Beach Day Packing Essentials
![Woman on beach](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/meta-images/womanonbeach-v1556739295.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=f29205145c9d0dfb660a8a39916881ca 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/meta-images/womanonbeach-v1556739295.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=12438d6606e9e6b9fbcc539a1848b761 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/meta-images/womanonbeach-v1556739295.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=f00edf00d78bde6783b77497ff607ceb 750w)
Pack these must-haves in your beach bag to make the most of your time in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beach.
Florida’s Historic Coast has 42 miles of Atlantic coastline that stretches from Ponte Vedra in the North to Marineland in the South. With that much beach to see and enjoy, you will be glad you brought along this perfect list of beach essentials.
1. Sunscreen
Be careful with your skin, because the sun’s rays can be damaging. Even if it is cloudy or overcast, you can still get a burn. And be sure to reapply sunscreen often, especially after going into the water. You can find sunscreen at any local beach shop, drug store, or grocery store.
2. Water
And plenty of it! Try to avoid too many sugary soft drinks or juices. You will stay better hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
3. Sunglasses & Hat
More than just a great fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. A wide-brimmed hat offers great protection, too! Look for hats, sunglasses and swimwear at St. Augustine Premium Outlets. Looking for something more classic? Check out the fine hand-woven fedoras at The Panama Hat Company on St. George Street.
4. Towel
A great multi-purpose item to bring with you to the beach. Spread it out for a place to lounge or use it after a swim in the ocean.
5. Snacks
You are welcome to bring your own food to the beaches. However, please be courteous and deposit all your trash at a nearby trash can or recyclables in designated receptacles. If there’s not a trash can nearby, please take it with you. If all of that sun has you hungry for more than snacks, check out the burgers at Salt Life Food Shack and Harvest & Reel, both of which are conveniently located near the shore.
6. Beach Chair & Umbrella
If you’ve driven into St. Augustine or Ponte Vedra for your vacation, you may have had room to bring along your favorite beach chair. But if you’ve flown, you probably don’t have a beach chair at the ready. Some condos or hotels provide chairs for their guests for free or rent. Barney’s Beach Service can deliver and set up your beach chairs and umbrellas to most locations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. They also retrieve them at the end of the day.
7. Surfboard, Boogie Board or Skimboard
If you didn’t bring your own and you want to have more fun in the ocean than just a swim, try a surfboard, boogie board, or skimboard. You can rent surfboards, paddleboards, kayaks, wetsuits, and more from Pit Surf Shop. Barney’s also delivers boards.
8. Bucket or Container
Kids of all ages love to take home souvenirs. Seashells make a perfect memento, and hunting for them is the best part. The beaches along the GTM Research Reserve between Vilano Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach are the best for shelling. At Mickler’s Beach in Ponte Vedra, you may even find a shark’s tooth.
Beach wheelchairs are available upon request at no charge on a first-come, first-serve basis by St. Johns County, with a three-day advance reservation. To reserve, please call 904-209-0752. If the county’s beach wheelchairs are not available, there are several companies you can rent from including Barney’s Beach Services or Solano Cycle of St. Augustine.
For more facts and suggestions, visit St. Johns County Beaches Department or download the "Reach the Beach" app for the most current driving conditions and other beach information.
Explore More
![a rainbow striped umbrella shades white sandy beaches at Crescent Beach](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/CRESCENT_BEACH-v1555620971.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=5f7cd4569bc8b710f751d100405266b5 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/CRESCENT_BEACH-v1555620971.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=a2e8fb06aaf2accc379194b82cc50596 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/CRESCENT_BEACH-v1555620971.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=0b8e5b89823936d2eded96870d35c74a 768w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/CRESCENT_BEACH-v1555620971.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=6501f5b217bebfc702b5461f2e4da6a5 1024w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/CRESCENT_BEACH-v1555620971.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=fa2aa5bee0c146ae2b56524ad9a71a15 1200w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/CRESCENT_BEACH-v1555620971.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=6f4b6cb02dcc32a3c38f7b92dd2032ad 1440w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/CRESCENT_BEACH-v1555620971.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=fcfe48f5a7571e705cf29faa6a6a8baa 1620w)
Crescent Beach
This might be your new happy place.
![North Beach Skim Board Girls FHC agency shot](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/North-Beach-SkimBoard_Girl-v1559944418.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=8d22605517fad8198e05c50cb6745a4f 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/North-Beach-SkimBoard_Girl-v1559944418.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=0d4b087805c13be43cdb95ed2003466b 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/North-Beach-SkimBoard_Girl-v1559944418.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=79b2f1b84c9a09238091c7f27a33f12a 750w)
Choose Your Adventure on St. Augustine-Area Beaches
Go Birding, Boarding or Boating
![Beach Family](https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Beach-Family-v15825645390.31260.4393.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=aca79e14e39fbf878b267f23953ed519 320w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Beach-Family-v15825645390.31260.4393.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=ae0daec1611dc2e1087548f0a6760147 540w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Beach-Family-v15825645390.31260.4393.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=e1ea936b68d03cbfa15639efd5171947 768w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Beach-Family-v15825645390.31260.4393.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=f74a12c8efbede6140cf5c405bbc6e0f 1024w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Beach-Family-v15825645390.31260.4393.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=00afe03bae03bdb489a755dec966dbe1 1200w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Beach-Family-v15825645390.31260.4393.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=960&q=80&w=1440&s=903fc6b9af450ebe5a77cd4dda9042da 1440w, https://fl-historic-coast.imgix.net/images/Beach-Family-v15825645390.31260.4393.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1280&q=80&w=1920&s=e566e62371b220a589e07eeecac0d794 1620w)
Beaches along Florida’s Historic Coast are Perfect for Families!
Claim your beach. There are plenty to choose from and lots to do.
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