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

[drinksdilemma]

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?

Thank you for this thread and to everyone that has posted links. I am a solo traveller and have a similar issue.

I think as your digs are only 20 minutes away I’d drop the camera off first and take a waterproof bag for the rest to be honest.

I tend not to go to the beach to swim on my own but I've been swimming in the river a couple of times. I left everything except car keys in the car. Keys were then tied in a corner of my towel/sarong and left on the shore.

I just don't take any valuables with me.

Get one of these! Absolutely problem solved…
i’m now currently considering it for my summer holiday involving unknown beaches!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Swim-Buoy-Open-Water-Dry/dp/B0CPFVDPMS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=184742008685&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uZqu-U5VxE8vyuPUF2R2zS8VoIz-ESdRXeZE5XCfQRlln0pehUnBp5XE9rVCBAF7xCDDNfLfLa0HSQGaRzCtcOo1eKVVbuFkkC6-GR8cUH58wFGxUFBCMv7GmUq0K4Tvmiwuslok8xNbhsqBq8Yaf1rQQOTwtJLbA6TJpaVwZWA1YRGZkdHPDUvEhu5jQ58FNfQIlLbdp7KiydnJyPLNQA.ERJFPBkxJv0D9oXU2HdLQ_6lmh93a481JkR1KkbLJ4c&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=793439561250&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9224441&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=7509721300727311433--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7509721300727311433&hvtargid=kwd-919971173476&hydadcr=16092_2440594_379735&keywords=tow+float+with+storage&mcid=4477dbbee6b43753ba3d522b4cd91ac4&qid=1780084590&sr=8-1-spons&aref=tgtH0shC5l&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

No, I think thieves are opportunists so if they see valuables that are easy to grab they will. Grabbing a visible phone or wallet/sunglasses etc is always going to be preferable to grabbing what might be a nappy full of wee/poo. I’ve also used crappy plastic bags in the same way. But you’re right, I have no way of knowing if I’ve just been lucky!

As the OP has what sounds like a pretty substantial camera to hide though I reckon her only option is an expensive waterproof bag (expensive because her camera is expensive so she doesn’t want it to fail!).

I tend to swim in the area near where my stuff is and not swim too far out. I can see if anyone comes onto the beach then or near my things. I would most likely put any valuables in the motorhome though if I planned on swimming. I also have a waterproof bag for keys/phone etc

That's no good for putting a camera in though! You still need to put your phone/keys etc in a water proof pouch & then inside this. I use one of these for lake swimming and they're not completely watertight and definitely not big enough to put a camera in.

I read a while back how someone wrapped up their essentials in a clean nappy and bundled it to look as though it were a used nappy waiting to be thrown in the bin. If you haven't got children with you then of course that might not fool a seasoned thief, but just a tip.

We had a day at the beach this week, and hired a beach hut for the day. Cost £50, but it meant that we could just lock all our stuff inside and go off and do stuff without worrying about thefts.

We could also make a cuppa with the little camping stove that was provided - bonus!

Is that a possibility for you?

I only ever take pound coins and put them into one of those spring-loaded holders that old people used to use. This gets tucked into my speedos.

I, er, dress to the left...

The idea of me bobbing along with my phone in a pouch behind me does make me giggle. Might be worth the £20 for the peace of mind

I think you have three choices-

1. take camera back to accommodation first
2. go straight to beach with camera but don’t swim
3. don’t take camera out with you for the day. personally I’d do option 1. 20 minutes each way isn’t that far and it will be much more relaxing.

Those mini safes on Amazon - what if someone steals the entire mini safes???

I think you need to plan your days to the beach and not be taking tonnes of valuables to the beach and using a beach club locker - we used some beach club lockers in Majorca it worked really well would definately do that again.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08V4H4YDK/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw&aref=5DkqNk6COJ&sp_cr=ZAZ I have this. I have to bag my phone in a waterproof case first though.

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.

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 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.

Do you REALLY need your phone on a beach?

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.

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

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.

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.

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!!

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