10 Essential items that I won't go to a Florida beach without (besides sunscreen)

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How many times have you ended up at a beach or park and found yourself wishing that you would have remembered to bring XYZ item with you? Because, same. Impromptu travel happens, but that doesn't mean you have to go unprepared. Sure, you can pick up most things at the local store --but that gets expensive. There are a ton of essential Florida beach items that you can fit into a travel bag to easily grab on the way out or just keep in your car, that way you don't have to worry about ever leaving your creature comforts behind again. 

As a seasoned Florida traveler, I like to believe I have a pretty good idea of what you might want to add to your tote bag essentials --besides sunscreen and sunglasses. So without further ado, here are 10 things I highly recommend taking with you on your Florida travels. 

1. Bug spray

For people who are new to Florida, I just want to say... make sure you pack bug spray --and a lot of it, because no matter what part of the state you're in, there's a good chance you're going to run into many blood-sucking creatures. And I mean, have you seen the size of some of our mosquitos? Don't leave the bug spray at home, you'll likely regret it! I have found that DEET-containing spray works the best for me, here's the kind I usually get. 

2. Sun umbrella (with a sand anchor)

Umbrellas are a necessity for beach and park trips alike, but keeping them in the ground is another story. Thankfully, lightweight beach umbrellas with anchors do exist, and they're a total lifesaver when the sun --and wind-- become a little too much to bear. I prefer the umbrellas that come with the anchor built-in because it's one less thing for me to forget, but you can also buy an anchor that fits most umbrellas separately, and usually for a fraction of the cost. 

3. Water shoes

I can't tell you the amount of time I have almost stepped on a stingray at the beach. They DO hang out in shallow water often, which makes them an easy target for unsuspecting feet! This is one of the many reasons I won't go on a trip without water shoes, but they also protect against sharp broken shells, rocky shorelines, and of course, fishing hooks! I also love to use my water shoes for recreational activities like biking and hiking; so I mean, they're pretty universally handy for whatever your adventures have you doing! My suggested pair is here. 

4. Hammock (with a bug net)

You want to relax in paradise, right? Bug spray is helpful, but it's not foolproof. If you really want to take comfortable nap-time-at-the-beach seriously, a hammock with a mosquito net is a must-have. This way you can let the wind rock you to sleep, without blowing bugs into your face. There are a ton of these hammocks to choose from, but my personal favorite is this two-person one, since nap time is always better with a friend.

5. Entertainment

We are all guilty of taking our expensive tablets and phones to the beach with us, which can be problematic in the first place with all the sand and water ready to destroy your device --but if you're looking to "turn off" the screens for a little, consider bringing another form of cheaper entertainment with you. Recently, I have been toting along my $5 Sea Life Coloring Book and some glitter gel pens to keep me occupied while I leave my expensive items somewhere safer. 

6. Glucose tablets 

This might seem a little weird to carry around, but let me explain. I am one of those people who, if they don't eat or their blood sugar levels fall, they feel like they're literally dying (and I become super hangry). Clearly no one wants to deal with either of those things, so when I'm at a park or other relatively-remote area, I always make sure I have some sort of glucose-containing item with me just in case hunger kicks in. It can be a PIA to walk around with large sacks of food or drinks, so instead I supplement with these glucose tablets. 

7. Sand shovel

I am an avid treasure hunter; and what I mean by treasure is nice shells and fossilized shark teeth. Florida beaches are full of both --but sometimes you really have to dig for them, and after many years rubbing my hands raw, I found out there was a tool to spare me the trouble. That's why I now always keep a handy sand shovel in my car, and a smaller sand scooper like this in my tote bag. 

8. Towels

Not only are towels a comfort and fashion statement, they're actually really versatile Even if I don't go to a beach with the intention of swimming, I always bring a towel; I have been spontaneously rained on too many times not to. Sometimes I use my towel for shade, or as a blanket --heck, sometimes I even roll my towel up into a ball and use it as a pillow for my hammock! The usage for a towel is nearly endless, and you never know when you might be wishing you had something dry to snuggle up in. For me, quick-dry towels are a must! 

9. Shell bags

While shell bags and sand shovels aren't mutually exclusive, they do pair well together, so it's convenient to have a specific place to put all those nice shells you find --after all, your hands will fill up rather quickly and your tote bag will soon start to fill with sand and water. Did I mention that it's not totally uncommon for freshly scooped shells to smell fishy? Do you really want to subject the rest of the items in your beach bag to that? Didn't think so! So put the shells where they belong, in their own bag. 

10. Trash bags

I have been in the situation one-too-many times when I needed a trash bag and didn't have one. This one time, in particular, I had shells in the trunk of my car. Well, the heat from being in the trunk made them smell like rotting fish and my only two options were to dump the shells (that had already made my trunk stink --and it still does to this day) or to find a bag to wrap them in. Thankfully, I had a very old bag left over in my car that saved my haul, but the smell still haunts me. Now I don't leave without trash bags because I never know when I'll need one again. 

What are your beach day essentials? Tell me in the comments below, and don't forget to get your Sunburnt Blogger tote bag here!