An Overly Specific Beach Packing List

Musings on claw clips and crossword puzzles

Check in desk at the Laylow Waikiki

For better or worse, I’m an optimizer. Great for my career, occasionally questionable for my inner peace. I keep ridiculous amounts of notes during every trip: hotels I loved, what I should’ve packed, what I absolutely did not need but lugged around anyway… the list goes on.

Out of those notes comes this: my highly specific beach packing list. Not exhaustive, not “Pinterest-perfect”—just the things I was thrilled to have, or really, really wished I’d remembered. A mix of fun and functional, as life should be

• A beach bag that doubles as your carry-on or packs flat. You’ll rarely find me traveling without a Baggu bag, and this is a perfect use case. Packs tiny, can handle a wet swimsuit, what more could you want?

• Sunglasses you’re not emotionally attached to, ideally two pairs

• A beach hat, and a magnetic hat clip - I had my doubts about this but was really pleased with how well it held a hat on my bag! I’m keeping it there for baseball caps in the future

• A pool cover-up you can walk through the hotel or grab lunch in (think no shoes, no shirt, no service)

• A “beach hobby”: book, crossword puzzles, trashy magazine, needlepoint - whatever you always wish you made more time to enjoy at home

• Functional Beach Sandals™ that are cute but not precious- leave the leather soles in the room. You know I wouldn’t send you to Shoe Carnival if I wasn’t a full on believer in these… trust me

• A mini photo printer. Think: Instax but better- you can print from any phone in your group wirelessly!

• Mini aloe packets (because when you need aloe, you need it immediately).

• Travel Pepto (see above re: immediate needs).

• Mini sunscreen spray - a quick reminder that aerosols are TSA approved, and the most foolproof method of sunscreen application

• Fancy claw clip - this was my biggest regret that I forgot on my last trip! It’s the perfect mix of fancy and functional, for the dinners where my hair is not touching the back of my neck in this humidity so help me God.

So tell me, what did I miss? What are your oceanside must- haves? As always, thanks again for following along- more to come next Tuesday!