10 Best Beach Day Items on a Budget | For Women

Best Beach Day Items while Sticking to a Budget

Getting ready for a beach day and want to keep things affordable? No worries, I’ve got you covered. From stylish yet budget-friendly swimsuits to handy gadgets that make your day in the sun a breeze, here’s a list of essentials that won’t break the bank.

Whether you’re planning a solo getaway or a fun day out with friends, these picks will help you enjoy your beach day without overspending. Let’s dive in!

Beach Day Items that are Reusable, Sustainable, Eco-friendly

Having spent time on the beaches all over the world from Europe, to Canada, the USA and down into the Caribbean, I have honed in on the very best products that not only serve the user, but can be eco-friendly and re-useable.

Reusable Towels, Beach Blankets and Bags

Heading to the beach presents a perfect opportunity to embrace eco-conscious habits by reusing essential items and opting for eco-friendly sunscreen. Reusing beach essentials like towels, water bottles, and tote bags not only reduces waste but also minimizes the environmental footprint associated with producing new items.

These small acts of sustainability can significantly cut down on the plastic and textile waste that often pollutes our oceans and shores. Additionally, choosing eco-friendly sunscreen helps protect marine life and coral reefs from harmful chemicals found in conventional sunscreens.

By making mindful choices, we can enjoy a day at the beach while also contributing to the preservation of our precious coastal ecosystems.

Budget Friendly Beach Day Checklist

I’ve created the best budget-friendly, tried and tested beach day items to make sure your time at the coast is 100% perfect! I hope that you can save a few dollars along with staying fashionable, and comfortable at the same time.

****Scroll to the bottom for my secret tip to help get that annoying sand off your skin at the end of the day!

• Sunscreen: Never go without sunscreen, even on a cloudy day. Make sure to choose a waterproof option and regularly reapply. When we swim, we swim in an area with lots of coral. We are making it our mission to buy a reef friendly sunscreen always now when we travel. (It is required in places like Hawaii and Bonaire). A reef friendly safe list can be found here. We buy ours from Amazon.ca and our favorite is located here.
• Sunglasses and hat: I love the Goodr brand sunglasses for their fun styles, colors and being very light weight. My favorite sunnies are linked here. I also love Blenders because they offer a wide range of funky styles and most of them are polarized! They go on sale often and my favorite style can be found at this link.
• Cooler Backpack: Our favorite cooler backpack is SO handy, and can be found on Amazon.ca. Check out the link here. We love this backpack because it’s easy and light to transport (my husband uses it for carry-on). It holds everything we want from our huge water bottles, to spoons, forks, knives, napkins, and all the food we want to pack. ** Ice packs are something we pack in our checked luggage, as they are NOT allowed through security. Many Airbnbs we’ve stayed at have ice packs already to go in the freezer.
• Snacks and drinks: Keep your energy levels high and stay hydrated throughout the day. Pack some snacks that can sustain you such as dried fruit and nuts, perhaps a sandwich, some fruit and veggies and don’t forget your water bottle!
• Towels: You’ll need something to soak up the sun or dry yourself off after a dip in the water. Bonus points for cute, oversized towels! We love the ones that come out at Costco every year. You can also order them online here.
• A small first aid kit: I like this one found on Amazon.ca and pop a tube of polysporin in it, just in case. It is in a hard plastic case and is the size of a can of pop.
• A beach blanket: We’ve been carrying around a particular one we bought from the Pound Stretcher in England a few years ago, so I don’t have a link to buy one but keep in mind it should be light-weight, and somewhat water resistant so that the water beads off or dries quickly.
• Bathing suit and cover-up: This one’s a no-brainer, but make sure you have a cute bathing suit for the day, and a cover-up at hand for when you’re done swimming! My favorite brand (because I’m large chested is the Miraclesuit, not budget friendly – sorry!) My all-time favorite one piece bathing suit is this one.
• Beach bag: You’re going to need a big bag to fit all of your beach essentials. Don’t forget to bring a tote bag for your sandy flip flops on the way home. My favorite is this one from Amazon.ca. I love that it is offered in so many different colors and is mesh, so sand doesn’t get trapped in it.
• Waterproof Safe: Finally safety is key on the beach. We do a lot of snorkeling and leaving our phones, money and keys is always a little nerve-racking, so we decided to invest in a small safe. These are the perfect size for a couple of phones, car keys and some cash or a wallet. You set the combination to something you want, and then tie the cord to a beach chair, table or tree.
• Re-useable Water Bottle: I personally love the ThermoFlask from Costco. It has never steered me wrong. My family each takes their own on vacation. We fill them up at the airport after security to have our own source of water on the plane, and then continue to use them throughout our vacation. They are perfect for beach-days because they keep the water COLD!

* Packing Checklist

Tip: Talc Powder: You may not have heard of this one and it’s my special trick to get all the sand of your skin! Simple spray some talcum powder onto your legs or where necessary and brush the sand off with ease!

Fun things to bring to the Beach

It’s also nice to pack something to do while at the beach. We often take a Frisbee, our snorkel gear, a waterproof speaker and I ALWAYS pack my Kobo. Make sure you keep any electronics inside your beach-bag or in the shade where-ever you can find it. I’ve had my electronics stop working plenty of times because of over-heating!!

• Frisbee
• Snorkel Gear
• Waterproof Speaker
• Book or E-Reader

I really hope you love the best budget-friendly beach day items I’ve shared with you! Whether you’re soaking up the sun, splashing in the waves, or simply relaxing with a good book, these beach essentials will ensure you have everything you need for a memorable seaside adventure.

Enjoy the sun, and don’t forget to reapply the sunscreen!!

Xoxo Tanya

If you’re looking for amazing beaches near Disneyland, check out my other post The Best Beaches Near Anaheim.

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