Last Updated: July 27, 2022
Beach Camping Essentials: 20 Things You Must Bring On Your Trip
Planning on going on a beach camping trip this summer instead of going to your usual lakeside or mountain top campsite? In that case, you will want to read our list of beach camping essentials as a beach camping trip is very different from an otherwise “normal” camping trip.
Beach camping is a wonderful way to enjoy nature as you can be tucked up in sand dunes with views of the sea, starting your mornings with a fresh dip followed by some fishing and a hike around the headlands.
But, it doesn’t come without its challenges and you will need to have the right beach camping gear with you to get the most out of camping on the beach and be comfortable. Here is a beach camping checklist for you to follow to ensure you have all the gear you need for a great camping trip.
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Beach Umbrella and Sand Anchor
The first bit of beach camping gear you will want to have with you is a beach umbrella and a sand anchor to hold it in place.
We have all been on a hot beach without any shade and all it does is minimize the amount of time you can spend there. I always end up annoyed that I don’t have a beach umbrella and refuse to leave the beauty behind just because it is hot, and get burned.
If you have an umbrella with you while camping, you can always lie in the shade and never have to leave your spot due to heat. Make sure to have a sand anchor too to keep the umbrella in place on those windy days too.
Sleeping Bag
When camping on the beach, you might not think a sleeping bag would be on the beach camping checklist but it can get very cold at night when beach camping in the sand dunes.
One of the best beach camping tips I can give you is to have a super lightweight sleeping bag with you so you can be warm while sleeping to the sounds of the waves on the shore.
Don’t bring heavy sleeping bags with you, a 2 season sleeping bag is great and will keep you warm enough without overheating. Sleeping pads are a good idea to have with you too.
Camping Table
Beach destinations are usually very sandy and one of the best beach camping tips I can give you is to have a good camping table or picnic table with you.
Serving food on a blanket on the sand is never a good idea, as with one gust of wind, your food will become sandy and horrible. Having a small foldable camping table with you allows you to serve up a delicious buffet of options that won’t get covered in sand.
It is also lovely to sit around a table so you can play card games and board games, plus serve up a sit-down dinner when you want to have a posh lunch or dinner with your toes in the sand.
Garbage Bags
Bringing along a roll of trash bags is an essential bit of gear for all camping trips but they are even more important when you are beach camping as they have a dual purpose. `
Firstly, chances are you won’t be near any trash receptacles and therefore you will want to make sure your trash is stored properly and not left scattered around the sand for the next campers to pick up.
Another thing you have to deal with is salt water and lots of sand, so you can also use your bin bags to protect any gear you don’t want to get damaged. Also, if it rains, laying down a trash bag under your towel means you can sit on the beach and not get wet, they are so useful!
Camping Cookware
Wherever you go beach camping, you are going to need to do some cooking at some point, and to cook you will want some cookware.
In order to cook up some great food you will want a large pot for boiling water, a non-stick skillet for cooking vegetables and meats, extra pans for smaller delicacies, and all the things to eat with and out of like bowls, plates, culturally, a sharp knife and a chopping board.
You can find some awesome camping cooking sets that have everything you need in a compact lightweight package.
First Aid Kit
Something you should have with you on any beach camping trip is a good first aid kit. You might want to adapt a normal first aid kit and add things that will deal with beach camping calamities like jellyfish stings and sunburn.
I would suggest having all the basics for burns and cuts like bandages, and bandaids, plus some pain killers and some antibiotics too. Add in some aloe vera, aftersun, and some vinegar for any stings and you should be good to go.
Camping Food and Drinks
The one thing that can make or break a beach camping trip is having enough great camping food and drinks to enjoy while you are gazing over the ocean.
When it comes to packing food and drinks for a camping trip it is important to be prepared. You can pre-make foods and freeze them, and take them with you to heat up on the stove.
Simple dishes like sandwiches are great, so bring some fresh vegetables, salads, and sauces to go with them, and breakfasts of oats or cereal with long-life milk make life easy. Always take a ton of water with you as well as any other drinks you might want.
Here are some more tips for you about food for camping!
Beach Tent
Beach camping is always going to involve needing a tent but it is not an ordinary tent you need, you will need a beach tent. A beach tent is different from a normal tent as it doesn’t come with tent stakes, it comes with sand anchors instead, as the stakes won’t hold in the sand.
The sand anchors are sealable bags you can fill with sand or rocks that will keep your tent on the ground no matter how windy the weather is. There are a ton of beach tents on the market and some are better than others, here are the best of them.
Tarp
An oversized tarp is always a useful thing to have when you are beach camping as it will create comfort in lots of ways. You can lay out the tarp on the sand to create a sand-less area of ground cover on the beach to put your food and table on. This means you can walk out of your tent and stay sand-free until you want to.
Another great thing about a tarp is being able to rig it up for extra shade to create a relaxing place to hang out under during the hot parts of the day. Be warned though, you might not be able to find much to tie the tarp to so may want to bring some poles with you and some extra sand anchors to hold them in place.
Clothing
While you may expect warm balmy weather while beach camping, you should check the weather forecast and be prepared for it to change and large storms full of wind and rain can come in without warning.
With regards to weather, you need to be prepared with the right clothing and should pack for all eventualities. This means bringing some layered clothing for colder evenings, a waterproof/windproof jacket, good shoes, and all the things you need for hot weather, like breathable long sleeve shirts, a hat, shorts, and flip-flops too.
Don’t forget swimming gear either, shorts, bikinis, goggles, masks, and even a wetsuit if it is super cold.
Bug Spray
Most beaches in the world are home to bugs, particularly popular beaches next to brackish water where mosquitoes like to breed.
This means you will want to bring some bug spray with you so that you don’t spend your evenings itching at mosquitos instead of looking for shooting stars up above you.
There is nothing worse than being bitten all night and having to stand around the fire pit smoke to deter the evil little nippers.
Quick Drying Towels
Spending time by the sea always requires towels and extra towels at that since chances are you will be getting in and out of the water a few times a day.
The key here is to have a quick-drying towel that gets nice and dry within a few hours so that you don’t end up with a damp smelly towel at the end of day one.
Towels are also great when you want to lie on the sand and don’t want to get too sandy while sunbathing.
Water Bottles
Having enough water while camping on a hot beach is key to your health and happiness during your trip. Having a good water bottle is a way of ensuring you are never dehydrated and if you are staying somewhere close to a fresh water source, you can go and fill up your bottle whenever you need to.
The best way to operate is to have more water than you need at camp which you store in the shade which you can then fill your water bottle from to take on little missions. Finding a good water bottle can be hard though, here are some of the best for you to choose from.
Sunscreen
One of the biggest dangers you need to deal with when beach camping is the sun and therefore taking sunscreen with you is essential. Sunburn is one of the most uncomfortable things in the world, and having it in a hot tent with no fan or air conditioning is another story altogether.
Make sure to bring at least SPF 30 with you as this blocks out 97% of harmful UV rays and will keep you from getting burned.
Ice Coolers
Having a great time in the sun demands having cool drinks and food which in turn means you need to have a great ice cooler with you. I would recommend having a cooler backpack as it makes hiking to the store to get ice and bring it back to the campsite a lot easier.
With the best cooler you can keep ice for days and when the ice melts, they usually retain the cool water which means you can still keep your drinks and food cold. There is nothing like a frosty beer at the end of a sunny day in my eyes.
Camping Chairs
Camping chairs really do make all the difference when sleeping out in nature. Not having to sit cross-legged on the sand and being able to eat a meal or read a book sitting comfortably with your back supported is the only way to go in my eyes.
There are loads of awesome camping chairs out there, but some are better than others and they can even come with a footrest so you can lounge by the sea. Here are some of the best camping chairs around for you to choose from.
Sun Hats & Sunglasses
Again, the sun is the thing you need to protect yourself from most when camping on the beach and to do so you will need a good sun hat and some good sunglasses.
Sun hats come in lots of different forms and the key to finding the best sun hat is ensuring it is comfortable and creates good shade. Here are some great ones to choose from.
When it comes to sunglasses by the sea, polarized sunglasses with mirror lenses are number one. These cut through the glare so you can see all the colors in the ocean and the mirror protects your eyes from reflected light off the sea. Here are my favorite polarized sunglasses.
Flashlights
Camping always requires a good flashlight so that you can navigate your way around at night time. Everything from going for a walk, using the bathroom, getting your bed ready, cooking, and looking for drinks requires a great camping flashlight.
I’d recommend everyone bring a camping flashlight with them so no one is left short in the dark.
Toiletries
Toiletries are a must as always so be sure to bring your toothpaste, toothbrush, and any other essentials you will need. Don’t forget some baby wipes too as you won’t always be able to have a shower and these are a great way of keeping yourself fresh until you get to one.
Beach Blanket
One of the coolest things about beach camping is being able to watch the moon rise over the sea, look at the amazing stars, and search for shooting stars. There is no better bit of gear for this than a good beach blanket that will keep you warm and dry while you enjoy the spectacular view.
RELATED POST: If you are going on a beach trip with a toddler, here are the toddler beach essentials you must bring!
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
