5 Ways to Travel Light to the Beach

If you want to skip the packing stress and get right to the shore, here are five things you can leave behind to travel light to the beach.

September 10, 2021

A beach vacation is fun and relaxing. Packing for a beach vacation can be stressful and time-consuming, especially for a trip where you’ll spend much of your time in a bathing suit.

Despite the casual attire, overpacking is the bane of every beach-goer. While there are some things you shouldn’t leave home without - like your vacation rental information and your favorite beach read - saving space in your suitcase can make for a more stress-free trip (and guarantee you have plenty of places for souvenirs).

Luckily, traveling light doesn’t mean you have to do without! In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, a variety of rental companies offer everything you need to create a comfortable beach experience. If you want to skip the packing stress and get right to the shore, here are five things you can leave behind to travel light to the beach.

Beach Equipment

A place in the shade is a must-have for time on the sand, but you don’t have to find room for furniture in your suitcase. Many hotels and condos offer chair and umbrella rentals to their guests through companies like Ike’s Beach Service or Perdido Beach Services.

Wheelchair Rentals

On the Alabama Gulf Coast, we believe that everyone deserves access to the sand. Wheelchair ramps for balconies are available for rent, and some condos provide them to their guests (but be sure to ask beforehand).

For those who want to wheel near the waves, several specialty rental companies offer motorized beach wheelchairs specially designed to ride smoothly all the way to the shoreline.

Beach Power Rentals LLC delivers comfortable, quality chairs across the Alabama Gulf Coast. You can even reserve other equipment like shower chairs, transfer chairs, and electric scooters to keep you in comfort from sunup to sundown. Be sure to check with your rental management company for storing and charging locations.

Beach N’ Buggy’s provides independently-designed wheelchairs that are narrow enough to pass through ADA-compliant condos, pool gates, boardwalks, and more. They even offer heavy-duty models for beach-goers who want to explore with confidence.

Baby Gear

Don’t let the stress of traveling with a little one keep you from lounging on the sand! Thanks to companies like Gulf Shores Beach Rentals, you can rent a wide variety of baby essentials on your beach vacation, from cribs and pack n’ plays to full-sized strollers and even rocking chairs for relaxing afternoon naps. (Plus, that leaves plenty of space in your suitcase for extra diapers.)

Food

Wouldn’t you love to skip that pre-arrival grocery trip? If you’re traveling to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, now you can! Instead of wrapping up your road trip with a stressful trip to the store, pre-order for grocery pick-up to have it loaded in the comfort of your car. Better yet, choose a local concierge service like The Beach Moms to have your groceries delivered upon arrival!

If cooking is an added stress, lighten your load even more with a stop at The Pantry at The Wharf, where you’ll find pre-made meal kits for delicious, fix-free meals or grab-and-go specialties for sandwiches like chicken salad and pimento salad.

Recreation Rentals

If you’re looking to tan, you only need sunscreen and a good beach blanket. If you’re the adventurous type, you may need a bit more gear to get your vacation heart going - but you don’t have to bring it with you! You can rent bikes to ride the trails, kayaks, and paddleboards to explore the bays and inlets and jet-skis to jump waves.