Overcrowded Shores
You arrive at the beach eager to stake out a spot. But the shore is packed with umbrellas and towels; there's barely an inch left to squeeze into. The noise of radios, screaming kids, and crowds stretching down the beach is overwhelming. The perfect relaxation beach day you imagined quickly turns stressful. Tip: Check beach cams and local info to visit on less crowded weekdays or early/late hours. Off-the-beaten path and remote beaches also provide more space.
Bad Weather Rolls In
The forecast called for sunny skies. Yet suddenly storm clouds appear and then comes the downpour. Or the wind picks up heavily, blowing sand everywhere and toppling umbrellas. Ice cream melts, towels soak, and everyone runs for cover. Nothing can spoil beach fun faster than the weather taking an unexpected turn south. Tip: Always check forecasts before going and pack a weather radio to monitor changing conditions. Have a back-up indoor activity planned just in case.
Getting Burnt to a Crisp
You forgot one key thing - sunscreen. Maybe you skipped coating up properly, sweated it all off, or missed a spot. By mid-day your skin is beet red and feels like it’s literally burning. Water stings it, clothing hurts to touch it, and you look like a lobster. A bad sunburn can ruin the rest of the vacation. Tip: Don't rely just on sunscreen - use protective clothing, hats, umbrellas, and seek shade too. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and immediately after swimming. Stay hydrated.
Sand Absolutely Everywhere
It clings to your skin, sticks in your swimsuit, crunches in your sandwich, grinds into electronics, invades the car. No matter how hard you try, it seems impossible to escape the pervasive sand that goes everywhere after a beach day. All you want is a long shower and for all traces of it to disappear. Tip: Use beach blankets and towels when setting up. Leave shoes and electronics in the car. Rinse off and change clothes before getting in vehicle to drive home.
Losing or Forgetting Something Essential
You get to the beach and reach into your bag only to realize you've forgotten the sunscreen, phone, book, headphones, or other must-have item that will make or break the day. Or even worse, you set something down in the sand for a moment only to have it disappear, blown into the wind or sea never to return. A lost or forgotten item can derail all your plans. Tip: Create a beach bag packing checklist and inventory before leaving home. Bring extra beach blankets and towels so having one blow away isn't catastrophic.
Getting Sun Poisoning
Too much sun exposure without protection causes more than just burns. Sun poisoning, aka phototoxicity, results from overexposure to UV rays, causing headache, fever, chills, nausea, and rash. It can feel like a horrible sunburn combined with a bad flu. This sun-induced illness will require medical attention and ruin any further beach plans. Tip: Closely watch children and elderly for symptoms of sun poisoning and get them out of the sun immediately if exhibiting signs. Keep the whole group protected and hydrated.
Ocean Creatures on the Attack
Jellyfish swarm the waters, stinging any swimmers. Sand fleas and flies relentlessly bite legs and feet. Sharp shells and rocks cut into toes. Crabby seagulls swoop to steal food. Unpleasant run-ins with ocean critters can quickly turn a fun beach outing into a nightmare. Tip: Shuffle feet when entering water to scare away stingrays. Stay away from jellyfish and Portuguese man o' wars. Use insect repellent on legs/feet. Wear water shoes and watch where you step. Secure food from gulls.
Getting Sick from Water
The excitement of splashing in the waves quickly turns to misery when you end up with contaminated ocean water in your mouth, nose, or ears. This can cause diarrhea, fever, nausea and more severe illnesses. Runoff pollution, natural bacteria, and viruses thrive in the ocean environment. Swallowing just a small bit of contaminated water can bring sickness. Tip: Avoid beaches with known pollution and water quality issues. Don't swallow ocean water or submerge head. Shower after beach visits. Keep cuts and wounds covered with waterproof bandages.
A beach outing gone wrong can quickly lead to regretting you ever went at all. But with the right preparation, awareness, and reasonable caution, you can dodge potential perils and keep misadventures at bay. Don't let weather, crowds, forgetting necessities, unpleasant creatures, or illness ruin your coastal plans. Take steps to outsmart problems and you’ll be on your way to a blissfully perfect beach day once more.
