Making the most of your beach vacation takes planning and preparation. Regardless of whether you are going for a weekend or a few weeks, there are things to do and things to avoid. You need to pack for good and bad weather, and not forget your sunglasses and sunscreen, among other things.
Research the Beach
Different beaches will provide different types of vacation and you need to do some research to find the right type of beach for you. It could be that you are looking for a surfer’s paradise, a beach that has parties 24 hours a day or you may just want to like back in the sun and relax. Do you want one that does not allow pets? Will you spend more time in the water or on the sand? What seasons are the worst for bugs and insects? Is there access for people with limited mobility?
Try To Opt For A Beach That Has A Lifeguard
Statistics in the US show that five times more drownings happen on beaches that do not have trained lifeguards. The United States Lifesaving Association says that the chance of drowning when a lifeguard is present is only one in 18 million. But drowning and injuries in the sea so not just happen to swimmers.
People are sometimes injured in boat or jet ski accidents, for instance. A lifeguard will be able to help in this situation as well and arrange appropriate medical emergency services if they are needed. In this situation, you also have to be aware that there are expert injury lawyers who are ready to fight for you so that you get the compensation you could be entitled to. Many people are wary of going down the legal route, but sometimes it is the only way to get the help you need.
Pack Things For Comfort
It does not matter what type of beach vacation you are going on, there will be times when you just sit on the sand. You need to be able to do that in comfort and should pack a large beach towel or a lightweight folding chair especially for this purpose.
On many beaches, you can rent a sun lounger that will have some shade above it, but to do this every day can start to get costly, especially if there are several of you so you need more than one.
If you take your own towels, make sure they are large enough to lie on when you get out the sea, and that they are brightly colored so that they are simple for you to identify.
It is also a good idea to pack some water-friendly shoes or sandals to protect your feet while you are in the sea. It should go without saying that you need to protect yourself from the sun with suntan lotions, or the discomfort you will suffer will be worse than you might imagine. Unprotected skin will burn very easily and then you could end up spending the rest of your vacation having to stay indoors.
All of these factors can contribute to you having a brilliant or bad beach vacation experience and it is well worth the time to check out the beaches you are considering.
While you are researching, you should also check on any local laws or regulations that might affect the activity you are planning. Simple things like collecting shells from the beach are forbidden in some places, and there are some where you would not be allowed to bring your own jet ski. You need to check these things out as part of your research.
Be Prepared For The Bugs
Whenever the weather is warm there will be insects and bugs that bite. Most time these will cause no more than irritations, but those can get really bad at times. It is far better to protect yourself from the nasty’s with insect repellents. If they do not work though, have some bite treatment to hand. This will help to reduce the itching, and the less you scratch them the sooner they disappear.
This could be in the form of anti-itch creams or antihistamine tablets. They will both do the trick and it really depends on which suits you the best.
There could be other nasty things happen too. You may stub your toe on a rock that was hidden beneath the sand, for example. This could well cut your toes and you should treat it to stop it becoming infected. It is for these sorts of minor things that you should carry a compact first aid kit. It needs to contain some antiseptic creams, plasters, and bandages so that at least you can cover and protect any minor injury.
Always carry your cell phone and make sure it is fully charged. The emergency services do not take vacations and if you or anyone else on the beach needs their help, they will be there as quickly as possible.
Leave a Reply