• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Don't Just Fly
  • START HERE
  • BY LOCATION
    • Disney
    • Amelia Island
    • Atlanta
    • Charlotte
    • Myrtle Beach
    • Pigeon Forge
    • Ireland
  • BY EXPERIENCE
    • Family Road Trips
    • Family Beach Trips
    • Romantic Getaways
  • PLANNING
    • Hotel Tips
    • Travel Food
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Books
    • Vacation Photography Tips
  • ROADSCHOOL
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • START HERE
  • Family Beach Trips
  • Disney Vacations
  • Planning Your Trip
  • Roadschooling
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home

    The Ultimate Family Beach Trip

    Everything you need to know to plan the best family beach vacation you've ever had! From where to go and where to stay when you get there to what to do and eat, all the tips you need to plan your family trip are here.

    Two young girls are jumping for joy on the beach.

    For over a decade our family has spent a week at the beach for our annual family beach vacation.

    We've sampled the best family beaches all along the East coast from the Outer Banks, North Carolina to Amelia Island, Florida.

    We started this tradition when my girls were just 5 and 2 and they've grown up at the beach over the last 10+ years.

    I've definitely learned a thing or two about how to plan a family beach vacation so that everyone has the best time.

    I'm gathering up all my best advice and tips from the entire site in one place to help walk you through the process of planning the ultimate beach trip for your own family.

    Any questions?? Be sure to leave me a comment, I'd love to help.

    Jump to:
    • When to Go
    • Where to Go
    • Where to Stay
    • What to Pack
    • What to Eat
    • What to Do
    • What Type of Trip Will You Take?
    • Capture Your Memories
    • Getting Excited for Your Trip

    When to Go

    When we first moved to the South, I assumed that people only went on beach trips during the late Spring and Summer.

    We quickly learned that with warm weather lasting well into November, fall is actually a very popular time to go to the beach. In fact, some school systems even have a fall break!

    We've also visited the beach mid-Winter and had the time of our lives. Depending on what you want to do when you go, there's really so many great options for when to go to the beach.

    Where to Go

    As I share more about all of our family beach trips, you'll be able to find the relevant information by destination right here!

    • Amelia Island
    • Outer Banks
    • Myrtle Beach

    Coming Soon: Our favorite beaches, Folly Beach and Hilton Head Island.

    Where to Stay

    Even though we go to the beach every year, not all trips look exactly the same.

    Sometimes we've stayed in a beachfront hotel with a view, sometimes we've rented a beach condo resort. A few times, we rented a huge beach house for a family reunion.

    Want to weight the pro's and con's? Don't miss my thoughts on a beach condo vs. hotel here.

    • A high rise condo is on the water with boats floating in front.
      Condo vs. Hotel: Which Should You Pick?

    What to Pack

    Organizing everything your family will need at the beach can feel like a part-time job before you go! Let me help with my best packing lists for your beach vacation.

    • The back of a mini van is open so you can see all the items packed for a family vacation.
      Ultimate Road Trip Packing List: 40+ Things to Keep in Your Car
    • Best Beach Gear for Families
    • A couple sits underneath a red umbrella on the beach.
      What to Bring to the Beach
    • A basket filled with bottles of sunblock sits on a counter.
      How to Avoid Sunburn at the Beach

    What to Eat

    Once you get there, what do you plan to eat?

    If you're staying in a hotel, you may appreciate these easy breakfast ideas for your hotel room.

    If you're staying at a beach condo, you'll definitely appreciate these easy vacation meals for your rental kitchen.

    Either way, you'll be spending plenty of time down on the sand. So don't miss this great list of beach snacks to pack into your cooler.

    • A photo collage shows some of the easy vacation meals to cook at the beach.
      Easy Vacation Meals for Beach Rentals
    • A photo collage shows a sample of easy recipes that make great breakfast ideas for hotel rooms.
      Easy Breakfast Ideas for Hotel Rooms
    • A photo collage shows several of the best snacks to bring to the beach.
      25+ Best Beach Snacks

    What to Do

    This might be my favorite part of a family beach vacation--spending quality time with my kids!

    Take this opportunity to truly slow things down and connect with your kids.

    If you've forgotten how to play (don't worry, we all have to some extent), help yourself out and pack a few of these awesome beach toys adults will love too and tuck in a travel game or two to your luggage before you go.

    • A young girl holds out shells she found on the beach during vacation.
      6 Ways to Connect with Kids on Vacation
    • A young girl is posing with a beach pail and floatie with goggles on her head.
      Best Beach Toys for the Whole Family
    • A young girls hands adjusting her cards for a card game that is set on the table.
      Best Travel Games for Kids to Play with Adults
    • A dog sits on a yellow kayak in the water.
      Should You Take Your Dog on Vacation?

    What Type of Trip Will You Take?

    There is no shortage of things to do at the beach and every single destination offers up it's own variety of options.

    There's a perfect beach to suit whatever it is your family loves:

    • National and State Parks: You'll find them all up and down the coast.
    • Animal Lovers: Pick the right beach and you're sure to see Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Wild Horses, Manatees, Alligators/Crocodiles, Crabs, and more
    • Shell Hunters: Shells can vary widely depending on the type of beach you visit.
    • Fishing Trips and Kayaking: Find a beach with a nearby marina.
    • Lighthouses: There's a whole tour for them in North Carolina.
    • Waterparks: Some of the beach condos have amazing pools.
    • Girls Trip: There is excellent shopping and dining in some beach towns.
    • Romantic Getaway: Pick your pleasure, but Hilton Head would be my choice.
    • Biking Trails: Whether you want to ride directly on the sand or just find a town with bike trails, there are lots of options.
    • Golfing: Some beaches offer amazing golf courses nearby.

    Capture Your Memories

    You're going to want to keep that camera handy but getting great photos at the beach can be harder than you think! Here are some of my best beach photography tips:

    • A DSLR photo of Folly Beach pier
      How to Keep Your Camera Clean at the Beach
    • A grandpa and two girls make sandcastles on the beach.
      The Ultimate Guide to Beach Photography
    • A mom on the beach.
      How to Take a Flattering Vacation Selfie

    Getting Excited for Your Trip

    Once your trip is planned, it's time for the countdown! Get your whole family excited with these fun beach ideas.

    • A collage of ocean book covers.
      20 Gorgeous Ocean Books for Kids
    • A collage of pirate themed books for kids.
      20 Pirate Books the Whole Family Will Love
    • A young girl is eating a donut while wearing a sunhat and sunglasses.
      The First Thing You Should Do on a Beach Vacation with Kids

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tiffany! I believe the best memories are made on our family trips. I'm excited to share easy ways to connect with your kids and raise lifelong learners through family travel.

    More about me →

    Popular Family Vacation Tips

    • A photo collage shows some of the easy vacation meals to cook at the beach.
      Easy Vacation Meals for Beach Rentals
    • A pair of full-size beds in a hotel room.
      Best Hotel Room Hacks for Families
    • A family of four stands in front of the Disney castle in Florida.
      5 Ways to Tell Kids You're Going to Disney
    • A photo collage shows a sample of easy recipes that make great breakfast ideas for hotel rooms.
      Easy Breakfast Ideas for Hotel Rooms

    Trending Now

    • A DIY laundry clip countdown calendar for Disney.
      22 Magical Disney Countdown Ideas
    • a photo collage shows several big batch recipe for feeding a crowd.
      40 Easy Meals for Large Groups on Vacation
    • A girl walks through an airport with a yellow backpack.
      Best Packing List for Teens: Mom-Approved!
    • A hotel room bed is neatly made. There is a pink headboard and a beige blanket draped over the bed.
      What to Pack for a Hotel Stay Alone or With Kids
    • A photo collage shows some of the places to see in Ireland.
      Ireland Itinerary: 7 Days in Dublin and the Irish Coast
    • 14 Best Romantic Movies Set in Ireland
    • A young girl enjoys a corn dog in Magic Kingdom.
      Magic Kingdom Restaurants: Best Places to Eat
    • A roller coaster disappears into a cave in a mountainside on Big Thunder Railroad in Magic Kingdom.
      Best Rides at Magic Kingdom You Don't Want to Miss

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Contact

    Favorite Destinations

    Disney Vacations
    Family Beach Trips
    Family Road Trips
    Myrtle Beach
    Pigeon Forge
    Ireland

    Plan Your Trip

    Vacation Planning Tips
    Hotel Tips
    Travel Food Tips
    Packing Tips

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.