You’ve booked your vacation and are counting down the days until you can turn on your OOO email notification and get your toes in the sand. But not so fast. Have you made your packing list yet? Because nothing ruins a beach day like forgetting the sunscreen. These essential items will make your beach day relaxed and carefree – just like any vacation should be.

Chic Beach Tote

The worst part about coming home after a day at the beach is all the unintended sand. Somehow it just gets everywhere. The CGear Sand-Free Tote bag has interlocking, “one-way sift” technology that makes sure sand stays out.

Trendy Towel

Round towels are really having a moment right now — and for good reason. Not only are they super chic, but they allow you to easily stake out your space on the beach. They're perfect if you need a play area for little ones, a spot to enjoy lunch or a larger space for lounging. This blue and white one from Revolve has a modern nautical look perfect for the beach.

Easy-to-Carry Cooler

Lugging a heavy cooler down the ocean boardwalk is not a great way to start your relaxing beach day. The YETI Hopper is more like a purse that thinks it’s a cooler and, like Yeti’s other products, maintains a promise of “ice for days.”

A Drink Glass Made for the Sand

A plastic red cup? You can do better. A beach day and a cold drink go hand-in-hand, and these plastic drink “glasses” from The Beach Glass are perfect for sipping on something fruity. They’re made from BPA-free acrylic, are dishwasher safe and will hold up to 12 ounces. The patented ball and stem design holds the glass upright in the sand. And they even float!

Water Bottle

If you’re drinking a fruity or caffeinated beverage, you’ll still need to make sure you’re getting enough H2O. Fill a BPA-free bottle and drink up.

Sunscreen

This one is obvious, but before you get to the beach to discover last year’s bottle is basically empty or even several years old, make sure you’re stocked up on a solid sunblock. We love Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55, which provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. It absorbs quickly and feels lightweight.

Beach Tent

A beach tent like this Sunbuster Folding Shelter can provide a little privacy from other beachgoers and shade from the sun. It’ll also come in handy if an unexpected rain shower strikes.

Hydrating Lip Balm

This isn’t just for the beach, but Glossier’s Balm Dotcom Coconut flavor just tastes like summer and after a long day in the sun, the all-purpose salve will keep your lips (hands, elbows, etc) smooth and hydrated.

Waterproof Speakers

What’s a beach day without a good soundtrack? Pack a portable and waterproof speaker like the one-pound VG1 speaker from Soundcast, which Business Insider calls the “best sounding speaker.”

Waterproof Phone Case

Nothing ruins a vacation like dropping your phone in water. Protect your precious device in a waterproof case like Lifeproof’s FRĒ.