Get ready, get set, start packing your bags! One of the best parts of a trip is packing for it—but what on Earth do you bring? Most of us overpack, which makes getting souvenirs home a bit of a challenge. Also, many of us show up to the vacation rental and almost immediately have to run to the store in order to cook or do laundry (unless you pay for Shipt, Instacart, or a grocery delivery service). So, what DO you pack for a beach vacation along the Emerald Coast?
Packing Your Beach Towels
You are going on a beach vacation, so one of the most important things to pack is a beach towel! My Vacation Haven does not supply beach or pool towels in our rentals, so you will need to bring your favorites from home or purchase one when you arrive. There are local places that sell inexpensive beach towels if you forget yours, so check out Alvin’s Island or Beach Zone Destin (they have exclusive savings for our guests). Both stores have a wide variety of beach items and there is usually a sale on something beach-related, so be sure to grab an extra bottle of sunscreen while you are there!
Grab a Raincoat
While you'll hopefully have endlessly sunny skies for days on end during your Emerald Coast beach getaway, you never know. Coastal weather can quickly become rainy, so prepare by packing a rain slicker and an umbrella, so if you're out and about you don't get soaked.
Don't Forget Hats and Sunglasses
Sunlight bounces beautifully off the sugar white sand of the Emerald Coast. Without sunglasses, this is both beautiful and blinding. You need sunglasses and a hat to keep your face and eyes protected during your time here and Orvis, located in Grand Boulevard, has a nice selection of eyewear that will leave you looking stylish without burning your retinas. As an Added Fun Partner, they offer a special discount to our guests!
Bring the Sunblock, Zinc Oxide, and Aloe Vera
While on the topic of protection, bring plenty of protection for your skin. Don't underestimate the Florida sun nor those days when the skies are a bit overcast. You're still highly likely to get sunburned if you're not wearing sunblock. Don’t worry, the sunblock will still allow you to get a healthy and glowing tan, but will keep you from getting a painful and blistering sunburn. Trust us—a sunburn on day one of your beach vacation is a guarantee that you'll be spending a good bit of time the next several days inside your vacation rental.
Bring Extra Swimwear
Bring at least a few bathing suits. Swimwear that you wear on the beach tends to get sandy and needs to be cleaned and dried before you wear it again. You do not want to put a damp, sandy swimsuit on to head to the pool the same day you splashed around on the beach and got covered in sand. Having a spare suit or two will not only give you lots of options, but you'll also be guaranteed to always have a clean swimsuit to quickly grab before heading out for the day.
Pack Your Own Dish Tabs, Kitchen Trash Bags, and Laundry Tablets
Know that with any rental, you have a handful of starter supplies. Depending on how much you cook in your condo and how much trash you produce and how long you're staying, you might run out. If you're staying more than a few days, then it's best to come prepared as area stores don't sell dish tabs, kitchen trash bags, or laundry tablets individually. You will have to purchase entire packages, which you will have to leave behind or take home with you…. and if you overpacked, then this could be a problem.
Don’t Forget Kitchen Staples
Your Emerald Coast vacation rental will also have a few kitchen necessities. It will have utensils and pots and pans and such, but it may not have everything else you need. You have to supply those things either by bringing them along or buying them at a nearby grocery store if you plan to cook.
Many repeat vacationers in our area know what to bring and come prepared. Here are some recommended materials:
- Salt and pepper
- All-purpose seasoning (Tony’s or a Mediterranean blend)
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Ziplock bags
- Coffee or coffee pods (depending on the rental; we can tell you!)
- A few disposable “leftovers” containers
Basically, you need to assume that your condo will have knives, cutting boards, and pots and pans but that it won’t have anything for you to put in those items, so if you plan to cook, come prepared.
Packing for your Emerald Coast vacation does not have to be a time-consuming task, it just requires knowing what items you will most likely need during your stay. The items above will be a tremendous help while on vacation and will help with unnecessary spending.
