Not everyone who goes on a sun holiday has the same adventure in mind. However, there are many essentials that are needed on every sun holiday regardless of the adventure. A sun holiday packing list will help you both identify what you might need to pack and then check that you've actually packed correctly! Not booked your trip yet? Don't miss out on our handpicked travel deals with holiday trips for under £300.
A pair of swimming shorts and a toothbrush is not enough - you need more than that on a beach holiday. Hopefully you'll find our sun holiday packing list useful. Would you like more tips? Luckily, we've gone the extra mile and below you'll find five tips and tricks to use when packing. Read on and see which of these tips you can use right away. Good luck!
Suggestions and sample packing list
For a normal sun holiday, you'd be gone for a week, but there are other options. You can get your face painted in a weekend and there is growing interest in sun holidays of up to 3-4 weeks. Of course, a holiday lasting several weeks requires more packing, but often you still have to pack the same things. Use our packing list to help you next time you head for the sun. Here are examples and tips on what you might need to pack. Some things you probably don't need, other things you may not have known you needed! Take a look at our male sun holiday packing list and take the opportunity to make packing easier for yourself.Bags
- Suitcase/duffel bag/hand luggage
- Backpack (Don't miss using our GO Outdoors discount codes if you need to buy)
- Bag/chest bag
Clothing and footwear
- Bathing shorts/bathing trunks
- Shorts
- Pants/chinos
- T-shirts
- Tank top
- Underwear
- Socks to use our Marks and Spencer discount codes if you need to buy)
- Shirts (Don't miss using our Boden discount codes if you need to buy)
- Blazer
- Warm sweater
- Sportswear
- Handkerchief
- Wetsuit
- Cap
- Flip flops/sandals
- Comfortable shoes
- Bathing shoes
Pharmacy and hygiene
- Toilet bag
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste/Tooth powder
- Dental floss
- Shaving razor
- Shower soap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Hair products
- Deodorant
- Perfume
- Lip balm
- Sun Protection Factor
- After sun lotion
- Lenses and lens solution (Don't miss using our SmartBuyGlasses discount codes if you need to buy)
- Headache tablets
- Pills for an upset stomach
- Medicine
Money and identification
- Passport/Visa
- ID card
- Wallet
- Bank card/credit card/prepaid card
- Cash
- European Health Insurance Card
- Bookings/reservations
- Map
- Guide Book (Don't miss using our Waterstones discount codes if you need to buy)
- Book and pen
Technology and smart gadgets
- Smartphone
- Tablet
- Chargers
- Powerbank (Don't miss using our Currys discount codes if you need to buy)
- Camera/GoPro
- Selfie stick
- Headphones
- Bluetooth speakers
- Adapter
- Book/magazine (Don't miss using our WHSmith discount codes if you need to buy)
- Sunglasses
- Ear plugs
- Sleeping mask
- Phone case
- Waterproof phone case
- Swimming goggles
- Snorkel
- Inflatable equipment
- Equipment for play and games
5 tips and tricks when packing
A pair of swimming shorts and a toothbrush is not enough - you need more than that on a beach holiday. Hopefully you'll find our sun holiday packing list useful. Would you like more tips? Luckily, we've gone the extra mile and below you'll find five tips and tricks to use when packing. Read on and see which of these tips you can use right away. Good luck!
Pack garments that breathe
There is a minimal chance that you will spend your sun holiday in Antarctica, but we assume that you will choose a more traditional destination with lots of sun and warmth. Different materials are good at wicking away excess heat and sweat. There are also differences between materials in terms of how long they stay fresh. Cotton is reasonably breathable, but there are better alternatives. Bamboo fibre material is one option, merino wool another. T-shirts, shirts and shorts in breathable fabrics will help you cope with the heat. Because these materials stay fresh longer, you can also free up space in your bag. You kill two birds with one stone!Some garments can be used in several ways
A simple and very effective way to save space in your bag and travel more easily is to pack versatile items. This is especially true for clothes and bags. Some garments and bags can easily be used in several ways. A t-shirt in a more elegant cut can work both back and forth to the beach, on sightseeing and at restaurants. A pair of more neutral swim shorts can be worn on the beach and by the pool as well as on excursions and even sporty and adventurous activities. When it comes to bags, it's obviously ideal if the same bag can be used for multiple purposes. If you are flying, you can choose a carry-on bag in the form of a backpack. Then you can use your hand luggage even on the beach, on excursions and sightseeing.Bath towels take up a lot of space in your pack
A bath towel takes up a lot of space. If you're flying and travelling with hand luggage only, you probably don't really have the option of bringing a bath towel of a larger model. If you check in a suitcase, you'll have more room, but the bath towel takes up a lot of space there too. It's always a good idea to bring a bath towel, but at the same time there's no big problem with not doing so. You can be sure to buy a bath towel at the destination. Towels may also be included as a service in your accommodation.Use dry bags and wet bags
You're excused if you don't know exactly what the headline is about. In short, it's about smart ways to store clothes and gadgets. A dry bag is, as the name suggests, a bag for dry things. It's waterproof and the idea is that you put in electronics, gadgets and clothes that you want to protect from moisture. A dry bag is perfect for the beach and adventures at sea. Instead, a wet bag is designed to protect the environment from wet contents. What is meant here is wet bathing suits and towels. If you put the wet stuff in a wet bag, the clothes won't soak the other stuff you have in your backpack or beach bag.Divide the packing task - help each other
If u are travelling on a sun holiday with several people, there is every reason to divide certain things between you. Duplicates are unnecessary and make packing heavier and more cumbersome. So what is it that can be usefully divided up? We're all different and some people are very particular about their own things, but you and your company can definitely think about at least the following (you can probably think of more!):- Guide books
- Snorkeling equipment
- Equipment for play and games
- Inflatable toys and equipment
- Bluetooth speakers
- Camera
- Action Camera
- Selfie stick
- Adapter
- Sun protection factor
- First Aid Kit
- Various hygiene products (shower soap, shampoo, etc)
