Planning a beach vacation in Florida? Not sure what to pack. Read more for tips on what to include on your next Florida packing list.
I’ve been traveling to various parts of Florida for many years. Why? Because I LOVE the beach!!! The sound of the water hitting the shore, the sunsets, the warm sunshine, the sand on my toes… I love it all!!!
For some people packing for a vacation is second nature. For others, it’s a dreaded task. As a seasoned traveler, I have learned packing is a little science, a little art, and gets easier with a LOT of practice.
To me planning any trip is almost as exciting as the actual trip. Since I have an upcoming trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida, it’s time to create my Florida packing list.
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What should I wear in Florida?
While clothes may seem like an obvious item. It’s one of the most frustrating and sometimes confusing things to know what to add to your Florida packing list. How can you possibly know what you will need a week or two ahead of your vacation? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer.
The good news, Florida beach vacations are relaxed, and pretty much anything goes. In most restaurants, you will find people wearing swimsuit coverups or shorts and t-shirts. If you plan on going to a restaurant farther away from the beach, you may want to pack a casual dress but if you stay near the beach, you probably won’t need it.
How to make an educated guess
The first thing I do is research the weather. You can’t do this too far in advance but if you check the local weather forecast 10-12 days before you go, you will get a good idea of how the temperatures are trending.
I also do a Google search for average temperatures in the city I’m traveling to. While there is no way to know the actual weather, it will at least give you a baseline.
The last thing I do when traveling to a place I’ve never been is exactly what you are doing. Read some blog posts of people who have been where you are going. There are often ideas or suggestions you may not have thought of before.
What clothes I bring
- Shorts or capri pants
- Maxi shirt
- Lightweight cotton T-shirts or tank tops
- Underwear and Bras
- Socks
- Lightweight jacket or zip up hoddie (for the airplane and on cool evenings)
- Swimsuit
- Swimsuit coverup
- Pajamas/loungewear
Florida Packing List – Beach Essentials
Now that I have the basics of clothes out of the way, it’s time for the fun stuff. BEACH ESSENTIALS!!! The whole point of a beach vacation in Florida is to enjoy some time at the beach right? The only thing guaranteed to ruin a beach day (other than rain) is to realize you are missing something like your sunglasses, sunscreen, or for those of us with long hair, a hair tie!
When making my Florida packing list I always make sure to have the following in my suitcase.
- Hair ties
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Journal
- Book
- Beach tote
- Beach towels
- Water bottle (not only is this handy for the airport, but you can also use it to have some water with you at the beach. It’s cheaper than buying it!)
Florida Packing List – Shoes
If I had to make a list of my true loves, shoes would be toward the top, only after the people in my life, travel, and food. So picking which shoes to pack is hard for me. I’ve made the mistake before of filling my suitcase with shoes and not having enough room for necessities.
My Florida packing list however is down to three essential pairs.
- Flip flops for beach days
- Comfortable walking sandals (I.E. Birkenstocks, Teva, Chaco, etc.)
- Slip-on tennis shoes/sneakers (for the airport)
Florida Packing List – Electronics
My Florida packing list includes some essential items that are NOT negotiable. Others may not be important to you but are VITAL to me. Part of going on vacation is to unplug but that is easier said than done. While I do limit my time with electronics on vacation I don’t usually fully unplug…unless I’m somewhere with no cell service or internet.
My must-have electronics are:
- Camera
- iPad
- Phone, iPad, and camera chargers
- Headphones – the wired kind if you want to watch a movie on the airplane
Florida Packing List – Toiletries and Grooming
You can’t really travel anywhere without toiletries. When making a packing list, I tend to worry more about what toiletries I pack when I’m traveling internationally to a 3rd world country as I don’t always know if or what I’ll be able to find. But even when traveling domestically I don’t want to spend my time trying to find a drug store.
My Florida Packing List Essential Toiletries and grooming are:
- Sunscreen
- Facewash (I use Tatcha The Rice Polish because it is not liquid. OR MakeUp Eraser face cloths.)
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Bodywash
- Deodorant
- Face cream
- Makeup
- Hairbrush
- Aloe or after-sun lotion (I love Sun Bum Cool Down. Since I have fair skin, even using sunscreen I tend to be a little pink after a day at the beach.)
- Lip balm with SPF (I use Sun Bum!! I love the flavors and it keeps my lips feeling soft!!)
- Razor
- Small First Aid Kit (at minimum some band-aids)
- Personal medication, motion sickness pills, allergy pills, etc.
Time to Hit the Beach
Proper planning and a good packing list are key to ensuring you have a fun and relaxing beach vacation. Other than something like a prescription or something expensive like electronics, if you forget something no worries. There are plenty of options to buy anything you may need once you get there. It just may be more expensive and will take some time away from your adventures.
I’m so excited about my upcoming trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida. The sun and sand are exactly what I need to clear my head and regenerate my soul.
Always remember, life should be an adventure!! Live your best life and explore the world around you.
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Related posts you may enjoy:
Clearwater Beach Florida – What I Learned on the Trip
Bonita Springs, FL – Beautiful Beaches
