To ask what you do with your belongings when you go to the beach solo?

No they don’t 😅

You might but nobody else is. Do you seriously think the cars would all still be there if this was commonplace?

I was coming to say this too. Depends where you are obviously. But I go on holiday with just my kids and these were a life saver so we could all swim at once.

Waterproof pouch. I have a small one if I’m only taking keys/card And a larger one that fits my phone. You can also get inflatables/tow float that contain a dry bag to put stuff in which is super handy.

Agreed, you can't stop doing everything in life ... just in case. Sometimes in life you just have to accept there is a risk.

Quieter Greek beaches I tend to put them in a plastic bag, bury them and put the towel over it. I don’t tend to do it then go in water straight away incase someone’s seen me do it. I do it a while before i go in,

tbh I don’t feel 100% comfortable doing that but it’s been ok a couple of times.

Good idea !

The swim bags are cheap beacuse they are simple products that actually need huge feats of engineering. Seal (or two seals on some of them) to close, roll top, plus poppers to stop it coming undone. Cheap, simple and effective.

If you really dont want to use one then some people leave their phone and card in a "used" (but not really used obvs) rolled up nappy.

Don’t know about this product but i’ve been using the ocean bags for years and it’s never failed. It doesn’t look like it would work but I promise it does.

You need an ocean pack dry bag.

Depends whether it’s Benidorm or a remote Greek island.

One option is to approach a trustworthy looking family and ask if they would be willing to watch your bag for 10/20 minutes to have a quick dip. I have done this for a lady before, and didn't mind as I had to be sat up to watch my child in the sea anyway.

I second @CakeCupboard’s idea - a tow float like the ones used by open water swimmers.

I use mine in the sea all the time. It is a storage one, so phone/keys/wallet go inside, then inflate it. It is lovely bobbing about using it as a float too!

sweet I've seen surfers do the wheel thing. It's very south west trusting 😂.

I figure that as long as I have my eye on my beach tent then I'll notice if someone goes near it. Although reading this thread is tempting me to get a waterproof pouch.

You really don't want to risk sand getting inside your camera lens or scratching it. DP is a wildlife photographer and he would never ever take his camera to the beach, even DD's 'cheap' one. I'd seriously reconsider this idea. Can you do half a beach day and half a camera day? I understand you're on public transport but it seems the most sensible to go out with the camera then drop everything off and go back out to the beach.

I agree I would probably more cautious in somewhere like Barcelona where theft is commonplace but your average coastal beach less so.

Although I'd be surprised if travel insurance would pay out if something was stolen if left unsecured on a beach @Pineapplewhip

This has really opened my eyes! I live right on a beach (south west) and have always just left my stuff on the sand for nearly 50 years! Everyone here also leaves their car key on top of a wheel too. Which now as I write seems laughable!!

Depends where you go. Barcelona is rife for it, my friend had both his phone and passport nicked on the beach there. He had done the bury it wrapped in a towel trick mentioned on this thread.

I bought waterproof pouches that hung around my neck and used those.

Leave it on the beach- you can buy these towels with hidden compartments that might be handy. Depends entirely on where you are going tbh.

Make sure you have insurance in place that covers theft. Travel insurance you have to pay extra for gadget cover but it is well worth it.

Get a dry bag thing, they're about the size of a small backpack and used by kayaker/sailors to keep their stuff dry. My husband has one, use it as your bag for the day and put it on your back when you go in the sea. It'd easily fit a camera, purse and phone and will be waterproof. Might not be quote as freeing as swimming in just your swimsuit but it won't be uncomfortable then leave towel, book, suncream on the beach as they're all replaceable. We use it when we do waterfall hikes to stop stuff getting wet

I like the idea of a beach towel with a pocket on it as people are much less likely to steal a towel than a bag, not that I think there's a massive risk of a bag being taken on most beaches, but it's an extra layer of protection.

I will look into buying one of those or ways of fashioning something to attach to my existing beach towel as it already has a big loop on it to keep it together when rolled up.

Do you REALLY need your phone on a beach?

I take a plastic payment card and slip it inside my swimsuit, I’ve not had one fall out yet!

I leave non valuables on the beach and door keys in my shoes. I also have a beach towel that has a little pouch with Velcro so you can put a key or cash in there and have that side facing down.

Oh jeez, there are so many waterproof bags you can take swimming!! How do you think people who go on more ‘wild’ holidays take all their belongings when they have to swim across rivers and things to get to the next place? Or professional divers/swimmers etc. I’ve had many bags which are completely waterproof and can accommodate cameras, valuables etc. They’re not cumbersome, they’re not even that expensive.

I try not to take much but even so, I pile stones on the handles of my bag or tie it to something. If someone tries to grab it, it won’t be as easy and I’d hope I’d notice, as I don’t swim out too far.