Packing list: 1 week beach resort – carry on edition

Packing for a beach vacation into a carry-on is entirely manageable and actually very straightforward, with plenty of space for “extras”. Our family has been traveling with carry-on only for a little while now, and it has made traveling days so much easier (not to mention makes unpacking at the end of a trip that much more manageable).

This packing list contains items for beach vacations that are a little more active, which is the type of traveling we prefer! We enjoying lounging on the beach, but also make time for plenty of snorkelling and other water activities, and trips off the resort.

We’ll distill our packing list into a beach list, a resort list, an activities list, and an on-board flight list. If you are spending your week solely in your all-inclusive resort, simply use the list for the sections that apply to you (beach and resort). If you’re not traveling with children, simply skip the kid-centric items!

Beach packing list

This is the most straightforward section!

• 3-4 swimsuits for every member of the family (you could be going into the water multiple times a day, and will have to hang-dry your swimwear in between uses.)

• 1-2 rash guards (even if you’re not doing any activities, almost guaranteed you’ll have a day where you get too much sun and will want to cover up more the next day!)

• 2 coverups (ladies) – 1 button down linen shirt and 1 dress will give you some variety

• Sunglasses

• 1 sunhat or cap – we recommend a packable straw one

• Reef-safe sunscreen (we always prefer a mineral based sunscreen for getting into the water, as you don’t want to harm the local ecosystem. These admittedly don’t last quite as long, and may need to be applied more frequently)

• Goggles

• 1 pair of beach sandals or flip flops

• Reusable plastic or mesh bag (for hauling your gear from your room to the beach. You can get a “beach bag”, but these don’t pack down well. They’re also usually straw or fabric, and sand always gets stuck at the bottom. We found mesh bags to be the perfect solution.)

• 1 collapsible beach bucket and shovel per kid

• 1 inflatable beach ball (better for the pool than the beach)

• *Optional: insulated tumbler with straw to keep drinks cool. (A regular tumbler is fine as well, especially if your resort uses disposable plastic cups. They are also larger, meaning less trips needed to the bar.)

• *Optional: underwater camera or action camera, or an underwater pouch to house your phone

Resort packing list

During the day, you can walk around the resort in your swimwear, beach sandals, and coverup. This list is mostly for the evenings and other activities many resorts regularly offer on site. Most people dress up for dinner and evening entertainment. This is usually not a requirement for their buffets, but many specialty dining restaurants at resorts specify long pants or dresses.

• 2 pairs of casual shorts or skirts (to get you around the resort when you want to be dry)

• 1-2 pairs of slacks or trousers (men)

• 7 tops (button down – long or short, polos, blouses, t-shirts) OR equivalent in dresses/rompers – basically one for every day you are at the resort. Some people enjoy dressing up more than others, and may opt for a casual outfit during the day and something dressier at night. Because we are light packers, we tend to choose things that are multipurpose (eg. a romper than can be more casual during the day and elevated with accessories for the evening.)

• 1 pair of resort shoes or sandals – we recommend slip ons for men, or ballet flats or casual sandals for women, which can serve as both casual walking shoes and pair with your dressier clothes.)

• 1 purse – for your accessories and tips when going to dinner in the evenings. (A straw cross-body bag is great for a resort vibe.)

• 2 pairs of pyjamas

• 1 pair of athletic wear – mostly hotels will offer things like tennis, golf/mini golf, archery, or even horseback riding. If you want to try some of these things, best to bring a set of comfortable gym clothes

• Insect repellent (those suckers always come out at night)

• Toiletries bag

• First-aid bag

• Water bottle – most resorts will provide disposable bottles of water at restaurants/bars and in yours rooms. But it’s more environmentally friendly to bring your own, and have the restaurant or bar fill it up for you. Also good to have for any day trips.

• Change in US dollars or the local currency – for tipping. For 1 week at a resort, we recommend bringing at least 400 USD in small change. (Easy tipping guideline: think $1/drink. $5 everywhere else (for a family of 4), including resort buffets, room cleaning, baggage handling. $5 PER person for specialty dining, tour guides)

Activities/day trip packing list

Of course, this really depends on what you plan on doing. Popular activities offered by resorts include snorkelling trips, local nature or cultural experiences (for example, jungle treks, volcano hikes, exploring ruins), and tours into the nearby city or town.

• Snorkelling gear – rental gear is usually available, but we recommend bringing your own mask and snorkel. Fins are great, but won’t fit into a carry on. (We did manage to pack the kids’ fins, as they had lots of space left in their carry on.) Having your own gear handy is great for snorkelling around the beach or resort. Even when taking a snorkelling tour, we always feel more comfortable with our own masks. Bringing gear for the kids is also a good way to ensure they’ll have the right size.

• Water shoes – great for all water activities and walks along rocky beaches

• Backpack – a sturdy day-pack for your day trips

• Good walking shoes – we can typically get away with a good pair of sturdy sandals (like Birkenstocks), hiking sandals (think Keens, or Teva), or a pair of waterproof sneakers for most resort day trips. These shoes tend to be bulkier and we’d recommend wearing these on the plane.

• Change in US dollars or the local currency – for tipping or buying small souvenirs. Depending on where you are, a fanny pack for your money and valuables may be helpful.

On-board/flight packing list

• Passports
• Health card, driver’s license, credit/debit card
• Phone/devices and charging cable
• Headphones (if you want to connect to the in-flight entertainment system, make your you have a *wired* pair)
• Camera
• Snacks – we always pack a selection of granola bars, meat jerkies, trail mix. Good for traveling days and ALSO for when kids inexplicably get hungry between meals at the resort. The before-breakfast “I’m huuuuuungry” is just the worst.
• Travel activity bag for kids (check our our activity bag for toddlers, preschoolers, elementary kids)