What should be in every Charlestonian’s beach bag?

Skip the extras and get down to what you really need to have a perfect day on the coast.

April 24, 2023
CHStoday sunset beach

New color palette unlocked.

Photo via CHStoday team

Table of Contents
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Bug spray
Odds and ends

You know the drill: digging through scratched sunglasses, worn out flip flops, and dusty mints at the bottom of your bag. With readers’ help, we put together a list of CHS beach bag essentials to give your bag the ultimate revamp.

Sunscreen

Preferably not expired — yeah were looking at you old banana boat from 2010. We like the selection at McKevlins.

Sunglasses

Make sure to protect your eyes from that South Carolina sun + support local business while you’re at it.

Bug spray

This was one of the biggest suggestions from our readers when asked about Charleston life hacks.

  • “Keep bug spray wipes in your purse for the noseeums.” — Michelle B.
  • “Mission Essentials (local co) bug spray on hand at all times.” — Traci E.

Odds and ends

  • Towels: Always keep an eye on your towels. Tides change quickly and we have had one too many get drenched.
  • Baby powder: One of our favorite hacks to get off that pesky sticky sand.
  • Speaker: No Lowcountry day is complete without Darius Rucker playing.