Beach etiquette tips for staying cool and considerate -

Because most people don’t get to relax at the beach as often as they’d like, many approach beach days with a sense of self-centeredness—they want to enjoy their day to the fullest, but sometimes to the consequence of forgetting that other people are there for the same reason. That can lead to a lack of consideration for others, one that while understandable, is still unacceptable.

The beach is a beautiful shared space that we all deserve to enjoy, and it’s really not so difficult to respect the environment and our neighbors so that everyone can get what they need out of their experience. Click through to see the best tips for everyone to stay sane on the sand this summer.

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Social distance your towel -

The pandemic taught us how to eyeball about six feet to give a safe distance between others, and the same distance is perfect for towels at the beach. Beyond safety though, it’s also a courtesy of privacy. A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t be close enough to eavesdrop.

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Don’t block the view -

If you arrive at the beach later than the crowd, don’t set up an umbrella or chairs right in front of someone else who has already been there for a while. Let the beachgoers who got there first enjoy the ocean view, and especially let parents keep an eye on kids in the surf by staggering your towels.

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Find an empty patch to play -

If you’re a more active beachgoer and like to throw or kick a ball around, find an area that’s clear of people so that you don’t risk hitting anyone.

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Leave only footprints -

It’s unfathomable how people can still litter at the beach, but it’s important to remember that it is a shared space in nature that mandates absolutely zero trash left behind—for both the environment and for safety, as people are walking barefoot. Bringing an extra bag for garbage is simple, and usually the nearest trash can isn’t far.

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Don’t make trash -

Even better than not leaving trash is not making it in the first place. Instead of single-use plastics and Styrofoam, opt for reusable containers and easy zero-waste practices like using cloth napkins instead of paper. You can help reduce the waste at the beach, which tends to pile the garbage cans, high thus rendering them useless.

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Don’t feed the birds -

Feeding seagulls is a bad idea anyway, as they aren’t supposed to be filling up their guts with low-nutrition man-made carbs. But it’s especially poor form on a beach where they’ll aggressively flock and bother people.

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Don’t play loud music -

We all want to be the stars of our own beach day movie, but not everyone’s soundtrack can top that of the actual ocean waves—which is, some may find it hard to believe, what many people actually go to the beach to hear.

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Play family-friendly tunes -

If you must play music out loud, keep the volume low and choose more family-friendly music. No one else wants to hear heavy metal or obscenities.

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Keep an eye on your kids -

Make sure they’re not flicking sand on other people’s towels, splashing people in the water, or peeing (or worse) in the sand dunes or the ocean.

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Take crying kids away from the crowds -

Parents yelling at their wailing kids is firstly unhelpful in getting the child to calm down, but it’s also a quick way to ruin everyone’s relaxed energy. It’s better to take them for a walk away from people so they can calm down.

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Spray sunscreen safely -

Sprayable sunscreen has become a favorite in recent years, but sometimes people spray seemingly endless streams that get carried by the wind and straight into others’ eyes, noses, or mouths.

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Fill in any holes dug in the sand -

Of course, it’s a veritable rite of passage to go to the beach and dig moats for castles and shallow ponds for kids to play in, but before leaving it’s a matter of safety to fill in the holes so that unsuspecting people don’t fall into them and twist an ankle.

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Don’t smoke or leave your butts -

Nothing kills the enjoyment of beautiful ocean air like a whiff of second-hand smoke, so it’s advised to try not to smoke on the beach, and indeed it’s illegal in many places. Butts should absolutely not be left behind as, beyond the obvious pollution, kids will pick up anything.

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Don’t peer pressure others -

Drowning is a serious risk at the beach and yet many report feeling pressured by friends and family to get in the water even when they’re not comfortable.

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Keep pets close -

On beaches where pets are allowed, it’s great to bring dogs and let them enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. However, they tend to kick up a lot of sand and trot all over strangers’ towels, so it’s important to keep an eye on them.

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Help out your pets, and fellow beachgoers -

Being at the beach doesn’t mean you are excused from picking up your pet’s poop—seawater can reportedly act as a gastrointestinal irritant and can act as a laxative, so it’s important to keep watch. Have fresh water for them to drink and to rinse them off at the end of the day, because salt water can irritate their skin.

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Mind the PDA -

The beach is for everyone, so even though you might be in love and wearing very minimal clothing, it’s not the place to get carried away.

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Shade shelters to the back -

When setting up a large, tall shade shelter, move to the back or the side so that you don’t block everyone’s view.

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Make sure your umbrella is secure -

The beach is usually windy and a poorly planted umbrella can get swooped up and become a threat of impalement to others. Make sure it’s secure, and close it when you’re going into the water.

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Keep conversations to yourself -

Some people use beach days to have loud phone conversations or start arguing with their partner under the irritable heat, but it quickly ruins other people’s experience because they don’t want to listen but have no other choice when it’s too loud.

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Don’t gawk -

In some countries, women will go topless at the beach, and for travelers from countries where that is not allowed, it can be something of a surprise. But it’s essential not to make people feel uncomfortable, especially when you’re not a native.

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Don’t hog chairs -

If you’re at a beach where there are first-come, first-served chairs, don’t go down and put your things on the best chairs, then leave for hours until you’re ready for your beach day.

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Drink responsibly -

Where legal, it’s important to be responsible about how much you’re drinking on the beach. It might be your day off to let loose, however, rowdy public intoxication can quickly ruin everyone else’s day.

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Dress mindfully -

So many people have been accidentally flashed by someone whose bathing suit didn’t stand a chance against the waves or whose swimming trunks reveal far too much when they’re laying down...

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Ditch the flip-flops on the sand -

Even though the sand might feel a little hot, it’s a rookie move to wear flip-flops on the sand, particularly as you walk past others’ towels, because you will certainly be flipping sand on them.

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Taking respectful photos -

Of course, everyone is allowed to take photos of themselves at the beach, but be mindful that other people do not want to be in your photos, so if you’re taking a shot of the beach make sure you’re not aiming the camera at anyone, particularly as most people are half-naked.

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Don’t ignore warnings -

When entering a beach, take a moment to read the signs that are put there for your safety and indicate ongoing hazards and temporary ones. Don’t make those poor lifeguards have to whistle you—or worse—back to safety.

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Take beach-safe food -

Bringing egg salad and tuna sandwiches is not the greatest idea, as they’ll get hot and work up quite a stench, which will be carried on the breeze to your nearest beach neighbors.

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Be mindful of where you shake out sand -

Shaking out towels into a breeze is the quickest way to draw the most ire from fellow beachgoers. It’s better to fold it up when you’re ready to go, then wait until you’re away from the beach to shake it out.

Sources: (Martha Stewart) (Delaware Online) (Lohud) (Fork & Wander)

See also: Beach safety tips everyone should know

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