Does it seem silly to share a packing list post for a weekend at the beach? I mean, all you really need is two swimsuits (one to wear while the other is drying), a cover-up, and sandals, right?
Looking for more packing list inspiration? Discover what's in my suitcase each season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
And to tell the truth, I probably could have gotten away with just those items for a recent trip to Destin.
But I always like to be prepared and ready for anything, and I really enjoy the opportunity to dress for a new environment.
This post contains affiliate links, and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links (at no additional cost to you). Many of the original items shown are no longer available, so a similar item has been linked.
Though this packing list was for my trip to Destin, I feel like it could fit in at pretty much any beach in the U.S. (and you may notice a lot of repeats from my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta!), which is why I’m sharing it today, along with what I wore each day. Let’s unpack this packing list!
DESTIN (30A) PACKING LIST
Tops
Silk Camisole | Cross-back Tank | Silk Tank | Knot Crop Tee | Crew Neck Tee | Cropped Jacket
Bottoms
Striped Skirt | Mini Skirt | Sport Shorts | Distressed Jeans
Dress
Accessories
Crossbody Pouch | Baseball Cap (non-branded option here) | Tortoiseshell Sunglasses
Shoes
Swim
Cover-Up | Bikini Top | Bikini Bottoms | One-Piece
Pajamas
Five tops and a jacket probably seem excessive for three days away, but this is Florida, and the heat is like nothing else. Sweat is a natural by-product of simply being in the Sunshine State, and it’s easy to go through more than one top in a day (and I prefer to stick to black to hide it as best I can).
I packed one dress for dinner out, and two skirts for the daytime, as I prefer them to shorts in the heat. You’ll also find there are no closed-toed shoes here! I stuck to a color palette primarily composed of rust, black, and blue, with a smidge of olive and cream for good measure.
30A OUTFITS
We didn’t have too much planned in advance for our time in Destin, so I took advantage of having those extra tops and wore each one (because, why not?). There’s nothing earth-shattering about these combinations, but I’m good with that.
Friday
Friday evening was mostly spent in the car driving to Destin, and once we arrived we enjoyed a late dinner at Craft Bar. This outfit was perfectly comfy for the drive, and also fit in well at the gastropub!
—
Saturday
morning
We woke up early on Saturday morning, threw on our swimsuits, and drove over to Okaloosa Island to collect our SUP rentals. Still recovering from a bad sunburn on my legs, I wore my shorts during the paddle and strapped my shirt and shoes onto the board. A baseball cap isn’t really my style, but I’m glad I brought it along to protect my face.
lunch
A quick shower felt refreshing after our active morning, and I threw on the first thing I grabbed to venture out for lunch and to explore Destin. I wore this outfit in Puerto Vallarta, so I knew it would work well in this beach town too. I’m not a huge fan of baring my midriff, but when wearing the skirt at my natural waist, the top only reveals an inch of skin at most.
beach
After lunch and fighting off a siesta, it was back to the beach for us. While you’ll undoubtedly see people walking through the streets in their swimwear, I prefer to save that only for the beach. A simple cotton cover-up makes all the difference (and lets you into places to get ice cream!).
dinner
Most beach towns have a more casual feel to them, and you can usually get away with wearing something a little less dressy. The silk of this dress felt nice and cool on my skin after a day in the sun.
—
Sunday
morning
Our Sunday morning plans to visit Henderson Beach State Park were thwarted by threats of rain. We did take a morning stroll down to the water and watched for a bit as the storm rolled in. There’s nothing quite like that juxtaposition of dark sky and light water.
driving
The drive home was punctuated with unplanned stops along the route to simply get out and explore. We found some lovely bakeries and great people-watching spots. Not knowing where we’d end up, I wore a simple silk cami and skirt, which ended up being essential for combating the heat.
*Many of the items listed are no longer available and I've linked a similar product
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR DESTIN AND 30A
Over the years I’ve learned it’s best not to overthink packing for the beach. Easy, mix-and-match basics that can stand up to the salt and sand are going to carry their weight much further than fussy garments. At least here in the South, beach style veers very casual, and a tee and shorts will get you in the door at most restaurants.
Of course, there are a couple of other items not pictured that are essential for the beach: a beach towel, a sun hat, a good book, and sunscreen (so don’t forget them!).
—
Questions for you
Do you have any summer beach trips planned?
What is your favorite beach activity?
Enjoyed this post? You may also like:
- Weekend Travel Guide for Destin, Florida (30A)
- A Lazy Beach Getaway in John’s Pass + What I Packed
- Traveling Light: A Packing List for Jacksonville, Florida
- Traveling Light: Alabama Road Trip Packing List
- Day-Tripping: What it’s like to fly somewhere for the day and everything I packed for a day in New Orleans
- Traveling Light: Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach Packing List
- Traveling Light: Packing List for Beaufort, South Carolina
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Packing List
- Traveling Light: St. Croix Packing List
- Traveling Light: Cartagena, Colombia Packing List
- My Flight Got Canceled and All I Had To Wear Was This Dress
- All Travel Guides by Destination
- Avelo Airlines Review
- Checking In: Hotel Reviews
- Shop My Closet
- Exclusive Promo Codes + Discounts
- All of My Packing Lists
