Spending the day at the beach is one of the best ways to enjoy the sun, sand and waves. And you can make your day even better by bringing the right supplies with you to ensure you have everything you need for the day. Here are some beach items that I like to take with me:

Toiletries: Sunscreen is a must when you’re out in the sun all day. Lather up to make sure you’re avoiding sunburn. I also like to wear a hat with a wide brim to protect my face from the sun and also some lip balm and sunglasses.

Entertainment: It’s always fun to have frisbees, volleyballs, and sandcastle building items on the beach. Or if you’re looking for a relaxing day, bring a good book to read and an mp3 player to listen to music. Depending on the beach, you may also consider bringing snorkel gear so you can spend some time seeing the beauty that lies below the water.

Food: You can bring food or buy it near the beach. I usually bring a cooler with some cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks. Any other type of snack works great, crackers and chips are good to go with lunch. Make sure you stay well hydrated as you will be in the sun all day, it is smart to bring a few bottles of water for each person in the group.

Cash: Many of the eating and shopping establishments near the beach prefer cash, so it’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand just in case. Otherwise, keep a credit card handy because it can be used at some of the vendors.

And of course, don’t forget your beach towel! The bigger the better, because it will be a great way to dry off and relax on the sand.