Finally, I have your guide to the beach.
During the peak season at Bethany Beach, it gets pretty crowded. Here are some tips I have to ensure the most successful beach days.
- Send someone to the beach early enough to secure a good spot! You can rent umbrellas right on the beach, but finding space for it can be a problem if your whole crew sleeps in too late. Give the early riser the task of scoping out ideal beach land and reserving it with an umbrella and some towels. This way, the whole day can be spent with a good view of the water and enough space to lay out and tan or hide in the shade.
- Bring sand toys and water toys! My personal favorite is a boogie board; no matter how old you may be, it will always be a thrill to catch a wave and ride it in on your stomach safe from sand and shells. When you need a break from the water, be sure to have sand castle molds or shovels to keep everyone occupied.
- Don’t forget snacks! My mom always brought a big cooler for cold snacks and drinks and a big bag of snacks that didn’t need cooling. Pack some sandwiches so you don’t have to leave for lunch, bring some Twizzlers to munch on while you watch your brothers get knocked over by waves, and always have something cold to drink so the sun doesn’t drain you too much.
- This might be my most important tip of all. Baby powder. Always have it on hand when sand is near. Don’t ask me about the chemistry of it, but it is magic for getting sand off of hands or skin. That means that when it’s time to eat, all you need is a pinch of baby powder – no need to brave the cold water to wash your hands.