How to Pack for a Beach Day

There’s nothing like a beach day. Whether that means traveling to the coast or to one of the many lake shores in Indiana within just a few hours of Williamsburg North, it’s an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and relax in the sun. To make the most of your beach day, you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure you have everything you need. Here’s what to pack!

The basics

These are the items you won’t want to leave home without. Keep in mind you’ll probably be walking through the sands, and packing as much as you can into a large, sturdy backpack or shoulder bag will make transporting all your belongings much easier. 

• Bathing suit and towel
• Sunscreen 
• Sunglasses 
• Sandals 
• Hat 
• Cell phone and charger 

If you plan to sightsee or do some walking, your essential checklist might be more extensive. For instance, flip-flops are nice for a stroll along the surf, but you might want to bring some sturdier shoes and socks, and another layer of clothing in case you find yourself indoors. Also, fanny packs are back! Consider bringing one along to hold your hand sanitizer, phone, cash, and any necessary receipts or travel documents. 

Fun non-essentials

While not critical, you may be more comfortable with some “luxury” accessories. Remember, the shores in Indiana are going to be a bit rockier than those on the coast, so you might want to bring water shoes or waterproof sandals if you plan to wade into the water. Some other fun things to take to the beach include: 

• Beach umbrella
• A beach chair or portable lounger
• Portable speaker
• Portable fan
• Headphones
• A camera
• A good book
• Chapstick
• A water bottle with a sling or handle

Snacks

Bring along plenty of water, and pack snacks that won’t get melty or sticky in the sun. An insulated snack bag or a cooler with a handle makes it all easier to carry. Try to avoid bringing a cooler you’ll have to drag anything across the sand! 

• Pretzels
• Grapes
• Cold, cooked noodles or tortellini
• Beef jerky
• Trail mix
• Granola bars
• Apples and oranges (virtually indestructible!)
• Cheese sticks and summer sausage

Beach games

You might be the type of person who can snooze, read, and people-watch all day long, but if you like a little more action, think about some beach games and accessories you might want to bring. They could be as simple as a snorkel and goggles, or a beach ball, or they could be more elaborate beach games. Here are some popular beach games and accessories that are easiest to transport: 

• A Frisbee or boomerang
• Ring flyers
• A ring toss game 
• Waterproof playing cards
• A football

When you live at Williamsburg North, you’re in an ideal location for travel. You can easily jump from your Binford apartments onto I-65 North and head to the Indiana Dunes, or take I-70 West to the airport for more distant locales. And when you’re home, you can enjoy a playground and pool right in your own apartment community. If you’re ready to learn more, call (317) 758-7374 for a tour today.