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Here’s how to pack smart while looking like a local.
Beach Packing List Must-haves
- Comfortable sandals: Goosecret Walking Platform Sandals, $19 (originally $27)
- A small wallet: Toughergun Women’s Small Slim Leather Wallet, $10
- Water-resistant sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro-Sport Sunscreen for Face & Body, $33
- A quick-dry towel: Dock & Bay Beach Towel, $35
- A lightweight beach tote: G4Free Waterproof Beach Bag, $22 (originally $24)
My mom’s family is from a beach town in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, so I’ve spent plenty of time on the beach. And while I could technically be considered a tourist, I do feel like it’s my second home, so you can say that I’m a seasoned beach-goer. When it comes to building your beach packing list, the secret is being as minimalist as possible. Yes, you should definitely dress up to get all the photos you can, but don’t throw comfort to the wayside.
Mistake: Wearing cliché tropical patterns or overly polished outfits
What to pack: Laid-back, casual clothing
Lomon Trendy 2-piece Shorts Sets
You know that scene in the movies when the family arrives for their Caribbean vacation in matching tops with tropical prints? That absolutely screams “tourist.” Local residents can often tell when someone isn’t from the area based on what they’re wearing. So, if you want to blend in, it’s best to avoid stereotypical island outfits or anything that feels a little too polished or overly coordinated. Instead, choose comfortable, laid-back, lived-in pieces, like this two-piece set that’s perfect for the beach. It’s stylish without trying too hard, and it’s easy to throw on and off quickly if you want to get in the water. Pro tip: avoid wearing denim or tight clothing. It’s a nightmare to remove and put back on in wet, humid settings.
Mistake: Pairing too many over-the-top accessories
What to pack: Balanced accessories
Furtalk Straw Beach Sun Hat
Another common thing tourists do when it comes to style is pair a bunch of large accessories together in the name of beach fashion. For example, they might wear a huge floppy hat with oversized sunglasses, shell necklaces, and bangles all at the same time. The beach is a great place for minimalism, so taking a balanced approach is best. Skip the large floppy hat that feels like it’s going to blow away for something a little more understated, like this sun hat. If you go smaller on the hat, you can throw on your oversized sunglasses and shell necklaces. Balance is key, so settle for one to two large accessories and work around that.
Mistake: Wearing a full face of makeup
What to pack: SPF makeup that creates a glowy skin tint
E.l.f. Halo Glow Skin Tint SPF 50
Save 22%
The beach isn’t the place for heavy makeup. The urge to be photo-ready is real, but from first-hand experience, makeup at the beach often turns into a cakey mess. If you still want to make your complexion glow without going to the beach full-faced, try a skin tint like this one that includes SPF. You can pair this with mascara and a little bit of blush for easy, natural glam. That way, you can avoid dealing with a sweaty mess of makeup and still look good for pictures.
Mistake: Packing a plastic water bottle
What to pack: A reusable insulated water bottle
Dometic 22-ounce Tumbler
Spending time in the sun will make you thirsty. To stay hydrated, bring a tumbler that can keep water cold for hours. I personally love this Dometic tumbler because it comes with interchangeable tops that turn it into a mug or allow you to carry it from your wrist. So, you can customize it in a way that feels most comfortable and convenient for you. If you’re planning to spend a long day outside, you can also fill a tumbler with iced coffee or something else that energizes you for a quick boost whenever you need it.
Mistake: Forgetting water-resistant sunscreen
What to pack: A sunscreen that’s water- and sweat-resistant
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro-Sport Sunscreen for Face & Body
Not wearing sunscreen to the beach is a rookie mistake. Make sure your sunscreen is also water-resistant so you’ll have adequate protection in the water and after swimming, like the La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro-Sport Sunscreen. Another mistake people often make is not reapplying sunscreen every two hours. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen and occasionally seek shade if you don’t want to leave the beach red and irritated—a guaranteed way to stick out like a tourist in any beach town.
Mistake: Packing a fluffy towel
What to pack: A towel that quickly wicks away moisture
Dock & Bay Beach Towel
I also know this from first-hand experience—one of the easiest things to forget to pack when you’re headed on vacation is a quick-dry towel, and not all hotels or rentals where you’re staying will provide one, especially if you’re going off-site. A regular towel—something I’ve also tried to get away with—just won’t do. It’s so unpleasant to try to dry yourself off with a damp towel you’ve used several times already. A quick-dry towel, on the other hand, can wick moisture away quickly even on humid beaches, so it’s more effective at drying you off. They’re also much more lightweight, so they won’t weigh down your beach bag.
Mistake: Not wearing a cover-up to businesses near the beach
What to pack: A cover-up or comfy clothes you can throw on quickly
Ekouaer Swimsuit Coverup
Save 37%
While there are places that you walk into with a swimsuit, especially if they’re near the beach, many require clothes worn over your beach attire. When I was in Turks and Caicos, I went to a local supermarket, and I could tell who was a tourist based on whether they had a swimsuit on. In my experience, I’ve noticed that local residents often don’t wear exposed swimsuits unless they’re actually at the beach. So, if you want to blend in, make sure you pack a cover-up that’s easy to throw on before heading into a business. This cover-up can double as a real dress, so it’s a great choice for a day you’re planning to hit the beach and explore the town.
Mistake: Taking a luxury bag to the beach
What to pack: A small waterproof tote
G4Free Waterproof Beach Bag
The beach isn’t the place for luxury items. Not only could they be damaged by the sand or water, but they could also make you a target to savvy thieves if you aren’t vigilant. Instead, go for a lightweight beach tote and pack just the necessities. Bring a towel, snacks, and an ID, but leave the jewelry, passport, and large toiletries at home. There are times you may need to leave your bag unattended even if it’s near you and you don’t want to risk it getting stolen by drawing attention to it. I love this beach tote because it can fold down into a small, compact case, making it easy to pack.
Mistake: Wearing heels, wedges, or other hard-to-walk-in shoes
What to pack: A pair of comfortable flip-flops or sandals
Goosecret Walking Platform Sandals
Save 29%
You can build a stylish beach day outfit without sacrificing comfort or practicality. I’ve found that the best kind of footwear to throw on for the beach is flip-flops or comfy sandals you can slide on. They’re easy to clean if sand gets into them, and they can keep you stable if you’re walking on an uneven path or on the sand itself, unlike heels or wedges. The best way to keep comfortable and safe is with a pair of sandals, like these cushy ones, which also happen to be waterproof.
Mistake: Forgetting to have cash on hand
What to pack: A small wallet
Toughergun Women’s Small Slim Leather Wallet
When you’re on vacation, it’s important to support local businesses and vendors. In the Caribbean, it’s not uncommon for vendors to walk the beach selling everything from food to souvenirs. So, make sure to keep some cash on you when heading to the beach. This leather wallet is compact, making it easy to hide among the other things in your beach tote. You can use it to store a few cash bills, a card or two, and an ID—just what’s necessary.
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