Whenever we hear the word “vacation”, the first image that usually comes to mind is a sparkling, white sand beach, framed by gently swaying palm trees and azure blue waters beyond the shoreline. It’s no coincidence that for the majority of us, especially those who live in the frigid north, going on a holiday means flying to the tropics and enjoying a bit of warm sun and surf.
With December now in full swing, it’s only a matter of time before eager vacation-goers decide to leave the snow and go somewhere where they can enjoy gently lapping waves and sunshine. If you’re already planning your Ft. Myers dolphin tours excursion for the coming year, here are some of the essential things you must remember to pack.
Sunblock
Many people make the mistake of thinking that you don’t need sunblock if you plan to go tanning… after all, the goal is to get bronzed skin, right?
Not so. Even if you’re planning to be golden brown for the coming year, proper sunblock is essential for your skin. Direct sunlight contains ultraviolet rays, which can cause skin cancer besides other skin afflictions. A good sunblock blocks out these harmful UV rays while allowing the rest to tan your skin to a smooth, healthy bronze.
If you plan on staying under the sun for long, go for a sunblock with a higher SPF rating. This means it can block out most of the harmful rays, and for longer. However, limit your suntanning to just two hours at a time. Any longer and you’re likely to suffer sunburn and skin rashes. After every tan session, don’t slip on your clothes immediately. Allow some shade time on your bare skin, so that it won’t get irritated by the brush of your clothes.
Sunglasses
Even if you’re part of the “old” group who would rather not wear shades, believe it or not, they are essential.
Science has proven that wearing the tinted eyewear for the beach is not just for looks; they serve a purpose. Those Oakley shades and Rayban aviators act pretty much like sunblock for your eyes. The multicoated tinting on the lenses also block out harmful ultraviolet rays, apart from the sun’s direct glare. These are magnified on the beach because there are few places to shade yourself from the sunlight. In addition, the sand magnifies those rays and reflects them back, which can be harmful for the eyes if you stay there too long.
And remember not just stuff your shades in your bag. They can get scuffed and scratched. Use the proper case they came with, and bring along a lens cleaner or two.
Hydration packs
For those of senior age or who are used to colder climates, it’s easy to get dehydrated once you hit the warm sand.
To guard against this, always bring along a handy source of electrolytes, such as water bottles or energy drinks. After all, you don’t want to spend half the time fainting and fanning yourself during that precious beach trip!
