Veganderlust contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.  For more info, see the Disclosure Policy.

Minimalist Packing for a Beach Vacation (Personal-Item Only)

ByTina Riegelnegg Updated on
PinPrint

It’s easy to overpack for a beach vacation, all those cute outfits, sandals, and “just-in-case” items add up quickly. But it really doesn’t have to be that way.

I’m currently packing for a 10-day beach vacation, and everything I’m bringing fits into a 25-liter backpack. That’s the size that fits under an airplane seat. It holds all the clothes and gear I actually use, and leaves no room for things I won’t.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what I’m packing and how I keep it minimal without sacrificing comfort. Plus, I’ll share a free minimalist beach vacation packing checklist to help you plan your own light and easy getaway.

Minimalist Packing for Beach Vacation (Personal Item Only)

Why Minimalist Packing Makes Travel Better

  • Save money: Most airlines now charge for carry-ons, but a 25L backpack counts as a personal item and flies free.
  • No baggage claim delays: You don’t have to wait for checked luggage or worry about it getting lost.
  • Easier to move around: A small backpack is much more convenient on buses, trains, or walks to your accommodation.
  • Less decision fatigue: With fewer clothes, you spend less time figuring out what to wear.
  • Laundry isn’t a big deal: In warm weather, clothes dry quickly, so washing them once or twice is easy if you’re staying longer.
  • More freedom: Traveling light means less stress and more energy for exploring and enjoying your trip.

My Backpack: Why 25L is Enough

The front of the magenta Tom Bihn Synapse backpack is shown with numbered labels indicating different compartments. The brand logo is visible, featuring an airplane graphic.
There’s 5 smaller compartments on the outside

For this beach trip, I use a 25-liter Tom Bihn backpack that fits under the airplane seat.

It has one large main compartment and a few smaller pockets, which helps keep everything organized. I love the front bottom compartment for a beach holiday since you can easily store your sandy flip flops in it without getting the rest of your stuff sandy.

It’s lightweight and comfortable to carry, even when fully packed. I’ve taken it on multiple trips now, and it hasn’t let me down.

If you’re someone who tends to overpack, downsizing your bag might be the easiest way to pack less. A smaller backpack forces you to be intentional with what you bring

👉 Read my full Tom Bihn backpack review here.

My Travel Outfit for a Beach Vacation

A woman wearing a loose sage-green tank top and patterned maroon palazzo pants with high slits poses indoors against a white wall. She wears orange sneakers and glasses, looking down with a casual, playful expression.
My travel outfit

When flying to a beach destination, I keep my travel outfit simple and comfortable. I wear loose, flowy pants and a light, breathable top. I avoid short or tight bottoms because I hate it when my bare legs stick to airplane or airport seats.

For shoes, I wear barefoot-style sneakers made from paper. Yes, paper. They’re incredibly lightweight, eco-friendly, and keep my feet from getting too hot like traditional shoes often do.

Minimalist Beach Packing List

Everything I pack for a beach trip fits into one expandable packing cube. I aim for versatile, lightweight items that can handle hot days, cool evenings, and a bit of everything in between.

This list includes the outfit I wear while traveling and is very similar to what I pack on a summer trip which is not a beach vacation.

Ten pieces of folded summer clothing laid out on a wooden floor, including dresses, tank tops, shorts, and a patterned wrap skirt in earthy and jewel tones like blue, mauve, and teal.
There’s no need to buy new items for a minimalist beach wardrobe

Clothing

  • 3 tops: one for the flight, a breezy open-back tank, and a T-shirt to cover my shoulders in the sun
  • 1 pair of hot pants: goes with all the tops
  • 1 skirt: versatile and comfortable, also goes with all the tops
  • 2 dresses: one dress for super hot days, and a basic one I bring on almost every trip
  • Long flowy pants: worn on the plane, good for evenings or more conservative areas
  • Lightweight cardigan: for layering in cooler evenings
  • Leggings: great for travel days or layering if needed
  • Kimono: lightweight, easy to throw on over swimwear for sun protection
  • 10 pairs of underwear: one per day, no need to worry about laundry
  • 5 pairs of socks: I mostly wear sandals, so I only need socks occasionally
  • Pajamas: I always sleep in pajamas so I bring them on every trip

Everything mixes and matches easily, and I never feel like I’ve run out of outfit options.

Shoes

I only bring two pairs of shoes on a beach trip, and one of them I’m wearing while travelling.

I keep my flip flops in the bottom front compartment of my backpack so I can separate them from the rest of my stuff. That way, if they’re sandy, it doesn’t get everywhere.

Flat lay of summer beach essentials on a wooden floor, including a wide-brim straw hat with a polka-dot ribbon, a folded sarong, sunglasses, a yellow water bottle, sandals, two bikinis, a striped towel, and a large paisley print beach bag.
Beach bag with content

Beach Essentials

  • 2 bikinis / bathing suits: enough to alternate between beach days while one dries
  • 1 large thin towel: big enough to lie on, but still lightweight and quick-drying
  • 1 sarong-style cloth: works as a second towel, beach wrap, or extra layer
  • Tote bag: my lightweight version of a beach bag
  • Dry bag: so I can take my phone, wallet, and keys with me into the water when I’m on the beach on my own, so I don’t have to worry about someone stealing my valuables
  • Collapsible snack box: great for bringing snacks or saving leftovers
  • Reusable water bottle: I bring a light one (not insulated) to stay hydrated
  • E-book reader: I love reading and I read multiple books on one beach holiday
  • Sun hat: this isn’t very minimalist, but I bring it anyway because I don’t like caps but I really need the shade

Essential toiletries for minimalist packing displayed on a marble surface, comprising eco-friendly toothpaste, sunscreen, grooming tools, and personal care items, thoughtfully selected for a spring journey through Europe.
Packing for spring in Europe: Toiletries

Toiletries

I keep my toiletries simple and pack only what I actually use. Since I don’t wear makeup, it’s pretty minimal. If you wear makeup, just bring the essentials, no need for a full routine on a beach trip.

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste: I bring an electric toothbrush, and if it’s a longer trip, I take the charger too
  • Shampoo and soap bar in one: solid, not liquid, is great for airport security. I keep it in a dry bag that sticks to the shower wall
  • Hairbrush: just my regular one from home
  • Body lotion and face lotion: my skin gets dry from sun and saltwater, so I bring both
  • Lip balm: always
  • Sunscreen: one small tube to start with (under 100ml), then I buy more locally
  • Reusable swab: small and practical
  • Nail file, tweezers, nail clippers: just the basics, I never had a problem at airport security with any of them
  • Spare hair ties: always good to have a few

Electronics

I try to keep electronics to a minimum, especially on a beach holiday where I want to disconnect a bit.

  • Phone and charger: obviously
  • Headphones: good for music, podcasts, or audio guides while travelling
  • Power bank: my phone dies quickly when I use it for maps and photos
  • Adaptor: depends on the country, I always check before the trip
  • E-book reader: mentioned earlier, but it lives in this category too
  • No laptop: unless I absolutely need it for work, I leave it at home

Other essentials

  • Passport: obviously
  • Minimalist wallet: just the basics, card, ID, and some cash
  • Health supplements and any medication if needed
  • Packing cubes: just one for all my clothes clothes
  • Laundry sack: double sided for my underwear, one side is clean laundry and one is dirty
  • Sunglasses: a must for me on any summer trip

A cheerful woman standing barefoot on a sandy beach, wearing a blue sundress with embroidered accents, sunglasses, and sandals. She holds a green sunhat with a polka-dot ribbon in one hand and a pink backpack in the other, with a sparkling blue ocean in the background.
Minimal packing for a beach vacation is easier than you think

Get Your Free Minimalist Beach Vacation Packing Checklist

If you’re ready to try minimalist travel for your next beach holiday, I’ve put together a free minimalist beach vacation packing checklist to help you get started.

Read More:

Pin it for later:
Collage graphic showing a woman holding a red backpack and sunhat, alongside neatly arranged minimalist packing items for a beach vacation including a wide-brim hat, swimsuits, toiletries, and lightweight clothing. Overlaid text reads “personal-item minimalist packing beach vacation” with the website “veganderlust.com” at the bottom.
Minimalist Packing List: How to Pack Light for a Beach Vacation


PinPrint
Tina Riegelnegg

Tina Riegelnegg is the founder of Veganderlust. She's a vegan with wanderlust, who shares tips and stories from her travels to 31 countries as a vegan minimalist. After 2.5 years of full-time travel with just a personal item-sized bag, she’s now based in Vienna, helping fellow travelers explore the world with ease and compassion.