Where leisure is concerned, beaches are typically associated with day trips – usually in the sun. However, beach camping is in fact an incredibly popular pastime, sharing much in common with any other type of camping but offering a great deal of truly unique experiences into the bargain. Nevertheless, beaches are not all the same, and it therefore follows that beach camping is not always the same type of experience either. For one thing, beach camping might not even involve a tent. But while we might have all heard of sleeping on the beach, that certainly doesn’t mean some cold and rocky beach on the North Atlantic.
When putting together a range of tips for beach camping then, there is much to consider. Any set of camping tips will focus for a large part on how to get there and what you should bring (the actual camping part only comes at the end). In terms of travel preparation, the place where you are going matters a lot. To take an example, whether you are receiving advice like “affix your boat to the roof of your car with secure cam straps or a ratchet strap tie down” or “pack a high factor sunscreen” depends very much on whether you’re off to some Northern marina for a spot of crab fishing or to Florida for sunbathing.
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Main Differences Compared to Traditional Camping
There are several variables that differ a lot more for beach camping than the traditional camping in woodland or field. The ground, for example, can be much softer and more unstable, meaning that pitching a tent can be more of a challenge. There are positive ones too. Sea breezes mean you will not have to deal with insects, which are prone to hovering around lakes and in forests.
And of course, there will be different things to bring. Tie down strap manufacturer Rollercam advise however that for travelling to the camp spot, as much of the same equipment is used for transporting beach camping equipment as traditional camping. So that’s at least one area that you don’t have to worry too much about.
Top Beach Camping Tips
With that out of the way then, here follow some of the top beach camping tips. For brevity’s sake, we have focused primarily on those tips that do not apply to traditional camping.
Get Sand Tent Stakes
Ordinary tent stakes are bound to let you down when camping on sand. Depending on how fine or coarse the sand is, they could even become totally useless. Luckily, tent stakes designed specifically for sand are available and you will certainly want to secure your tent against the sea wind.
Plan for Wind
And speaking of wind, it should be stated that coastal regions are, in general, much windier than those inland. Accordingly, you should plan for windy conditions. The tent stakes just mentioned are one such example, but you should also purchase the right kind of tent. Furthermore, if you can, angle it properly against the direction of the wind.
Understand the Tides
This is an especially important one. Depending on when you arrive, it could appear that the beach is massive – but you cannot pitch your tent just anywhere on it. A tide coming in once your tent is pitched (or, worse, when you are asleep) is sure to end in disaster. Also bear in mind that how the tides come in is important; it is rarely just some advancing straight line. You should learn how to read tide charts wherever this is a serious concern.
Ultimately, the top advice for beach camping is to research the place you are going and plan for the unique challenges.