It’s happened to all of us. You get to the beach and find yourself having to buy a $20 pair of flip flops because you forgot to bring yours. Or you ONLY brought flip flops, so you end up trailing miserably behind your friends on an impromptu bike ride. Your swimsuit always seems to be wet. You dribbled a red Slurpee on your one nice shirt. And your purse is full of sand from sitting it on the beach.

You can avoid all of these uncomfortable situations by planning ahead with this list of must-haves for your next beach vacation rental home experience.

At the Beach

• Extra tote bag
• Small wallet with a clip in case you want a take a stroll and no one can watch your belongings
• Plastic baggies for seashells and other finds
• Beach toys – Frisbee, paddle ball, soft football
• Deck of cards
• Book or magazine
• Extra tissues or toilet paper
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Rubber bands or hair clips
• Sunglasses
• Large blanket or sheet for staking out your space
• Small cooler for frozen water bottles and snacks like apples, grapes, cherries, cheese, crackers and nuts
• Folding chairs if not provided. (Be sure to ask your vacation rental home owner before your trip.) 

Back at Your Vacation Rental Home

• Aloe vera to soothe sunburns
• First aid kit with calamine lotion for bug bites, tweezers in case of splinters and pain relievers such as Tylenol and Motrin
• Nail clippers and file
• Disposable wipes
• Bathroom toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razor and moisturizer
• Additional baggies and trash bags for wet clothes and towels
• Extra paper products such as paper towels and toilet paper
• Small amount of detergent for hand-washing away mishaps, especially if you packed light
• Second bathing suit so you always have a dry option
• Long-sleeved shirt, sweater and pants or jeans for chilly nights
• Flip flops
• Tennis shoes and socks for walking and biking
• Chargers for phones, cameras and music players 

Out to Dinner

• Dress or skirt for women
• Small evening bag for women
• Collared golf shirt or jacket for men and a belt
• Loafers, flats or sandals

A little forethought can result in a lot more relaxation in and around your beach vacation rental home. Wouldn’t you rather be eating your third shrimp at that great little bistro you discovered than running around finding a dress so you’re not embarrassed at the door?  Or charging your camera for another great day of photo ops than stressing about when your camera will go dead? Making these must-haves a must-do can make a better beach vacation happen for you.