I don’t know about y’all, but a good day on the beach is one of my favorite things in this world. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. It’s what we dream of while we’re at work or school. It’s what we plan with friends and family when we desperately need a vacation. Hawaii is one of the top destinations in the world for a reason. Below is a guide to have what I would classify as the “Perfect Beach Day”.
So, relax and enjoy a nice daydream as I guide you along this wonderful vision of a day in a summer vacation. There is no right answer to this question as everyone likes different things, but this is my own fantasy. Feel free to make your own and let me know what changes you would make!
First of all, here is a list of everything you will need:
- Beach chair
- Sunscreen (for obvious reasons)
- Friends/family
- A watermelon (sliced)
- Umbrella or tent
- Beach games (cornhole, ladder-ball, football, etc.)
- A good book
- Towel
- Shovel
- Beer (I suggest Corona with a lime) or your favorite non-alcoholic beverage
- Cooler
- Speaker
Step 1: Arrival/Setup
For the perfect beach day, it’s all about spending the most time on the beach as possible. For that reason, Step 1 begins at sunrise. That’s right, sunrise! Before the beach gets overcrowded and overheated, the sunrise is the perfect time to enjoy incredible views and start your day off as best you can. I live on St. Simons Island, Georgia, and the sun rises directly over the water. It is my favorite time to be on the beach.
Work as a team with your friends or family to carry all of the equipment listed above down to your chosen spot on the sand. Set up the tent, your chairs, towels, etc. and sit down to enjoy a spectacular display of colors in the sky. Because of this peaceful start, the rest of your day has a firm foundation of a good memory.
Step 2: Play on the beach
Now that the sun has risen, your perfect day by the ocean has begun. The early part of the day is the time to be active and play. So, grab that football and start throwing it around with your buddies. Pick up that shovel and start digging the deepest hole that you can. Play your beach games, throw your frisbee, etc. Most importantly, this is the time to have fun! Realize that you’re at the beach. This is your vacation, the thing you’ve been looking forward to.
Also, don’t forget to be grateful for this time with your family and friends. They are what make moments like these so special.
Step 3: lunch
In order to have the perfect beach day, you’re going to need some food. Now that you’ve been busy playing and basking in the sun, you’ve probably worked up a pretty decent appetite. There are a few options for how you can handle getting lunch on a beach day.
The first is to select one or two people from your group to hop in their car and bring back lunch for the whole group. This is a great option but might be a bummer if you are the one chosen to go grab lunch.
The second option is to pack a lunch in your cooler. This is your simple and easy lunch option. Just make some sandwiches at home and bring them with you. That way, no one in your group has to leave the beach.
The third option, and my personal favorite, is to order delivery to the beach. Whenever you start getting hungry, just call up Dominos (or your preferred restaurant that delivers), place your group’s order, and wait patiently for the delivery driver to bring your food directly to the beach. This is a service that you really can’t beat.
Step 4: Relax
After you have spent a couple of hours running around, digging, or swimming, as well as eating a tasty lunch, it’s time to take a break and relax for a while. So, take a seat, snag a book, and crack open a beer (or Gatorade if you would rather hydrate). This is one of my favorite times out on the beach; when I am able to shut out the world around me and just enjoy my time.
I suggest taking an hour or two to bask in the shade of your tent/umbrella and dive deep into a great fantasy novel (Game of Thrones or Harry Potter take the cake). Crack open a Corona, add a lime to it, and lose yourself in another world as the waves crash around you and the wind blows through your hair. To top it all off, take out that watermelon I told you to bring earlier, and nibble on a slice or two.
Step 5: Enjoy the sunset
End the day on a high note by watching the sunset with your friends and family. Talk with one another about the day’s highlights, or plan future beach trips. This is the time to spend 100% focused on the people you came here with. This is your chance to be wholly yourself with those you love. Take these moments and make a conscious memory. Moments like these don’t come every day, but when they do, be sure not to waste them.
As the sun sets, lift up your glass and raise a toast to those who spent this day with you. Cheers to many more days like this.