What to pack for a Florida beach vacation: A Local’s Helpful Florida Packing List That Will Make Packing a Breeze
This post has everything you need to put on your Florida packing list.
Are you looking for the perfect Florida packing list? Then, you’ve come to the right place. I will focus on the best packing tips for a Florida beach vacation and mention important travel essentials for Florida theme park trips.
The Best Florida Packing List
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Florida Packing List Table of Contents:
Florida Packing List for the Beach
Packable Beach Bag
The beach bag you choose will depend on whether you travel with kids or take an adult-only trip. If you travel with kids, then I recommend this large beach tote bag for families. This bag is excellent for multiple towels, sunscreen, beach toys, water bottles, and everything else needed for a full day at the beach. It’s mesh, allowing the sand to fall away, so no more bringing the beach home with you.
On the other hand, if this is a solo or adults-only trip, you may need this cute straw beach tote bag. It’s the perfect size for a towel, sunscreen, and a book. Not to mention, the beachy aesthetic is everything!
Furthermore, if you are looking for an on-trend but practical bag, try out this canvas beach bag with a hat holder. If you travel with a beach hat, then you’re going to want this bag.
Beach Towel
The Sand Cloud beach towel is made of soft, sand-resistant, fast-drying, ultra-absorbent Turkish cotton. This oversized towel doesn’t occupy much space in your bag; it rolls up compactly or packs flat.
Not only are the Sand Cloud towels practical, but they also come in unique designs, including special edition collabs. We even have a couple of Disney-inspired towels!
What’s more, 10% of the company’s profits go toward marine conservation, so you can feel good about your purchase. Check out Sand Cloud’s mission to learn more about their commitment to the environment.
Affiliate Exclusive! Enjoy 15% Off Your First Purchase with Code SANDY
Reusable Water Bottle
Nefeeko Collapsible Water Bottle. When traveling in Florida, you will need to stay hydrated! Most hotels have a place to refill your bottle, or you can refill directly from the tap at your condo.
I’m obsessed with this collapsible silicone water bottle! It’s lightweight and travels easily. It comes in multiple colors and holds up to 26oz. Did I mention it’s collapsible?! In other words, it gets smaller as you drink, which makes it so convenient.
Sunscreen
You must put sunscreen on your Florida packing list. I recommend bringing sunscreen sticks; this way, they don’t count toward your TSA liquids. Pack a sunscreen stick for your face and also a body stick.
I like the Sun Bum sticks for the face, which smells like lovely banana cream and is reef-compliant.
For the body, we’ve always used a Coppertone Sport Stick. It has a larger stick size, making it easier to cover a larger area, but it is still compact enough to travel.
These are our favorites!
Once you’ve arrived in Florida, you can purchase sunscreen spray if you wish. If traveling by car, pack your spray ahead of time.
Toiletries
Florida packing list essentials:
After sun aloe lotion, Deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, shower soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and other skincare and hair products. Equally important, remember over-the-counter pain reliever, allergy, and stomachache medications.
Beachwear Essentials
Additionally, the Beachwear essentials you must include on your Florida packing list are sunglasses, hats, flip-flops, swimsuits, and swim coverups.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, let me tell you about Cupshe women’s swimsuits! Cupshe has super cute swimsuits and coverups for all body types. So far, everything I’ve ordered has fit great and is of high quality.
Lastly, I recommend Crocs for kids over flip-flops. My kiddos always say Crocs are easier to walk in on the beach.
Good Book/Kindle
Almost as important as your swimsuit, an enticing book is a must-remember! Whether you like the classic paperback read or the more modern Kindle option, grab something captivating and throw it into the beach bag.
I personally love my Kindle Paperwhite, and I never leave home without it! It’s easy to read even in bright sunlight. I like to change up the settings depending on the lighting I’m in. I have the leather case that keeps my Kindle protected and looks chic! If you have been thinking about getting one, order it now before your next beach trip.
Portable Charger
I recommend traveling with at least two portable chargers as a family. Nowadays, with so many battery-powered electronics, you may need to charge multiple things simultaneously.
I travel with the Veger Portable Charger which has built-in cables and plugs directly into the wall to recharge.
I also have the Charmast Power Bank with built-in cables. Both brands have worked great for us, and I recommend adding them to your Florida packing list.
Small Bluetooth Speaker
In the event that music is a must for major beach vibes, grab this small, handheld Bluetooth speaker. It’s inexpensive, waterproof, and small enough to bring anywhere.
Florida Packing List for Theme Parks
Comparatively, there is some overlap when packing for the Florida theme parks versus Florida beaches. Of course, we still need sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle. But I also have some crucial additives for your Florida packing list.
Handheld Fans
The first thing to remember…Florida is hot! In that case, a compact, handheld fan saves the day. I’ve found that waiting in theme park lines is doable when we have our fans to keep us a few degrees cooler than the rest!
My fans are years old and a little bulkier than the newer models. I’m making two recommendations based on product reviews and what I plan on buying to replace my current fans.
Try this turbo handheld fan if you need power! Or, if you just want something simple, get this inexpensive handheld fan.
Packable Backpack
In my Italy travel essentials post, I discussed this excellent 4Monster packable backpack. Please check out that post to get all the details about this backpack. It is an important addition to any travel essentials list, including our Florida packing list!
Park Bag
As shown above, the packable backpack will suffice for a park bag if you are traveling light and don’t want to include a bulkier option. But, in reality, aren’t we all a little extra when we visit Disney or Universal theme parks!
For this reason, I am a Loungefly superfan! Loungefly has many different designs that are suitable for all tastes. They make an extremely durable bag with a perfect amount of space. So, make it fun and get you something special!!
Hand sanitizer & Wipes
Hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes are essentials for all park days! I love this hand sanitizer in a travel pump because it’s not sticky and doesn’t dry out your skin. Also, compared to a pop-top, it is less likely to spill in your bag.
Rain Ponchos
If you’ve ever been to a Florida theme park, then you know a summer rainstorm can happen at any moment. So, always be prepared with a rain poncho in your park bag!
You want to buy these in advance because parks charge a premium for their rain ponchos. I recommend buying in bulk from Amazon or Walmart. Here is a 10-pack of rain ponchos with a drawstring hood that only takes up a little space in your bag and is disposable after use.
Reusable Water Bottle
I’ve already discussed my favorite water bottle; see above for details. However, I want to point out that both Disney and Universal have refillable water stations around the park. So, remember to bring your water bottle and stay hydrated!!
Comfortable Walking Shoes
A comfortable pair of shoes will make the miles of theme park walking bearable. Always bring a backup pair in case you get caught in the rain one day.
If you are looking for a pair of classic white sneakers, I am obsessed with my new Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Time Off Sneaker. It feels like you are walking on a cloud in these!!
Other Florida Packing List Items for Theme Parks
Sunglasses and Hat
Bring whatever makes you comfortable in the Florida sun.
Sunscreen
See above for my sunscreen recommendations. The last thing you want during your Disney or Universal trip is sunburn. Remember to reapply and protect the top of your head, too!
Portable Charger
Nowadays, every theme park has its corresponding phone app. You can check wait times and order food on your phone, so it’s critical that your phone works all day long. Bring a charger!!
Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen
Some theme park rides can really do a number on us. I always keep some over-the-counter pain relievers in my bag, just in case.
Snacks
When traveling with kids, you don’t want to get stuck in long lines without snacks in your bag. Grab single bags of Cheez-Its, goldfish, or even granola bars. Make it yummy and packable!
The Florida Packing List Wrap-up
In conclusion, this post was a quick rundown of what essentials to include on your Florida packing list. Of course, you should also add on Florida weather-appropriate clothing options. Still, I will discuss seasonal outfit choices in more depth in future posts. So, stay tuned for all the best Florida vacation outfits!
