As global vaccinations rise and the world prepares to re-open, you may be starting to think of travel again. Whether it’s an all-inclusive resort, or a backpacking adventure; a beach vacation is a great way to test out the travel waters again – especially those of us who have not had a break from cold winters in 2 years. I’ve made this beach vacation packing list for single travellers based on my own experience doing solo beach vacations from fancy all-inclusives to budget island hopping in the Maldives. Of course this list can also be helpful to those who are travelling as a couple or in a group as well.
Contents:
General Packing List for Beach Vacations
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One of the annoying things about travelling solo is having to be prepared for anything and everything – on your own. There’s no second person to share their sunscreen with you if you forgot to bring any, and you don’t have the advantage of sharing gear – like a beach blanket, or chargers etc. I have curated the packing list below from having travelled on beach vacations all over the world as a single-woman. The list of items I suggest are lightweight, practical options that form the core packing list that will get you through vacations of just a few days, to an indefinite amount of time (with certain items like soap having to be replaced from time-to-time of course).
General Packing list for a beach vacation:
- Swim Buoy: serves as both a dry bag that you can wear like a one-shoulder backpack to carry your belongings on dry land; swim beacon (so boaters can see you) and emergency floatation device in the water. The best part about the swim buoy is that you can safely carry your belongings with you while swimming as well, as the buoy is essentially a dry bag in addition to a swim safety device. Very essential for solo beach goers who do not have someone to look after their belongings on the beach and for personal safety
- Water wallet. Great for bringing phone, cash/cards and keys into the water with you so you don’t need to leave them on the beach.
- Snorkeling gear. Bringing your own snorkeling gear can save you quite a bit of rental money in the long run, and also allows you to go snorkeling anytime you want. You can leave the fins if you don’t have space, the mask and snorkel are the most important part. A pair of swim goggles could be a ultra-lightweight alternative to bringing snorkeling gear.
- Insect bite healer. This device is basically like a mini heat-pen that when applied to a fresh bite, denatures the poison from the insect bite and greatly reduces/eliminates itching and swelling. This is an absolute game-changer for those who have allergic reactions to bug bites. I normally get very bad swelling and itching from any bite that I get – but if I use this device when the bite is fresh, there is typically no evidence I even had a bite the next day!
- Battery Pack for charging phone and other electronic devices. I like this one that also has solar panels. Excellent customer service. Mine stopped working and they offered a full-refund right away.
- Electronics (Phone, laptop, associated chargers)
- Travel adaptor
- Phone case with a lanyard – you’re going to be using your phone for everything – photos, boarding passes, navigation. A lanyard helps you keep your phone close-by and also allows you to be hands-free. Also consider protecting your screen and lenses with a screen protector as your phone is undoubtedly going to be roughed around during travel.
- Camera and associated adaptor. (As I am an avid diver and snorkeler, I use this waterproof, shock proof camera, that is waterproof up to 30m and shockproof up to 8m. Another camera that I’ve seen other travellers use is the Sony CyberShot DSCHX99 which has a 30X Zoom with near-professional quality clarity. The quality is similar to professional cameras in small 8.5oz point-and-shoot device)
- Drone. I never saw myself owning one of these, but now the prices and size of these devices have come down dramatically, and it makes taking those epic overhead shots possible! This is is just a little over $100USD, and weighs just 115grams! Drones under 250grams do not need to be registered.
- Lightweight folding backpack. Whether you’re backpacking, or travelling with a suitcase, it’s always good to have a smaller daypack so you can leave your larger bags at the hotel. This one is water resistant, and folds up.
- Sarong: Something lightweight and inexpensive like this one is my go-to for a lightweight beach vacation. It packs into nothing and can even used as a towel in a pinch. Much better than carrying your typical beach towel, and also saves you from having to use your actual towel on the beach, and then wiping sand all over your body later on.
- Lightweight towel
- Water-resistant band-aids. (I take the band-aids out of the box and put them in a ziplock bag to reduce bulk. The ziplock also acts as a lightweight waterproof container)
- Polysporin (This greatly accelerates healing for small cuts and scrapes, and prevents infection.)
- Bug spray (I love this DEET-free repellent that kept me completely bite free in India)
- Sunscreen (I really like this Ombrelle sport spray – it sprays on clear – and great if you’re travelling solo – you can get your back with the spray!)
- Arnica (My go-to non-drug treatment for any bumps/bruises/inflammation while travelling. Great for anyone allergic to Advil like I am.)
- Sunglasses
- Hat. Your hats should have a brim to keep the sun off your face. This one has a SFP50 protection, and is lightweight and quick drying.
- Bug shirt (for the especially mosquito-prone). I use this one in a youth size.
- Bug pants (if you want to go for a full-on mosquito suit)
- Toothbrush, floss, toothpaste. (This travel dental kit is travel-sized and has everything you need.)
- Sunscreen. I love this sunscreen from Roche-Posay (Note the children’s formulation has better UVA filters like Titanium dioxide, and Mexoryl – so it’s the one I use and recommend)
- Nail clipper. (Consider this Swiss Army knife that has a nail clipper, scissors, file and knife all in one)
- Shampoo. This one comes in bar format so no worries about liquid shampoo getting everywhere. Also ideal if you are travelling carry-on only.
- Hair Conditioner. This one is locally made in Canada – and is in bar format so eliminates the problems that come with carrying liquids.
- All-purpose soap/bodywash/facewash. This castille soap is concentrated, so this small bottle can be diluted with water in a mini foamer bottle on a ratio of 1 part soap 4 parts water. (Doubles as my laundry soap – I just wear what I want to wash that day into the shower with me and clean my clothes in the shower).
- Antihistamines – in case of allergic reaction on the road or to help with swelling associated with bug bites (if you’re allergic)
- Benadryl “itch stick” for bug bites. Instant relief from insect bites.
- Pepto-bismol tablets. This inexpensive medication is a life-saver for mild digestive issues/nausea that are bound to happen when travelling.
- Imodium. Same idea as the Pepto-bismol, but if stomach issues hit and you’re having to run to the toilet – this can help slow things down and speed up your recovery.
Optional (particularly for those staying at hostels and guesthouses that may not have lockers or safes):
- Combination lock (for lockers at hostels). Email yourself the combination in case you forget it. A combination lock is far better than a key lock – as you can always retrieve your combination from your email, but you can’t easily retrieve a lost key.
- PacSafe security net to secure you backpack and valuables when there are no lockers at your hostel or guesthouse. Alternatively, you can bring a PacSafe theft-proof backpack that allows you to secure the locked and cut-proof backpack to a fixed object like a travelling, portable safe.
- Lightweight water filter. (I always bring my Sawyer filter. Even if you intend to only drink bottled water, you never know when you might need it, and it’s only 60 grams. I’ve used it to filter potentially sketchy tap water for brushing my teeth even when I’m only drinking bottled water.)
- Sleep sack. I always bring one of these when I am travelling – especially when staying at hostels or more rustic accommodations. Also helps protect you from biting insects at night.
- Portable water-flosser. For those of you who have been tasked by your dentist to use a water-flosser, you don’t need to abandon your routine during your travels. This one is ultra-portable and weighs only 181 grams, with a telescoping water basin.
Optional – Vitmains and Minerals:
- Multivitamin (Naturelo is an excellent all-around multivitamin – 100% RDI of each nutrient)
- Fish oil (I like Royal Blend fermented cod liver oil)
- Vitamin C/D combo (Vitamin C as it’s difficult to get enough fruit and veggies at times while traveling, and Vitamin D because it’s recommended by many health authorities for a plethora of benefits)
- MSM (Most of us are deficient in sulphur. MSM is also great for joint pain and inflammation)
Clothing Tips:
The clothing lists below can get you through travel from a few days to an indefinite period of time. If you invest in Icebreaker clothing – particularly for tops and hoodies – you do not have to wash this clothing daily. Just buy two of each item and wear one, while the other dries, if you’re going to a warm climate or will be very active.
Icebreaker clothing stays fresh and odor-free even if you get it super-sweaty. I have tried many different brands of Merino clothing and find nothing compares to Icebreaker in terms of maintaining freshness even after uses of one week or longer. This clothing is not cheap, 1 Icebreaker t-shirt costs as much as 7 regular t-shirts, but the benefit is that 1 Icebreaker t-shirt is like having 7 regular t-shirts while only carrying the weight of 1 t-shirt (as you can wear the same t-shirt for a week without washing), which is super important when you’re trying to reduce pack-weight. **Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by Icebreaker. I’m just passionately in love with their products.**
Tips – color: for tops and hoodies, I tend to choose darker colours or black as other colours tend to show sweat more – especially in hot climates. This is less of an issue for shorts and bottoms.
Clothing – Women:
- Bathing suit
- 1-2 tank tops. I love this tank top from Icebreaker in black. It’s a basic lightweight tank top that I use non-stop. Highly versatile, lightweight and dries quickly. I’ve used it as a casual top as well as an exercise top.
- 1-2 t-shirts. I always have two Icebreaker basic t-shirts on my trips. One for sports/being active, another for lounging/sleeping in.
- 1 pair lightweight shorts. Nike’s tempo shorts are a favourite of mine. Great for running, and being active, but also super-quick drying, and are great lounging shorts as well.
- 1 pair of zip-off hiking pants – so you have pants and shorts in one item. I like these ones as they are inexpensive, not too tight, and could look like regular pants when the bottoms are zipped on
- 1 pair black tights (you don’t really need this, but it’s a nice comfort item)
- 3-5 pairs of lightweight washable underwear. I use Icebreaker underwear. Merino is antimicrobial, quick-drying, and breathable. Helpful for preventing UTI issues especially in hot conditions.
- 1-2 sports bra. I use an Icebreaker Merino Sprite bra. They’re good for being active, but comfortable enough that I can sleep in them.
- 1 regular bra. It’s nice to have a proper bra, I prefer bras without underwire.
- 1 pair of lightweight washable socks (2 pairs if you exercise on vacation). Here I would strongly recommend Icebreaker socks both for their high quality and antimicrobial qualities, but also because Icebreaker has a lifetime guarantee on their socks! If they ever break or develop holes, simply clean them and bring them back to the store, and they’ll give you a new pair!
- Hoodie. Recommend an Icebreaker hoodie. If there is a single piece of gear I would say to buy in Icebreaker – it would be this one. T-shirts/tanks can be washed more frequently, but who wants to wash a hoodie on vacation?
- Rainshell. This simple and inexpensive rainshell from Columbia is lightweight and comes in variety of colours. (in case it rains – but also also great to keep a chill off – as it can get cold even in warm countries)
- Flip flops
- Lightweight trail running shoes as they can also double-up as hiking shoes, and you can use them to go on runs (It’s always a good idea to have some closed-toed shoes)
Optional:
- Any other items you use or clothing you prefer to wear – I always bring 1-2 lightweight sundresses as I enjoy wearing dresses on beach vacations.
Toiletries – Women:
- Face Moisturizer (I love this travel kit from Andalou – all natural ingredients and the perfect size for travel)
- Razor
- Tweezers
- Menstrual cup (This one is a travel game-changer. It is collapsible, folds into a tiny container, and you can use it indefinitely. No more hauling around pads and tampons! Also a game changer for the environment)
Clothing – Men:
- Bathing suit
- 1-2 tank tops. My suggestion would be an Icebreaker tank – for their antimicrobial, odor-resisting properties. You can wear them for a week without washing or stinking.
- 1-2 t-shirts. My suggestion would be two Icebreaker basic t-shirts. One for sports/being active, another for lounging/sleeping in.
- 1 pair lightweight shorts.
- 1 pair of zip-off hiking pants – so you have pants and shorts in one item. These ones from Columbia are nice, as they look like regular pants when the bottoms are zipped on
- 3-5 pairs of lightweight washable underwear.
- 1 pair of lightweight washable socks (2 pairs if you exercise on vacation). Here I would strongly recommend Icebreaker socks both for their high quality and antimicrobial qualities, but also because Icebreaker has a lifetime guarantee on their socks! If they ever break or develop holes, simply clean them and bring them back to the store, and you can pick up a new pair – they didn’t even ask for a receipt!
- Hoodie. Recommend an Icebreaker hoodie. If there is a single piece of gear I would say to buy in Icebreaker – it would be this one. T-shirts/tanks can be washed more frequently, but who wants to wash a hoodie on vacation?
- Rainshell. This simple and inexpensive rainshell from Columbia is lightweight and comes in variety of colours. (in case it rains – but also also great to keep a chill off – as it can get cold even in warm countries)
- Flip flops
- Lightweight trail running shoes as they can also double-up as hiking shoes, and you can use them to go on runs (It’s always a good idea to have some close-toed shoes)
Optional:
- Any other personal items you use, or clothing you prefer to wear.
Toiletries – Men:
The packing list above are what I would consider the core-components to bring for a beach vacation. If you’re doing a light-weight island-hopping trip using just a backpack, the items I listed above should be more than enough to get you through such a trip for an indefinite period of time. I personally use and recommend Icebreaker clothing because of their anti-microbial/anti-odor qualities, so the clothing does not need to be washed as often as conventional clothes. Rest-assured, I’m not sponsored by Icebreaker – I’m just super-passionate about their clothing.
If you’re packing for an all-inclusive or luxury beach vacation, and you’ll be bringing a suitcase – you can add items to the core packing list to make your vacation fancier – with luxuries such as make-up, fancy clothing, dressy sandals etc.
I hope this packing list is helpful to you. If you have suggestions for other items to add to the list, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below!
