A Hawaiian Travel Writer’s 12 Top Beach Essentials

As somebody who lives in Hawai’i, it’s no shock that I spend a lot of time on the seaside. With my ‘ohana (household) in tow, we explore all over Hawai’i Island (Huge Island) from white, brown, and black sand seashores to rocky shorelines. Whereas I want we have been the spontaneous sorts, content material on simply throwing down a towel and slathering on some sunscreen, we get pleasure from our seaside equipment and know the right way to make even probably the most distant spots comfy. 

Whether or not you’re heading to a tropical locale by way of airplane or loading up the automotive for a day journey, the right beach gear and summer accessories could make an enormous distinction within the success of your day, simply as a lot as correct planning and security analysis can. After the tons of of occasions I’ve been to the seaside previously 10 years, these are a few of my (and my household’s) favorite beach essentials for an ideal day stuffed with sand and solar.  

Greatest Seaside Necessities, In accordance with a Hawaiian Journey Author

Depart at house: Slippery flip-flops

Convey as a substitute: Water resistant flip-flops

Sanuk Cosmic Shores Flip-flops

In Hawai’i, flip-flops are higher often called “slippahs,” and so they’re just about worn in every single place for practically each event. Nevertheless, not each type is supposed for the seaside. In case you’re not carrying waterproof flip-flops, you will be slipping and sliding in all places, which may be uncomfortable and unsafe. Water-friendly flip-flops sometimes dry quicker and don’t find yourself with a humorous scent (simply remember to rinse them in recent water after the seaside). I like Sanuk’s Ziggy flip-flop with its ultra-soft, cushioned footbed, extensive match, and supportive higher strap. For a women-specific type, attempt the model’s Cosmic Shores style.

Depart at house: Chemical sunscreen

Convey as a substitute: Reef-safe mineral sunscreen 

Uncooked Parts Face and Physique Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

In Hawai’i, Maui County requires beachgoers to solely use reef-safe sunscreen, whereas the remainder of the state requires reef-friendly sunscreen. The sunscreen legislation is supposed to guard the delicate reef ecosystems and protect them for future generations. Whereas the distinction between reef-friendly and reef-safe can get a bit complicated, it’s straightforward to keep in mind that mineral sunscreen is the most secure wager, not solely to guard the reefs, however it’s additionally healthier for our bodies, because it creates a bodily barrier between the solar and your pores and skin. 

It could be nice to see different seaside locations with this legislation, however simply because it isn’t required doesn’t imply we may be proactive. Raw Elements affords a wide range of mineral sunscreen choices, together with face and body cream, a tinted face cream, and tinted lip balms.

Extra finds:

Depart at house: Skinny clothes

Convey as a substitute: UPF 50+ solar clothes

Humu Surf Bamboo Light-weight UPF 50+ Hoodie

Along with mineral sunscreen, our household additionally makes use of sunscreen clothes to defend in opposition to UV rays, particularly when our seaside days embrace fishing. My husband loves this super lightweight UPF 50+ bamboo hoodie from Humu Surf as a result of it doesn’t really feel heavy on his pores and skin within the warmth, and it dries in a short time. For me, who’s extra prone to be in my seaside chair studying a ebook, I favor one thing mild and flowy as a swim cover-up, like this sun-protective layer that gives UPF 50+ protection. 

Extra finds

Depart at house: Child powder to take away sand

Convey As a substitute: Shakalo Sandscreen pouches

Shakalo Sandscreen Sand Elimination Bag

Whereas most days on the seaside sometimes contain sand, it’s not one thing you need to deliver again house with you (particularly when you have a rental automotive). There are some seaside hacks on the market that counsel utilizing talcum powder to get the clingy stuff off. With increasingly individuals shifting away from talcum powder for well being and environmental causes, non-talc-based sand remover pouches just like the Sandscreen from Shakalo (invented in Hawai’i) are an ideal various. The powdery pouches scent recent and wonderful and enable you to simply brush off sand out of your face, physique, and fingers, utilizing a mix of vegan, reef-friendly merchandise. The sandscreen pouch is available in its personal carrying case and is small and handy to toss in a seaside bag.

Depart at house: A cumbersome camp chair

Convey as a substitute: A seaside chair with backpack straps

Tommy Bahama 5-position Seaside Chair

For us, a seaside day is about consolation, however it’s additionally about effectivity. We don’t need to pack up our entire home, however we nonetheless need to really feel like we’re pampering ourselves. As a substitute of fighting heavy tenting chairs, it’s exhausting to go unsuitable with the traditional Tommy Bahama Folding Chair, which is on uncommon sale. This chair was made for the seaside and consists of backpack straps so you may simply pack its 7-pound aluminum body in your again. It’s additionally obtained numerous options that commonplace tenting chairs don’t, together with a pouch cooler, drink holder, cellphone pocket, and towel bar. It additionally converts to 5 totally different seating positions, permitting you to lounge nevertheless you see match. 

Extra finds

Depart at house: A flimsy seaside blanket or mattress sheet

Convey as a substitute: A sand-resistant seaside blanket

Lay N Keep Seaside Blanket

In case you’re attempting to go even much less cumbersome, like in the event you’re mountain climbing or flying to your seaside vacation spot, an alternative choice for seaside seating is the Lay & Stay beach blanket, which packs up properly in its personal carrying bag. It’s large enough for just a few individuals to take a seat on, or one individual to lie down on, and the microfiber materials makes it a lot simpler to shake sand off and use as a towel than an everyday cotton seaside towel. The accompanying stakes are additionally helpful to maintain it from bunching or blowing away on a windy day.

Extra finds

Depart at house: A styrofoam cooler

Convey as a substitute: A sturdy, insulated cooler

Kūla by Bote Hardshell MagnePod-compatible Cooler

At this level, everyone knows that styrofoam isn’t nice for the surroundings. It’s additionally not the best materials for a reusable cooler, because it tends to interrupt simply and wind up within the trash. Actually, in some U.S. states and a handful of nations like Belize, Scotland, and a few island nations, the coolers have been banned. 

For a day on the seaside, you desire a cooler that’s obtained nice insulation, so it could stand as much as the warmth; the Kūla by Bote hardshell cooler does simply that. This light-weight bucket-shaped cooler employs a rubber closure to maintain it sealed up tight, making ice final exceptionally lengthy. Further options embrace a bottle opener, padded deal with, and backside drain plug. The opposite good factor in regards to the sturdiness and form is that it will also be used as an additional seat. 

Extra finds

Depart at house: A canvas or cotton seaside bag

Convey as a substitute: A splash-proof, waterproof seaside bag

Aloha Assortment Holo Holo Tote Bag

Whereas I like a canvas or cotton seaside bag for touring or the pool, on the precise seaside, I favor a splash-proof bag that retains water from seeping in. It additionally has the added bonus of being created from materials that sand doesn’t simply cling to, and when you have any spills, it’s simply a straightforward rinse. A zippered prime additionally helps hold your stuff in and the water and sand out. Baggage from the Aloha Collection are commonplace in Hawai’i—everybody right here has a number of luggage in numerous sizes, types, and prints. 

In case you’re heading out on an actual journey and really mountain climbing to a seaside, or desire a good journey carry-on bag that does double responsibility, Wandrd has the weather-resistant PRVKE bag with a roll prime and aspect entry and further cozy straps and again padding.  

Extra finds

Depart at house: A rusty, commonplace wagon

Convey as a substitute: An enormous-wheeled seaside wagon

Mac Sports activities Heavy Obligation Collapsible Folding All Terrain Utility Seaside Wagon Cart

One factor that households that frequent the seaside know, a wagon is fairly important for getting all of this nice gear from the automotive to the precise seaside, particularly when you have small children who can’t assist carry issues. Not all wagons are created equally, although, and having a wagon that may simply roll over sand is crucial. The Mac Sports All-terrain Beach Wagon, with its giant plastic wheels, is a good possibility; it folds simply when not in use, can carry as much as 150 kilos of seaside gear, and consists of helpful cup holders for drinks (they will additionally double as fast stash pockets for sunscreen, sun shades, and extra). 

Extra finds

Depart at house: Fundamental sun shades

Convey as a substitute: Polarized sun shades

Maui Jim Kahiko Rectangular Sun shades

To the uninitiated, your common pair of sun shades might appear to be the best way to go for a day on the seaside, however in the event you’re spending your days someplace with white sands and crystal blue waters, you’d be remiss to not swap these out for polarized sunglasses. Placing on a pair of polarized sun shades opens your eyes as much as an entire new world, supplying you with near-Ariel ranges of imaginative and prescient of the seaside and horizon. 

These Maui Jim lenses sometimes are available in a variety of shades, together with pink, yellow, grey, and blue, with every inflicting a distinct impact on the colours you see. The perfect half is that in clear water, these lenses enable you to see nearly straight by the water, making fish, turtles, and different underwater life seen from the floor. Nevertheless, in the event you are likely to lose your sun shades within the water, these polarized Bomber sunnies are a budget-friendly possibility that floats, and you may’t go unsuitable with Sojos’ classic round sunglasses, that are on sale for $16. 

Extra finds

Depart at house: A plastic or glass water bottle

Convey as a substitute: A stainless-steel water bottle

Soma Full Circle Residence Metal Water Bottle With Straw

This will likely appear to be a no brainer, however glass and plastic bottles simply received’t reduce it for a day on the seaside. You want insulation to battle the warmth, making chrome steel your finest wager. Soma’s 24-ounce water bottle is nice, notably due to the ring on the prime that you need to use for handy carrying. Whereas it doesn’t hold chilly water cool so long as among the higher-priced water bottles, that’s one thing a bit ice can simply repair. It solely is available in one shade, white, however that leaves an empty canvas for stickers, which might rework your bottle from sensible to a sentimental memento.

Extra finds

Depart at house: Customary hair ties or clips

Convey as a substitute: Tangle-free hair ties

Rip Tie Comfortable Hair Tie 3-pack

A day on the seaside normally means warmth, sand, wind, and water, all of which might result in a nasty hair day—however who cares? You’re on the seaside. Whereas a typical hair day for me means a decent bun, on the seaside, it’s not ultimate; it makes goggles tough to put on and by some means at all times finally ends up a tangled mess when I attempt to take it down. 

For seaside journey up-dos, I like the Rip Tie hair ties, which pull collectively hair on the crown of your head, then wind their approach down a ponytail, and tie on the finish of the hair. This configuration magically retains hair from getting tangled and makes for a brilliant cute ponytail (it’s particularly nice for a aspect pony as a result of it helps to create a fashioned form), making it a favourite for athletes, in accordance with the model. 

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