This summer, my family and I will be visiting the breathtaking island of Saint John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since we are leaving fairly soon, I have started to collect everything I need to pack for the trip. While many items are fairly self explanatory, there are a few items I like to bring that may not be as obvious. For this post, I thought I would share some of my favorite essential items that I am packing.
- Snorkel Set
Saint John is known for multiple stunning beaches around the island. During our
vacation, my family plans to visit as many beaches as we can and explore the crystal clear water. Bringing my own snorkel mask and fins will make it easy to swim through the turquoise water without worrying about finding a rental. Although it may seem like a larger item to pack, the convenience is totally worth it!
- Waterproof Phone Case
I have been using waterproof phone cases for a long time for beach vacations. The ones I use are essentially sealed thick clear plastic pouch on a lanyard that allow you to have your phone on you as you swim around. I have been able to take awesome photos and videos underwater while not having to worry about leaving my phone unattended on the beach.
- Portable Speaker
Taking a portable speaker is a must bring for me to create the most relaxing atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. A little music can go a long way to set the tone for an amazing day at the beach!
- Books and Games
While I hope to be spending most of the time at the beach and in the sun, we are traveling during a potentially more rainy month in the U.S. Virgin Islands. So, it is very important to bring back up activities to do with my family. Small portable games and a book or two will be essential if we get stuck with a rainy day.
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Sunscreen and bug spray are definitely more obvious items to bring, but the bigger issue is not bringing enough! For a larger family traveling, it is easy to go through multiple bottles of sunscreen. Unfortunately, tourist pricing of sunscreen in gift shops isn’t always cheap either. So, it’s absolutely essential to bring plenty of it!