15 Must Have Beach Accessories for Summer 2024
Ready? Set? SUMMER! Is there anything better than summer? Yes! Summer at the beach. But before you go, make sure you have packed the must have beach accessories below.
I’ve been testing, testing, testing trying to determine which products are best for us beach lovers. I have 15 that I do like and do now own and will take with me on vacation.
You can see those below. But first, let’s talk about what NOT to bring to the beach.
What should you not bring to the beach?
Lately, every beach I have visited so far this year is crowded. I’ve decided when I head to the beach, it’s important to pack all the essentials, but it’s equally important to know what to leave at home.
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While it’s tempting to bring everything and anything to enhance your beach experience, there are certain items that are better left at home. One thing to avoid bringing to the beach is any valuable or expensive belongings.
With the sand, saltwater, and crowds, it’s easy for things to get lost, damaged, or stolen. It’s best to leave your expensive jewelry, electronics, and designer accessories at home to prevent any unnecessary stress or disappointment.
After all, you’re going to the beach to relax. Why bring things you have to be super conscious of and watch all the time.
Another item to avoid bringing to the beach is glass bottles. Not only are they a potential safety hazard, but they can also create a huge mess if they break.
In addition? Most beaches do not allow glass anywhere on the sand or in the water.
Beaches are often busy with people, kids playing, dogs running and beach games, making it a risky environment for fragile glass containers. Opt for plastic or aluminum containers instead, which are safer and easier to dispose of.
Additionally, it’s wise to leave your beach accessories that can cause harm to marine life behind. This includes items such as plastic straws, balloons, and microbeads found in certain sunscreens.
These seemingly harmless items can pose a significant threat to marine animals and their habitats. Instead, choose eco-friendly alternatives like reusable steel straws, biodegradable balloons, and reef-safe sunscreens.
By being mindful of the environment, we can all contribute to the preservation of our precious oceans.
In summary, when preparing for a beach day, it’s important to consider what you shouldn’t bring. Avoid bringing any valuable or expensive items to prevent loss or damage.
Leave glass bottles at home to promote safety and cleanliness. Lastly, be conscious of the impact your beach accessories may have on marine life and opt for eco-friendly alternatives.
Now let’s talk about what TO bring.
15 Must Have Beach Accessories for Summer 2024
Is sunscreen really necessary?
When it comes to beach accessories, sunscreen is often at the top of the list. But is it really necessary?
It really shocks me the number of times I get asked this question. Here’s my answer: YES.
With the growing concern around sun damage and skin cancer, the answer is a resounding yes, yes, yes as I wrote right above. Sunscreen is an essential for protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.
UV radiation from the sun can cause a variety of skin conditions, including sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer.
By wearing sunscreen, you create a barrier between your skin and the damaging rays, reducing the risks associated with overexposure.
It’s important to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, with a high SPF rating for maximum protection.
Many people argue that they don’t need sunscreen because they rarely burn or spend much time outside. However, it’s important to remember that sun damage can occur even on cloudy days or during winter months.
UV rays can penetrate clouds and reflect off surfaces like snow or water, increasing your risk of sunburn. Regardless of your skin type, age, or climate, using sunscreen should be a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.
I was on a paddleboard on vacation in the Dominican Republic on a cloudy day. It was probably one of the worst sunburns I have ever had which totall sucks on vacatino.
In addition to protecting your skin, sunscreen can also help prevent early signs of aging. The sun’s rays can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots, all of which can make you appear older than you actually are.
By regularly applying sunscreen, you can keep your skin looking youthful and healthy for years to come.
In conclusion, sunscreen is undoubtedly necessary when it comes to beach accessories. The risks of sun damage and skin cancer are too significant to ignore. So yes. The next time you head to the beach, don’t forget to slather on that sunscreen and enjoy the sun responsibly.
Are UV index and SPF related?
When it comes to protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the sun, many of us rely on beach accessories like sunscreen and hats. But how do we know the level of protection they truly offer?
Understanding the relationship between UV index and SPF can help us choose the right products and enjoy our time in the sun without worrying about sunburn or long-term damage.
UV index is a measurement of the strength of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It is typically on a scale of 0 to 11+, with higher numbers indicating a higher risk of harm from the sun’s rays.
SPF, on the other hand, stands for Sun Protection Factor. It is a measure of how well a sunscreen can protect the skin from UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburn and some forms of skin cancer.
While UV index and SPF are related, they are not synonymous. UV index reflects the intensity of the sun’s rays, while SPF indicates the level of protection a sunscreen provides against UVB radiation.
However, higher UV index values generally call for higher SPF levels. For example, on a day with a UV index of 6 or 7, it is recommended to use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
Can I wear last year’s sunscreen?
Sunscreen is an essential part of our beach accessories, protecting our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. But what if you still have some leftover sunscreen from last year?
Can you still use it? That is not an easy answer so I have to say the answer is, it depends.
Sunscreen typically has a shelf life of about three years, so if your sunscreen is less than a year old, it should still be effective. It’s important to check the expiration date on the packaging to ensure its potency.
If it has expired, it’s best to discard it and purchase a new bottle to guarantee maximum protection. When it comes to effectiveness, sunscreen can degrade over time due to exposure to heat and sunlight.
This can affect the SPF (Sun Protection Factor), making it less effective in shielding your skin from harmful UV rays. To ensure optimal protection, it’s recommended to use fresh sunscreen each year.
What’s the best beach accessory to buy?
As summer approaches and the desire to hit the beach grows stronger, it’s important to ensure we have all our beach accessories in check. As I went into detail above, one absolute must have item is sunscreen.
A fun day on the beach without sunscreen can turn into several days AND nights of pain. Why ruin a great day at the beach? PACK YOUR SUNSCREEN.
The links below will also help you plan the perfect beach day:
Disclosure: I earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links at no additional cost to you! I would never recommend anything I don’t personally use, and the income goes to keeping this site updated and free for everyone!
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About Denise
Denise Sanger lives a life split between her love for fitness and her passion for travel particularly to the BEACH. Denise also has a love of marketing and lives in beautiful Suwannee County, Florida. You can find out more about Denise here: About Denise