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Original poster

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

215 replies

drinksdilemma · 29/05/2026 15:58

I’m not new to solo travel, but I am new to solo summer travel.

I have a few beach visits planned and don’t really know what to do with my stuff if I go to the beach? Do I just leave my bag on the beach and hope it doesn’t get knicked, or do I accept that I just won’t be going in the sea unless I book into a beach club?

OP posts:
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15
WheretheFishesareFrightening · 29/05/2026 16:45

I take as little as possible and accept I might lose it if it gets stolen, and don’t take anything I wouldn’t be willing to replace if it did get stolen.

For me that’s usually my kindle or a book, towel, sun cream. I’ve got a waterproof case for my phone and use my bank cards on there. I’d try to keep my accommodation key on my while swimming too if possible.

PunRunTea · 29/05/2026 16:44

I have a dry bag tow float so you can put valuables in it and attaches to you if you want to swim.

Bobbiesmom · 29/05/2026 16:44

I solo travel and bought a swimproof bum bag from amazon. When I want to swim I pop my kindle, cash, bank cards and phone in and clip round my waist.. It works brilliantly. You test it 1st in water with a tissue inside to check it works.

HoldMyWine · 29/05/2026 16:42

I go kayaking so leave my towel and shoes on the beach. Take my keys and phone in a little dry bag with me.

EBearhug · 29/05/2026 16:41

I leave my towel and a bag with clothes, book, drink on the beach.

EBearhug · 29/05/2026 16:40

Get a small waterproof container for key, phone, bankcard. Leave the rest behind.

Being on my own is not going to stop me swimming in the sea.

Bjorkdidit · 29/05/2026 16:40

I don't understand the issue.

Take as little as possible with you.

Get a waterproof pouch if you absolutely cannot leave valuables on the beach.

Although most people do and are usually fine.

Enjoy your sea swims.

Original poster
drinksdilemma · 29/05/2026 16:35

AppleKatie · 29/05/2026 16:35

go to and from the beach, taking the absolute bare minimum and take a waterproof pouch for your phone, key and 20 euro. Leave your book, towel, clothes and suncream on the beach.
or investigate a beach club that might have a safe at the side of the lounger, I believe southern Europe has these.

I have booked a beach club but I want to be in the sea everyday! Argh

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 29/05/2026 16:35

go to and from the beach, taking the absolute bare minimum and take a waterproof pouch for your phone, key and 20 euro. Leave your book, towel, clothes and suncream on the beach.
or investigate a beach club that might have a safe at the side of the lounger, I believe southern Europe has these.

Boolabus · 29/05/2026 16:35

Plonk yourself near a nice looking family or group of girls and ask them could they keep an eye on your stuff while you take a quick dip. No one ever minds, I'm always happy to. Get asked a lot because we're a family of 5 so rarely all in the sea at the same time

mullers1977 · 29/05/2026 16:28

drinksdilemma · 29/05/2026 16:15

I’ve just had this dream of swimming in this area for so long, I’d not really considered it properly to be honest

Show quote history

I'm
Just back from a holiday with my daughter - we only took my phone and an emergency cash card - I left these on the beach in my beach bag, I wouldn’t not go in the sea, I’m considering the fake rock or an empty suntan lotion - leaving these outside of my bag for the future. When back packing a couple of years ago I took a waterproof bag and wore it in the sea like a bumbag - however my husband managed to not seal it and soaked everything breaking 3 phones and a kindle!

Original poster
drinksdilemma · 29/05/2026 16:28

Cosyblankets · 29/05/2026 16:19

How far is your place from the beach

At least 20 minutes

OP posts:
Original poster
drinksdilemma · 29/05/2026 16:28

To be fair it’ll be in southern Europe. Not England.

OP posts:
Allseeingallknowing · 29/05/2026 16:23

swoosher · 29/05/2026 16:15

You can buy a small portable mini safe with combination lock, I would put my credit card/key etc in that under a beach towel. Not sure what I would do with a camera though.

Doubtful it would be that safe there!

OxRug · 29/05/2026 16:19

Get a waterproof pouch for your phone and just have your phone and cards in that. On the days you go to the beach leave the camera behind and use the one on your phone

MinnieMountain · 29/05/2026 16:19

I'd either go back to your accommodation then back out with your key and enough cash or book a beach club.

DS (12, so I can't ask him to take it in turns to swim) and I are on a beach holiday without DH and that's what we've done.

Cosyblankets · 29/05/2026 16:19

How far is your place from the beach

CakeCupboard · 29/05/2026 16:19

Inflatable tow float (the sort used for open water swimming) and take your valuables in the water with you? Some tow floats do not have storage, but many do and would be big enough to fit most cameras, etc., although you'd definitely need to put your camera inside a dry bag within the tow float for additional protection as they tend to get a little damp inside. A few tow floats also come with rucksack straps if you want to use one as your main bag for carrying around - I have one of these and use it quite a lot to carry my stuff when walking/jogging up to a nearby lake. But as tow floats are inflatable, you can roll them up for storing/carrying in other bags without taking up too much space/weight, so they're not bad for taking on holiday!

cheezncrackers · 29/05/2026 16:16

Leave valuables at the hotel in the safe. If you want to take your phone or credit card, put them in a swim safe pouch. I wouldn't leave anything valuable unattended on a public beach.

Indianajet · 29/05/2026 16:15

I can't believe people are advocating leaving belongings unattended. My grandson had his phone and wallet stolen while on a beach, and it was a nightmare sorting it out.

Original poster
drinksdilemma · 29/05/2026 16:15

Stoicandhappy · 29/05/2026 16:13

If I am travelling alone I would visit beach but wouldn’t leave my belongings lying around whilst I went in the sea, so swimming isn’t an option.

I’ve just had this dream of swimming in this area for so long, I’d not really considered it properly to be honest

OP posts:
swoosher · 29/05/2026 16:15

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