Packing for a beach trip

[ajwolfe]

So our first "real" beach trip is sneaking up on us - we will be staying at Disney's Hilton Head resort in a couple weeks. I'm curious what others would recommend to pack that I may not be thinking of. There will be 4 of us - 2 adults and 2 boys (ages 11 and 8). We do plan on eating breakfast and a few lunches in our villa a few days; but figure I'll get most of the groceries in town because we are driving and stopping off in Savannah for a few days before the beach.

Thanks!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It depends on what is provided by the hotel. Just general beach stuff; sand toys, rafts, towels, beach chairs, sun shelter, etc.

 

[Thing 1]

We beach vacation a lot and love it. Will you be driving? Im basing my answers on yes so if not they might not be as helpful. Kitchens in beach rentals can vary a lot. For some reason, baking sheets seems to be missing a lot, and a lot of time, blenders do not work, even in high end rentals. If there is a must have kitchen tool, you may want to take it with you or ask the contact persn if it is available. Even though it is easier to purchase much of your food on arrival, I sometime will make things like pasta sauce or a lasagna, or something similar ahead of time and freeze to travel. Saves me times there. I always bake muffins and cookies or other baked goods for us to enjoy there. I'm sure the unit has a washer dryer so packing can be a bit lighter. We find kids go through a ton of bathing suits and t-shirts. Even a night walk on the beach almost always results in wet kids, so plan ahead there. Hilton Head is a wonderful, casual beach area and dress is super casual most everywhere. Take or buy there , some beach toys, boogie boards, floats etc. Beach towels, sun screen, and a good bag to carry everything to the beach are essential. We like having some things for down time in the house; board games, cards, a family puzzle and a few good movies. Beach vacations are so different than WDW but are very special to our family.....enjoy.

 

[ajwolfe]

Thank you so much for the suggestions!! Yes, we are driving...And I do plan to take some food items with us that I don't think will melt or explode while we spend a couple days in Savannah first.
I never do laundry on vacation as a rule, but will since it's in our villa to use - which I think it screwing me up a little on how much/what to pack lol.

I'm glad to hear Hilton Head is casual. I was wondering if we needed to take nicer outfits to wear for dinners out or if shorts/shirts would be acceptable.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

According to DW (the resident beach but), the following are mandatory:

Flip flops
Sunglasses
2 towels
2 bikinis

Everything else is optional

 

[pixie08]

Beach toys, bug repellant, bikes (or you can rent) but you may want your own helmet.

 

[ajwolfe]

Hadn't thought of bug repellant...Thanks!

 

[LovesTimone]

First find out what the rental has..

Such as crock pot, what kind of coffee maker or any other kitchen appliances that you might need.

Grill ? - Gas or Charcoal ?

Water toys, Beach chairs, umbrella or sun canopy, floats, sand toys, boogie boards, bikes, and beach towels.

Also inquire about the amount of towels, and kitchen towels and pot holders are in the unit. Nothing worse than try to get something out of the oven and realize there are no pot holders... Not a great way to start the day with burning the bacon...

Bring along with you:

Your own spice's, don't forget salt and pepper if you use them.

Drop in laundry and dish washer tabs are the greatest thing ever.

Lots and lots of good sun screen, nothing ruins a vacation faster than sunburn. The most important tip of all!

Flip Flops that can get wet, sandy, and are easily rinsed off.

At least 2 bathing suits... nothing worse than trying to wiggle into a damp bathing suit. Yucky...

For dinner out, nicer shorts, polo shirt... but really shorts and t-shirts, tank tops are all you really need.

Something for everyone to do inside in case of rain. Books, movies, puzzles, video games, the more relaxing the better.

Lots and lots of water, Gatorade... stay hydrated.

Have a great time..

 

[MidgeD79]

We always take a gallon of tap water and a wash cloth to rinse our hands and face off.

 

[ajwolfe]

Great ideas!! Thanks!

 

[micheleq]

The HHI resort is adjacent to a shopping center that has a large Kroger and a Whole Foods, so anything you forget you can buy right there! We stayed right across from the DVC resort (no availability when I was booking) in Palmetto Dunes but I got everything I needed at the Shelter Cove shopping center. Lots of shopping and restaurants there as well. You will love it!

 

[SmallWorld71]

We live by the beach so we spend a ton of time there in the summer. I figured I'd get a kids' perspective for you, so I asked DD12 what the most important things are to bring to the beach.
She says: Sunblock, bathing suit, sand toys, balls for catch, goggles, boogie board, comfy beach chair, good book, cover-up in case you get chilly, towel, drinks, fruit, and sandwiches.

 

[tchrrx]

I always pack a small container of baby powder when we go to the beach. Keep it right by door. When you get home, sprinkle baby powder on your feet before going in the house. Thsn brush it and the sand off. It's a lot easier than just brushing off sand.

Take a real book even if you usually use an eReader. A real book can handle the sand a lot better than an electronic one.

Doesn't HHI require you to bus to the beach? If so, you'll want to have a towel and or cover up that isn't wet to keep you from getting chilled on the way back to the resort.

 

[ajwolfe]

Interesting idea!! I don't think it's required to bus to the beach-but I could be wrong. There is a parking lot here, so you can drive your own car or there is a bike path.

 

[tchrrx]

Interesting idea!! I don't think it's required to bus to the beach-but I could be wrong. There is a parking lot here, so you can drive your own car or there is a bike path.

I forgot you would have a car. I meant required as in you couldn't walk.

 

[tchrrx]

Interesting idea!! I don't think it's required to bus to the beach-but I could be wrong. There is a parking lot here, so you can drive your own car or there is a bike path.

I forgot you would have a car. I meant required as in you couldn't walk.