In your beach bag

Have a relaxed, no-drama day at the beach with these essential beach bag items.

Insulated BPA- free water bottles

Dehydration is a real risk in hot weather. Invest in some BPA-free insulated water bottles – the water taste remains untainted and you will be able to monitor how much you’re drinking. You might also want an extra water bottle for rinsing hands before eating.

Togs and cover-ups

Don’t forget the togs and cover-up shirts or sarongs. For slightly cooler days or lake swimming you could consider a wetsuit. Not only do they provide sun protection, they also help keep the wee ones warm and happy.

Book/Magazine

Chilling out on the beach is a great time to not only get some vitamin D but also a great excuse to finally pick up that book you’ve been meaning to read for months.

High sun protection factor sunscreen

Not all sunscreens are created equal. You should always purchase a sunscreen with the highest protection factor possible.

First Aid Kit

Every beach bag should contain and up-to-date first aid kit. Bites, scratches and stings are an inevitable part of a day at the beach and you never know when a bandage or a pair of tweezers might come in handy. Saline to wash sand out of eyes is also a useful item.

Ointment

For dry lips, scratches, wetsuit or body board chaffing – in fact any number of things – a nice layer of an ointment can provide instant relief.

Towels

Like sunscreen, not all towels are created equal. They are going to get soggy – it’s unavoidable. If you can, pack two each – one to use and one to keep in the car for the ride home.

Food

Pack plenty of it! The sun and swimming means you’ll get hungry before you know it. While it may be tempting to splurge on fish & chips, if you’re trying to stay healthy, you can pack some fresh fruit, nuts and sandwiches.