Florida Beach Day Guide
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
It’s beginning to feel like the fall season…the pumpkin spice latte is back out, leaves are beginning to change color, the weather is getting cooler, and all thoughts of going to the beach are slowing starting to drift away. Well, everywhere but Florida that is! As the milder fall weather approaches starting in October in most areas of the country, the prime beach season begins on the Gulf. In my opinion, fall is the premier beach season as summers are ridiculously hot and humid, not to mention super crowded.
We all know that Florida is home to some of the country’s most gorgeous and top visited beaches. Oftentimes we get so excited to go to the beach that we forget to properly plan what we will need for the day. Big mistake! The difference between a fun day at the beach vs a miserable one often boils down to one important factor: preparation! In order to ensure you have a great time at the beach, I have put together a handy list of tips and tricks to ensure a fun, relaxed experience. Living in the state for more than 3 years and visiting a beach nearly every weekend, I have figured out what to do and not to do for a great day out.
Pre-planning
First off, you will need to research a few important factors before picking your destination.
These include:
- the weather
- driving distances
- parking and admission fees and
- type of beach
Weather – Be prepared for extremely hot temperatures and daily thunderstorms during the summer months. I can’t even count the number of times I have gotten caught in a storm randomly since living here. Winter brings cooler temperatures and drier weather. If you are a local, check the 10 day forecast and plan out the day with the best conditions. If traveling from out-of-state, I recommend picking the time of the year with the best weather (November is ideal with average highs in the upper 70s and little chance for rain).
Driving Distance – Plan how far you are willing to drive. Remember that you will have to make the trip home too (assuming no hotel) after a long, tiresome day spent in the sun. If you are staying in the area, I recommend choosing a hotel right on the beach so you do not have to deal with the hassle of traffic and parking.
Fees – All Florida beaches have different parking rates. Some are even free. Be sure to factor the fees into your consideration, especially if you are on a budget.
Type of beach– What are you looking for in a beach? Relaxation? Entertainment? Pretty views? A live sports vibe? A beachfront bike path? All beaches offer different amenities. Make sure to find one based on the amenities you are looking for or else you could be stuck sunbathing when you would rather be riding a bike.
Must have beach essentials
Now, it’s time to pack your bags. I have made a list of what I consider some of the essentials to consider packing for a long day out. I am sure there are many more, however, these are the top things I have noticed based on my many days spent at the Gulf. Note, while it’s always cheaper to bring these items from home, there are many beach stores where you can pick up these essentials at a higher price tag.
- Beach chairs
- Umbrella
- Separate towels for swimming/showering.
- Something for your car to prevent sand coming in.
- Lots of sunblock
- Clothes to change into when you are done swimming.
- Plastic or reusable bag – To keep wet bathing suits and towels separate.
- Sunglasses
- Books and magazines
- Bucket to collect seashells
- Water bottles
- Snacks – I recommend items that won’t melt in the sun i.e. trail mix, chips
- A picnic lunch
- Sports equipment – volleyball/beach games
In addition, take a look at my Beach Essentials Printable Checklist for additional tips and tricks on what to pack.
Things to keep in mind!
*Summers are brutal, oftentimes too hot to swim. Be sure to check the weather forecast for the day. I recommend visiting during the morning hours, especially during August and September. Or better yet, plan a fall getaway. On a side note, it’s also too cold to go swimming during the winter season.
*Parking is often a nightmare to find on the weekends. Visit on the weekday for more availability.
*Apply sunblock before leaving and throughout the day.
*An umbrella is an absolute must as are sunglasses. Squinting all day and lying with the sun beating down on you is not fun!
*Get a beach coverup to use while lying out. Covering yourself while not in the water will help prevent sunburn and also save money on sunblock expenses.
*One water bottle is never enough! I recommend a full size water cooler.
*Bring with your glasses just in case you lose a contact in the water – Believe it or not, I’ve had it happen to me on several occassions.
*Bring clothes to change into so you do not have to dry home wet in the car – it’s the worst feeling!
*Use the outdoor showers so you do not get sand all over your car. It’s rough to clean out and will quickly stink up the car.
*Wait to get dressed until you are off the sand to prevent dragging it into your car.
*For popular beaches like Clearwater it pays to stay at an oceanfront hotel with direct access so you can save on pricey parking fees and avoid the added frustration of waiting for a spot to open.
*Check Groupon for discounts to nearby restaurants and attractions.
*Pack a simple lunch – nothing too messy and skip anything that may melt easily in the hot Florida sun.
*Don’t bring with a fancy camera. I bring with my Nikon Coolpix when taking casual beach pictures. You do not want to risk your fancy camera getting damaged or stolen.
*Do not bring with anything that you wouldn’t want to risk losing. It’s hard to watch all your stuff all the time, especially if you plan on taking walks down the beach or going swimming. Take out the stress by leaving valuables in the car. Take some much needed time away from electronics and you will not have to worry about losing them!
How to Save Money
*Avoid pricey parking lots by finding free parking on nearby side streets. You may have to walk a bit, but at least you can save your money for something extra on your trip. I recommend checking the signs to avoid towing.
*Skip the expensive restaurants and pack your own lunch.
*Instead of renting, bring your own umbrella. Buying your own umbrella will pay for itself in one or 2 visits.
*Look for cheap beach chairs and equipment at a thrift shop. You can usually find a great selection of affordable options.
*Bring with beach towels from home. Don’t buy the overpriced ones in the tourist shops right by the beach unless you would like a memento from your trip.
*Buy your swimsuit for next year at end of the season sales. You can find $5 tops and bottoms at stores like Kohls and JC Penneys when they begin to clear out their summer merchandise.
*Plan your trip during the off season for lower hotel and airfare rates.
*Load a cooler with plenty of water bottles or fill up a 2 gallon jug. Buying multiple water bottles will quickly add up.
*Bring with your own sporting equipment – bikes, volleyballs, etc. instead of renting.
*Visit during odd hours – Many beaches offer free or reduced price admission after certain hours. For example, Honeymoon Island offers a special sunset rate. Check your destination’s schedule of fees.
*Sign up for an annual pass if you plan on visiting the beach repeatedly throughout the year.
*Walk or ride your bike instead of driving. Many beaches such as Honeymoon Island offer reduced rates for pedestrians and bikers.
*Check online deal sites like Groupon for discounted hotel rates. You can save hundreds of dollars and have more spending money available for your trip.
*Visit during special events. For example, Clearwater Beach offers a daily free Sunsets at the Pier Festival. You can make your beach day double as your entertainment and thus save money on planning a pricey nighttime attraction. We attended this event a few times and enjoyed browsing the different vendor stands and listening to the live music. One time they showed The Goonies on a big screen in the sand which was pretty fun.
*Skip overpriced souvenirs. Take lots of pictures and make your own free souvenir photo frame.
