Just like most other people, you’ve probably been looking forward to your summer vacation for months now. And if you’d like it to be a fun and active one, it’s likely that you’ve got a whole list of activities planned for each day away from home. The chances are that you’ve also made plans about what you’ll need for all these activities and made some purchases throughout the year so that nothing can meddle with your perfect vacation. But what happens if you forget something essential like your pair of womens swim shoes?

Yes, perhaps you can buy it again, but that could be a waste of money and time. It could make you postpone some of the activities on your vacation schedule and make you spend precious hours or even days looking for something you could have simply brought along with you. To make sure this doesn’t happen, go through these items you should pack if you want your summer season to be as active as possible.

The essentials

There are some things you should carry with you at all times, no matter what sort of vacation you’re planning. Whether you want to spend hours at a time sunbathing next to a swimming pool, or you want to go waterskiing, you’ll definitely need your sunscreen, and with an SPF of no lower than 30. Furthermore, your swimwear choice should be adjusted to the type of activities you want to do. Sure, a basic swimsuit or a bikini is fine for those who only want to swim and sunbathe, but if you’re more ambitious when it comes to your summer vacation activities, you might want to invest in some more specialized swimwear.

You’ll also need a water bottle, so get a reusable one and refill it when necessary, so that you stay hydrated whatever you do. A hat for your head and sunglasses for your eyes will keep you extra protected, so bring them as well. One thing that deserves its place among the essentials is also a good book (or two). No matter how active your vacation will be, you’ll probably have some spare time to sit back and relax, and there’s nothing better than a book to keep you company on such occasions. Finally, pack your first-aid kit, so that you can react immediately if something unexpected happens.

Sports gear

Once you decide exactly how you want to spend your vacation time, you should pack the gear for the sports activities you plan to do. If they’re water-bound, perhaps you should start with a high-performance full face snorkel mask. The best ones offer maximum visibility, have an anti-leak seal and allow you to breathe naturally, through your mouth and nose. Getting one of those will certainly enhance your snorkelling experience. To up the game a bit more, bring some snorkel fins to manage more underwater distance with less effort. When it comes to inflatable items, there are many you can bring to make your vacation more exciting, from inflatable paddle boards to inflatable boats and kayaks.

Also, good running or hiking shoes are a must if these are your activities of choice. However, they won’t do much unless you match them with adequate clothing, so bring some comfortable sportswear. Bear in mind that the days can get very hot, but the early mornings can be chilly, so pack some warm clothing options as well. Lastly, bringing something as simple as a ball, whether a volleyball or an inflatable one, can make your vacation much more active, so don’t forget to pack one.

Electronics and gadgets

Nowadays it seems unimaginable to leave your home for a few hours without your phone, and when you’re going away for a week or longer, you’ll probably want to pack your laptop or your tablet as well. For an active vacation, make sure you get an underwater phone case so that you can use it to take photos while swimming, snorkeling or diving. If you want your photos and videos to be of higher quality, then bring an HD sports action waterproof camera or camcorder, and you’ll be set to go. If you like your music, a good Bluetooth speaker can make any part of your day into a beach party. Furthermore, with a good enough protective case for your mp3 player or phone, you can get waterproof headphones and listen to music while swimming.

In case you’re a fan of snorkelling or scuba diving, you should pack an underwater flashlight, to get a better view of the incredible world underneath the sea surface. Another useful gadget is definitely a smartwatch, which is a lightweight wearable piece of tech. It can connect to other devices, monitor your heart rate and count your steps, among other things. Last but not least, a high-capacity portable charger is something you should always have on you, in case one of your gadgets runs out of power.

Now that you know precisely what to pack, make sure to go over all of these items before you leave, just to stay on the safe side. And once you’re packed and away, make sure you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.