Tips for a 30A Beach Vacation

At Love to Stay 30A, we love helping you find the best vacation rental homes for a family. We have spacious 30A cottages for families, right on the beach, or homes in communities with massive community swimming pools. If you’re planning a 30A beach vacation with family, you’re in for a great time. South Walton beaches are the perfect place to enjoy fun in the sun with the kids. We’ve got loads of practical tips and hacks for your family beach day. We want to make your family vacation even better with these great ideas.

Be adventurous.

What kid (or adult) doesn’t love an adventure? Summer vacation is the perfect time to try something new and exciting together. Experiences like parasailing, bodyboarding or a day at surf school are sure to become memories you’ll treasure for years to come. Get out on the water with a glass bottom boat tour, kayak, fishing, sailing or personal watercraft like a Jet Ski or WaveRunner. Snorkel off the beach or take a snorkeling or diving tour with the older kids.

Be prepared.

When preparing for a day on the beach, it’s easy to get carried away and wind up overpacking. The tendency to bring too much will leave you feeling frustrated, disorganized and exhausted from hauling your stuff from and to the car. Packing the essentials doesn’t have to be complicated. Take advantage of the amenities available to you. Rent a beach umbrella along Rosemary Beach so you don’t have to bring your own. If you’re staying at a 30A resort or hotel, check if they have poolside and beachside towels to lighten your load. Some hotels even have pool and beach toys available for guest use. If you stay at one of our beautiful 30A vacation rental homes, check to see what’s included. Most homes come with beach towels, beach wagon and other gear. While you’ll have to bring it along for your beach day, it’s nice to be able to pack less in your suitcase.

Some basic things you’ll want to bring on your beach day:

·       Towels

·       Swimsuits (UV protective is best!)

·       Cover-ups

·       Sunglasses

·       Hat

·       Chap stick with SPF

·       Sunscreen (apply at home before you go and again at the beach, reapply frequently)

·       Flip flops or water shoes

Be early (or late.)

It’s no secret that South Walton beaches are crazy busy during peak season. If you enjoy space and solitude, fighting to find a free space of sand to spread your towel in the midst of the crowd is probably not your dream beach vacation. If you’re not able to visit 30A beaches during the slower months, you’ll want to plan to go early—or late during the summer to avoid crowds. Not only will you avoid the rush, you’ll dodge the middle day rays, when UV light is the most intense! Peak sun hours are usually 10 am-2 pm. Eat a granola bar in the car and hit the beach in the early hours; or sleep in, enjoy a long, late lunch and get to the beach in the late afternoon. You can even catch the sunset!

Be cost-conscious.

Sure, you could walk or bike to a nearby convenience store or ice cream shop for a beach snack break but daily snack trips can get costly quick. Bringing your own snacks and drinks is a great way to save money and keep little bellies satisfied and mood swings at bay! Bring your own foods in small baggies to avoid sandy hands destroying a big, family sized bag. Sand-proof snacks like squeeze yogurt and applesauce are great.

Be hydrated.

Stay hydrated. Hydrating food like fruit is a great snack pick but always be sure to bring insulated, reusable water bottles of cold water and ice. Even when you’re not feeling thirsty, drink! Bring along a small cooler with juice boxes and electrolyte drinks. For the grown-ups: a cold beer or pina colada may be tempting but keep in mind alcohol is dehydrating. If you are going to enjoy an adult beverage, be sure to drink plenty of water, too.

Be a little less sandy.

Let’s face it, one of the worst parts of going to the beach is the fact the sand usually ends up coming home with you. While rinsing off on the way out and shaking off your shoes before getting in the car are some good basic tips, we have one more to consider. We love using a mesh bag on beach trips. Just shake the sand out at the end of the day. Plus you can see what’s inside easily.