Planning your Kiawah Island vacation will be a very exciting process! After you book your vacation rental with Akers Ellis, you still have several steps to take. Are you traveling by car or plane? What tourist attractions do you plan to visit? With all the great places to eat on the islands and in Charleston, how are you going to narrow that list down?!
But probably the main reason you chose to vacation on the coast is the beach. You plan to have a great time with your friends and family playing in the waves, walking the sandy shores and just lounging in the sun. Here are a few quick tips to make sure you prepare well for your beach trip.
1. Bring your own chair. You may believe a towel is enough for a trip to the beach, especially if you’re a first timer. But laying on that sand isn’t as soft as the way it feels between your toes. Do some searching and find a chair that will allow you to relax after catching some waves.
2. Your body isn’t the only thing that needs protection from the sun. Don’t get us wrong… sunblock is vital. This is one area where you do not want to skimp. Get the good stuff and use lots of it. But don’t forget about your eyes as well. Your eyes aren’t used to the sun’s rays. Purchase some good protection for your eyes but please remember to take them off before you dive in the water!
3. Bags, bags, bags! Beach bags, trash bags, Ziploc bags… they are all essential.
- Beach bags just make lugging all that stuff around easier. Sunscreen, beach towels, hats, flip flops, speakers, cell phones, cameras… the list keeps going! Have a good beach bag so you don’t lose anything.
- Trash bags are not only for trash (although they will come in handy for this). You can also put wet bathing suits and sandy towels into trash bags to keep them separate from your dry and sand-less items.
- Ziploc bags are the most cost-efficient way to keep sand out of your cell phone. One time forgetting these baggies and you will never forget again.
4. Safety first! Know what a rip current (also known as a rip tide) is and how to escape one. There are three main rules:
- Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
- Don't fight the current. Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
- If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water.
5. Stay hydrated. Playing games on the beach is always fun, but remember to hydrate while you’re in the sun. Your body’s natural cooling system can only do so much against heat and humidity. Heat related illnesses can quickly bring a fun vacation to a halt. Stay safe, drink plenty of water.
Keep these tips in mind during your planning process and stay safe and happy on the beach. And stay tuned for more vacation tips about Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and the rest of the Charleston area!