Packing for Your OBX Vacation

Beach Supplies

Umbrellas, Beach Chairs, Beach Toys  - You can always rent beach equipment from one of our local providers.

Water
It’s important that everyone in your group remain hydrated. For those who don’t like water, try taking along some individual flavor packets that can be added to bottled water. If you take your dog with you to a dog-approved beach, be sure to have enough water for them, and a container into which you can pour fresh water. Finally, pack a couple of extra bottles of water to have on hand for just-in-case first-aid or emergency hand washing.

Cooler
If you are planning to be on the beach for some time, consider freezing some bottles of water: frozen they keep your cooler items cool; thawed they become cold drinking water.

Sunscreen
Experts say for best results you should put this on about 30 minutes before getting in the sun. Don’t forget to reapply if you stay in the sun for an extended time. Don’t forget noses, ears, tops of feet and hands. Make sure to apply lotion on overcast days – those sun rays are working even though the sky appears cloudy!

Shoes
Sand can become blistering hot, particularly later in the day. Better to wear flip-flops or water shoes than to have to spend the rest of your vacation in bandages or on the couch.

Beach Towels
Remember that you may want some of these that are not wet and sandy when it’s time to wrap a towel around you for walking home, or to spread as protection on the car seat if you drove to the beach. During your time at the beach remember to air dry towels by spreading them on your beach chairs.

Sunglasses
Be sure your shades are UV treated to protect your eyes from both the UVA and UVB harmful rays of the sun. Both adults and children should wear glasses that have an indicated protection rate of 99 to 100%. A brimmed hat can also help protect your eyes from overhead or side sunlight.

Snacks
Non-perishable snacks can easily go in your beach bag. So arguments don’t arise about sand in the bag of chips or box of crackers, consider making individual snack packs. Color-coded, lidded containers can make this easy for you.

Phone
Make sure you bring a plastic zip-lock baggie or waterproof phone bag to keep it safe from the elements.

Baby Powder
This works so well at getting stubborn sand off of hands. After washing and drying, sprinkle some powder onto those, almost always, still sandy hands; rub the powder vigorously between hands. Voila! Now your hands are ready for that snack.

Tissues/Napkins/Paper Towels/Anti-bacterial Wipes
These often overlooked beach bag items can come in very handy. Sometimes, those emerging from their ocean swim don’t even realize their noses are dripping more than water! Additionally, usually when dampened with some of that extra water you brought along, these can be used for small first-aid situations.

Zip Baggies
A beach-bag wonder invention. These can help you sort and store small items so they don’t become lost within the cavern of your bag or tossed onto the sand when a larger item is pulled from your bag. A few extras are great for storing treasure finds to carry home. (These also serve as convenient pooper scoopers if you have your doggie friend with you at the beach.)

Net Fruit Bags
This is great to give little ones for collecting shells. Once filled with treasures, the bag can be dipped into the water to wash away sand, then hung or draped to drip dry.

Trash Bags
Please dispose of all your trash and garbage. The easiest thing you can do while at the beach is tie a trash bag to something stationary (so it doesn’t blow away) such as a chair, cooler handle, umbrella stand, etc. Have everyone in your group dispose of all trash immediately so it doesn't accidentally blow away in the wind and harm any marine life. When it is time to go back to the house, your clean-up is made easier: you simply remove the trash bag, tie it closed, and deposit it in the trash can at the beach access or back at your house.