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?

I've gone away loads. I leave them close to the shore, so I can keep an eye on them, and hope for the best. Not had anything nicked yet. I never go out with wads of cash, or anything, but have abandoned my passport/phone etc. Not ideal, but not loads of options and I'm not missing out on a swim! Did it this week and was fine.

Honestly in your position I’d put valuables in a zip lock bag, bury it next to some memorable or really noticeable rock and put the other items in a normal spot, not far from there.

I’ve gone to the beach abroad before alone and whilst I wasn’t as worried as I’d be these days, I buried phone and wallet in the sand under my handbag.

Why risk it, especially the passport!

We often all go in the sea together and leave our stuff unattended, but we don't take loads of valuable stuff down to the beach. Minimal amount of cash and maybe one of the kids phones. If I'd been out all day would definitely go back to the hotel and leave anything not essential back in the room. Nobody has ever taken anything when we've done this, but of course it could happen. I swim in a pair of ladies board shorts, so I can take money if it's waterproof (like Aussie dollars and the new British bank notes) with me into the sea, euros not so great for this.

I wouldn’t go for this option personally, because it’s highlighting that that’s where your valuables are. A thief could go round quickly targeting this sort of thing and then work out how to get into it later.

I don't know! I just always sort of assume (hope) it'll be fine!

Till it isn’t!

Amazed how naive and trusting some people are. No way would I risk losing such valuable items!

I have a waterproof bag for my IPhone so I take it into the water with me. I leave all other valuable in the hotel safe. I leave my clothes on the beach.

I keep my car keys and phone in a waterproof zip log bag thing around my neck

Then just pack toys and books for dd which are left on the beach

I have a key safe that is like a large padlock which you can hide under car for when I have been surfing alone (and can keep valuables in the car).

If I'm not surfing and likely to have short dips I might ask a friendly neighbour on the beach to keep an eye on my stuff. Or just put it near other people and keep my eye on it.

As a lone woman traveller I’m far more worried about losing my phone than getting back from the beach in broad daylight without it!

But my phone was in a tow float, plus a second waterproof pouch for a lake swim today because I was out of the house by public transport for 12 hours

We used one while travelling, plenty big enough to fit a camera, phone, keys, spare tshirt etc. it was one of those roll over ones that then buckle to fasten. I’d probably put the expensive camera in a ziplock too, just in case, but we’ve never had an issue.

Highly recommend the waterproof phone cases you can get for a fiver on amazon, our kids use them every holiday to take underwater photos.

There are definitely ways and means @drinksdilemma !!

I haven't read the thread but it probably depends on the location.

In Croatia (the Dalmatian coast) I was told by locals that theft is rare so I felt comfortable to leave my bag with my phone on my beach towel on multiple occasions. Nobody touched it.

I wouldn't do that in a high crime area though. Maybe leave anything valuable in your hotel room and put your phone and room key in a waterproof pouch to wear while swimming.

I would also suggest trying to find travel buddies and you can take turns minding each others' stuff while you swim. This was something I did in Spain.

Dry bag on a rope- my partner and I snorkel we are usually in 30-40 mins so can't leave stuff on the beach, we also often go in at one place and get ot at another- a dry bag is perfect for us.

I have a tow float.

Well, yes, but by that logic, you would avoid driving, walking, cycling etc.

We have those waterproof pouches you can wear, they work really well. So cheap too. I gave one to a lady and her daughter on holiday in Cornwall last year as she was going out jet skiing after us with her daughter and commented on them as we were coming out of the water.

You would think so, but last time I went for a solo swim someone stole my flip flops!!

If you're planning on eating too could you choose a reasonable beach bar that has sunbed hire there too
These are well staffed and less likely to have dodgy people about as staff would be keeping an eye out?

I was on Miami Beach and I had a large hold-all and the only option was $250 for a cabana thing I didn’t want. A random guy chatting to the guy selling them said he’d watch my bag whilst I swim. Did this then mid swim realised if I came back and he’d gone I’d have nothing (my passport, phone, house keys. Wallet, clothes & £6k Cartier watch all in the bag!) but the bikini I was stood in and would surely not make my flight home in a few hours. Realised what an idiot I was being and hastily got out. He was there I gave him $50 as a tip was immensely grateful! I think it depends on beach and situation. I was really stupid then but if I was here/med and just had phone and some day things it’s not that big an impact or likely.

But why take the risk, when it’s avoidable?

I usually park myself next to a nice looking family and ask them to keep an eye on my stuff whilst I take a quick dip.

Gullible and naive comes to mind!

Have to say I’d be more inclined to go back to base, esp if you’ve been hiking, ditch hiking boots, maps, lunch stuff etc. If the place has a safe, leave phone, camera etc there with the passport etc & just take key & a bit of cash with you. It’ll go in a waist pouch fine & wont matter if a bit of damp gets in.
Rucksack & hiking boots lying on the beach could well indicate you’ve done more than just strolled from base to beach for a swim, so might well have more worth investigating…