First-time campers sometimes struggle with how to make the experience awesome because they don’t know what to expect. You think that everything you need is already with you, but technically, you are missing some items.
To make camping on a beach memorable, enthusiasm and eagerness are needed as well as packing up the right stuff. But to help you think, there is information given below that you can use while planning for your camping trip, regardless if it will be your first or second time.
Camping on a beach: Find the kind of shelter you need
This could be dictated by the bug situation at the beach where you are headed. It might be best to use a shelter with no floor or something that has a pole at the centre to support the tent. You will get to experience the sand at your back while sleeping, but it would be a good idea to at least put a rug to keep everything clean. If the place has bugs, you need to bring a tent with mesh and ventilation, but it gives enough protection against brief storm showers. A rug at the tent entrance is a good idea to put your footwear there. If there’s two of you, an air mattress will suffice as your bed inside the tent. A sleeping pad will be ideal if you are alone.
Camping on a beach: How to relieve yourself
In any place where people do not populate, you will not find any civilised bathrooms built, and your only option is to dig a shallow hole into the ground just below the high tide line. If there are woods nearby, check for guidelines or pack it up and throw your waste in the garbage. Be sensitive to the environment and other visitors who are in the area. You don’t want to leave your waste anywhere because that is disgusting.
Cooking and starting a fire while camping on a beach
Starting fire while on a beach might be challenging in case of the strong winds, but it can be done by taking the shovel and using it to dig a hole where you can put your fire. To start cooking with it, poke two green sticks to the ground and form a V that is inverted so you can hang the pot from there. When you are done and about to bury the ashes, pour seawater to turn off the fire to avoid injuring other people.
If you bring a portable stove, it will need something to keep the wind from putting out the fire, so it is good to set up near trees. Do not turn on your stove inside the tent as it can cause problems because of carbon monoxide.
You can go fishing at the beach to catch fish for dinner or dig for clams. You can check the campsite’s regulations when gathering seafood or if shellfish is in season. It would help if you also estimated how much food you will consume during your camping trip so that you will not go hungry in the middle of the camping trip. There is no guarantee that you will be able to catch fish in the sea, especially if the weather conditions do not permit it. An ample supply of food and water is needed for any camper.
Lighting is essential
Do not forget to bring light, especially since you will be on a beach and almost no one will be nearby to help you in case of an emergency. Sometimes it will be tough to start a fire, and your only option is to use a battery-powered light. Remember that there are no electric lines at the beach so it will be very dark and you will almost see nothing at night.
How to keep yourself safe while camping on a beach
When you are sleeping outdoors, there is always a possibility of thieves and unwanted visitors. To scare robbers off, you have to act scarier than them and always bring a pepper spray with you. They will not expect what you can do to them, and most likely, they will end up retreating. If you cannot scare them off, just give them what they need and warn other people.
If there’s only the two of you, tell the other person to be on the watch as you go swimming and just take turns guarding your things or act as a lifeguard if something bad happens to you while in the water.
Since the beach gets a lot of sun, remember to keep yourself hydrated all the time, and the recommended amount is 8 glasses of water per person daily. Dehydration can cause discomfort and severe complications if it continues for days so make sure you have enough water supply.
Keep yourself warm while on a beach
The best way to do this is to wear several layers of clothing because the beach is a very cold place to stay, especially if there are winds. Have a sleeping bag with you made of synthetic and waterproof material. Another thing you can do is to cover yourself with sand or bury yourself because even if it’s not known to give excellent insulation, you can still get warmth from it.
Camping on a beach: Conclusion
Camping is awesome and it is an experience that should leave you with sweet memories. Challenges and survival instincts will be practised, but that’s all part of the fun. Being organised and knowing how to make your beach camping awesome is needed to prepare for. Keeping yourself safe, comfortable, hydrated, and well-fed is the most critical factor in a camping trip.
Everything you have learned here should give you a push to go camping on the beach and do it like a pro.
