How to Plan the Perfect Family Beach Vacation

Sandy toes, a tropical drink, snorkeling and sand castles — they’re all hallmarks of a great family beach vacation. Looking for a luxury all-inclusive beach vacation or a family trip on a budget? Or maybe an exotic beach getaway vacation destination with white sand beaches? Wherever you’re headed, a family beach vacation takes planning. Our Traveling Moms share their advice on the best beach destinations, family-friendly resorts, beach packing tips, beach activities, budget-friendly meals and even insights on how to have fun when it rains on your family beach vacation.

What Does it Take to Plan a Family Beach Vacation Everyone Enjoys?

A beach vacation means different things to different people. It can mean lounging seaside all day long, napping on a chaise with a cool drink in hand. Or it can adventure with days filled with surfing, water sports, snorkeling and parasailing. For families, a vacation at the beach may include chasing little ones on the sand, splashing at the shoreline and s’mores around the bonfire each evening.

There’s no right or wrong way to imagine a family beach vacation. Figuring out which seaside trip is the right one for your family takes advanced preparation. Keep reading for ALL the guidance you’ll need to plan the best beach vacation for your family.

Read More: The best sunscreens for babies and kids

Where are the Best Beaches for Families?

Before you pack up your swimsuit, you’ll need to decide where to go. There are beaches all around the world that are ideal family vacation destinations. Naturally, you’ll want a location with warm weather, clean sand and family-friendly accommodations.

United States Beach Travel

From sea to shining sea (and the Atlantic to the Pacific), here are some of our favorite beaches in the USA:

• Best Beaches in Georgia
• Cleanest Beaches near L.A.
• Best United States Beaches, including locations for whale watching, where to find the best shells and watching sunsets.

Florida and Gulf Coast Beaches

Many popular family beach locations are in Florida and the Gulf Coast area. Soft sandy beaches and warm waters replicate the Caribbean, without the need for a passport!

• Best Florida Beaches
• Clearwater Florida
• Daytona Beach
• South Padre Island Texas
• Alabama’s Gulf Coast

Read More: How to Add a Beach Vacation to Your Disney World Trip

International Beach Vacation Ideas

If everyone has a passport and you’re ready for international travel, consider one of these gorgeous beach vacation destinations for the family. Many tropical locations have fantastic all-inclusive luxury locations. Just do your research in regards to weather issues that might cause trouble or a vacation cancellation, such as during hurricane season. The upside of planning a trip during hurricane season? The crowds will be smaller. The downside? Yep. A hurricane.

If clear blue water is on your beach vacation list, check out the palm-tree-studded beaches in Jamaica, the Bahamas or these other locations:

• Ambergris Caye in Belize – Get the best tips on how to get there, where to stay & what to eat.
• La Paz Baja California – Find out how to easily cross the border, hotel & dining recommendations and family activities.
• Best Beaches for Family in Central America – These are the 8 best beach locations, including Honduras and Belize.
• Bay Islands in Honduras – Tips for family activities such as snorkeling.

Hotels vs. Beach House Rentals

If you’re planning an extended beach vacation or are traveling with a large family, a beach house rental can be a better choice than a basic hotel room. There are definitely some pros and cons when making the decision between booking a hotel room in a beach city or making arrangements at a local beach house instead.

Choosing the Best Family Beach Resort Hotel

Check out these pros and cons before choosing a beach resort for your family. Hotel beach resorts are usually better suited for smaller sized families, shorter vacation stays, and a luxury experience on a tight budget.

Pros of a Beach Resort

• Luxury accommodations are possible, like the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida.
• Beast resorts can cost less than a beach house, like the reasonably priced Fountain Beach Resort in Daytona Beach, Florida.
• Restaurant dining is usually an option inside the resort. Or choose a location like the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach which has many dining options within walking distance of the resort.
• Daily activities for families and kids’ clubs, like those at the Wild Dunes Resort in Charleston, South Carolina.
• Swimming pool access, like this one with a water slide at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida.
• Options for all-inclusive vacations, including the Panama Jack Cancun.

Cons of a Beach Resort

• Getting to the beach may require transportation. Consider choosing a beachside resort, like the Palm Beach Marriott.
• Concerned there is not as much space to spread out inside the room during inclement weather? Choose a location with a suite, like the Sirata Beach Resort.
• Some beach hotels in tourist areas can be a bit on the “gritty” side. Do your research and read reviews online to be sure it’s a good fit for your family.

How to Choose a Beach House

Beach houses are usually a better fit for larger families, longer stays and for those who want their vacation experience to feel like home, with access to a kitchen for cooking, laundry facilities and other home-like amenities.

Pros of a Beach House Rental

• Often have larger accommodations with enough room for multiple families.
• Cost of the rental can be divided between families for a lower overall vacation cost.
• Full kitchens and laundry facilities make a beach house rental more like a home away from home. Preparing meals in the beach house (see below) is a particularly budget-friendly option when vacationing in a costlier locale, like Hawaii.
• Can be booked for longer periods of time whether your vacation is a week-long or a full month, like this location in Navarre Beach Florida.

Cons of a Beach House Rental

• Popular locations book early, some as much as a year ahead.
• Can be pricier than a hotel room.
• You may forfeit the luxury of a vacation in exchange for household duties like cooking, laundry and cleaning.
• May require that guests book an entire week. Single day rentals may not be possible.

Read More: How to Find the Ultimate Family Friendly Summer Beach House

Beach Vacation on a Budget

One of the best things about a beach vacation is that you can do it on a budget. For most locations, a day spent on the sand can be completely cost-free. If you’re the “roughing it” kind of family, consider beach camping in a tent (or an RV if you prefer running water and a toilet!).

Read More: Essential Camping Tips for Newbies

Choosing a location that is easy on the budget is the biggest way to save on a vacation. Destinations that cost less overall, like Latin America, will help you save hundreds.

TravelingMom Tip: Learn how to save money on a family vacation to Mexico.

Cheaper US Beach Destinations

Even some domestic locations can be cost effective, especially if you choose a beach that’s within a short drive of your home. (Read more tips about affordable things to do with kids in the Palm Beaches).

If you’re planning to do things off the sand, check out these free things to do in popular beach side cities:

• Myrtle Beach South Carolina 
• Maui, Hawaii
• Panama City Beach, Florida
• Jersey Shore
• Daytona Beach, Florida
• San Diego, California

Easy Vacation Meal Planner

A great way to save money on your family beach vacation is by preparing meals in the room. Restaurant dining can add up, especially in coastal or tourist cities when seafood dishes abound on the menu. I’m all for splurging on vacation, but dining for breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks in restaurants can truly add up.

Choose a hotel with a kitchen where you can prepare meals, if possible. With proper planning, you can make great meals that don’t take much time or energy. A quick grocery stop on the first vacation day can help alleviate dining costs on a trip.

Easy Vacation Meal Ideas for Families on a Budget

Breakfast ideas 

• Croissants with ham and cheese slices.
• Toaster waffles topped with whipped cream and fresh berries.
• Pita bread pockets stuffed with scrambled egg, cheese and spinach leaves.
• French toast casserole (the night before, cut bread into chunks, then pour beaten eggs, milk and cinnamon mixture on top, refrigerate overnight and bake the following morning).

Lunch ideas

• Cold salads made with pasta or quinoa (make a big batch and serve for several days).
• Make-your-own sub sandwiches with rolls, a variety of cold cuts and sliced cheese.
• Nachos (microwave shredded cheese sprinkled over chips, then top with sour cream, guacamole, heated-up can of beans, shredded cabbage and salsa).
• Leftover pizza or fried chicken, served cold.
• Steak salad (use leftover cold steak from previous night’s dinner, sliced thinly. Top salad greens and add sliced strawberries and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with a dressing blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar and Dijon mustard).

More Easy Vacation Meal Ideas

Dinner ideas 

• Spaghetti with store-bought meatballs, mixed salad and garlic bread.
• Bean soup made with canned beans, diced tomatoes, chopped green chilis and chicken broth (Season with cumin, salt & pepper and bring to a boil. Top each bowl of soup with sour cream, grated Monterey Jack cheese and diced green onions). Serve with tortilla chips.
• Sausage and potatoes (Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, chopped garlic and salt & pepper in a bowl. Mix in cubed potatoes to cover them in the sauce. Place kielbasa sausage in a casserole and surround with saucy potatoes. Cover with foil and bake until potatoes are fork-tender).

Read More: 3 Super Easy Meals to Fix When You’re on Vacation

Beachside Snacks

If you’re planning to spend the entire day waterside, you’ll need to pack plenty of snacks for the family. Convenience store stops, while fun, can really add up.  These are a few budget-friendly snack tips for a day at the beach:

• Plan to do a grocery store run on the first day of your trip to load up on snack-appropriate foods.
• Bring a rolling cooler or a cooler bag from home. If your hotel has a freezer, freeze several water bottles to keep in the bag. Otherwise fill up gallon-sized zip plastic bags with ice from the hotel to keep foods cold.
• Water is going to be #1 priority when you’re in the sunshine. Bring refillable water bottles from home and fill up at the hotel. Bring an extra gallon jug to stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Bring plastic zip bags from home in snack sizes. Purchase large bags of chips, crackers and treats at the grocery then divvy them into the smaller bags at the hotel.
• Kids eat frequently, especially when they are more active (like running up and down the beach or braving the waves). Check out these trip snacks for toddlers.
• For those on a special diet, it’s important to keep on track with pre-planning snacks before your trip. Read about these best Keto diet snacks and these gluten- and dairy-free snacks.

Beach Activities

• Pack a special picnic. Some beach locations will have grassy areas in addition to the sand (like La Jolla in San Diego, California).
• In locations where waves are good, a boogie board is a must-have for elementary-aged kids and teens. Ask at your if it has beach items you can borrow.
• Releasing sea turtles, like this area in Guatemala.
• Parasailing.

• Classic sandcastle building.
• Bicycling along the boardwalk.
• Sandboarding is popular on the beaches of the Oregon Coast.
• Explore tide pools, like these in the San Diego area.
• Horseback riding, like on St. Lucia.

More Family-Friendly Beach Activities

• Surfing lessons.
• Stand-up paddle boarding, which is available in areas like Aruba.
• Kayaking.
• Collect seashells (then read how to clean and preserve shells).
• Boating is a popular pastime. Many beach locations offer fishing excursions.
• Oceanfront dining.
• Schedule a family photo shoot.

Read More: How to Style a Fab Family Photo Shoot at the Beach

Baby on Board Your Beach Vacation

Considering going to the beach with baby? Everything from what you pack to what time you hit the sand will change if you have a baby with you on your beach vacation.

Things to consider are baby’s health and temperament and what essentials you’ll need to pack daily in the beach-bound diaper bag. Age is also a factor. Babies under 6 months old should not be wearing sunscreen. Do you really want to be holding a newborn under an umbrella on the hot sand for several hours a day?

The location you choose for your family beach vacation can also make all the difference when it comes to bringing baby. Some locations like Disney’s Aulani Resort on the Hawaiian island of Oahu are appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers because of the kid-friendly dining and family activities. Other resorts, in particular the luxury all-inclusive resorts, may not be family-friendly enough for you to feel comfortable bringing very young kids.

If you’re letting your little one splash at the shoreline, you’ll want to choose a beach location with calm waters.

Read More: Should I Take a Beach Vacation with a Baby?

Rainy Day Activities

If you’re taking a beach vacation in a location that has a lot of rain, expect some downtime back in the hotel room during the day. Rained out on vacation? Make sure you have worked in some fun family activities to eliminate boredom and pack these items with you.

• Make your own Disney family shirts.
• Favorite board games and family classics like checkers and tic-tac-toe.
• Small crafting kit items, like beads, plastic lanyard material, and embroidery floss for making friendship bracelets.
• Seek out indoor locations in the area you’ll be staying. Most tourist areas or beach cities will also have family-fun indoor areas.

Read More: Panama City Beach when it rains

Beach Hazards and How to Handle Them

Nobody wants to be faced with a nasty sunburn on your beach vacation, or suffer an injury or heat stroke. Read more about beach first aid and how to deal with bugs, jellyfish stings, and sunburn.

Read More: A Dad and Paramedic Tells You What to Pack in Your Beach First Aid Kit 

It can be very easy for children to drift away from their family, especially when they’re playing in the water or along the shoreline. Keeping kids safe on vacation should be a high priority. We learned this the hard way after losing my son for a terrifying 10 minutes on a beach trip one year.

Beach Safety With Kids

Talk to kids about beach safety before you step onto the sand. Here are additional beach safety tips:

• Consider placing a colored ribbon or flag on the top of your beach umbrella so that kids can see at a glance where the rest of the family is if they drift off too far.
• Wear water shoes, even on the sand. Some beach-goers bury coals in the sand, unbeknownst to those walking. I know of a family with a young daughter who has had to undergo multiple surgeries as the result of a burn to her feet after stepping on sand-covered hot coals.
• Have kids wear a life jacket anytime they get near the water.
• Buy your kids bathing suits in a bright color so you can spot them more easily.

What to Pack for a Family Beach Vacation

Before loading up your beach bag, what you bring will depend on how and where you’re traveling. If you’re driving your car and have the trunk space, you’ll be able to pack larger beach items like a wagon, pop-up shade cover and a snack table. If you’re traveling via plane, your beach packing list is going to be minimized by the amount of luggage space you have.

Read More: The Prettiest Beach Bags You’ll Ever See!

Also be sure to check with your beach resort on what items are available to hotel guests. Some locations, like the West Inn & Suites in Carlsbad California allow guests to borrow sand toys, chairs, umbrellas and boogie boards for their day at the beach. Items like beach towels will likely still need to be brought from home.

Our Traveling Moms have been to beaches all over the world, so check out this beach day must-have list that also includes personal recommendations for popular beach items.

Naturally you’ll need to pack your day trip bag each day that you go to the beach. Take a few minutes at the end of each day to empty and reload the bag. This way it will be cleaned out and ready to go the following day! Don’t forget to make sure you have enough sunscreen left in the tube and that you’ve packed enough water and snacks.

Looking for the ultimate beach packing list?

Read More: Download Our Free Printable Beach Vacation Packing List so You Never Forget Anything Again!