If you are considering a vacation to the beach this summer, here are some tips to help make your stay more enjoyable. First, make sure that you choose a destination that is not too far away, as this can cause travel headaches, especially if you have to fly. The farther away the destination, the longer you will need to rent a car. If you want to go to the beach during a particularly warm month, the best choice may be somewhere that is not located on the coast. The next thing to consider is the season.
If you are planning a trip to a beach that is on or near the ocean, the best choice will almost certainly be somewhere where the sea and or beach meet soft rock slopes covered by patches of hard rock. Beach conditions depend on location, climate, water availability and how often waves reach the beach. Beaches with soft rock slopes usually have fewer waves, so you will find a beach less likely to be crowded than one that is located on the hard beach. Waves that reach the beach during hot weather are more likely to damage your belongings and hurt you if you do not prepare.
In addition to soft rock sloped beaches, there are also areas that are covered with sand or have fine sand that acts as an erosion buffer. These areas are good to visit if you want to experience some of the best beach activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing and anything else that can be done on the beach. Sand buffer areas usually have fewer waves and beach conditions tend to be more safe.
If you choose to stay on top of beach conditions by visiting areas that have little to no erosion, you can help reduce damage by choosing to pack appropriately. Pack sand and a cloth towel to walk around in. Pack plastic trash bags and a bucket to collect water and other debris that comes off of the rocks. When you arrive at the beach, remove any trash and empty bucket from your luggage and put it in your car.
If you are near a beach with a lot of sand and is in relatively good shape, do not travel too far from shore. A few hundred feet from shore is often far enough from the beach to prevent erosion without running the risk of damaging the sand. For instance, if the beach has a lot of fine sand and the tide is not going to erode the sand too much, you should not be walking more than 200 yards from shore. If you are far enough away from the beach, sea birds, turtles and coral can still nest.
Beach camping is a popular activity during all seasons. Summer and spring bring many campers to the beach for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling and other beach activities. However, winter and fall bring a number of different kinds of visitors to the beach: fishermen looking for walleye in the cold waters, boaters looking for ice and snow to build their camps, and surfers looking for waves to hit their boards. Because of all these types of beach goers, it is important to have the right gear and supplies on hand to ensure a safe and fun experience.