What should I pack for a beach or pool holiday?

The essentials: a couple of swimsuits, goggles, a towel or two, and reef-safe sunscreen. Add a rash guard or cover-up for sun, flip-flops, a dry bag for wet gear, and any personal items like a swim cap or earplugs.

Do I need to bring my own goggles on vacation?

It's worth it — your own well-fitting goggles are cheap, pack tiny, and mean you can see clearly and swim comfortably rather than relying on borrowing or buying overpriced ones at a resort shop.

How do I pack wet swimsuits and gear?

Bring a dry bag or a couple of zip-top bags to hold wet suits and towels so they don't soak the rest of your luggage. Rinse and dry gear when you can, and pack a second suit so you always have a dry one.

What to Pack for a Swimming Vacation

By Jordan Rivers · July 17, 2026 · 5 min read

Knowing what to pack for a swimming vacation means you spend your trip in the water, not hunting for overpriced goggles at a resort shop. The swim essentials are few and small, but a handful of extras make a water-focused trip far more comfortable. Here’s a simple, complete list.

The short answer

For a swimming vacation, pack the essentials — two swimsuits, goggles, a towel, and reef-safe sunscreen — plus sun protection (rash guard or cover-up, hat, sunglasses), after-swim comfort (flip-flops, a change of clothes), and practical extras (a dry bag for wet gear, a swim cap or earplugs if you use them). Bring your own goggles and suits rather than relying on buying them there.

Swim essentials

Two swimsuits. A second suit means you always have a dry one while the other dries — and swimwear dries slowly, especially in humid air. If you’ll be swimming laps rather than lounging, pack a suit made for it (see the best swimsuit for lap swimming). (How to pick in general: choosing a swimsuit for swimming.)
Goggles. Your own well-fitting pair packs tiny and makes swimming far more comfortable than squinting or borrowing. Test the seal before you leave home so you’re not discovering leaks on day one, and tuck them somewhere they won’t get crushed.
A towel or two. Quick-dry travel towels are compact and pack down small if you’re tight on space — most resorts and beaches don’t guarantee you a towel, and rentals add up.
Swim cap and/or earplugs, if you use them. If you’re prone to swimmer’s ear, earplugs are worth the tiny space they take.

This mirrors the short what you need to start swimming list — swimming needs very little gear, so the goal is to bring the few things that matter and skip the rest.

Sun and skin protection

Water and sun are a strong combination, so protect your skin:

Reef-safe sunscreen (many destinations require it) — and reapply often, especially after swimming.
A rash guard or swim shirt for extra sun cover in the water.
A hat, sunglasses, and a cover-up for time out of the water.
After-sun lotion in case you catch too much.

After-swim comfort

Flip-flops or water shoes for hot decks, rocky entries, and changing areas.
A change of dry clothes for after you swim.
A light, quick-dry outfit you don’t mind getting a little damp.

Practical extras

A dry bag (or a few zip-top bags) to keep wet suits and towels away from the rest of your luggage. It doubles as a place to stash a phone and keys when you’re in the water.
A refillable water bottle — it’s easy to get dehydrated swimming in the heat, and you often don’t feel thirsty while you’re cool in the water.
A small first-aid kit with plasters for blisters and any personal medications.
A waterproof phone pouch if you want photos near the water.
A mesh or laundry bag so wet, sandy gear can breathe rather than sitting sealed and turning musty.

Packing it so nothing gets ruined

A little organization keeps saltwater, sand, and chlorine from wrecking the rest of your bag:

Keep wet and dry separate. Wet swimwear against clothes, chargers, or a book is how you end up with a damp, smelly suitcase. The dry bag or zip-top bags earn their place here.
Rinse and dry when you can. Chlorine and salt break down swimwear fabric over time, so give suits a quick freshwater rinse and hang them to dry between swims — it also keeps them from souring. More on this in how to take care of your swimsuit.
Shake out the sand. A quick shake and, if possible, a rinse before packing beach gear saves you finding grit in everything for the rest of the trip.
Pack swim gear where you can reach it. If your suit and goggles are buried, you’re less likely to swim on arrival day or during a short window. Keep the essentials near the top.

What you can usually leave behind

Just as useful as knowing what to bring is knowing what not to overpack. Bulky pool inflatables and toys take up huge space and are cheap to buy on arrival if you really want them. Full-size toiletries can be decanted into travel sizes. And you rarely need more than two or three swimsuits — more just means more wet fabric to haul home. Traveling light leaves room for the wet gear you’ll accumulate.

For families

If you’re traveling with kids, add properly fitted, Coast Guard-approved life jackets (not toy floaties), extra towels and suits, and sun protection sized for children. Pack more spare suits and towels than you think you’ll need — kids go through them fast — and consider swim diapers for little ones. And remember that constant, close supervision matters more than any piece of gear, especially in unfamiliar water — see water safety tips for kids.

The next small step

Lay out the essentials first — two suits, goggles, a towel, and reef-safe sunscreen — then add the sun and comfort extras. Pack a dry bag for the wet stuff, and you’re set to make the most of the water. Before you go, give how to stay safe swimming on vacation a quick read.

Frequently asked questions

What should I pack for a beach or pool holiday?: The essentials: a couple of swimsuits, goggles, a towel or two, and reef-safe sunscreen. Add a rash guard or cover-up for sun, flip-flops, a dry bag for wet gear, and any personal items like a swim cap or earplugs.
Do I need to bring my own goggles on vacation?: It's worth it — your own well-fitting goggles are cheap, pack tiny, and mean you can see clearly and swim comfortably rather than relying on borrowing or buying overpriced ones at a resort shop.
How do I pack wet swimsuits and gear?: Bring a dry bag or a couple of zip-top bags to hold wet suits and towels so they don't soak the rest of your luggage. Rinse and dry gear when you can, and pack a second suit so you always have a dry one.