Aside from scuba diving, snorkeling, island hopping, and other water activities, another great way to spend time on the beach is by camping. You can go beach camping with your friends or with your whole family. Spend time catching up with one another by the bonfire while roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate, or lie under the open sky and do some stargazing. Then the next day, you will wake up next to the pounding surf while breathing in that ocean air. Sounds good, right?
But when it comes to beach camping, there are also some things you should consider having in order for you to have a great time. If you want to make your next beach camping trip an amazing experience, here are some tips you can follow.
Where to Go Beach Camping
Of course, before you head out, you should first decide where you are going to go beach camping. Most beaches are crowded during summer that’s why it’s best to go beach camping in the offseason. In deciding where to camp, there are two choices, either in a beach where its facility is designed for camping or go primitive camping on remote beaches.
If you choose to go camping on a beach with facilities designed for it, it’s likely that you will have electricity, water, bathrooms, and showers there which are really helpful. But if you choose to go on a primitive beach camping, then you might need to know a few beach camping tips because it is typically for a more experienced camper.
Once you’ve decided where you’ll go beach camping you will now be able to pack your things accordingly.
Bring Beach-Specific Supplies
Just like any other camping trips, you need to bring some basic supplies when you go beach camping. Some of the basic supplies you can bring are a tent, tarp, sleeping bag, and cooking tools. Aside from the basic supplies, another essential thing you can bring is a dustpan and brush. It’s because they can brush off the sand and keep your tent clean.
One more important thing that you should not forget is sun protection. Other than sunscreen lotions, you can also bring wide-brimmed hats. And if you have a car, you can also take a beach umbrella with you. These things will come in handy if ever you’ll not be able to secure a site on the beach with shade.
Track the Tides
Before going to the beach, try to check the tide charts first for you to know when the peak high and low tides will be in that area. When you arrive on the beach, try to pitch your tent further away from the water. Though it’s quite tempting to set it up near the shoreline, it’s certain that you don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night with a tent full of salt water.
You can also look for a line left by debris that was washed up during the previous day’s high tide period, and pitch your tent about 20 feet back from that line. But remember to still monitor the tide as the peak high tide time gets closer. And that’s where a professional scuba diving service like scuba diving St George Utah can help you with their expertise and knowledge of the local area, ensuring that your beach camping trip is not only enjoyable but also safe.
Stay Away from the Dunes
Dunes are natural barriers from the water but they also contain plant life that is vital for that environment. No matter how tempting it is to step on the hills of sand, remember that they house vulnerable vegetation that can be easily affected by human interference. You can just admire their awesomeness but make sure to keep your hands, feet, and everything to yourself.
Start a Fire
Your beach camping trip will not be complete without a bonfire. But before starting one, make sure that beach campfires are permitted on where you’re camping, most especially when you’re primitive camping.
If you find it difficult to light your campfire because of the wind, you can dig a hole in the sand or use some rocks as a barrier from the wind. If you’re camping in an area with brush, you should be extremely careful with campfire safety because the dry conditions can be a fire hazard. To extinguish the campfire, cover it with sand then pour water on it to fully quench it.
Take Your Things Inside
Beaches tend to be hot and sunny, but when the night time comes, it starts to get foggy and damp. Therefore, before sleeping, make sure that you pack away all the things that you prefer to keep dry. You can also set up a rain fly in case of unexpected showers or heavy doses of dew.
Leave No Trace
After having an enjoyable time camping on the beach, it’s important to clean up your campsite as well. Beaches are indeed beautiful, and as a camper, it’s your responsibility to keep them that way. Before you leave, make sure that you take with you all the trash from your camping trip. You should leave the place looking as beautiful as it looked when you arrived.
Being prepared will certainly help you in having a great beach camping trip. But no matter how you do it, camping on the beach with your friends or family is one of the greatest and most enjoyable activity you can experience. We hope these tips will help you have a good time camping.