✅ Essentials Checklist
- Swimwear × 2–3 (one to wear, one drying, one spare)
- Sunscreen SPF50+ — far more than you think you need
- After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel
- Sunglasses — polarised for glare reduction on water
- Sun hat with wide brim
- Beach towel or microfibre travel towel
- Flip flops and comfortable walking sandals
- Reusable water bottle — dehydration is a real risk in heat
- Waterproof phone case
- Light cover-up for walking between beach and town
- Any prescription medication
- Travel insurance documents
👕 Clothing Checklist
- Swimwear × 2–3
- Light casual dresses, shirts or shorts
- Cover-up or sarong
- One smarter outfit for evenings out
- Flip flops
- Comfortable walking sandals
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
⭐ Nice to Have
- Reef-safe sunscreen if snorkelling
- Snorkel and mask (hire is often poor quality)
- Waterproof camera or GoPro
- Kindle or books
- Beach bag (lightweight, sand-resistant)
- Packable tote bag for market shopping
- Insect repellent for evenings
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sunscreen should I pack for a beach holiday?
Far more than you expect. The recommended application is 2mg per cm² of skin — roughly a full shot glass (35ml) per full-body application. For a week in the sun applying twice daily, one person needs approximately 500ml of sunscreen. Most people underapply and underestimate how much they use. Buy some at the destination if needed, but check prices — resort areas charge a premium.
Should I buy a travel towel or use a regular towel for a beach holiday?
Depends on the trip. For resort hotels that provide towels, a microfibre travel towel is useful as a backup beach towel. For hostels, guesthouses or anything involving moving between accommodations, a microfibre towel is essential — quick-drying, compact, and doesn't go mildewy in a bag. For luxury all-inclusive resorts, hotel towels are usually excellent and a travel towel is unnecessary.
What is the best way to protect electronics on a beach holiday?
A waterproof phone pouch is the minimum — they cost under £10 and protect against sand and water. Don't leave electronics on the beach unattended. A lockable beach bag or hotel room safe is better than bag-watching stress. Sand is more damaging to electronics than water in many cases — keep phones and cameras in a dry bag or pouch when not in use.