Everyone has their own idea of a dream vacation, but summer means hanging out by the water and soaking in the sunshine. Whether you are traveling to the beach or someone’s backyard, you need to pack for the occasion. Because of this, I have gone through some of my favorite summer trips and found the common items that I pack (or wish I hadn’t left at home).
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Bluetooth Speaker
Having music is a must for summertime get togethers, and the party doesn’t start until the bluetooth speaker gets going. Bringing your own speaker comes with the added benefit of being the default DJ because your phone is already hooked up to the speaker. Sorry not sorry.
I have been traveling with the waterproof JBL Flip 4 for years now without any issues. It is about the size of a Monster energy drink can, so it is fairly easy to pack away in your carry-on bag while still providing high-quality sound. The attached tether cord is super useful for tying it up to an inner tube or hanging it up on a hook.
Sandals
Summer = sandals. That’s an undeniable truth. Whether you are a flip-flop person or prefer the more rugged Teva strap sandals, packing these in your carry-on is an easy decision.
I always wear a second set of footwear when I am actually traveling to avoid packing bulky shoes in my carry-on. I personally find myself throwing my leather Rainbow sandals in my bag more often than not. They get more comfortable the longer I wear them, and they are built to last.
Brazilian Canga
I used to think every trip to the beach deserved a beach towel. I admittedly still have a few novelty beach towels stacked up in my closet somewhere. While they may be the obvious summertime accessory, my introduction to the cangas of Brazil made me say goodbye to the standard-issue beach towel forever.
Cangas, the thin & colorful wraps-turned-towels that you find street vendors peddling between the beaches of Copacabana & Ipanema, have become a must-have item in my bag. They dry quickly and pack much smaller than your typical beach towel, which makes them perfect for throwing into your carry-on bag. They are light enough to double as a coverup for traveling to/from the beach. Since procuring a couple cangas in Brazil, I have learned that going to the beach with a towel is somewhat of a faux pas; traveling to the water with a canga comes with a sense of street smarts as well.
You can find many items similar to the canga like Malay sarongs, Tahitian pareos, and even Turkish towels. All of these options offer travel-friendly alternatives to the old-fashioned beach towel.
Reusable Water Bottle
High-quality & reusable items are a common theme on this site because I subscribe to the Buy It For Life (BIFL) mindset. Reduce your plastic waste and invest in a reusable water bottle that you can fill up wherever you travel.
Having a good quality bottle is especially true in the summer heat. While you may be able to purchase cold bottled water, there is no way you will be able to cram any ice down the bottleneck. Most reusable water bottles have large enough mouths to allow you plop ice into your drink. That functionality, coupled with reusable bottles’ superior insulation, will keep your drinks cold when the sun is blazing.
Waterproof Action Camera
Summer vacation memories are priceless, but how many of those memories did you catch on tape? Action cameras like GoPro’s industry-standard collection (and sub-$100 alternative options like AKASO EK7000) are more powerful than ever, and they are incredibly easy to pack away in your bag. Simple attachments like carrying arms and waterproof housings are all it takes to transform your action camera into a go-anywhere, do-anything tool.
I have personally taken my SJCAM SJ4000 camera all over the globe. From hiking up the mountain trails of Banff to swimming with the stingrays of Belize, the opportunities to capture once-in-a-lifetime footage are limitless.
Library Books
Speaking of disconnecting, there is no better way to do that than lounging with a book without a screen in sight. I always try to bring a book on my trips, and I crave the opportunity to read outside in the sun. I keep my personal collection to a minimum and only own a handful of sentimental books. This means I rely on my local library system’s shelves to keep me endlessly entertained.
There is no right or wrong answer to what books to read, but I have listed some of my all-time favorites below to give you an idea of what I choose to escape with:
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
- The World In A Grain by Vince Beiser
- The King’s Deception by Steve Berry
Koozies
A koozie in hand is the universal symbol of a good time in the outdoors. They are lightweight and take up virtually no room in your carry-on bag, so it is a no-brainer to keep these packed at all times. I always make sure to stash a couple koozies in every bag I own so I have no excuse. You will rue the day that you crack open a nice cold one and find yourself without a trusty koozie available.
Travel-Size Sunscreen
Avoid paying a premium for sunscreen at your destination and stock up on at home. Remember that the TSA is very strict about bringing liquids through the security checkpoint. Make sure that your sunscreen container is no larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters unless you enjoy the shame of throwing away items in front of TSA agents.
If you plan on diving during your trip, make sure you specifically look for reef-safe sunscreen to minimize the amount of harmful chemicals you might expose to delicate coral reefs.
Dive Watch
Ditch the smartwatch this summer and opt for a bonafide dive watch when you are around the water. Your mind will be at ease knowing that a dip in the pool won’t fry your Apple watch, and you will thank us for the brief respite from the constant connectivity & notifications. After all, you are on vacation!
Dive watches are a timeless (no pun intended) statement piece that match with a wide range of outfits, and you don’t need a Rolex to join the crowd. I personally travel & swim with an automatic Orient dive watch that I picked up on eBay for under $100 dollars.
Bocce Ball Set
Alright, this may not be for everyone. Packing a full set of bocce balls may add some heft to your carry-on bag, but they are popular enough to warrant a dedicated TSA page to clarify that they will make it through the security checkpoint.
Bocce can be played on nearly any soft surface which makes this the perfect game for backyard cookouts or beach hangouts. It is simple enough for kids to play, and you best believe you will win some points with grandpa. You can even play bocce with a drink in your hand the entire game. What’s not to love?
