The perfect packing list for your beach holiday

Short essentials packing list

1. Sunscreen

2. Aftersun lotion/Aloe vera

3. Bug spray

4. Swimsuits / Bikini / Swim Shorts

5. Tunic/beach dress

6. Sunglasses

7. Flip flops/sandals

8. Bath towel/beach towel

9. If necessary, a beach mat (at rocky beaches)

10. Beach bag

11. If necessary, waterproof dry bag

12. Waterproof cases for your mobile phone, camera, etc.

Additional packing list for the beach with children

1. Cooler bag + batteries

2. Air mattress + pump

3. Balls/water games

4. Beach tent/wind shield

5. Water wings

Tickets, money, and documents (and, of course, more documents)

The important stuff. You can’t board a plane without your passport, and you can’t buy a coffee in any city without a bit of money. Here’s a tip: always bring your IDs and documents with you. If you don’t feel comfortable bringing the originals with you, take a photo of them or have a PDF scan on your phone. Just make sure a stranger isn't able to unlock your phone.

1. Credit card/Debit card

2. Cash (foreign and domestic)

3. Phone number of your bank if you need to lock (or unlock) your card

4. Consider bringing a bum bag to keep all your things in (all the hipsters are doing it)

5. ID cards: Identity card and/or passport

6. Driver's license (if you have one)

7. Student card (if you have one)

8. Health insurance card and, if necessary, proof of health insurance abroad

9. Any medical prescriptions (in case you need them)

10. Train ticket or plane ticket

11. Hotel confirmation (with the address on it)

12. Visa (if required)

13. Maps if you need one, I’d recommend downloading an offline map for the place you’re visiting

Clothes

Remember: most of us often take too much in your bags. Pack only the bare essentials and spare yourself the unnecessary weight. Even if you are travelling for more than a week, you often do not need more than a few days worth of clothes. No matter where you are in the world, you'll almost always have the opportunity to wash - even if it's only in a hotel sink. Your wardrobe may vary depending on the season, but the most important thing is to wear comfortable shoes!

1. Swimwear, I’d take two sets to be on the safe side

2. Trousers, shorts/skirt

3. Belt (if required)

4. T-shirts, tops

5. Pullover (worth having for a cold flight)

6. Rain jacket

7. Underwear

8. Socks

9. Pyjamas

10. Sunglasses

11. Hat (to shade the sun)

12. Sandals or some flip-flops that are comfortable (just beware the awkward tan lines)

Miscellaneous stuff

1. Sleep mask

2. A water bottle you can refill

3. Combination lock for your luggage (especially important if you are in the hostel)

4. A book or magazine (Here’s some inspiration

5. Glasses (If you need them to read your new book)

A travel first-aid kit

There's nothing is worse than being unwell while travelling, so pack a few medical essentials for your trip. What you need depends, of course, on your destination and the season (for example, if you need mosquito spray). But first think about your individual medications, especially those you need to take regularly.

1. Personal medication

2. Wound and blister plaster

3. Pain and fever remedies

4. Something to calm a gippy tummy

5. Allergy pills (possibly nasal spray and eye drops)

6. Ointment

7. Mosquito repellent

8. Aloe vera (or some after-sun) for those of you that go lobster-red

Packing list technology and accessories

No-one goes anywhere without their mobile these days and holidaying at the beach is no different. How else would you take your snaps for the 'Gram? To make sure you don't run out of battery, and for general entertainment, here's our must-have list of tech items to take with you.

1. Mobile phone + charger

2. Powerbank + charging cable (You can get a solar-powered one for the beach)

3. Headphones

4. Adapter for the socket

5. Camera + battery, charging cable, and SD card

6. Laptop or tablet + charging cable