5 Reasons to Enjoy a Beach Vacation

It’s that time of the year again- where most of us are either planning our summer vacation holidays or have already planned it and are prepping for that vacation.  Spring is slowly starting to show its colors and people are generally happier because of the bright blue skies and longer days ahead of us.

I like to either plan my summer vacation around this time or if it’s already planned, then start to prep for it such as purchasing clothes or vacation essentials.  For me, I love to enjoy a vacation on the beach because I love the feeling of the sand in my toes and the warm/sunny vibes of the beach.  However, I do know that some people don’t prefer a beach vacation and would rather enjoy a vacation in the serene mountains.

Both types of vacations are completely valid to have during the summertime.  Last year was the first time that I went on a mountainous vacation to Gatlinburg, TN, and loved it.  I didn’t realize how fun it would be to enjoy the quiet of the mountains as well.

This got me thinking about doing a blog post regarding tips on how to enjoy a beach vacation and a mountain vacation.  As a person who enjoys a beach vacation, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN.  So, I thought to myself, others may be in the same boat as me and would enjoy reading about how to appreciate both types of vacations. 

Since I had a lot of thoughts and tips to contribute, I’ve broken this topic into two posts.  If you’re a beach person, or if you’re not a beach person, these are some tips to help you enjoy your vacation.  Without further ado, check out my beach tips below.  Keep a lookout for my mountain vacation tips!

Beach Activities

One of the main reasons that I love a beach vacation, is enjoying the lovely ocean water.  I love to walk into the ocean as well as do some water activities.  Depending on the beach location you go to, whether that’s the domestic US or an Island Resort, you’ll either pay for some of these activities or they will be included in your hotel package.  Either way, they’re fun activities that should be experienced at least once in your life.

Some of the many activities include swimming (always free), paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.  If you get the opportunity, you should try a couple of these beachside activities.  I try to enjoy as many of the free activities as possible – depending on the resort or hotel.

Beachside Reading

If you love a good book, reading it on the beach is a whole other level of relaxation.  A lot of beaches offer beach chairs that you can rent or book in advance as well as umbrellas; you can use this equipment to sit comfortably on the beach and read your summer book. 

Sometimes, I like to lay on my towel to read my book and use the umbrella as a shade.  For me, it’s so relaxing to read a book on the beach.  I feel like I get through my yearly reading goal more easily when I take beach trips during the year. 

Have a Picnic

There is something unique about having a picnic on the beach.  I loved having picnics on the beach with my friends when I grew up in NY and enjoying the NY beaches.  With the NY beaches, it’s close to the locals that many people bring a cooler with food and drinks- similar to the Florida beaches. 

Of course, you want to be careful so that the sand doesn’t get in your food and the seagulls don’t steal it either.  My favorite picnic items are usually pre-made or pre-packaged sandwiches so that you’re not making them on the beach and risking eating sand.  Easy snacks for the beach is chips, nuts, granola, etc- whatever you prefer as long as it’s easy to eat and can avoid the sand!

Play Beach Volleyball

A fun activity to do on the beach is playing beach volleyball.  Most beaches will either have a net set up, a designated area where you can set up a net, and/or have the whole beach available so that you can set up where ever you and your group prefer.  I’ve seen many play beach volleyball and enjoy the activity.  You also get to make new friends, if you are in a smaller group and want to recruit more players.

I’m not much of an athletic when it comes to beach sand games.  However, I do know many people that do enjoy a good game of beach volleyball.  If you are one of those people that like to play sports and crave to play support during your beach vacation, then this is a fun activity to do to fill that void.

Walks on the Beach

Every time I take a beach vacation, I love to take a walk alongside the ocean water.  It feels so comforting and relaxing to me; as well as allows me to enjoy my vacation more.  Depending on the hotel, you may be placed right on the beach and the hotel has access to parts of the beach.  Those locations are perfect for these types of walks.

Also, taking a stroll on the beach during sunset is amazing- especially after dinner.  In addition, I love taking beach walks for many reasons as it’s so beneficial to you.  One of my few favorite reasons for a beach stroll is:  it’s a beautiful view, you’re digesting your food and you’re getting some exercise in without much effort.

And that’s a wrap on my tips for enjoying a beach vacation!  Which one of these tips have you done and enjoyed?  Let me know in the comments below!

Much Love,