In the increasingly common heat-wave conditions of the British summer, it’s natural for your thoughts to turn to a day at the beach. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway to your closest shoreline or a full beach holiday abroad, enjoying a day at the beach might look easy but it takes planning. Today we’re taking a look at what sort of preparation goes into enjoying a day at the beach.

What Sort of Beach is it?

This might seem like a simple question, but if it’s your first time going to a particular seaside location, you might be in for a surprise. Surprises don’t necessarily equate to a good time, so it’s important to do your research before you set out – especially if you’re taking an international holiday.

Google the beach you’re heading for and find out some key facts: is it a pebble beach or covered in sand? If you encounter a stony beach unexpectedly, you might be in for a difficult, painful time, and you need to know about it in advance to ensure you pack some men’s sliders, flipflops or gel shoes to get you across the pebbles safely!

It’s also worth checking that the beach you’re planning on going to is accessible and safe to swim from: in some countries, you’ll find private stretches of beach that are only accessible to guests at hotels or patrons of a bar or restaurant. Traveling for an hour to reach a beach you’re not allowed on is a huge disappointment, so do check!

You also need to be aware of tides or dangerous currents – some countries enjoy very calm seas, like those on the Mediterranean, but others can be dangerous to swimmers. Make sure you’re aware of any signalling systems that are used, be they flags, signs or lines of buoys you must not cross.

Packing

As fun as it may seem to simply up sticks and head for the seaside, taking a few minutes to pack appropriately can ensure a better time!

Sunscreen is the most important thing you can pack: as fun as it is to lie on the beach with a book or swim in the sea, sunburn later on can sour the whole experience! Make sure you pick up one that doesn’t just have a high SPF, but also a five star rating so you can be confident it can be will protect you from both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

It’s also worth bringing some water and food. If there are no shops or cafes, you could find yourself dehydrated and exhausted with no means of topping up your water and energy levels! Make sure your day at the beach isn’t cut short with just a little planning and strategic packing and you’ll be able to enjoy yourself without fear.