44 Beach Essentials for the Ultimate 2023 Vacation Packing List

Is it just us, or does it feel like summer arrived faster than ever before? That's right, the Fourth of July Weekend is coming up—and packing beach essentials is a must if you're headed oceanside or lakeside to soak up the sunshine.  

Of course, if you’re already near water and have all your beach essentials (and summer capsule wardrobe) on lock, bravo. But if you're not as prepared and still plan on hotfooting it to the nearest shore to officially ring in the season, consider this a comprehensive guide to everything you’ll need for the upcoming long weekend. 

From roomy beach bags and engaging reads to pretty swimsuits and airy summer dresses, start ticking items off your packing list with our summer must-haves, below. Oh, and don't forget to shop the best Fourth of July sales of 2023—from fashion to beauty and everything in between—before venturing on your beach vacation. 

Beach-bag mainstays

At the bare minimum, your beach tote should include a pretty towel or beach blanket and SPF (though more on that later). Some form of entertainment, like a book or a game, will keep you busy in between taking a dip and sipping coconut water with pruned fingers. An umbrella for shade is always welcome—as is an inflatable pool lounger or foldable deck chair to keep you horizontal at all times. Also encouraged to bring along: insulated water bottles (snaps for hydration!), a cooler bag to store valuables (ahem, lunch), and a water-resistant portable Bluetooth speaker for playing DJ.

J.Crew Cadiz Hand-Knotted Rope Tote

Hapa Oversize Beach Towel Slowtide

“Happy Place” by Emily Henry

“Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang

Stanley IceFlow Stainless Steel Water Jug with Straw

Igloo 11 QT Grapefruit TAG-Along-Too Insulated Cooler

Sunnylife Ride With Me Inflatable Surfboard Pool Float

Sunnylife Beach Sounds Speaker

Business & Pleasure The Holiday Beach Umbrella

Sunday Supply Co. Dunes Beach Chair

Gray Malin Beach Playing Cards Set

Frescobol Carioca Trancoso Beach Bat Game Set

Sun’s out, buns out

A beach trip? Without sunscreen? We would never. Cover all your bases with sun protection for the face and body, then bring a bottle of soothing aloe lotion for after-sun skin hydration. Add a few other essentials to the mix, like a nourishing body oil for an all-day glow, plus some moisturizing hair care products to ensure your waves look smooth pre- and postdip. Not sure about you, but we can feel water drops glistening on our skin already….

Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 Sunscreen

Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Spray Vegan After Sun Care with Cocoa Butter to Soothe and Hydrate Sunburn

Avene Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Face and Body Lotion

Sachajuan Hair After The Sun Treatment

Vacation Baby Oil SPF 30 Sunscreen Oil

Davines Solu Sea Salt Scrub Hair Cleanser

Sisley-Paris Hair Rituel Restructuring Nourishing Balm

Yves Durif Mini Brush & Comb Set

Swimsuits and cover-ups 

Half the fun—if not a solid 75%—of a beach day is deciding what swimsuit and cover-up to wear. Maybe your siren call comes in the form of a linen shirt or maxidress casually covering up a one-piece bathing suit; maybe it's a printed sarong or shorts over a strapless two-piece; or maybe it’s something more laid-back, like a graphic T-shirt thrown over a high-waist bikini. Here’s all three, just in case. 

Good American Always Sunny One-Piece Swimsuit

Mango x Simon Miller Printed Linen Wide-Leg Pants

J.Crew Collection Rosaline Dress

Peony Vacation One-Piece Swimsuit

Cuup The Balconette Swim Top

Alémais Seeker Printed Linen Shorts

Snap-worthy outfits

If you want a look you can wear for 72 hours straight, we have a few ideas. Opt for a relaxed linen shirt and denim cutoffs if you’re going for a no-fail casual combo. Care for something more dressed up? Pair a puff-sleeve summer top with white jeans, or a plain T-shirt with a sequined miniskirt for a cool, unfussy vibe. Comfy walking sandals and summer sneakers tie it all together.

Rhode Kamala Short-Sleeve Linen Shirt

Levi's 501 High-Rise Shorts

Dôen Tennessee Poplin Blouse

Levi's Wedgie Straight-Leg Jeans

Skims Cotton Jersey T-Shirt

Staud Rebecca Skirt

Birkenstock Milano Slingback Sandals

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Low-Top Sneakers

The finishing touch

From ’90s-inspired shades to summer jewelry and the perfect tote, we’ve got you covered with every accessory needed to complete your look on and off the beach. Think chic sun hats, beaded chokers, that'll turn this weekend into your sartorial oyster. 

Madewell Lantern Cotton Canvas Bucket Hat

Le Specs Outta Love Sunglasses

Fraiser Sterling Marseille Cord Choker

Heimat Atlantica Cupid Bucket Bag

Petit Moments Kourtney Cubic Zirconia Necklace

Crystal Haze Jewelry Mega Nostalgia Bear

Éliou Multi Beaded Necklace

Loewe x Paula's Ibiza Flower Cat Eye Sunglasses

Zorrostuff Hand-Painted Palm Tree Design on Freshwater Pearl Earrings

Call It By Your Name Maxi Embroidered Bandana Bucket Bag