11 Fun Things To Do At The Beach This Summer

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Are you planning a trip to the beach this summer? I’m certainly hoping to get to the beach soon. The UK weather is not particularly summery at the moment, but we had some lovely weather a few weeks ago. As much as I enjoyed sitting in my garden with an ice cream, it didn’t give quite the same level of summer vibes as going to the beach! If I lived on the coast I think I’d be heading there every day.

To get you in a beachy mood, I have put together a list of fun things to do at the beach this summer. Some of them are classic beach activities, while others are a little more unusual. I hope this list will provide some inspiration for your own beach trips.

11 Fun Things To Do At The Beach This Summer

1. Swim or paddle in the sea

I’ll start off with a classic, and somewhat obvious suggestion. Taking a dip in the sea is the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day. Always make sure to follow advice from the RNLI to stay safe in the water.

If you are alone, or your companions are swimming or paddling too, you might be worried about leaving your belongings unattended on the beach. In this case, I’d recommend putting them in a dry bag, such as the 10L Roll Top Dry Bag from Rooster Sailing which was gifted to me for this post.

This dry bag is made of 500D PVC which feels thick and sturdy, and it will protect your items from splashes while you paddle. You could even take it for a gentle swim – make sure to roll it properly and leave some air in the bag so it will float alongside you. I recommend putting your phone in a waterproof case within it, for a double layer of protection.

What is Rooster Sailing? Rooster Sailing was established in 1999 and produces high-quality sports clothing, accessories and equipment including sailing, paddle boarding and windsurfing gear. They are a socially and environmentally responsible company, taking steps to move towards recycled materials and packaging while still ensuring their products are among the very best on the market.

2. Try a water sport

Have you ever tried a water sport, such as sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding or kayaking? If you’re feeling adventurous, your next beach trip could be the perfect time to try one of these. If it’s your first time, you’ll want to find a teacher or a class so that you can learn in a safe environment.

A dry bag is essential for water sports too, to keep your belongings safe and dry. The Rooster dry bag looks really stylish and sporty, so you’ll feel the part! It has one large 10-litre compartment which provides plenty of space to store clothing, a towel and other small items. It has a clear window so you can see your items inside and find them more easily. It comes in three colours: red, blue or white. Mine is white and I’m very happy with the colour. From a fashion point of view, it will go with any outfit, and in terms of functionality, it is highly visible.

3. Play beach volleyball

If you don’t fancy any water sports, there are sports you can do on dry land too, such as beach volleyball. Many popular beaches will have nets set up or courts you can hire. Beach volleyball is a relatively simple sport to learn and even if you don’t choose to be very particular about the rules, you can just enjoy hitting the ball over the net with your friends and family.

4. Build a sandcastle

This is another absolute classic, and it’s one that adults can enjoy just as much as children. You could have a competition with your family or friends to see who can build the best sand castle, or see which survives for the longest when the tide comes in!

5. Go beachcombing

If you’re less of a sporty type, beachcombing is a more relaxing physical activity to do on the beach. You never know what treasures you might find on the beach, whether it’s shells, pretty pebbles, driftwood or sea glass. It’s even possible to find fossils! When you get home, you might choose to make a craft out of your finds, for example, you could decorate a plant pot with shells.

6. Explore rock pools

Rockpooling is a fascinating activity for anyone interested in coastal wildlife. If you are going to a beach that has rockpools, take some time to explore them and see what you can find. Make sure you follow these rockpooling guidelines to keep yourself safe and protect nature.

7. Have a picnic

What would a beach trip be without a picnic? Spread out a picnic blanket on the sand, put up a parasol or sun shelter, and share a picnic hamper (or cool bag!) full of delicious treats. Sandwiches, salads, cakes and fruit all make great picnic foods, but you’ll want to avoid bringing anything that could melt, like chocolate. Remember to bring plenty of drinks to keep yourselves hydrated.

8. Read a book

If you fancy a calm, relaxed time on the beach, you could take the opportunity to read a good book. Try a feel-good summery novel such as Do You Remember The First Time or Twenties Girl and let it take you away into another world while the waves lap softly in the background.

9. Draw in the sand

A sandy beach is a blank canvas for you to draw on! Why not play a giant game of noughts and crosses (tic tac toe) by using sticks to draw in the sand? You could even play a game of Pictionary, drawing on sand instead of paper.

10. Eat an ice cream

One of my favourite things to do at the beach is to eat an ice cream – it’s perhaps the ultimate beach food! Indulge in an ice cream while you watch the world go by – but make sure to lick it quick before it melts!

11. Sunbathe (but don’t sunburn!)

You don’t have to do any particular activity to enjoy a day on the beach. If you prefer, you can simply lie down and sunbathe! But please, wear plenty of sun cream and reapply it regularly throughout the day. It’s not worth getting sunburnt and damaging your skin.

Will you be trying any of these beach activities?

If you’re heading to the beach soon, I hope this post has given you some inspiration for fun things to do at the beach. Stay safe in the sun and the water, and make sure to check out Rooster Sailing and their dry bag which is the perfect functional accessory for your beach day. I love my new dry bag and will 100% be taking it with me on my beach trips this summer!

What are your favourite things to do at the beach? Let me know in the comments below!