(800) 926-9489

The Best Vacation Packing Hacks That Really Matter

The Best Vacation Packing Hacks That Really Matter

Packing may be the least favorite part of your Indian Rocks Beach, Florida vacation. That’s okay! The good news is that packing for a beach vacation is much easier than packing for most other kinds of vacation destinations. You really don’t need a whole lot when it comes to clothing and accessories. Remember to keep it simple and follow these helpful packing hacks. Pack smarter, not harder! 

THE BEST PACKING HACKS FOR YOUR NEXT INDIAN ROCKS BEACH VACATION

KNOW YOUR ITINERARY

You first have to have an idea of what kind of vacation activities you’ll be doing to pack properly. The beach is a given, but what else is on your vacation to-do list? Are you doing yoga on the beach? Going out to enjoy a fancy dinner? Biking around town? The more you know about how you’re spending your vacation time, the easier it will be to pack for it. 

KEEP A PACKING CHECKLIST

It really helps to make it a vacation packing list. Whether you do it on paper or use an app, it’s best to keep a running list of you what you intend to bring with you to your Indian Rocks Beach vacation rental. That way you can check off your progress and easily add things you may have overlooked as you go along. 

LAY THINGS OUT FIRST

Start off by laying out the items that you want to bring with you. This will help you see exactly which items you are intending to pack, and it also helps you group and regroup things together. If you have an odd clothing item that doesn’t really go with anything else, ditch it. Looking at what you can mix and match helps you prioritize your packing.

PACK BY OUTFIT

A little proactive outfit planning now, gives you more time to enjoy your beach vacation later! It may seem daunting to pack a week’s worth of outfits, but it is easier and will help you to pack light. Packing by outfit helps eliminate the “what if” mentality and forces you to focus on what you will actually need and wear. Packing items that you can wear multiple times and with multiple things saves you time and space in your suitcase. Most of our Indian Rocks Beach rentals give you access to a washer and dryer making this even easier! 

Jean shorts, t-shirt and shoes laid out for beach vacation packing | Plumlee Indian Rocks Beach Vacation Rentals on the Florida Gulf Coast

ROLL SOFT CLOTHES, FOLD STIFF ONES

You’ve probably already heard of this one, but do you do it? Rolling clothes, especially ones that are soft and flexible, is the best way to save space and keep them wrinkle-free. It avoids sharp creases from the folds. If you have a more rigid piece of clothing, such as a shirt with a collar, it’s best to fold it rather than roll it to help keep its shape.

MINIMIZE HOW YOU ACCESSORIZE

You aren’t going to need a ton of jewelry or other accessories on your Florida Gulf Coast vacation. If possible, wear the ones you intend to bring with you on the day you’re traveling to avoid having to pack them in your suitcase. A sun hat for the beach is a must, but be sure to use the space in and around the hat when you’re packing it to hold smaller items and help to keep its shape in the suitcase. 

USE PACKING CUBES

If you’ve taken the time to pack by outfit (and even if you haven’t), why not consider investing in packing cubes? Imagine opening up your suitcase and seeing a nicely organized space neatly separated for easy access. That’s what packing cubes can do for you! The key to successful packing starts with proactive organization. 

PACK WITH PURPOSE

When you start packing your suitcase, do it purposefully and with the intent to use the space as efficiently as possible. Pack strategically by putting heavier items on the bottom, stuff your shoes with socks or smaller items to put that valuable space to good use, pack only the travel-sized toiletry items you’ll need (or consider buying them upon arrival), and use the compartments in your suitcase to pack underwear and other smaller items. If you are overstuffing your suitcase, then it’s time to remove items that you can live without for a week.

Woman laying out outfits and making a packing checklist  | Plumlee Indian Rocks Beach Vacation Rentals on the Florida Gulf Coast

SAVE SOME SPACE FOR LATER

You want to think ahead about leaving space in your luggage for the souvenirs and gifts you want to bring back home with you, especially if you’re flying. Also be conscious of the weight limits and be sure you’re not going to tip the scales. Worst case scenario, you can try wearing layers of clothing to the airport to make room for the extras that you want to bring back with you. 

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WET CLOTHES

If you’re like most families, you want to use every minute of your vacation time doing the things you love. If you’re heading to the beach one last time after checkout, be sure you have something to pack away the wet and sandy clothes. Bring a plastic bag to keep your wet items contained from the rest of the stuff in your suitcase or beach bag, and don’t forget to take them out promptly when you get back home. 

WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT

If you’re on the fence about some of the items you’re considering bringing with you on your beach vacation, put them aside for a  while. Come back and revisit them after some time has passed. If you still can’t decide if you really need or want to bring them, it’s best to leave them at home. You probably won’t need them anyway, nor will you miss them while you’re gone.

KEEP MASKS & HAND SANITIZER READY

Whether you’re traveling by car or by plane, you’ll need to have face coverings and hand sanitizers easily accessible and ready to go for all the members of your family. Don’t wait until you get to where you’re going to think about this. Instead, make sure each of your family members has a face mask and small bottle of hand sanitizer at the ready, so you don’t waste time scrambling to find those things at the last minute. Traveling is a bit different these days, so it’s always best to be prepared.

Masks and hand sanitizer packed and ready to go  | Plumlee Indian Rocks Beach Vacation Rentals on the Florida Gulf Coast

We hope you’ve found these packing tips helpful in preparing for your next Florida Gulf Coast vacation. Being proactive is key. Enjoy your beach vacation! 


WHAT’S YOUR BEST BEACH VACATION PACKING TIP?

We want to know! 

The Best Vacation Packing Hacks That Really Matter