Best Weekend Activities you can Enjoy at the Beach

There’s no better day out than visiting the beach. However, it can be hard to decide what to do when you get there. Maybe you want to chill out and catch some sun, or perhaps you want to try a new water sport. 

In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the top activities you can do at the beach. Whether you’re visiting a sun-kissed tropical beach, or a cold grey and rocky one, you’re sure to have a great time if you do anything of the activities mentioned below.

Have a picnic

If you’re spending the whole day at the beach, you’ll need to eat at some point. While it can be nice to visit a beachside restaurant or cafe, these can often be expensive. Instead, consider preparing a picnic. Many companies can arrange a beach picnic set up in Newport at a reasonable price. If you’re doing it with family or friends, it’s a nice way to spend the morning before going away. Hitting the beach with friends? Get a cooler and throw a few beers or a bottle of champagne in. With kids? Be sure to pack lots of fruit and their favorite snacks. 

Stand up Paddle Boarding

Stand-up paddleboarding has become increasingly popular in recent years, and this fun and easy activity is one of the most accessible water sports there is (check out Paddleboards.com for more info on paddleboarding). All you need is a board, a paddle, a leash, and PFD and then you’re good to go. SUP is good for lots of different things – whether it’s improving your mental state by being surrounded by water, or giving your core a rigorous workout. It also burns roughly twice the number of calories as walking for the same time! Check if the beach you’re visiting has somewhere you can rent boards, or if you think it’ll be a long-term passion, consider investing in your own equipment. 

Go Surfing

While on the subject of board sports, a beach with more waves and wind is a great place to go surfing. Not only is it a lot of fun, but it’ll also benefit your whole body too. Upper body strength, your core muscles, and your cardiovascular system will all benefit from a session out catching waves. If you’ve never tried surfing before, the best way to start is by taking a few lessons – so see if there are any surf camps or schools where you’re going. Want to combine it with paddleboarding? Surf SUP is an option too. Just make sure you’ve mastered how to stand on your board first!

Sunbathe

Surfing and stand up paddleboarding are both pretty full-on, but you might be coming to the beach just to relax. If so, lay down your towel, lather on the suncream, and close your eyes for a bit. Just remember to keep reapplying sun cream. You’ll come back from your beach trip bronzed and looking fantastic!

Play Sports

Back to the adrenaline-packed activities. If you’re visiting the beach with a big group of friends or family, why not pack some sports equipment and get competitive. Some beaches may even have their own sports facilities, such as volleyball nets. If they don’t, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a big stretch of sand to yourself, which you can turn into anything from a soccer pitch to a baseball diamond to a tennis court. Once you’ve finished your game, wash off the sweat and cool off with a dip in the sea. 

Go rock pooling

This might not be possible on every beach – especially those that are just heavenly stretches of white sand. However, find one that has plenty of rocks and you’ll be able to get up close and personal with the marine life in a unique and special way. Rock pooling is a great way to get to know the miniature ecosystems that live by the coasts. For those who are traveling with families, kids will love it! Take a net and a bucket and study the crabs, plants, and small fish that live in the pools. However, make sure not to hurt or damage any of the flora and fauna.

Build a sandcastle

Another great activity to do with children or as a family is building sandcastles. But it’s not as easy as it sounds! First of all, you’ll need to dig down to find water, then make a base for your creation out of wet sand. Then you can flex your creative muscles. Add doors and windows and decorate with shells and seaweed that you find nearby.

Make sure to take a picture and upload it to Instagram so that the world can see it! 

Read a Book

Much like sunbathing, reading a book is a way to properly chill out and disconnect from the real world on your day at the beach. Transport yourself to a faraway land on your towel with nothing and no one else to distract you. 

Watch the Sunset

Last but not least, if you’re still at the beach by the time dusk falls, you won’t want to miss the sunset. Especially for beaches facing the west! Seeing the sun go down can be a magical experience and you’ll get some amazing photographs. If you’re traveling with your other half, this is a great way to sweep them off their feet and have a moment that you’ll treasure together. It can get pretty chilly at night though, so you will need some warm clothes!