Beaches Turks and Caicos resort is located on the beautiful island of Provodencialies. It is one island that makes up the archipelago known as Turks and Caicos which includes 40 separate, low lying coral islands in the Atlantic Ocean.
Visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos, located along Grace Bay, one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of beachfront, means you’ll be staying at an all-inclusive getaway that caters to families. Whether you lug the kids along or not, you’ll be among those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of regular life to experience a relaxing, fun-filled, island escape.
If this is your first island getaway, you may have some questions about packing for an island vacation.
Here’s the truth: you could live in your swimsuit and a cover-up and anything you forget will be available on the island as long as you don’t mind paying for it.
In an effort to avoid having to accept the opportunistic pricing of an island resort, here are some packing for an island vacation tips that should get you through the experience in one happily sun-kissed piece.
Packing for an Island Vacation: 15 Must-Haves When Visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos
Sunscreen.
Otherwise, you will fry. It is a definite must when it comes to packing for an island vacation because somehow the sun just seems to burn hotter when you’re at the beach. Visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos sans adequate sun protection would be quite the error in judgement.
I was gifted Coola while we were on the island and I have to say that I fell in love with their mineral sunscreens. They’re plant based protection sunscreens that are reef friendly, rich in antioxidants, and offer broad spectrum coverage. Added bonus: they don’t go on white and they actually smell amazing. Not all sunscreen-y like you’re probably used to.
Buy it here: Coola Sunscreen
A big floppy hat.
Another packing for an island vacation must-have. Not only are they super useful for protecting you from the sun, they’re also super adorable and up the awesome of your cute swim cover-up. Plus, after spending all day on the beach or in the pool, by hair usually isn’t even trying to hear about acting right for a resort dinner. Floppy beach hat to the rescue.
Try this foldable one to make packing for an island vacation a breeze: Foldable floppy beach hat
Or go the straw route if you like something more chic: Floppy straw beach hat
A water proof camera.
Personally, I love my GoPro. It’s the perfect solution for all kinds of travel video and is easy to take on adventures. If creating super shareable videos isn’t your thing, maybe all you need is a great waterproof option for your phone so you can take some pictures of the sea life when you go snorkeling. Even though most smart phones today are waterproof, I don’t trust it and use a suitable cover just to be safe. My favorite pic is super affordable and has a lanyard so you can carry it around your neck since your swimsuit probably doesn’t have a big enough pocket.
If you want to make quality videos in numerous situations: GoPro
If you just don’t want to test the waterproofness of your iPhone: Waterproof pouch
Cute and comfy flip flops.
You want them to be comfortable in case you decide to take a long walk on the beach and you want them to dry well because water smushy flip flops will feel icky come dinnertime. They don’t have to cost an arm and a leg though and they can still be cute. These Teva sandals fit the bill for me.
Sunglasses.
The reflection of the sun from the white sand and the clear blue water is enough to basically burn my corneas and, as someone who doesn’t wear contacts but needs glasses to see my own hand in front of my face, going specs free is just not an option. Not wanting to do the Dwaye Wayne (please tell me you know who this is) attachable, flip up joints, I was gifted my favorite pair of prescription sunglasses from Liberty Sport. They’re the same people who make Dude 3’s Rec Specs and they have tons of styles that actually look stylish.
Find prescription sunglasses here: Liberty Sport
Several Swimsuits
The beach is amazing, the pools are spectacular, the swim up bars and beach servers mean you don’t have to leave either unless you want to. It also means that you’re going to spend a ton of time in your swimsuit. But, here’s the thing, it’s humid and your suit won’t dry very quickly and, if you’re anything like me, the thought of putting your sorta sandy, pretty damp suit back on in the morning makes you shiver a little. Oh well, guess that just means you have to buy several adorable swimsuits!
I was gifted a Hapari swimsuit before my recent trip to Turks and Caicos and I LOVED everything about it even though I somehow failed to get a photo of myself actually wearing it on the beach (the skirt bottom in the pic below is from Hapari, however)—I know, I’m a monster. But, you can check out all of their tankinis on their site and imagine me rocking one as I frolicked through the waves. And by frolicked I mean clutched on to my frosty beverage so I wouldn’t lose it while the sea crashed into my face.
I did get a picture in my other tankini from Swimsuits For All (these are the bottoms from Hapari)…
I love that they have flattering suits for all body types, regardless of shape or size.
Here are a couple of their tops that I love:
You can find all of these here: Swimsuits for All
And this is the one piece my bestie bought. It comes in over 20 different colors/patterns, she loved it, and she got so many compliments on it!
Buy here: Tempt Me Swimsuit
Cute Cover-Ups
Since you’re going to be spending so much time in your suit, you’ll want a cute coverup or five so you can go from beach to brunch and back again. Beaches Turks and Caicos has a no swimsuit rule at many of their restaurants which means you can wear it, you just have to cover it up.
Cute, beachy coverup to the rescue!
Buy here: Tie dye cover up
Summery Beach Dresses
Resort dress codes are a thing to consider when packing for an island vacation Fortunately the are also pretty simple to follow.
The walk up beach eateries and Beaches like The Jerk Shack don’t have a dress code.
If it’s resort casual it basically means shirt and shoes please.
If it’s resort evening, it means put on real clothing and don’t look like you just hopped out of the pool. The true description is, “Dress pants or jeans for men, long or short sleeve dress shirts (with or without collar). Dress shoes or sandals. No shorts, t-shirts, sleeveless shirts, sneakers, flip flops or slippers. No hats,” but don’t feel like you need to be business casual to dine at these places. They don’t really toss people if you brushed the sand off your legs and looked like you tried. Cover your gnarly bits, put your kids in khaki shorts, make your teenagers ditch their slides, and get our your husband’s polo and you’ll be fine.
But we all know you want to look cute for all of your beach photos so here are a few under $25 beach perfect summer dress picks that will make you look and feel fabulous while you resort…
Ruched Bodycon dress, Strappy midi dress, Plain sleeveless dress, Off shoulder maxi dress
Pool Toys
These will especially come in handy if you’re bringing the kids. But, even if you’re not it might be nice to have something to lounge on when you head to the pool in the evening and it’s less crowded because all the kiddos are gone to dinner and shows and bed. This easy to transport pool hammock is a winner!
A Tumbler for Drinks
It will make it easier to keep a cool drink with you while you lay in the sun for hours. I have so many of these, but I use my Hydro Flask most.
Straws
I appreciate that Beaches is going the enviro friendly route and I know they have even more cool things on the horizon in regards to recycling and earth friendly living, but there are few things I abhor more than soggy paper straws ruining my rum punch experience. They’re great in theory and they’re even cute, but unless you want to chug your drink, they’re not really functional after about five minutes of laying in your cup.
Bring along your own set of stainless steel straws instead when visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos. They’re certain to come in handy. These are the ones we use: reusable straws
Bug Spray
The mosquitoes came hard for us while we were on the island which is totally to be expected when visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos and really any other warm, tropical destination. Bug spray is a must when packing for an island vacation if you want to put a stop to their nonsense.
Comfy Shoes
The Beaches Turks and Caicos resort is quite large. We summoned golf carts to move us around a bit, but they weren’t always readily available and we found ourselves doing quite a bit of walking. It’s a great way to work off all of the food and drinks you’re slamming while visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos, but it also can wreak havoc on your feet if you’re trying to rock cute shoes the whole time.
Add a comfy pair of cute walking shoes to your list when packing for an island vacation, and then put those puppies on when you head out to dinner. Your dogs will thank you.
Here’s a pair I love: Crocs sandals
A Cross Body Bag
You won’t have much need for your wallet when you’re visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos since there’s not much you need to actually pay for after you arrive. I like my cross body bag most for traveling and off-resort excursions, but it did come in handy a few times when we went out in the evening and I made the mistake of wearing a pocket-less dress.
This one is an Amazon bestseller and it’s super cute. I even use it daily at home: crossbody bag.
A Beach Bag
Bring one along to simplify carting everything you need for beach or pool time—sunscreen, water bottles, your book or Kindle, your phone, bug spray, snacks for the kids and anything else you might need.
Here’s an inexpensive option that is also super cute, plus it has a zipper so you can use it for other things back at home too: beach bag.
And, if you’re looking for a super economical options that you can also use at stadiums or to take cosmetics through airport security, this one is sized perfectly: clear beach tote
Looking for more info on visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos? Check out this post: Visiting Beaches Turks and Caicos: 15 Things to Know Before You Go
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