Splashing in the waves, walking along the shore, lounging in a chair, soaking up the sun. Aren’t you ready to escape to the beach?  You aren’t alone! 

Many people are making summer vacation plans now that beaches have opened, and warm, sunny weather is finally here.

If you are planning a beach vacation, we have a list of beach essentials that will help you make the most of your summer getaway!

The perfect cooler

You need to keep your snacks and drinks cool while you soak up the sun, so a cooler is a necessity whether you are visiting Gulf Shores, the beaches of 30-A, or your lake cabin.

YETI’s updated Hopper M30 soft cooler features a wider, more accessible mouth for easy loading and unloading. It closes almost on its own, thanks to HydroShield™ magnet technology and two quick-release buckles to ensure it can withstand being tossed around.

If you’re looking for a hard-sided cooler that is tough but not clunky, Yeti’s first cooler on wheels, the Tundra Haul, will make that walk to the beach a breeze. Its taller, cube-shaped interior gives you plenty of space for food and drink, while its curved design tracks left or right for heel-friendly towing.

The perfect towel

PackTowel is a quick-drying, absorbent microfiber towel that is great for any activity, including camping, travel, fitness, and swimming.  Plus it also stays fresh longer thanks to Polygiene odor control. 

The Nomadix towel, made from recycled bottles, repels sand, dries fast, and feels butter-soft. It’s the only towel you need for yoga, the beach, travel, and camping. towels are also travel-ready, with colorful printed designs and absorbent, ultra-soft material.

The phone protector

Keep your phone dry and safe with a waterproof pouch.  Yeti Sidekick is big enough to hold your phone, car keys, and credit cards and keep them dry all day.

Meanwhile with the Lewis N. Clark waterproof magnetic phone pouch, you can still use your phone while protecting it. Phones are fully functional through the bag, allowing for voice and audio without the need for a headphone or audio jack. Plus the pouch is waterproof in up to 100 feet of water, so you can take photos underwater even if your phone isn’t waterproof!

The perfect beach chair

Nowadays you need your own chair if you are going to enjoy the beach. The Helinox beach chair is the perfect choice for long days on the shore because its splayed legs help prevent it from sinking into sand or soft ground.

The Helinox Chair Zero, however, is a light, extremely comfortable four-legged chair,  that is equally suitable for the beach or the lake. It also folds down to the size of a water bottle, making it easy to bring along on any trip!

Best beach sandal

When you are looking for a beach shoe, you want versatility– a shoe that is as functional and stylish in the sand as it is at a cookout. Birkenstock’s classic sandal, the Arizona, is the original versatile sandal. Available in both EVA and leather, these men’s sandals are ideal for beach and lake fun alike.

For women, Birkenstock sandals combine the convenience of a slip-on, with comfort and style. Teva, meanwhile, offers a range of styles including flip flops, mid forms, and flatforms. Birkenstock and Teva both have waterproof styles that are perfect for a day on the water!

The best shore shorts

Shorts matter almost as much as swimwear at the beach. For many guys, shorts can double as swimwear. Two of the best versatile men’s shorts are from tried and true brands here — the AFTCO fishing shorts and the Patagonia Baggies. AFTCO’s insanely comfortable shorts are perfect for a fishing boat or the Flora-Bama. Patagonia’s Baggies made of sturdy Supplex® nylon, have a quick-drying liner and an elasticized waistband with an adjustable drawstring.

Patagonia also offers Baggies for women. Patagonia treats these shorts with a durable water repellent, which helps water bead up and roll off the material, making them perfect for water sports, boating, and lounging on the beach.

Superior sun protection

Don’t forget to protect your skin while you are enjoying these long summer days. Sun Bum moisturizing sunscreen formula will protect your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays while enriching your skin with Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps to neutralize free radicals.

Plus, Sun Bum only makes mineral-based paraben- and sulfate-free products. They are vegan, cruelty-free, and reef-friendly. And they smell wonderful.

If you are looking for fashionable sun protection, check out Coolibar. Coolibar shirts and tunics give you an easy, stylish top that also offers UPF 50+ sun protection. 

Bonus Pick: The perfect sunglasses

Protect your eyes and look good at the same time with a stylish pair of sunglasses. We like Suncloud’s Optics Fairline Polarized Sunglasses, which reduce glare and look great for an affordable price.

Costa Del Mar also offers a range of fashionable yet functional eyewear, including a best-seller, the Rincon 580P Mirror sunglasses.

The most important part of any vacation is making room for relaxation. A little advance planning to ensure you have these beach essentials will help make way for the maximum fun, sun, and play!

 

Find all of your beach getaway essentials at Alabama Outdoors. We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time.  Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or curbside pickup  #BeOutdoors