With the summer upon us and the coronavirus restrictions gradually easing up, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for some sea and sand. Crowds of people, overjoyed to be free after long weeks of lockdown, will soon be flocking to beaches all over the country, thirsty for the open space and feeling of freedom the seaside offers. With the current economic upheavals, many people who would previously have been able to afford a fancy vacation will be re-examining their budget for more affordable – and more flexible – options, such as tent and RV camping.
I predict that specifically, RV camping will experience an increase in
popularity as a sensible, convenient, and relatively inexpensive option.
Yes, real adventurers can go for the more primitive type of camping,
seeking out truly wild beaches and pitching a tent – or even doing
without one. Travel trailers are a popular choice for family vacations,
and for good reason.
An RV has several advantages over a tent – such as a bathroom, shower, and often, air conditioning. Ideally, at a convenient beach campground that provides electricity and water, you will be able to strike a balance between home comforts and the great outdoors. You can stock the fridge with your favorite cold beverages, pick your comfortable lounge chairs, and bring along some beach toys for the kids without worrying about space constraints.
If you are preparing to head for a beach camp for the first time, even if you are otherwise an experienced traveler, there are a few things you had better keep in mind.
Naturally, when choosing a campground for a beach vacation, you will be
looking at enticing pictures of azure waves lapping over wide stretches
of soft, golden sand. However, there are also a few practical
considerations you might want to take into account, such as the ability
to hook up to water – an essential for passing your vacation with
maximum comfort.
Another factor is how crowded the campsite is. Though this is often tricky to predict, especially with the expected surfeit of campers this summer, do your research. An overcrowded campsite and beach might provide a rather less relaxing vacation than you had hoped for.
Apart from swimsuits (at least two per person), beach towels, and
high-SPF sunscreen, you might want to bring swimming goggles and, where
appropriate, snorkels. Don’t forget to use that sunscreen, lots of it –
bring a good stock from home, since it will usually be more expensive at
seaside stores that cater to tourists. Make sure to have a portable
source of shade, such as a canopy or a large beach umbrella, which you
can bring anywhere – plus beach umbrella anchors, which will ensure your
umbrella stays where you want it to be. Invest in comfy, breathable,
wide-brimmed sun hats you can wear all day long without sweating.
You will also want a portable cooler for drinks and snacks, and probably a nice stack of books and crossword puzzles to occupy you while you are lounging between dips in the sea.
An inflatable baby pool is great for entertaining little ones who may not be ready to rough it in the waves. Always carefully supervise any water-related activity with children, even if the level of water in the pool is only a few inches high.
Each area will have its own bugs, crawlers or fliers that will swarm
around you, your temporary home, and your food, fighting you for it.
Nothing can ruin a vacation like a few nasty mosquito bites or a wasp
sting, in particular if you’re allergic. So remember to stock up on
insect repellent and use mosquito nets. A campfire will also ward off
the little critters, but make sure campfires are allowed at your
destination.
If you are spending your vacation by the seaside, you should also beware of jellyfish. Those slimy sea creatures can be unpredictable, congregating in huge swarms in certain spots, and touching them will result in burns that may range from mildly annoying to downright nasty. If you spot any jellyfish near you, get out of the water. A vinegar rinse will help with the stinging, and a mild hydrocortisone cream will reduce itching and swelling.
If you are camping in an RV, you will likely have all the necessary kitchen facilities, albeit in a restricted space. Nevertheless, no camping is complete without a meal cooked outdoors over an open fire. On the beach, even if setting up fires is allowed, you have to be extra careful because the wind increases the risk of fire spreading. Your safest bet is to dig a pit in the sand, border it with rocks, and only then start your fire. Once you are ready to leave, thoroughly douse the fire with water until it is extinguished – putting it out with sand is not enough.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, it will be too windy to start a fire, in which case you will probably have to settle for grilling.
Summer beach camping puts one in mind of lovely weather, but this doesn’t mean there won’t be any rain or wind. Windy weather is when you will keenly feel the advantage of camping out of an RV vs. pitching a tent that can be easily blown over. Nevertheless, while you are on the beach, sand getting into your eyes, nose, and mouth can be a serious nuisance. Try to choose a sheltered spot and sit with your back to the direction from which the wind is coming. If the day is too windy, you might want to head away from the beach for a few hours, explore elsewhere, and go back to lounging on the sand another time.
Summer storms are another occasion when you will thoroughly feel the comfort of your RV as you stay dry and warm while it’s pouring buckets outside. Even if you have the most optimistic weather forecast, bring some board games and puzzles to keep entertained if you have to stay inside for the day. This is especially important if you are camping with children.
While camping at the beach, never leave your RV awning extended. One powerful gust of wind and you might never see your awning again.
Sand is a lot of fun on the beach, but somewhat less so once it gets into every nook and cranny of your RV. To keep sand outside where it belongs, maintain separate sets of towels for beach and bath. Thoroughly shake out beach towels after using and hang them outside to dry, then store in a plastic bag for next use.
Pick a good sturdy outdoor rug and insist on everyone wiping their feet before they enter the RV. Remember to give that rug a good, thorough shake-out several times a day. Leave your outdoor shoes outside and change to indoor slippers inside. Also, rinse your feet before entering – keep an outdoor container and bucket of water for that purpose.
Thoroughly wash out your swimsuits after use – few things are more annoying than trying to get into your swimsuit only to realize there are traces of sand left in it from your previous morning at the beach. Pack a folding clothesline (there are types that attach to an RV) to dry your swimsuits and towels easily and effectively.
It would also be nice to have separate lounge chairs as opposed to beach chairs – no matter how hard you try, and I’m speaking from experience, it’s nearly impossible to get all the sand out of chair cracks.
Whether you are renting an RV or looking up RVs for sale as an investment in future vacations, you will need to take proper care of your rig to make sure it’s in good shape once you head back from your beach campsite. Sand can be a disaster if it gets into sensitive automobile parts, especially the brake pads, so thoroughly wash the underside of your RV before you take off.
Remember to leave the beach and campsite clean and tidy. Dispose of all your trash in an appropriate way. Don’t let empty soda cans get buried in the sand, and don’t set snack wrappers free to fly away with the wind. Consider the stab of annoyance you would feel when arriving at a beach to encounter someone else’s trash.
I believe a beach trip in a rented RV will give you a taste of RV camping which will help you decide whether this is something you want to do again. If you realize this is your favorite way to vacation and can’t wait for the next time you head for the campsite, you might want to look into used or new travel trailers for sale. Then you can go all the way outfitting your RV for the next beach trip – or even just for a spot of camping in your backyard.
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