We’re approaching 6 months here on Oahu. It seems like just the other day we turned over our keys to our NYC apartment and jumped on an 11 hour flight. It’s been a pretty wild adventure. We’ve had some of the most memorable experiences here. I know we’ll always look back at this time fondly.
We try to make it to the beach as a family every day. Not necessarily for full on beach days, but at for at least morning walks with Chauncey or to watch sunset. But at least once a week we try to do a full beach day. We’ll pick a new beach we want to see, or go to one of our favorites and spend a good portion of the day. We quickly found that we were always super unsorganized, lugging stuff back and forth to the beach so we came up with a system with all our beach gear and honestly it’s made our beach trips so much more enjoyable. We can load up, set up and tear down in minutes. Partly due to the fact that we have everything in one place, but also because we’ve narrowed down our necessities. After many beach trip fails where we realized we either forgot something, or packed too much, we now know exactly what we need so I thought I’d share with you our must have beach gear for the ultimate beach trip.
- Beach wagon – We have the Beach ComberΒ and this is a must for us. It’s great for so many reasons. We actually just pile all of our other gearΒ in the wagon and leave it there when we aren’t using it, so it doubles as our beach storage when we’re not at the beach. It’s also great for easy transport in and out of the car. David just wheels it up, picks it up with everything in it, and puts it in the back of the mini van, fully unfolded and full. Or you can collapse it down to store it out of the way and fit it into smaller car trunks. Both the kids can fit in the wagon too, and when dragging all your stuff to the beach, you usually don’t have free hands so that’s really helpful, and they love it. But Atticus usually likes to pull it anyway. It has huge wheels for the sand which is necessary but the front two wheels are a little too close together in my opinion, so you have to be careful not to tip it over. But it’s the best sand wagon we’ve encountered. Most other collapsible wagonsΒ have wheels that are wayΒ too narrow.
- Umbrella – David actually found this Neso tent online and we love it – our favorite beach purchase! I think he mainly just gets a kick out of the fact that every time we use it, people stop to ask him about it. It’s prettyΒ genius and so easy to set up. Each corner has a tether and a stretch sand bag as an anchor. So you fill up all 4 bags and prop it up the two poles, kind of in whatever configuration you want depending on the wind and sun direction. It does greatΒ in wind too. Not too heavy of wind, but by that time, if it’s that windy, we’ve probably already left. Β When the wind is too heavy though, you can also just bury the bags on the windward side, like we ended up doing in this post. It handled the wind like a champ. We also have this Sunday Supply co umbrella that I love. You may have seen it in this post.. It’s a little bigger but it’s beautiful and really strong. You may remember when we were at Makua Beach, before we had this one and the story of ourΒ flimsy umbrella and how it blewΒ into the ocean and we had to fish it out. This one does a lot better!
- Beach blanket – I love this one I got from Nordstrom. Mainly because its colorful, lightweight, and folds up nice and small.
- Towels – Also from Nordstrom, one of the first purchases I made when we got here and we use them almost every day. I actually also really like these Dock & Bay ones too. At first I was a little thrown off because the material isn’t exactly soft, comforting towel material, more a microfiber. But they dry great, work amazing as wraps, and break the wind really nicely. We did a boat ride/snorkel the other week and it was freezing after and I wrapped it around me and couldn’t feel any of the wind on the ride back.
- Cooler – I love our SunnylifeΒ coolerΒ because yeah it’s so cute, but also because it’s tall, so it doesn’t take up a lot of space in the wagon. It works great. We actually travel with it occasionally too.
- Beach bag – I got this one from Shopbop (now sold out there) during their sale before we came to Hawaii. I love it because it is colorful and has a drawstring canvas closure on top. There are TONS of cute ones similar on Shopbop, Revolve, and Nordstrom. LOVE this one, this one, and this one!
- Water bottles – I know vacuum insulated water bottles are all the rage right now, and for good reason. They work. We love Hydro flask and have them in pretty much every style. We love the ones with wide mouth and the sport cap.
- Speakers – We got the UE Roll for our trip to Jamaica, which also doubled as sound machine.Β So by day it’s your water proof boom box and by night, you can blue tooth your favorite sound machine app from your phone for your sleeping babies.
- Sand toys – We haveΒ thisΒ cute Melissa & Doug baking sand toy setΒ and both the kids love it. Basically love anything Melissa & Doug
It’s kind of a lot of stuff, but with the wagon it works so well. Hope this helps you have Β great and easy summer beach trip!
Atticus is quite the photographer!
Kim
Simply Lovebirds
I love the beach wagon! I would want one for everyday life. Leaving home with a baby is like packing for a cross country move.
http://www.melodramaticadventures.com
I love the beach umbrella! It’s so practical and cute π
http://www.thecharmingolive.com
xx, Adelina
The cain basket is stunning! xx
https://wordsbyemilykate.blogspot.com.au
That beach wagon looks like a must have- even without kids or a lot of gear to take back and forth! So much better than trying to carry everything!
– Katie
http://www.brewingupstyle.com
OMG Rosie’s selfie!!! lol!! <3
BlondieInTheCity.com
This was so helpful and great tips for beach days! We are going to Kona next month, any suggestions for places to eat or things to do there?? Thanks π
-Brinley
Adorable photos as always!!!!!! <3
Katie | http://www.katieskronicles.org
Love this post! Does this work for naps well, too? Also ! What kind of snacks do you guys find easiest to bring along (sandy hands can all but ruin so many healthy snacks!)
xx
Anna Lisa
@recesscity
http://www.recesscity.com
You should get Atticus a kid’s camera , Good job Atticus!! π
We totally need to!! Good idea π
Aticus’s photos are super cute, my bets are that he’s gonna be a naturally talented photographer, he’s got a back for it I think π¦πΌπΈ
*nack
I’d love to know the number of bathingsuits in your collection!! They’re all beautiful!! I love alllll your one pieces!! You inspired me to buy a few! I’ve been wanting one for a few summers now but finally found some with padding. π if you find any with padding please post!
AH, the wagon is such a great idea! I never even considered that, it’s so difficult lugging around beach stuff and kids (especially in NC when you have to park and walk really far to get to the beach haha) def getting a wagon for this summer!
~Jessica
http://linnstyle.com
Those sand toys you recommended are so cute! I have never seen one like those before!! Also, love your swimsuit and top know in the pictures π
xx Courtney // https://courtneylivin.com
omg more photos by them please! They are such lovely photographers already <3 x
http://www.chevronsandeclairs.com/blog
I have been looking for a new waterbottle! Will definitely check out the hydo flask.
http://www.pennyanddash.com
Wonderful pictures! I love seeing pic’s taken by Atticus or Rosie, that so adorable! <3
Its crazy how empty the beach is! I've never been to such a lonely beach ever. Hopefully I will soon because I think I would love it π
Hawaii is so beautiful and I am always so impressed by its beauty! Hopfully I will be able to go there soon π Must be magical
Love from Germany
Xx Paulie <3
http://www.mind-wanderer.com
I just started following your blog and I feel like I am also following your footsteps or you are following mine ππ I live on Oahu with my little family are we just at Lanikai and hiked Lulumahu Falls this past week! Isn’t Hawaii such a magical place. I’m so happy you’re soaking up that sun and sand and surf and enjoy every part of it. You must go to the lantern floating ceremony at Magic Island. It’s beautiful, amazing, takes your breath away. Happy holiday weekend βΊοΈ
I love seeing your beach days.. I can’t believe it’s been six months since you moved to Hawaii… I am very excited to see your finished house as I love your style!
http://thewanderingbrunette.weebly.com
This is so cute!
And I LOVE A’s pictures, so talented already!β₯
http://www.pamelayaquelin.com
That tent looks so handy for staying out of the sun, great photos
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Love this!! Plan on using a few of these things on our upcoming summer trips! Thanks for the info! π
Love this beach guide! Thanks so much for sharing. We are in NYC and hopefully it will be warm enough for the beach soon.
Xoxo,
Nicolette
http://www.fashionworthknowing.com
Love the pictures Atticus took too cute! I agree with you that an umbrella is essential.
https://kerielaine.com
those pictures are amazing! the ones by drone are awesome, but the ones taken by atticus and rosie are just awesome!!! <3
xoxo,
marie
http://www.heartfelthunt.com/tassels-bougainvilleas
I loved little Ros selfie. your famliy is so cute
wow that beach wagon is awesome! You can fit so much! =o)
http://dreamofadventures.com/
Oh my gosh! The kids looks so adorable! You take nice photos, it makes me feel like I was with you guys! π
I adore Atticus’ pics he took!! He’s gonna be a great photographer some day too! So so precious – what a great post!!!
These photos are adorable. It looks so amazing there!! All of those beach goodies are perfect for a beach trip!! Love your swimsuit too π
Xo,
Cami
https://www.shopcdahl.com
this seems like such an efficient little system you have there. How’d you get get the aerial photos? I’m guessing a drone but don’t see a mention of it. Love the idea of those tents, can’t wait until my little one is old enough to take to the beach. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.petitepepper.com
It’s been incredible to see Hawaii through your eyes! How long will you guys be living there? Are you still building a house in Arizona? Sorry if you’ve already answered this, just curious! π
Thank you, Amber! This info is great for our upcoming Miami vacation! Your posts are always so helpful and the timing for the information works so well for me always. I looove your beach bag from the pictures. We’re flying so a lot of these we will just have to do without but definitely keep them in mind for our local beach trips. xoxo and have a great Memorial Day weekend!
OMG! The pictures are absolutely amazing! Love little Rosie and Atticus <3
http://beautifullyme.in/
So many gorgeous colors! Love your photography.
http://objectsicantafford.com
I have to say, the pictures taken by your kiddos are super cute! Atticus is actually a pretty good photographer!
Kate || KATE KOUTURES
This is my absolute favorite Hawaii post yet! The photos taken by the kids are so sweet π I love the Neso Tent and cannot wait to buy one!! Thanks for sharing!
P.S. How amazing is it that you had the beach to yourself? The drone shots really showcase this mini miracle.
All these beach items are amazing! I need a wagon like that just for myself and all my stuff! Haha. I always find my beach bag overstuffed and bursting at the seams when I go to the beach.
One question about the tent, does it require 2 people to set it up/break down?? It looks awesome!
-Marissa
http://www.quartzandleisure.com
I love those drone/ariel shots of you guys on the beach! Looks so fun.
https://jonandaudadventure.wordpress.com/
Love your outfits and your colourful picks! Perfect for the family!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Already 6 months? Crazyyy! + Those pictures by Ro and A are so cute! Starting ’em young. π