An impromptu beach trip can be a delightful way to spend a day off with friends, family, and your partner. If you are lucky enough to live in a country with great beaches and good weather, why not make the most of it? It isn’t something most of us do a lot, so how can it be easier?
With a little foresight and quick planning, your next beach trip and those after will be less stressful. From using public transport to buying the clothes you need, here are some tips.
Pack Fast and Pack Light
Your day out at the beach should be something you enjoy and not something that causes stress. And that means packing light and only what you need. There are beach essentials, and some of these can be bulky. But if you have Turkish towels lying around, grab those instead of Terry towels, as they are much lighter, thinner, and dry a lot faster! Think about what you need and what you will use rather than extra stuff that you probably won’t use when you get there.
Stay Safe with an Impromptu Beach Trip
You don’t need us to tell you to be safe at the beach. But a friendly reminder is never a bad thing! Staying safe at the beach involves many different things. For example, you need shade and water since up to 800 people die from heat stroke in the US alone! Remember, the sun is hottest between 11 am and 3 pm. So get out the sunscreen and the portable shade! Of course, always stay safe when it comes to taking a dip in the brine, and keep an eye on the kids!
Check Public Transport Times
Maybe you don’t want to drive on a nice day out, or perhaps you don’t have a car. Public transport can be a little unreliable on the best of days, and it always seems to be worse at the most convenient times! Trains and buses generally take you to most beaches, and a short walk is usually needed to reach your destination. But no one likes waiting around for transport in the hot sun. Keep an eye on the times and plan to arrive at the station 5 minutes before they’re due.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
The weather can be the decider between a day to remember or a complete nightmare. If you live in a country like the UK, just sticking your head out of the window won’t do! The weather is extremely unpredictable in some places, and it always helps to double-check where it is headed. Check your local weather forecast for specific times when the weather will be favorable and if you can even expect the odd bit of rain. Apps like AccuWeather offer real-time data.
Quick Impromptu Beach Trip Recipes
Eating at the beach makes wonderful memories for kids and adults alike. Of course, you will buy some ice cream that melts as soon as you get it! But anything more can be expensive these days. Yet there are picnic favorites you can whip up pretty quickly, such as the following:
- No beach trip is complete without sandwiches and wraps!
- Cold salads with fresh vegetables are as satisfying as they are hydrating.
- Fruits high in water content, such as watermelon, are tasty and provide water.
- Leftover couscous can be mixed with all kinds of fresh veggies for a quick salad.
- You can use up frozen foods such as nuggets with quick air fryer cooking.
- A mixture of fruits into a nice salad is always a winner with kids and adults.
- A range of snacks and dips require no effort at all and use up leftovers.
Going to the beach is the perfect chance to use up anything leftover in the fridge. The trick is to use quick and convenient food, both in preparation and eating. You don’t want to be faffing around while sand is blowing in your hair! Finger food and salad bowls are just what you need.
Check the Best Tide Times
We all have expectations when we go to the beach. Sand, seagulls, and the ocean! But sometimes the water isn’t there! Unfortunately (or rather fortunately, actually), we are beholden to the gravity and electromagnetism of the Moon! The beach might have high and low tide times, and these change on a daily basis. So your trip could be waterless! On the other hand, you want a tide for swimming or even for the sound! Sites like Tides4Fishing are pretty accurate.
See if the Beach is Busy
We’ve all seen how bust beaches can get on hot weather days. Just like you, there are a million other people who have the same idea of going to the beach. The last thing you want is to turn up only to be stuck to find a great spot, hopping over sunbathers and dodging seagulls! The good news is that checking beach attendance is easier than ever. Some beaches are registered like businesses, and so are popular local parks. You can Google the beach to see if it’s busy!
Cheap Clothes for an Impromptu Beach Trip
It can be a nightmare to find something to wear for a planned evening out. So, a snap decision to visit a beach is on another level for some people. You may feel embarrassed about your body like 1 in 5 adults generally do. So what can you do when your old beach clothes no longer fit or are too revealing? Fortunately, most cities have many stores, even located near beach destinations. If just for a day, pop into a discount store for cheap and quick bathing clothes.
Charge Your Electronics
You may or may not have a lot of time, given the quick decision to go to your favorite local beach. No matter how much time you have, charge your electronics immediately. Even a bit of time charging can make a big difference. This, of course, includes your phones. But think about tablets for the kids and even Bluetooth speakers or headphones. A bit of music through a wireless speaker and your smartphone streaming account can make all the difference!
Summary
Remember to take only what you need if you decide on an impromptu beach trip, just to make things easier. Consider food, too! There are tons of quick and easy sandwiches and salads you can make to save money. And don’t forget to charge electronics like your phone and speaker.
