Unless you enjoy having sand in uncomfortable places in your swimsuit, bring a beach towel. Buy big, long beach towels that will allow you to stretch out. Bring one to lay out on and another to use to dry off if you decide to get into the water. The best beach towels are thick and highly-absorbent; towels come in every kind of design you can imagine. Stand out in the crowd with a beach towel that has a creative and colorful design, or a towel that represent your favorite sports team with the team logo or mascot.
You need sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glaring sun and its reflection on the water. Your eyes are also just as susceptible to sun damage as your skin. Buy sunglasses that fully cover your eyes, and that most importantly have built-in UVA and UVB protection. Polarized lenses help to reduce glare.
Sunscreen is essential when going to the beach. Even if you want a tan, failing to use sunscreen will more than likely cause a sunburn and leave you open to the possibility of skin cancer. Choose a sunscreen SPF (sun protection factor) amount based on your skin type and the history of your skin's ability to burn. The SPF number refers to the amount of time it would take your skin to burn if you were using sunscreen. If, for example, it normally takes 15 minutes for your skin to burn, it would take 15 times longer for your skin to burn if you are wearing an SPF 15 sunscreen. The Federal Drug Administration recommends sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 for everyone but also recommends that if you have very fair skin, go with a higher SPF, between SPF 30 to 50. Specialty sunscreens are available for children as well as sunscreen for sensitive faces. Apply liberally to your face and body and repeat usage every two hours or after each time you go in the water.
Sand can get hot, especially when the sun is high in the sky. Protect your feet with flip-flops. You can find cheap ones at your local one-stop shop or even designer flip-flops if that is more your style. You want flip-flops when you go to the grimy public beach bathroom or for strolling on the boardwalk.
You need a big beach bag to carry all your essential items. Like flip-flops, you can get any type of beach bag, from the classic straw bag to a brightly colored canvas bag. You need a bag large enough to carry a couple of towels, books or magazines and other essential items like your sunscreen. Choose a bag with inside pockets to hold your I.D., wallet and other small items such as keys.
For the ladies, a straw hat is another added layer of protection from the sun as well a fashion statement. Find a large, floppy-brimmed hat that will protect your entire face from the sun.
Bring a chair so you won't have to lie down on your towel all day, especially if you intend to read. Choose a chair that is not too difficult to fold and unfold and that you can easily carry in the crook of your arm. For added convenience, choose a beach chair that has a built-in cup holder. Some chairs even feature a built-in ottoman.
To protect yourself from the sun and heat, bring along a large beach umbrella. The umbrella allows sunbathers to give their skin a break. Children can play underneath the umbrella to protect their more tender skin from the sun's harmful rays.
