26 Things to Do at the Beach
I grew up in Arizona, which means my childhood beach days were less "daily ritual" and more "annual pilgrimage," the way a lot of Arizona families treat the coast. (People in San Diego just call us Zonies). Then I went to college in San Diego, and somewhere between then and now, I quit a perfectly respectable corporate job and spent the last thirteen years traveling the world with a surfboard as my primary piece of luggage. Now that I’m back in Phoenix, away from the ocean, I've had some time to think about the impact that the beach has on a person.
Here's my theory: the beach offers so much more than swimming or sunbathing because it asks nothing of you and gives you everything anyway. A great beach day looks different for everyone, but the best ones tend to combine three things: real relaxation, some kind of movement, and an experience that reconnects you to yourself and whatever's happening around you. Below is my round-up of ways to fill that time, whether you're chasing stillness or something a little more chaotic.
26 Things to Do At the Beach
There are plenty of beach activities to choose from, and the right ones for you depend on a few honest variables: who you're with, what kind of beach you've landed on, and what you're actually in the mood for. This list is meant to give you real options for making the most of a beach day, whether you want to move your body, spend time with people you love, or just disappear into the horizon for a while. If you're building out a full coastal trip, these summer wellness tips are worth a read before you pack.
What Are The Benefits Of Going To The Beach?
I'm not going to pretend the science on ocean exposure has caught up with what we all know…but here's what I've noticed after over 15 years of living near it, and a lot of it lines up with the research:
Stress relief – The rhythm of waves seems to slow the whole nervous system down.
Movement without the gym mentality – Walking, swimming, and paddling get your body working without ever feeling like "exercise."
Vitamin D exposure – Time outside in the sun may support healthy vitamin D levels, paired with real sun protection.
Mood support – Fresh air, open horizon, natural light — most people feel lighter after a few hours by the water.
Social connection – Every beach community I've dropped into has the same quality: people are either genuinely happy or trying to be. There’s a great sense of community.
A mental reset – No notifications, nowhere to be. One of the few places where boredom is actually the point.
What To Do At The Beach?
Once you're actually there, the real question is what to do with yourself. I've broken this down by who you're with, plus a rainy-day list for when the weather has other plans, because a good beach vacation doesn't have to end just because the sky opens up.
What To Do At The Beach Alone?
Try surfing, even if you're bad at it
I attempted to paddle out on a friend's board once, before I actually knew what I was doing, and failed spectacularly. What actually taught me to surf was a ten-day trip to Costa Rica with the Surf Diva, where I committed to getting in the water once a day, every single day, whether I felt ready or not. That trip taught me something I still come back to: sometimes you can't get past the wave in front of you, and you just have to fully commit to paddling through it to get where you're going. You'll also eat it, constantly. That ‘washing machine’ is part of the deal. You eat a wave, and the best wave of your life might be the very next one.
Take a long walk along the shoreline
This is one of my actual favorites, and I'll pick a shoreline walk over almost anything else when I want to think. There's something about walking with the water on one side and no real destination that resets my whole head. the soft sand can make it more challenging- but awesome for those tiny muscles in your feet. It's also an easy, no-excuses way to work on how to get more steps in a day without it feeling like a workout.
More solo beach activities worth trying
Journal with an ocean view — a horizon line makes it easier to write honestly.
Meditate or do a few minutes of deep breathing, timed to the waves.
Read a book in the shade, with plenty of water on hand.
Collect shells or sea glass — a slow, mindful souvenir from your beach vacation.
What To Do At The Beach With Friends?
Take a night surf with glow sticks on a full moon
This is one of my favorites. On nights when the swell is low, we'd paddle out with glow sticks and surf or just bob around under a full moon or a clear, star-heavy sky. Here's the trick: if some people with glow stick sit farther out, you can actually SEE a wave coming before you feel it, because the glow sticks rise up with the swell right before it breaks. It's not your standard session, and it's not really about catching waves, it's just genuinely one of the more magical ways to spend an evening in the water. Check conditions and go with people you trust before attempting anything in the ocean after dark.
Inflatables in the ocean
Need I say more? The crocodile proves to be the best body surfing tool, but an inflatable flamingo can also catch a few waves.
More beach activities to do with friends
Play beach volleyball — a net, or an imaginary boundary line, is all it takes.
Go for a group swim or bodysurf session, checking conditions before anyone heads past the break.
Have a proper beach picnic — sandwiches, fruit, something cold, a blanket.
Rent paddleboards or kayaks to see the coastline from a different angle.
Play spikeball, frisbee, or paddleball — zero setup, endless entertainment.
What To Do At The Beach With Family?
Build sandcastles together
This one's non-negotiable in my opinion. Building sandcastles as a family, complete with moats, tunnels, and questionable architectural choices, is one of the most timeless beach activities there is.
More beach activities for the whole family
Go on a shell or treasure hunt with a simple scavenger list.
Fly a kite — beaches almost always have the wind for it.
Have family swim time — the waves don't have to be big, ankle biters count.
Take a sunset walk to close out the day together.
Cook out or picnic as a family, especially around golden hour. S’mores are the key :)
What To Do At The Beach When It Rains?
First, don’t ever be on the beach or in the ocean when there is lightening. I have known a handful of people to have direct experiences with lightening. One who was struck dead in the ocean on his surfboard, and another was trying to leave the beach when lightening struck right infront of her. Don’t hang out, it’s not romantic LOL
Visit a local aquarium to keep the ocean theme going.
Wander through boardwalk shops — surf stores, bookshops, whatever catches your eye.
Watch the storm roll in from a covered porch or café, if it's safe to do so.
Try the seafood restaurant you'd normally skip.
Play cards or board games back at your rental.
Check out a local museum or historical site covering maritime history or shipwrecks.
Catch up on journaling or plan the rest of your trip.
Make a movie day - Point Break or North Shore classics
What To Bring To The Beach?
A little preparation makes the whole day easier. Here's what I actually pack:
Sunscreen and something for after-sun care
A wide-brimmed hat or visor and sunglasses
An umbrella or portable shade tent
Plenty of water — these hydration tips for summer are worth reading before you head out
Snacks or a packed lunch — I always bring fruit for hydration, watermelon and cherries are great, but frozen blueberries are the REAL move, they thaw slowly into these sweet little ice cubes
A reusable bag for trash and belongings
Aloha bags, they do everything: keep wet things isolated (a wet swimsuit, for instance), easy to pack, and easy to clean if any sunscreen or other liquid spills. They work like a dry bag - for your phone and electronics
Sand toys or a volleyball, depending on who's coming
A sarong or two, they do everything: wrap your hair, lay on it, change under it
A Betty Poptart poncho, my own brand, and honestly a beach bag staple at this point. You can change under it, or just coverup and head to coffee.
A light jacket or cover-up for when the evening cools off. There is that one breeze that comes in at dusk, and it get cold. I love a classic Levi jeans jacket.
At the end of the day, I don't think you need to be a great surfer, have huge waves, or check every item off this list to have a great time. You just need to show up. Whatever mix of beach activities you choose, the ocean tends to meet you exactly where you are. Bookmark this list for your next beach vacation, and make it your own.
