So, you’ve just booked your Outer Banks vacation and now you need to start thinking about what you will need for a relaxing beach getaway. While our OBX vacation rental homes come fully-furnished and equipped with all the comforts of home, there are some things you should bring along with you. Check out our OBX packing list to help you pack everything you’ll need for a wonderful Outer Banks vacation.

Whether your OBX vacation is next week or next month, our helpful beach packing list will help save you money and help you pack what’s necessary for a fun-in-the-sun vacation!

Clothing

  • Flip-flops or beach shoes
  • Sandals
  • Tennis shoes
  • Water shoes
  • Bathing suit(s)
  • Cover-up(s)
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Sleepwear
  • T-Shirts / Casual shirts
  • Dress shirts
  • Pants / Jeans
  • Shorts
  • Skirts / Dresses (for nicer restaurants)
  • Sweaters / Sweatshirts / Light jacket (Our nightly breezes can be quite refreshing!)
  • Belts
  • Jewelry
  • Beach hat / visor

Health & Beauty Items

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Bath soap
  • Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Hair dryer
  • Brush / Comb
  • Hair styling products
  • Moisturizer
  • Glasses
  • Contact lenses / saline solution
  • Deodorant
  • Perfume / Cologne
  • Shaving supplies
  • Makeup
  • Makeup remover
  • Cotton balls / Q-tips
  • Nail file / clipper
  • Hand sanitizer
  • First aid kit
  • Prescriptions / Medications
  • Pain reliever
  • Vitamins
  • Other toiletries

For the Beach

  • Beach bag
  • Beach cart
  • Beach towels / Blanket
  • Sunscreen / Lip balm
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat / Visor
  • Water shoes
  • Cooler
  • Snacks / Drinks
  • Water bottle
  • Portable hand-held fan
  • Umbrella / Canopy tent*
  • Beach chairs
  • Beach toys
  • Raft / Float
  • Fishing poles / tackle**
  • Boogie board
  • Surfboard / Wet suit
  • Goggles
  • Safety / Flotation devices
  • Camera
  • Waterproof bag or plastic bag for wallet and cell phones
  • Smaller beach bag or drawstring bag for kids to carry
  • Hair brush
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Baby powder (great for removing sand)
  • Wipes
  • Plastic bags for trash (Please keep our beaches clean!)
  • Bug spray
  • After-sun lotion (with aloe vera)

For Your Rental House

  • Groceries (including condiments, salt/pepper, and spices)
  • Box of tissues
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper towels
  • Napkins
  • Ziploc bags
  • Garbage bags
  • Aluminum and plastic wrap
  • Dishwashing detergent
  • Coffee filters
  • Dishwashing soap
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dryer Sheets
  • Crib sheets
  • Baby equipment (baby gate, high chair and portable crib)*
  • Disinfecting cleaning wipes
  • Portable hamper
  • Alarm clock

Entertainment & Technology

  • Frisbee
  • Kites
  • Bike(s)
  • Wagon
  • Waterproof Camera
  • Digital Camera
  • Laptop / Tablet (don’t forget the cords & chargers)
  • Camera / video recorder (don’t forget batteries and memory cards)
  • iPad
  • Portable speakers
  • DVDs
  • Books
  • Magazines
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Tennis gear
  • Batteries
  • Deck of cards
  • Board games
  • Card games
  • Note pads
  • Crayons, colored pencils, etc.
  • Music / Movies

For Your Dog

  • Towel
  • Bottles of water and a bowl for beach days
  • Doggie first aid kit
  • Pick-up bags
  • Leash
  • Floating toys
  • Life jacket (if the water is rough or your dog is not an expert swimmer)
  • Sunscreen (if your dog is light or has short fur—look for baby-safe, PABA-free, hypoallergenic types)

Learn more about bringing your dog to the beach on our Outer Banks dog-friendly page…check out our favorite Outer Banks dog spots.*

Travel Essentials

  • Drivers licenses
  • Credit or debit cards
  • Cash
  • Health insurance cards
  • Auto insurance cards
  • Emergency contact information
  • Addresses of family and friends (for postcards)
  • Phone/mobile device (and chargers)
  • Electronics chargers
  • Rental home confirmation/information
  • Prescriptions / Medications
  • Pain reliever
  • Vitamins

Don’t Forget

Before you come visit, make sure everything is tended to at home! Our blog on How To Keep Your Home Safe On Vacation will help guide you on everything you need to do to keep your home safe while you’re away.

Each group/family has different needs and interests – so while you should use our beach packing list as a helpful guide, please remember to tailor this list to your specific situation. And don’t forget the patience! Your summer vacation won’t be fun at all unless you remember to relax and have FUN!

*Please observe the beach rules and regulations of each town as they pertain to items left on the beach, trash, pets, etc.

**A NC fishing license is required for pier and surf fishing.

***Some of our homes provide baby equipment; please check the individual property page for further details.