good photo props.

SWIMWEAR

But of course, we all need to be properly clothed for the beach. Itsy teeny polka dot bikinis for you? The gentlemen shall pack their trunks. If you are planning to surf or do any massive sea sports, one-piece suits or diving suits are preferred.

SUNBLOCK

This is the most important item and the one that you should never go to the beach without. Sunblocks come in various kinds – gels, creams, sprays… Pick the texture that you are comfortable with and apply it on your entire body generously. Note that there are specialized ones for face.

When you buy your sunblocks, do also note that there are water-resistant ones and those are the ones you should get if you intend to frolic in the waters. Depending on the level of SPF you pick, reapply accordingly.

SUNGLASSES

For several reasons – to protect your eyes from the UV rays, to refrain ourselves from squinting our eyes (as it will affect our eyesight), and last but certainly not least, to look cooler in photos. Pass us that Ray Ban’s please.

ALOE VERA GEL

To soothe your skin after a session of suntanning, aloe vera gel is very important and essential. Slather it on and pat it into your skin, and the cool gel will calm your skin and minimize peeling.

CAMERA + UNDERWATER CASE

Because moments are fleeting and precious, and the way to remember them is to capture them all the best we can. Photos make the best souvenirs, so set your camera, strike a pose, and have that moment documented forever.

And if you are planning to go snorkelling or diving, make sure to get an underwater case for your camera. Another good alternative would be GoPro.

SNACKS

Munching on the beach sounds like a great idea, yes? Finger sandwiches, wafer crackers, mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes, biscuit with chocolate dips… anything. We lead the life on the beach!

MAGAZINES + BOOKS

Few things in life are as therapeutic as reading by the beach while hearing the waves crash onto the shore and watching the sun rays dance on the water. Pack your favourite reads along; well, they’d make good photo props too and you’d thank us for this tip.

FLOAT

Idyllic life on a donut, anyone?

NOTEBOOK

Be inspired by the beauty that surrounds you. Pen down your thoughts and ideas. Remember all that you’ve seen and heard. Unleash that inner poet in you. Those stanzas will be among the most meaningful in your journey of life.

BOARD GAME

If you are in a pair or a group, some board games would be fun. Scrabble’s our favourite; what’s yours?

I don’t know about you, but packing for a holiday always gives me a major headache. There seems to be so many items on the checklist, and I don’t believe I am the only one who wants to pack the whole house into the suitcase.

But having had numerous close shaves with overweight baggages, yet not wanting to put myself in the dreadful situation of needing something that can hardly be found (or too expensive to find) while being miles away from home, I set myself “must-have” lists for various kinds of holidays.

And today, I will share the top 5 items to go into that suitcase when you go for a summer vacation by the beach.

Sunblock

I cannot say enough how important this product is. Vanity aside, because UV rays are so harmful and detrimental to our skin, we must never step out without a protective layer of sunblock.

If you are afraid of the greasiness, opt for water or gel based ones. Try Clarins’ UV Plus HP Ecran Multi-protection Day Screen or The Face Shop Natural Sun Oil Cut Sun Cream. For the ladies who wear makeup to the beach, be sure to choose a makeup primer (to be applied after sunblock) with mild SPF to give you extra coverage.

Facial wipes

They are so handy, and they are life savers. After taking a long stroll and a day of beach activities, you perspire and you have (dirty) sea water stained on your face. And it will be such a pleasure to freshen up with these facial wipes.

They are inexpensive and not heavy. sure is a good idea to pack some in your beach bag!

Flip-flops and Casual flat shoes

Ditch the heels and leather loafers, and it is out to play for your favorite pair(s) of flip-flops and sandals! You are entitled to vanity for sure, but when headed to a beach, all you need is to pack light and be carefree.

Don’t bog yourself down with unnecessary weight, because as common a mistake it is (i am, too, guilty as charged), many will have the irrational worry that you may need a pair of party shoes for a dinner or two. But you would be relieved to know that in any typical beach resort or destination, people saunter around in comfortable footwear. Even when you dine at a finer restaurant, you can still be presentable with a pair of t-bar sandals, or ballerina flats.

Vitamin C

Apart from soaking up the “sunshine vitamin” (vitamin D), we need to keep ourselves healthy with vitamin C in abundance. It is said to be the most effective nutrient with a great deal of benefits, like protection against immune system deficiencies, eye diseases and skin wrinkling – just to name a few.

Bring along vitamin C tablets and supplements, because the last thing you want is to fall ill on a holiday. Also, whenever possible, eat freshly sliced fruits and drink fresh fruit juices. Citrus fruits like oranges and lemons is your best bet.

A good book

Nothing beats being away from the busy city life and lazing on the warm sand with a good book. Think nothing about your emails, forget about your bills, and read.

Read and admire the picturesque scenery before your eyes; read and listen to the sound of the waves as they splash against the rocks; read and rejuvenate yourself. It is just you and your book in a world far away from stress and unhappiness.

That is how a beach holiday should be.

Words by Melody Yap, photograph by ladyironchef

 I will be churning more lists in this month. Do look out for the series! I hope they would be helpful for you when you are pulling your hair the night before your flight, or frantically doing a mental check on the things you have (and have not) packed.