Camping On the Beach 
Like many itineraries for camping, the beach also houses its fair share of experiences and activities.
Like the woods or plain campgrounds, beaches give campers a sense of peace from the city. However, people generally only see camping as placing a tent in the woods with a lake nearby.
Well, building a tent is correct, but what about putting it on sand dunes along with the crashing waves sound? If you want to try to camp on a beach, read some tips and expectations listed below.
Choose a Beach Camping Site
Just because a sand dune near saltwater exists doesn’t mean you can set camp on it. A lot of beaches do exist, but not all can accommodate people. In addition, some beaches are used as a resort instead of a camping zone.
Knowing how your chosen beach functions helps you out tenfold. Some beaches are open to people, and some are not (for safety and environmental concerns.)
In addition, camping in season proves to be quite crowded, kissing privacy and isolation goodbye.
On the other hand, finding a beach suitable for camping now is easier. Contacting a local tourist officer helps. Checking online for such sites is by far the easiest method.
Basically, the first step in choosing a beach camping site is actually checking the site itself, whether personally or indirectly.
Mind the weather
Of course, who wouldn’t want to camp under a bright night sky, right? Indeed the weather affects the overall camping experience.
Camping out under the scorching sun or heavy rainfall ensures your camping trip fails. This should be taken seriously, especially when camping on a beach. That’s because beaches, first of all, often have unpredictable weather.
Its geographical location, being next to the ocean, brings forth several weather disturbances that’ll surely disturb your camping experience.
Temperatures dramatically drop upon night and drastically rise upon daytime. Winds with speeds up to 10 mph can surely pay a visit to most beaches.
Not to mention thunderstorms often occur during afternoons. If you still went on with your camping trip without checking the weather, then you won’t enjoy the whole experience.
Checking updates on the weather helps you drastically in planning the perfect beach camping trip. Be sure to tune in to your local news channel for weather updates.
If not, you can check it online. You really wouldn’t want to camp out on the beach, soaking wet from the rain, would you?
Bring beach-friendly camping equipment (and make a checklist)
As beach camping differs from forest camping by miles, proper and appropriate equipment must find themselves on your list. In addition, unlike that of various land campgrounds, beaches often don’t have many amenities in sight.
You have to do pretty much everything on your own, from cooking to even finding a place to relieve yourself.
Isolation can pretty much be experienced here, so without camping tools, you cannot fully enjoy the camping trip.
Be wary of mosquitoes at night, strong winds, hot weather, and the tempting sound of ocean waters (for swimming and fishing). Not to mention some physiological needs like hunger or protection.
With that, here are some of the useful equipment you must bring when going on a beach camping trip:
- Tents (ones that can withstand strong winds and with longer skates)
- Garbage Bags
- Firewood and Matches/Lighter (or a Portable Stove)
- Food and Water (and any other preferable beverages)
- First-aid Kit
- Mosquito repellent
- Lotion/Sunscreen
- Umbrellas and Sunglasses
- Flashlights and Batteries/Power banks
- Tables and Chairs (preferably folding ones)
- Kitchen and Dining utensils (plates, spoons and forks, pots, etc.)
- Clothes
- Portable toilets
- Fishing Equipment (for fishing activities)
Of course, things like beach volleyball or a surfboard can also be brought. Cell phones, radio, or any form of electronic gadgets are not really recommended, but not fully banned, however.
Again, try making a checklist of the things you should bring for beach camping. This will really help you remember all the necessary equipment to go with for a blissful camping experience.
And, as a final tip, make sure to bring kites. It’ll be mind-blowing!
Track the tides
Tides do come as an expected yet still mostly forgotten phenomena in beaches. It is a common mistake for people who plan to go beach camping.
In particular, people should avoid camping in places affected by tides, yet still, sometimes this doesn’t go as planned.
Known as a phenomenon where sea levels rise or fall due to gravitational forces, tracking tides therefore comes as a priority.
Without a doubt, failure to track the tides will jeopardize your camping trip. Setting up camp in a place where tides occur is wrong on so many levels.
Therefore, checking out how tides go on a particular beach helps. Take note of the time when a surge will happen, either a high tide or low tide.
Or better yet, camp at a spot on the beach where tides do not occur. If left with no other choice, then the option of tide checking should be prioritized to maximize your camping experience.
Remember, waking up to a flooded tent should be the last thing that you want to do.
Know the rules and regulations
Even though camping should give people a sense of freedom, some rules and regulations should still be followed. Made to maintain peace and order, authorities mandated rules also aimed to protect the place from external damages.
The basic ones such as “leave it like you found it” should already be known to all campers. However, several campgrounds, including beaches, will still have different rules and regulations other than the common ones.
In particular, camping rules on beaches often direct to preserving marine life. From the type of equipment to even the kind of sunscreen you use can be covered by it.
Some prohibit pets, while some allow them, with several conditions like keeping them leashed at all times. Other beaches actually ban people from swimming, while others allow.
Additionally, while beach camping essentially is camping on the shoreline, some only allow campers to camp at specific places.
Thinking about it, being restricted while camping can take away your enjoyment. But as a reminder, these rules were made to protect both the campers and the beach.
At the end of the day, these rules are relatively simple, so you’ll have nothing to lose when following them.
The Takeaway
Camping on beaches really does offer you the sense of serenity you long for. Just think of the ocean waves as a replacement for the chirping birds you often hear when forest camping.
Coupled with the sea breeze, staring at the shore takes all your worries away. Isn’t that what camping is all about? Escape from the big city and just have a great time for yourself?
Well, beach camping gives you a whole new meaning to the word “camping.” You just have to try it for yourself to believe it.
Author
JP Velasquez
I’m a guy who loves to write anything that comes to mind. Dreams of becoming a published writer someday. Currently working on how to make that dream a reality.
