Waiting all year long for that perfect summer vacation is something we all love to do. When summer is finally here, almost all of us yearn for the warm beach days and look forward to beach camping. As fun as it sounds, however, without adequate preparation your summer vacation might not go as planned.
There are a few things that you should think of when planning for your next beach camping, and here’s a list of the top 10 tips that you should follow to have a fun and memorable trip.
Look for a beach and book it as soon as possible
As summer arrives, most beaches are full as they’re already reserved beforehand. Especially during summer vacations, beaches tend to fill up in no time.
You shouldn’t waste any time to book yours and consider the peak timings when they’re booked. You should always book the selected beach at least a month ahead to avoid any disappointments.
Carry basic beach supplies
What’s a beach camping trip without basic beach supplies, your basic items such as beach tents, sleeping bags, tarps, cooking utensils, and so on.
Whatever you bring along, never forget to bring a dustpan and a brush to brush off all the sand from your tents and sleeping bags. Also, don’t miss out your sand stakes besides your tents, as these little tools will help to hold your tent up in the loose sand.
Sun protection is a must
You definitely don’t want the sun’s rays to damage your skin no matter what. The vast amount of water bodies tend to reflect the sun’s rays, besides falling directly upon your skin.
This tends to double the amount of sun damage. To avoid sunburns and damages, look for places with enough shade. To be extra safe, always carry a big beach umbrella, wear large brimmed hats, and never skip sunscreen.
Remain hydrated
It is very important to remain hydrated at all times. In order to do that, take enough bottles of fresh water with you if you’re not sure about any fresh water source near to your location.
Even if you’re camping near a lake, or river or stream or whatever water body, you still need to be very cautious as sea water has high salt content and as result, dangerous to consume. If carrying bottled water is a problem, then you can carry water filters or water purifying tablets so you can at least purify the water before you drink it.
Pack and prepare for any disaster
You might think the weather’s just fine judging by hot and sunny. However, don’t be fooled so easily as night times near water bodies are usually damp and can result in unexpected showers or even heavy rains.
To prevent such mishaps, always set up your rain fly so you can remain dry no matter what turn the weather may take. Be prepared for any kind of disaster beforehand so your trip isn’t ruined because of a bad experience.
Mind your own trash
Your wastes and any kind of trash you produce shouldn’t be strewn on the beach. Keeping your beach and surrounding area clean and beautiful is your duty as a camper, and you should be responsible for preserving the beauty.to reduce wastes, avoid using materials that are difficult to carry, such as cans and glass or plastic bottles. Carry some garbage bags with you so you can stow your trash in them and after the trip, bring them back with you after your trip.
Keep sand dunes at bay
Sand dunes are actually quite dangerous around anyone or the environment around them as they tend to carry sand and rocks. Sand dunes are pretty to look at but they actually have but they have vegetation that is affected largely by human presence. Keep your hands and feet away from sand dunes as they might look great, but stay away as far as possible for your own safety.
Keep the sand out
Since you are beach camping, dust and sand will seem to be your number one problem. It’s wise to remember that it is far easier to prevent sand from getting into your tent than getting rid of it. To avoid this issue, there are a some tips that you can follow.
First off, as already mentioned, you should always carry a dustpan and a broom/brush with you during your trip. This will allow you to rush off any sand should it come inside your tent. Secondly, you can place an oversized tarp underneath your tent so you have some extra space to keep your shoes safely.
Finally, in order to avoid any sand from getting in your sleeping space, either brush off your feet or wash them with a bottle of water before getting into your tent.
Maintain a safe distance from the tides
This is especially applicable for those who love being near the water. Pitching your tent near the water may seem very nice and the whole point of a beach camping trip, but it can be very dangerous during high tides.
Learn about the different kinds of tides, look at tide charts and organize your plans accordingly. Don’t set camp near the water no matter how tempting it may seem, and at least maintain a safe distance during high tides.
Cooking food over a bonfire
If you plan on cooking food over a campfire, make sure the beach allows it in the first place. It’s wise to remember that your food will not be cooked over flames but rather on the embers left after the fire dies down.
When you plan on building a fire, you should check how windy the area is. If the area is too windy you can either dig a one or two feet hole in the sand so it doesn’t put out the fire. On the other hand, you can also place some rocks in a circle and build a fire pit.
Passionate about the outdoors. He has accrued a wealth of experience and knowledge in naturalism, outside adventures, ski instruction, and writing. In addition to exploring the outdoors, he enjoys backpacking and camping.