My Amazon Beach Vacation Must-Haves

Is there anything more refreshing for the soul than a beach vacation? As empty nesters, one of the unexpected joys of this season is the freedom to travel whenever the mood strikes—no school schedules to plan around, no practices or performances to work around… just wide-open possibilities and a suitcase waiting to be packed. 🙌

Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway with your man, a sunny sisters’ trip, or a even a solo adventure with a good book and a beach chair (love that!), I find there’s something uniquely restorative about a few salty, sun-kissed days by the ocean. For me, it’s something about seeing the power of God in the crashing waves, His handiwork in the beautiful shells, and His magnitude in the vastness of the ocean. It helps me remember that I’m small and He’s mighty, yet He calls me His own. (Isaiah 43:1)

Where I Like to “Beach”

One of my favorite spots to soak it all in? Sanibel Island, Florida. 💙 This charming little slice of paradise on Florida’s Gulf Coast is known for its world-class shelling, sugar-white beaches, and laid-back vibe that invites you to slow down and just be. With ⅔ of the island dedicated to a national wildlife preserve, no high-rises, no stop lights, and 25 miles of paved bike paths, it feels like a hidden gem where time stands still (in the best way). And if you’re into shelling, you should know that Sanibel Island is one of the best shelling destinations in the world! It’s also home to the National Shell Museum!

Of course, whether you’re headed to Sanibel or another sandy destination, packing well can make or break your beach experience! As someone who’s learned a few things from trial and error, I’ve put together a list of my absolute must-have items for beach vacations. 🌊👒

Let’s dive into the essentials that keep me comfy, protected, and fully in vacation mode every time I head for the coast. Ready to pack with confidence? Let’s go! 🐚

Beach Vacation Must-Haves

If you’re headed to a resort for a beach vacation, things like towels and beach chairs should be provided for you. That’s the situation I usually find myself in when I vacation. Here are a few of the things I always pack in my suitcase.

• Beach Towel Chair Clips – That refreshing ocean breeze can blow everything around, and these clips help secure your towel to the your beach chair. 
• Waterproof Phone Pouch/Case – Even if your phone is waterproof, just a few grains of sand in the charging port can render it unuseable. Made of a soft PVC material, the pouch allows easy access to the touch screen, camera, facial recognition, and other functions.
•  USB Rechargeable Portable Fan – Whether you’re at the beach, attending outdoor fireworks on the 4th, or heading to Walt Disney World, this little portable fan will help keep you cool.
• Best Beach Bag – I do love a cute beach bag, and I usually buy a new (inexpensive) one every year! (THIS patriotic cutie was the one I bought for this year.) Still, as beach bags go, THIS one from Amazon is the absolute BEST I’ve ever owned. The bottom is an insulated cooler, which will hold dozens of water bottles, drinks, lunch, etc. It has handle straps and a shoulder strap for versatility. You can learn more about it and check out the color options HERE.
• UV Detection Stickers – SpotMyUV UV Detection Stickers are one of those genius products I just love! Want to stop guessing when to reapply sunscreen? These smart, skin-safe stickers help you know when it’s time to lather on more sunscreen. Here’s how they work: You stick it on clean, dry skin, apply sunscreen over it and it turns clear—then gradually turns purple when your protection wears off, signaling it’s time to reapply.
• Insulated Water Bottle – This 32 oz. insulated water bottle comes in lots of fun color combinations. It’s BPA and phthalate-free, with a covered straw with a push-button lid that locks. You can either sip upright through the built-in straw or tilt back to swig from the spout opening (where you can also easily add ice). It keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours.
• Shell Kit – If you’re into shelling like we are, you’ll find this shell kit a huge help in finding some treasures worth keeping! At the very least you need THIS crossbody bag to keep your treasures safe while you look for more! Linking a set of five so there’s one for everyone!

The Drop Women’s Britt Tiered Maxi Dress (I love this dress—so much that I own it in three colors! It’s bra-friendly, super comfy, and such a great price!) It also looks cute with a cardigan or denim jacket over it for cool nights.

Beach Vacation Clothing

• Amazon Dress – This bra-friendly, A-line Amazon The Drop dress is universally-flattering! It literally looks good on any size! I own it in several colors, as well as this eyelet version. It fits TTS, is fully-lined and some colors are under $20! Trust me, you’re going to want to snatch this one up!
• Amazon Swimsuit – Amazon’s best-selling one-piece swimsuit is a best-seller for a reason! This tummy control swimsuit flatters every figure, thanks to the ruched design and supportive top. It’s ideal for active beach days or lounging in style.
• Beach Shoes – Want to protect your feet on a rocky or shelly beach? Our family loves Racqua Surf Shoes! They’re quick drying and have an anti-slip rubber sole, with an ergonomically molded, protective toe guard.
• Beach Hat – A good beach hat is a must-have, and a high-quality one will last you for years. Years ago, I invested in THIS one (not from Amazon), and it’s been all over the world with me! That said, a beach hat is a very personal thing! You want one that looks good on you and makes you feel confident. Here are my beach hat must have features: UPF 50, foldable, packable, wide brimmed. You probably already have one you like, but if you don’t, THIS one is a good price, has good ratings, and checks all the boxes!
• Magnetic Hat Clip – THIS strong magnetic hat clip allows you to attach your hat to your travel carryon or your beach bag for convenience. I find that I’m more apt to wear mine if it’s at my fingertips.
• UV Protective, Polarized Sunglasses – It’s tough to find polarized sunglasses for a good price! But these budget-friendly and fabulous Sojos polarized sunglasses combine timeless style with full UV protection, making them ideal for sensitive eyes and all of your sunny adventures. You’ll love the way the polarized lenses filter out sunlight reflected glare, and make the water look bluer and the sand look whiter! (Once you go polarized, you’ll never go back!) I think these flattering frames suit all face shapes, but if you want to browse other Sojos styles, click HERE.

Amazon’s Best-Selling Swimsuit (It comes in multiple colors—click HERE to see them!)

Beach Vacation SkinCare & Makeup Must-Haves

Want to know one of the simplest ways to keep your skin looking youthful and protect yourself from cancer? Say hello to your skincare superhero—sunscreen! Yep, it’s not just for summer. Whether it’s chilly or sunny, cloudy or clear, sunscreen belongs in your daily routine anytime you’re heading outside. Here are my sun protection beach vacation must-haves.

I’m going to be straight up with you. Sunscreens are not regulated by the FDA. (Neither are skincare, haircare, and beauty products, supplements, etc.) That means they can claim whatever they want about their effectiveness without being held accountable.

That’s why I love Consumer Reports annual sunscreen tests.

Every year, Consumer Reports rigorously tests a wide range of sunscreens to evaluate how well they protect against UVA and UVB rays. Their testing includes applying each sunscreen to human volunteers’ backs, then exposing those areas to UV light to measure the actual level of sunburn protection (SPF) vs. the SPF protection they claim to offer. They also assess water resistance and consistency across batches to provide accurate, real-world performance ratings.

For the past three years, Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50 has been their top-rated sunscreen. So, that’s what I use on my body. Every day. It’s hypallergenic, and it contains aloe and Vitamin E. It’s free of Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, dyes, and parabens, which are all known carcinogens.

• Self Tanner – I like Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Firming Body Drops. Add 6-12 bronzing drops to your favorite moisturizer or sunscreen. I like that it’s customizable (the more drops you add, the darker your “tan” will be), and formulated with natural ingredients like Caffeine, Baobab and Oat Extract for to tighten and hydrate your skin. There is no odor!
• Facial Sunscreen – Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 is my go-to facial sunscreen year ’round. It’s award-winning, 100% invisible, weightless, scent-free, and non-irritating. It glides on like a dream, doubles as a makeup-gripping primer, and (bonus!) it’s clinically tested to boost skin clarity over time. Buy it from Amazon HERE, or if you’re worried about authenticity, from Supergoop! HERE. (I buy it from Supergoop!, because when it comes to sunscreen, I don’t mess around!)
• Eye Area Sunscreen – Is there anything worse than the all-day sting from getting sunscreen in your eyes? 🥹The worst! I use Supergoop! Bright-Eyed Mineral Eye Cream SPF 40. Since 5-10% of skin cancers are found in the eye area, it’s smart to protect this area well! With caffeine & probiotics to instantly brighten the eye area and protect the delicate eye area, this product + sunglasses will protect without the sting! Buy it from Amazon HERE, or from Supergoop! HERE.
• Tinted Sunscreen “Foundation” – When I’m at the beach swimming, playing with the family, or shelling, of course, I’m not wearing foundation. But when we shop, go out for lunch or dinner, or visit family nearby, I definitely wear an SPF 40 tinted foundation! My go-to? The one my dermatologist recommended! It’s EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40. It’s lightweight and sheer, and it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid for moisture. It’s also fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic. Buy it from Amazon HERE. Buy it from EltaMD HERE. Buy it from Dermstore HERE.
• Lipstick/Gloss – In the summer, I usually set aside heavier lipsticks and opt for sheer, tinted glosses. My favorite is Supergoop! Glow Gloss SPF 40 Lip Balm. It’s not available on Amazon, and I wanted this post to be all Amazon for you, so I recently ordered e.l.f. Sun Boss Gloss SPF 25, which IS available on Amazon. (And also at e.l.f. HERE.) Rather try a tinted lip balm than a gloss? I recommend Coola Organic Tinted Lip Balm & Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 30.
• Powder Sunscreen – I find that powder sunscreens are a great way to refresh my sunscreen protection (especially on my face and neck), during a beach day. I’ve tried all of them! From Brush on Block to Hawaiian Tropic, but the problem with most of them is that the powder stops coming out or comes out unevenly. The best one I’ve found (that doesn’t do that) is Supergoop! (Re) setting 100% Mineral Powder. It’s a lightweight mineral setting powder that takes down shine, sets your makeup, and adds a layer of SPF—delivered with a soft, easy-to-use brush that makes reapplying a breeze! Buy it from Amazon HERE or from Supergoop! HERE.

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 | Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Translucent Mineral Powder

Beach Vacation Haircare

Let’s face it, beach vacations are not great on our hair. Even if you don’t get in the water, the salty air and the humidity can do a number on your do! My curls tend to be out of control at the beach (even more than usual), and I usually just go with it! I lean into conditioner, using coconut cowash instead of shampoo most days. When we’re going out, I finish off with amika the shield anti-humidity spray. It’s an invisible spray that is heat-activated, and I find that it keeps my hair frizz-free.

Are you headed to the beach sometime this summer or fall? Do you have some beach vacation must-haves that I need to know about? Please share them with our little community in the comments so everyone can benefit!

Take another look at all of the products I mentioned in this post below. If you see one you’re interested in, tap to go right to it!