What to Bring When Going to the Beach Alone

22 Feb What to Bring When Going to the Beach Alone

Posted at 16:20h in Packing Essentials, Solo Travel, Travel Tips by Caroline Rose 1 Comment

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As a solo traveler, it’s important to make sure you have everything you need to keep yourself and your stuff safe and that you can have a great time without worrying – including at the beach! From safety items, to beach necessities, here’s everything you need when going to the beach alone (packing list at the bottom!):

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1. A towel or sarong

A towel is obvious but a sarong may not be. I prefer packing a sarong because it folds up tightly, taking up little space in my bag while traveling. It’s also quick drying, and you can tie it around your waist for a coverup as well.

I purchased my sarong in Costa Rica, but you can also buy one on Amazon.

2. A reusable water bottle

Under the sun especially, it’s important to stay hydrated. My go-to reusable water bottle to bring on every trip is by Lifestraw. If you’re an avid traveler like me, you may visit some places where the water is questionable. The Lifestraw water bottle solves that issue, with a built-in filter, you can fill up wherever, and it will save you from purchasing single use plastic bottles.

Click here to buy the Lifestraw water bottle.

3. Hair accessories

If you’re like me and you don’t have the perfect beach waves, you may need a brush, claw clip, or whatever your favorites are to keep your hair manageable.

Click here to see what I use:

Denman brush and pack of 4 claw clips

4. Sunscreen

Protecting your skin is so, so important.

My everyday face sunscreen is the La Roche tinted sunscreen – I absolutely love this and can usually find it in other countries when I run out.

For body sunscreen, on long trips I’m usually at the mercy of what’s available but I usually like SunBum because it’s vegan and reef friendly.

Click here to get the sunscreen’s I use:

La Roche Tinted Face Sunscreen and Sun Bum Body Sunscreen

5. Keys & Safety Keychain

Of course, it’s important to not forget whatever key you have for your hotel, hostel, airbnb whatever.

For added safety though, I also add two things to my keychain: a personal alarm and this pointed defensive item. (Note: this may not be allowed in carry-on luggage. I put it in my checked bag through USA TSA because the item description said it wasn’t allowed in a carry on, however I accidentally left it in my crossbody bag in another country and had no issues).

Click here to see what I use:

Personal alarm and pointed defensive item

6. AirPods & Case

Usually you can find me laid out on the beach, eyes closed, listening to my favorite tunes. For that reason, I never go to the beach without my airpods. However, while traveling and switching your stuff suitcase to beach bag, it’s really easy to lose airpods. That’s why I have a case that can attach to either my key chain, bag or whatever.

Click here to buy my biodegradable AirPod case

7. Waterproof fanny Pack

The biggest issue with going to the beach alone is what do you do with your stuff while swimming since there’s no one to watch it. This waterproof fanny pack solves that issue. It’s large enough to fit your phone, keys and a small wallet or cash/credit cards. This way you can soak in the water and not worry about your phone laying on the beach ready for the taking.

I’ll be honest I was nervous to use this at first, because taking your stuff into the ocean felt weird. But the fanny pack is actually very secure, and honestly if I’m alone I’m not swimming in crazy waves anyways – only calm waters for me.

Click here to buy my waterproof fanny pack

8. Hat & Sunglasses

My eyes are really sensitive so I can’t go to the beach without sunglasses and a bucket hat. My bucket hat is from H&M and my sunglasses from a thrift store.

I found a similar-ish bucket hat on Amazon though if you’re looking.

CLICK HERE TO buy the bucket hat

9. Snack

As a solo traveler, it’s important to take care of yourself and not allow your body to become too drained. This includes making sure you have enough nutrients for energy. When going to the beach alone, don’t forget to bring snacks with you to help your body recharge.

10. Journal and Kindle

Unless you find some people to play volleyball with (which is totally possible!), a solo trip to the beach will probably be a relaxing one. Personally, with the sound of the waves and toes in the sand, I think the beach is the perfect environment to journal or read your favorite novel.

Although I love physical books, traveling forces me to think of any way I can save space in my bag. Which is why I bring a kindle rather than a book. My kindle is also waterproof, so it’s definitely beach friendly and always in my bag.

If you’re looking for a kindle, there’s an 8GB Kindle ands 32GB Kindle. There’s about a $100 price difference but a 4x storage space difference as well, so choosing which to get really depends on how much you read/your needs.

11. Tripod & remote

If you want to capture some cute beach photos, it’s still possible alone! Just bring a tripod and a bluetooth remote for your phone.

There’s two phone tripods I recommend depending on your needs. This extendable tripod is really versatile depending on the situation and angle you want. It’s also sturdy which would be good at the beach.

However, if you prefer a smaller, more affordable tripod there’s this flexible phone tripod which is really easy to pack and you can use the flexible legs to adjust the angle based on environment.

Both come with a bluetooth remote for your phone.

To make sure you don’t forget anything, save this packing list below!