What to Pack for a Trip to the Beach in the Winter

There are many benefits to taking your beach vacation during the winter season — you can avoid the summer crowds at the beach, and temperatures are relatively cool and pleasant. Vacationing in the winter also tends to be less expensive, as hotel rates are typically cheaper during this time.

However, a beach trip in the winter may also require some extra planning, as there are additional factors to consider. You'll want to select a beach that won't be too cold, check the weather forecast in advance, allow additional luggage space for heavier clothing and remember to pack all other winter necessities.

We're here to provide some helpful tips for how to pack for a cold beach trip. In this article, we'll show you what to pack for cold weather vacations, covering essentials such as clothing, shoes, food, beach supplies and other items.

Clothing

When packing for your trip, it may be difficult to decide what to wear to the beach in cold weather. Winter weather can be unpredictable, and you'll need to determine whether to dress for cold temperatures, warm temperatures or both. This is where layers come in handy. Here are some general recommendations for cold beach outfits to bring with you:

Tops

Layers are your best friend when vacationing in the winter. They make it easy to prepare for any temperature or weather condition. When packing tops to bring to the beach, bring a variety of sleeve lengths — maybe a couple of tank tops, some short- and long-sleeved tees, and outerwear such as a coat, jacket, sweater or hoodie.

Bringing multiple tops to the beach can help prepare you for any temperature. You can wear a snug tank top or short-sleeved tee as your bottom layer, then top it with a long-sleeved shirt. You'll also want to bring a hoodie or sweatshirt as your top layer in case of wind and extra cold temperatures. Your clothing layers will keep you nice and warm, and the snug bottom layer can help trap heat against your skin.

Additionally, if you find that the beach weather is a bit warmer than expected, you can always remove one or more layers as needed.

Bottoms

With most beaches, it will likely be too cold to wear shorts during the winter. For this reason, you'll want to pack capris or long pants that you can easily roll or fold at your ankles — this way, your hems won't be exposed to cold ocean water and wet sand.

Additionally, you may want to avoid natural fabrics such as denim or wool. These materials will absorb more water and take longer to dry. Instead, you might consider wearing pants made of synthetic fibers that dry faster — think track pants, leggings or similar bottoms.

The longer your vacation, the more clothes you'll likely have to bring, so be sure to plan accordingly and make sure your luggage allows plenty of room, especially for more heavyweight clothing.

Shoes

It's also important to pack the right shoes to wear at the beach in winter. Similar to clothing, you'll want to pack pairs of shoes to account for various temperatures and conditions.

While it's a good idea to pack flip-flops just in case, it will likely be too chilly to wear them on most beaches in the winter. However, wearing sneakers on the beach may not be the best idea either. They get soggy easily, and water can seep right through them into your socks — making for a cold and unpleasant experience for your feet. Instead, you might consider a pair of water shoes. Additionally, wearing rubber boots over warm socks can prevent water from seeping in.

Before heading to the beach, you might also want to slip a pair of sandals or flip-flops into your bag just in case. If the temperature turns out to be warm enough, you can always change into these open-toed shoes or go barefoot in the sand.

Snacks

It's always a good idea to bring plenty of snacks to eat during your trip to the beach. You might consider packing a small travel bag with light snacks to hold you over until mealtime — popcorn, nuts, granola or protein bars, trail mix or fruit. Remember to bring one or more water bottles to stay hydrated, and try to avoid bringing perishable food items, especially for a longer trip.

When packing your snacks, it's also a good idea to use zip-close bags or plastic containers. We don't recommend glass containers and bottles, as these could shatter. Additionally, remember to pack a few napkins or paper towels in case of spills, as well as some hand sanitizer.

Beach Supplies

You'll want to bring all of the beach day essentials, of course. While it may be too cold to break out the sunglasses and surfboard on the beach during winter, it's always a good idea to pack these things in case you end up using them.

Whether you're planning to throw a frisbee, swim or surf if it's warm enough, build sandcastles with the kids or simply relax in your beach chair, you'll want to consider bringing these beach items with you:

• Towels
• Sun hat
• Umbrella
• Surfboard
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Bathing suit
• Beach chairs
• Ball or frisbee
• Sand shovels and pails
• Picnic basket with food and drinks

Other Essentials

In addition to clothing, shoes, food and basic beach supplies, here are some other essential items you'll likely want to pack for your trip:

• Cell phone: You can bring your cell phone or camera to take pictures during your beach trip, but be extra cautious if you bring either device near the ocean if they aren't waterproof. Remember to pack your charger as well!
• Toiletries: Pack a bag of necessary toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and shower items.
• Luggage: Whether you're bringing a suitcase, duffel bag or travel tote, it's important to invest in durable luggage with plenty of space to hold all of your items.
• A good book: You might consider bringing a book with you to read on the beach or during your trip there.

Order Your Clothing and Shoes Online at Perfectly Priscilla

Looking to buy some new clothes for your upcoming beach trip or other vacation? At Perfectly Priscilla, we have a wide variety of clothing items in stock. Whether you're searching for tank tops, tees, dresses, outerwear or shoes, we'll help cover any clothing essentials for your trip while keeping you in style. Browse our clothing categories or check out our new arrivals today!