One Bag: Easiest carry on beach vacation packing list

Beach Vacation Packing List…Can You Pack for the Beach Using Just a Carry-On? Absolutely. Here’s How.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to travel to the beach with only a carry-on, the answer is yes. With a bit of planning and a solid packing strategy, you can head to the beach with just one small bag. This guide walks you through each step and includes a complete packing list so you don’t forget a thing.

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Beach Vacation Packing List

Packing light is smart. It gets you through the airport faster and out into the sunshine sooner. No standing around at baggage claim, no dealing with lost luggage. Personally, I don’t want to waste my vacation time waiting in line for luggage. This way I land and go!

And for those road-tripping? Packing lighter gives you extra space in the car for beach gear like a cooler, chairs, and an umbrella, plus room for the shells and souvenirs you pick up along the way.

This plan may seem detailed, but it’s not hard once you know what to do. You’ll be able to fit all your beach must-haves into one carry-on.

A beach covered with seashells stretches along the shoreline under a partly cloudy sky, with gentle waves rolling in.

Ready? Here’s my step-by-step guide to packing light for a beach vacation.

Step 1: Pick Your Carry-On Bag

When to do it: As early as possible

The first thing you need is a good carry-on. If you’re flying, check your airline’s size and weight rules before anything else. Requirements vary, so confirm on the airline’s website to make sure your bag will pass.

If you’re flying, a soft-sided bag or backpack usually fits more easily in overhead bins. I like a convertible backpack/duffle combo with pockets for better organization. Structured suitcases with wheels are also a good option, just make sure it’s smaller than the airline limit.

If you’re driving, you can be more flexible. A backpack works great for camping trips or destinations with uneven paths or sand.

Step 2: Grab Your Packing Accessories

When to do it: As early as possible

Even if your bag has compartments, packing cubes will change how you pack. These organizers let you group similar items together — like a mini dresser in your suitcase. No need to dig through your bag to find your swimsuit or pajamas.

I also recommend a compact toiletry bag you can hang up (saves counter space!) and a clear TSA-approved liquids bag for flying.

Step 3: Get Your Travel-Size Liquids & First Aid Kit Ready

When to do it: As early as possible

Here’s what to keep in mind for liquids in your carry-on:

Use a quart-sized clear bag (TSA 3-1-1 rule).
Each liquid item must be in a 3.4 oz (100 mL) container or smaller.
Use travel-size versions of your favorite products or pour them into reusable bottles.
Solid products like shampoo bars or sunscreen sticks are great space savers.

I keep this bag ready and refill it when I get home from a trip so it’s always ready to go. Also, I do this with my basic first aid kit.

Step 4: Beach Vacation Packing List, Plan Your Capsule Wardrobe

When to do it: 7–14 days before you leave

The secret to packing light is utilizing a capsule wardrobe, a small group of clothes that mix and match easily. For warm-weather trips, I usually pack 6 to 10 core items, plus swimwear, sleepwear, workout gear, and underwear.

Here’s how I do it:

For trips under 4 days: 6 core items, which consist of 3 tops, 2 bottoms, and 1 versatile dress.
For trips up to 14 days: 10 to 12 core items made of 5 tops, 3 bottoms, and 2 dresses.

Two empty beach chairs sit under a blue umbrella on a white sandy beach, facing a calm blue ocean. The sky above is scattered with soft, drifting clouds.

Here are my favorite tips for planning a travel capsule wardrobe

These are general guidelines that work for me. The more you travel, the easier it gets and the more you realize you can travel with less.

Also, consider the weather, your activities, and if laundry facilities are available.

Stick to a color scheme. I find that one accent color with a few neutrals works best.
Create multiple outfits from just a few pieces by packing neutrals with one accent color.
My rule is that each piece has to go with at least two other pieces.
Plan your outfits on paper or use an app to help.

Step 5: Check the Weather

When to do it: 7 to day before departure

I check the weather multiple times. It’s simple but essential. Look up the extended forecast to see what kind of weather to expect. That way, you can adjust your clothing, shoes, or accessories before it’s time to pack.

Step 6: Write or print your beach vacation packing list

I have found that having a written packing list helps me focus when packing and not leave anything when I’m ready to come home.

Essentials

Most of this first list if for traveling out of the country.

Passport
*Boarding pass
*Itinerary
Immunization records
Driver’s license or alternate form of ID
Credit cards
Travel insurance
Passport-size photos
Visa approval
Emergency contact info
Foreign currency, if needed
Copies of all the above-mentioned travel documents on a USB thumb drive.

*I store these on my digital wallet

A collection of travel and beach essentials from a beach vacation packing list, including a hat, sandals, sunglasses, sunscreen, packing cubes, first aid kit, toiletries, USB, and pink suitcase arranged on a white background. — Click to shop products on my Amazon storefront.

Clothes

Here’s a sketch of what you’ll probably need clothing-wise for your beach vacation. By now, you’ve planned out your capsule wardrobe, so it should just be a matter of packing up your items into your packing cubes.

3-5 Tops
2-3 Bottoms
1-2 Dresses
1-2 Sleepwear
1-2 Workout wear
3-10 Underwear
1-3 Bras
1-2 Swimsuit
1-3 Socks
Outerwear (optional)

Footwear

Since this is a beach trip post, sandals will be your primary footwear. For the second pair consider your activities. Will you be golfing, playing pickleball, running, walking? Bring sneakers. Boating or kayaking? You may need water shoes.

Lastly, will you be eating at fancy restaurants? You may need heels or dressier sandals.

Sandals or flip flops
Sneakers
Dressier sandals

Accessories

I’ve actually found myself traveling with fewer accessories since I started traveling carry-on only, but here’s what you’ll find in my bag:

Wide-brimmed sun hat
Belt
Purse – Day
Wallet
Scarf
Sunglasses
Sunglasses Case
Purse – Night (optional)
Watch (optional)
Jewelry (optional)

Skip the watch, jewelry and second purse unless you know for a fact that you’ll use them. I usually travel watch and jewelry-free to the beach anyways – fewer valuables to keep track of!

(Plus how many times have you packed jewelry only to never wear it? I found that this was an easy place to cut down on items.)

Liquids

I keep these items ready to go at all times in my 3-1-1 travel bag. You don’t need to do this, but if you’re traveling often you’ll probably find it helpful, whether or not you’re heading to a beach destination.