It's days before your vacation
and it's time to start packing... but you don't know where to start! We've all been there and we know that putting packing off until the last minute is how important items get left at home. Luckily, you've got our expert advice on what necessities will need space in your suitcase. Instead of stressing the little details, focus on counting down the days until your trip and leave the packing list to us!
All Island Realty vacation rentals come equipped with a convenient starter set of common household items that you'll need during your stay. Here's a list of some of the items provided in your rental:
- Coffee maker & tea kettle
- Pots & Pans
- Wine Glasses & Bottle Opener
- Food Storage Containers
- Microwave
- Blender
- Toaster
- An initial set of toilet paper, trash bags, paper towels, soap, dishwashing soap, and dishwasher detergent.
- These items are not replenished once they run out, so if you're staying for more than the weekend (or are a messy cook like me), you should plan to bring extra supplies you may need during your stay, or purchase them after you arrive
While your rental property will come with the foundational things you need, there are some grocery items you may decide to pick up during your stay. These are things you can easily buy once you arrive at one of our local grocery stores or by ordering with OPIE Groceries. Some common purchases include:
- Extra Paper Goods
- Coffee / Coffee Filters
- Additional laundry detergent
- Groceries (food, snacks, drinks, etc.)
- Bug spray & sunscreen
- Beach chairs, umbrellas, etc. (or use our Add-Ons page to rent these items!)
Now it's time to start packing your bags! Here are some local favorite items (recommended by locals based on their experience - no affiliated links here!). We also put together a downloadable checklist to help you stay organized and make packing stress-free.
Promising Review: "Love the pricing and ease of ordering online and paying online. Our chairs were set up exactly in front of The Palms oceanfront hotel with our last name on a tag. Good quality chairs and umbrella! Will be using this company again." - Stephanie G
Promising Review: "I used this at the beach on my scalp and it did not get burnt. The top of my head always gets burnt along my part, but this helped it not get burnt!! Plus it smells amazing!" - Kelly G
Get it on Amazon for $16.99
Promising Review: "Loved that this sunscreen gave fabulous protection while not washing off quickly. The best we have ever tried in that regard - the water droplets just fall off, and skin is dryish again when the cream is on. Even at 50 SPF, 4 hours in the direct sun at the beach for 3 days left us bronzed and not burned." - Christine
Get a 5-fluid oz. tube on Amazon for $14.99
Promising review: "This water bottle is awesome! It has an inside straw that I can use or if I am feeling I need more faster I can just pour it. Best of both worlds. The cap covers the whole top so that no germs get in which is a big must for me! Love how it keeps ice cold all day long with fresh-tasting water! it is a must to have while hiking because it's so durable!" -Kayla
Get a 24oz FreeSip on Amazon for $27.94+ or from owalalife.com for $27.99
Promising Review: "I absolutely will never not have one of these, they work so perfectly and I love the beach but I do not want to always have sand all over my car - this takes care of this problem. I have given them to my whole family" - JoAnne T
Get it on Amazon for $24.99
Promising Review: "I love this bag for summer. So many pockets to organize everything! A big central area for bulky items, even a dry pocket to keep your phone/ whatever dry or sand-free. Excited to take this to the beach! " -Sarah P
Get it from Amazon for $8.99+
Promising Review: "As someone who's notorious for dropping their phone at the worst possible moments, this pouch has been a total game-changer for my beach and pool outings. The seal on this pouch is no joke. I tested it by submerging my phone in water and it came out completely dry. The clear windows on both sides make it easy to take photos and use the touchscreen without removing the phone. It's saved my phone from countless watery disasters and let me focus on having fun in the sun without worrying about tech tragedies. Highly recommend!" - Alexandra
Get a 2-pack on Amazon for $9.99
Stay cool by the pool with a personal rechargeable fan
Promising Review: "These little fans are amazing. They are powerful. I have purchased them for everyone in my home and have recommended them to friends and family and everyone loves them. I even bought an extra for myself since I like pink and purple. Fits perfectly in my fanny pack and the battery lasts all day and still has power the next day." -Alma R
Get it on Amazon for $6.99
Optimize your trunk space with collapsable beach toys
Promising Review: "This bucket and shovel set had everything we needed at the beach. The convenience of being able to fold the buckets saved so much space in our luggage. The colors were bright and attractive. The mesh bag made it convenient to rinse out the sand stuck to the tools and buckets. I will be going back to the beach with this set!!" -JCH
Get it on Amazon for $17.99
Or better yet, rent your beach games from Beach and Games To Go. The Earth thanks you!
Promising Review: "Paula is absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to deliver our rental items to us in a convenient location, at a convenient time, and with a smile. We rented games, chairs and tents for a family reunion and they were a hit. Everyone walking by wanted to know where we got everything. I absolutely recommend this company- the customer service and communication is the best." - Sarika V
When booking online, use code ISLANDREALTY5 to save 5% on your order.
Protect your eyes from the sun with a pair of trendy sunglasses
Promising Review: "These are great, stylish sunglasses! They are holding up too! The design of these is similar to more expensive sunglasses I've seen! Comfortable, cheap, stylish, and effective! Give them a try!" -JacquiD.
Get them on Amazon for $15.99
Keep your snacks out of the sand with a collapsable beach table
Promising Review: "These tab les are great. They are sturdy and lightweight, but hold up great and don't tip over in the sand. Perfect for the beach. No assembly- just pops open and is easy to wipe down"
Get it on Amazon for $27.99
Settle in with a good book like the aptly named, Beach Read
Promising Review: "I absolutely loved this book! I could not put it down. Yes, some parts are cliché, but it is so well written. I loved how descriptive it was and felt transported to each location. I will definitely re-read when I need a cozy palate cleanser." - Whitney
Get it (paperback) on Amazon for $9.33, at Barnes and Noble for $13.99, or at Target for $9.33
Don't let your lips burn in the sun. Make sure to pack SPF lip balm like these from Burt's Bees
Promising Review: "I have such a difficult time finding lip balm with SPF that does not taste like lotion. These flavors are perfect and do not taste like sun tan lotion at all! I spend the majority of my summer on the ball field and day after day, this lip balm protects my lips from the sun perfectly. I keep one in every sports bag, my purse, and my car. I will not leave home without it." - Erin
Get a three-pack on Amazon for $9.99, or a single-pack from Walmart for $4.79
Capture treasured memories with an underwater camera
Promising Review: "I got this Camera for my daughter and she absolutely loves it! It's easy for her to use and the waterproof feature is fantastic. She takes it everywhere, from the pool to our beach trips. The picture quality is great and the fun frames and filters add an extra layer of creativity. Highly recommend!" - Hanh P
Get it on Amazon for $39.99
Water shoes are a great way to protect your feet from painful oyster shells
Bringing little ones on your trip? We love using Solar Buddies to make sunscreen application a little easier
Promising Review: "I recently tried the Solar Buddies Refillable Roll-On Sponge Applicator, and it has quickly become a must-have for my family's sun protection needs. The roll-on sponge applicator makes applying sunscreen a breeze, especially for kids who often resist sunscreen application. I love that it's refillable, allowing us to use our preferred sunscreen. It's small enough to pack in a carry-on and leak-proof so I don't have to worry about spills or messes in my bag, plus it's easy to clean and maintain. I highly recommend it." - Yan-Tran
Keep the sun out of your eyes with this popular sunhat
Promising Review: "I have always worn beach hats with a full brim. When lounging in the sun, that caused problems for me comfort-wise. I decided to take a chance on this hat. I liked that it has no brim in the back so I can lean back on the beach chair with ease. This purchase proved to be perfect. I have a larger head and there was ample room to adjust the hat comfortably. It's also super easy to put on and take off and store in a suitcase or beach bag. The brim in the front was quite large and protected my face. This is a win!" -JMilwaukee
Get it on Amazon for $19.99
Make sure that your phone is always charged with a portable charger
Promising Review: "This charger has quickly become an essential part of my daily carry. As someone who is always on the go, having a reliable power bank is crucial. One of the things I appreciate most about this charger is its compatibility. It works seamlessly with a wide range of devices, so whether I'm charging my iPhone, Samsung, or even my iPad, this power bank handles it all. The USB-C in&out feature is particularly convenient, allowing me to charge the power bank itself quickly and then use the same port to charge my devices. It's a true game-changer for staying powered up on the go." - Amazon User
Get it on Amazon for $17.99
If you have any questions regarding your reservation or what you will need feel free to contact our guest services team.
*Product availability is based on the time of the original post. Recommendations are made based on personal experience - no affiliate links here! Photos are the property of the individual business/product that they depict. The reviews in this post may have been edited for length and clarity.
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