Picnics are always a great outdoor activity, especially in an ideal setting like the beach, and Hilton Head Island has a wealth of them! So pack up the car or strap your bag to your bike and get ready to grub. The perfect beach picnic consists of some essentials, and we have just the list for you to help you plan.

An Umbrella or Tent

Not having enough shade can get you and your food overheated quickly, so pack some shelter from good ole Mr. Sun. A beach umbrella or tent can protect the whole family from the sun’s harmful rays and will keep you all from sunburn during your vacation.

A Blanket or Tablecloth

Every good picnic needs a foundation. A large blanket spread on the sand or a tablecloth draped over a picnic table is quintessential. This keeps things sanitary and makes for easy cleanup.

Utensils and Plates

Cutting boards can be your friend if you don’t have a picnic table. Since sand is uneven, this tool will help you keep your goodies balanced. Also, don’t forget to bring utensils if you’ve packed something that needs to be eaten with them or must use them to dish out food. And most importantly, you need plates for divvying out everyone’s lunch. A picnic set can usually accommodate all of these things for two to four people.

Food and Drinks

Of course, no picnic is complete without the most important element: the food! Prep your foods as much as possible so you won’t have to fuss too much with assembling them all. Keeping food packed into Tupperware keeps it from getting crushed, or worse… blowing away! Keep your cooler stocked with ice to protect anything perishable, but remember that meats or mayo-based items will spoil quickly! What are the best healthy foods to pack for the beach? Here are a few ideas:

  • Cut-up veggies or fruit
  • Pre-made sandwiches
  • Pre-mixed salads (get a separate container for any dressing)
  • Pasta Salad
  • Already cut-up cheeses
  • Turkey Jerky
  • Hummus

Remember to check the local beaches rules for what you can or cannot bring. All beaches prohibit glass and some also ban alcohol. And as always, please take care to clean up after yourself. Hilton Head Island is beautiful, so we want to keep it that way!