TRAVEL : 4 Travel Essentials for a Tropical Holiday

Nothing screams paradise like a tropical getaway. You can let your worries melt away in the sun or wash away in the ocean and enjoy the slow and leisurely pace of life. It’s no wonder why it’s the most popular type of holiday for UK travellers, with 34% of them taking a beach trip in 2022. Despite the relaxing vibe of tropical holidays, preparing for the environment is still crucial. The heat and sun can be especially brutal without the right preparation. 

You don’t have to pack a million items, but make sure these four travel essentials for a tropical holiday are on your list:

Sunglasses

One of the best parts of a tropical holiday is soaking in the sun, but without the proper protection for your eyes, you could risk significant damage. Short-term issues like eye sunburn can impede your vision or increase your risk of eye conditions like cataracts. Sunglasses are a must for travelling anywhere in the world, but even more so important when visiting a hot and sunny destination. A pair with 100% UVA and UVB protection or a UV400 rating is ideal, but you can also opt for polarised lenses to block glare from reflective surfaces like the ocean or a pool. They’re also great for adding a touch of fun to your travel looks. Retailer Glasses Direct showcases a range of stylish and protective models. Frames like the Jaden from Glasses Direct are high quality but easy on the budget, while the Kate Spade Bari shades offer a sense of luxury. You can also add your prescription to the lenses so you won't have to keep switching them out with your glasses. Durable and comfortable sunglasses can accompany you on your tropical holiday and many more future trips.

Water bottle

Whether you’re lounging by the pool, enjoying exciting watersports, or exploring your destination, the tropical weather will have you sweating buckets. While the heat offers an opportunity to enjoy a cool cocktail in a luxury dining spot or bar, regularly drinking water is still vital for health. You may not be able to grab a bottle of water when you’re on the go, so bringing a reusable water bottle wherever you go can ensure you take sufficient sips throughout your travels. An insulated bottle like the Lululemon Back To Life sport bottle or the classic Chilly’s bottle can keep your drinks cold for hours so you can stay refreshed throughout the day. With a reusable water bottle, you can also do your part in minimising plastic pollution in the environment since you won’t have to buy plastic water bottles to quench your thirst.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a no-brainer for tropical holidays, but you may not be using the most effective choice. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 should be the bare minimum when travelling to the tropics, providing sufficient protection against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Water-resistant sunscreens can also be helpful if you plan to swim, do watersports, or do any activity that will have you sweating often. Options like the Sol De Janeiro Rio Radiance sunscreen lotion checks all these boxes while also offering an eco-friendly benefit. It’s a mineral sunscreen, meaning that harmful chemicals aren’t present, preventing harm to marine life when you swim in the ocean. Whichever sunscreen you choose, stay diligent with applying it every two hours or after swimming and sweating to stay protected all day.

Dry bag

When on a tropical holiday, there’s a high risk of your precious items getting damaged by water. Your phone, camera, wallet, and more can fall into the sea or pool or get wet from the rain, dampening your items and travel spirit. A dry bag can keep those essentials safe and dry in wet conditions, giving you peace of mind. You can fill them up with the essentials you want to secure and put the dry bag in your backpack or luggage. You can also carry it around on boat rides or beach trips, and you won’t have to worry about dropping it in the water. Dry bags from brands like Ortlieb and Sea to Summit are known for their durability and reliability, so leaks or flimsiness shouldn’t be a problem.