This is a sample list of items and equipment you might want to take on a week-long trip to a beach resort in a developed tropical area, or some other part of the world (eg, Portugal, New Zealand, Long Island, or Southern California) during the local summer months. Depending on where you're going and the time of year, some of the items may not be useful to you, and there are inevitably additional items you'll want to bring along, but this should give you a general idea of what you'll want to pack.
Wear
Dry activities
- hat, cap, or sunvisor
- sweatshirt
- windbreaker
- poncho
- 2 t-shirts
- 1 nice shirt
- 2 pair of walk shorts
- 1 pair of long pants (suitable weight for current weather)
- 2 pair of underwear or racing trunks or bikini bottoms
- ladies: 2 good sports bras or bikini tops
- 2 pair of crew socks
- sneakers
Wet activities
- 2 pair boardshorts
- spring or shortjohn wetsuit (May want heavier grade wetsuit, or no wetsuit, depending on conditions/activities)
- rash guard
- reef walkers
- flip flops
gentlemen
- speedo (Helps getting into wetsuit, and good to have on if the boardshorts come off)
ladies
- one-piece
- 2 bikini sets
Get around
- bags for your things
- flashlight
Eat
- Fishing: pole and tackle if you fish
- Camping food: picnic basket or cooler
- Barbecuing (on beaches where it's OK): But do clean up your trash afterwards.
Stay healthy and safe
- sunglasses
- high spf sunscreen
- a hat (to shade your face and/or trap heat)
- umbrella
- beach towel, or a light trekking towel; bioshower-soap
- insect repellent
- toothbrush, toothpaste
- antiperspirant and other toiletries
- aspirin/Ibuprofen
- blister care (e.g. moleskin, adhesive bandages)
- insurance card
- ID card
- cash, bank card
- women: tampons or pads.
See and do
- good diving mask, snorkel, and swim fins
- bodyboard or surfboard with leash and wax
- camera
- folding beach chair, though you might be able to rent one at more developed beaches
- reading and writing material