From Maui To Capri, Here's 12 Must-Pack Items For Your Beach Honeymoon

Whether you’re chilling at the resort or headed out on snorkelling trips, very little time is spent out of our bathers on holiday. Thankfully, with the right cover-up, kicking back in your cozzies can look cuter than ever. A time-honoured fave, the classic shirt dress or oversized button-up will offer endless styling options with the added bonus of extra sun protection. Wear one open over your bikini for a laidback beach-girl look or tied up at the waist with pants and skirts in the evening. Smock dresses are another effortlessly stylish option to throw-on after a swim with their breezy handle and dainty silhouette, or alternatively, show a bit more skin with this season’s sarong obsession. No matter the silhouette you choose, a cute cover-up is guaranteed to be the MVP of your beach bag. *Images via Instagram @faithfullthebrand

If there is one thing Kim Kardashian has taught us, it’s do not take your diamonds into the ocean. A treasure trove of wealth lives at the bottom of the sea with all the lost jewellery and engagement rings disappearing down there each year, and we do not advise adding to it. Cold water has been said to “shrink” your fingers, making it that much easier for a ring to slip off during a swim, so to avoid the romantic getaway turning sour, it’s a good idea to switch out the irreplaceables for low-cost alternatives just in case. Luckily, we’re pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful yet inexpensive jewellery so you’ll have no trouble finding something that keeps you looking and feeling special, despite the lower price tag. Opt for some dainty studs for fuss-free swims or lean into the tropical atmosphere with warm tones and flower motifs.

This one probably isn’t surprising, but you gotta pack sandals. A cute pair of sandals, like Birkenstocks, can take you from exploring rockpools to looking chic at dinner with a quick change of outfit. Before you pick out your pair, have a think about what your holiday footwear needs will be; you’ll probably want something easy to slip-on (sorry gladiator heels) and pretty hard-wearing if you plan on doing more than lie next to the pool. Choosing flat chunky sandals keeps your look on-trend while offering all-day comfort and flexibility, they’re also pretty easy to pack and clean so you can keep them in your luggage while you wear your sneakers on the plane.

With the right accessories, not-getting-sunburnt has never looked so chic. Alongside the copious amounts of sunscreen you’ll be getting through, a sun hat and protective sunglasses help the UV rays stay out of your eyes and off your skin, while also providing endless makeup-free photo ops. If you know the cut of frames that best suit your face shape, the next thing to contemplate when choosing your sunnies is what category of protection they offer. On sun soaked holidays, you’ll want a category 3 pair, preferably in an oversized silhouette for maximum coverage around the undereyes. Large brimmed, floppy sun hats are great for keeping you shaded when napping by the pool while cute caps give a sporty edit to your swim look. 

By now, the importance of sunscreen has been hammered into us all and thankfully, the days of our only SPF option being a greasy tube of white goop are behind us. With an array of modern formulas to suit different skin types and tones, it’s a worthy investment finding what sunscreen works for your skin, because at the end of the day, the best pick for you will be the one you actually want to wear. If you’re hoping to stock up on lots of instagram content with your new beau, consider SPF-infused makeup and some hydrating lip protection primed for any sun-soaked photoshoots you’re planning. A relaxing week away can quickly become dire with a bright red face and painful burns so if there’s one philosophy to live by on your honeymoon it’s reapply, reapply, reapply.

It’s easy to forget the toll days of sun, salt and chlorine can take on your hair until it’s too late. As exciting as a free hotel mini shampoo and conditioner can be, your locks will be craving a little extra TLC after being so exposed to the elements. Salt water and chlorine are both incredibly drying so unless you like a crunchy, knotted mane, investing in a hydrating leave-in conditioner to use before going in the water will be a saving grace for your hair. The tropical heat and UV rays are also super damaging so we’d recommend making an anti-humidity or heat protection spray a staple in your beach bag too. Particularly for curly and natural hair types, a rich and repairing hair mask in the evening will help restore all the oils and moisture stripped throughout the day, consider combining one with protective braids before swimming to help keep your texture intact (your curls will thank you!). For any bottle blondes hoping to avoid a brassy beach look, make a purple toning mask and shampoo top of the list when packing, as well as plenty of leave-in conditioner. And last but not certainly not least, a wet detangling brush is going to become your most treasured item when it comes to looking after salt-soaked hair, the gentle “no-pull” design is exactly what your tresses will want after a long day in the waves. 

We’ve all experienced the post-checkout “did I leave something in the room” panic on holiday, but rather than leaving your honeymoon on an anxious note, try planning ahead with a few toiletry bags and storage to help you stay on top of your stuff. Rather than having your bits and bobs floating loosely around your luggage, keep a selection of pouches and compartments for different categories. For example, it’ll be much easier making sure all the chargers are in the charging bag and skincare is in the skincare pouch than trying to remember if they’re all somewhere submerged in a suitcase of clothes. The more organised you are when packing, the easier it’ll be checking out with peace of mind (and everything you checked in with).