6 Things You Never Thought to Bring on a Beach Vacation (But Will Thank Us For)

So you’re headed to the coast. Surf, sand and sun await you. You’ve planned ahead, made your list and packed the essentials—an umbrella, sunscreen, towels and swimsuits. But even with all that preparation for your shore vacation, there are still a few under-the-radar items to consider tossing in your bag to make your days in the sun more enjoyable. Here’s some of the best beach gear you may not have considered bringing along!

Detangling spray

Coarse sand, harsh salt water and the beach’s overall “windblown” effect can leave your locks in a knotty mess. The best beach gear to combat that? Detangling spray. Throw a travel-size bottle in your beach bag and comb through your hair for on-the-spot maintenance, no matter what the humidity throws at you.

Charging stick

All-day music streaming, capturing video of the kiddos splashing in the waves, catching up on weeks’ worth of podcasts and reading all those e-books will quickly zap your devices’ batteries. If you’re not staying close to the beachfront with quick access to power, a charging stick will be the best beach gear you possess. Not only will it come in handy for shore-side entertainment, but in the event of an emergency your phone will always have a charge.

Updated address list and stamps

Stamps are essential to send postcards that will make your friends and family a little jealous.

Yes, you’ll most certainly enjoy posting your sunny selfies on social media and letting your crew know what an awesome time you’re having. But if you’re the sentimental type, your best beach gear may not be your smartphone. Instead, you may want to consider going old-school and sending a few postcards from your fun-in-the-sun destination. Make sure to update the addresses of friends and family in your phone’s contact list before you go, and stick a few stamps in your wallet for fast sending.

Sun-glare reducer

The bright direct sunlight at the shore can make reading emails or eBooks difficult, if not impossible. Matte screen protectors are the best beach gear for reducing the glare on your devices. Another pro tip? Check your phone or tablet settings and see if you have an option to reverse the text color to white words on a black screen. All of these things can make reading in the sun easier on the eyes.

Travel first-aid kit

This should be near the top of the best beach gear list, yet so many of us fail to bring it. Start with a waterproof box and toss in the essentials: a few Band-Aids and cotton/alcohol swabs, pain reliever and antihistamine. Throw in a pair of tweezers for removing pesky splinters from little bare feet. One of the first things we think to bring for long stretches on the beach is sunscreen, but even when you lather up with SPF, all-day stints in the sun with sometimes less-than-ideal reapplications can leave your skin red and irritated. Be sure to include a soothing after-sun lotion in your first-aid kit—look for one with an aloe vera or soy element, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Premoistened wipes

You know the sand-and-salt water combo can be sticky and messy. Combat the crud by arming yourself with the final item on our best beach gear list: a travel pack of premoistened wipes to spiff up surfaces like coolers, plastic sunglasses and, if you’re driving, your car’s interior. Lens-cleaning wipes are crucial for cleaning camera lenses, device screens and reading glasses. Antibacterial wipes are best for wiping down surfaces or your hands before you eat.

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