Beyond Sunscreen and Swimsuits: 10 Things I Always Pack for Cape San Blas
After years of spending time on Cape San Blas and hosting families at Beach Camp, Good Fortune, and Sweet Necessity, I’ve learned that the most important things to pack aren’t always the obvious ones.
Everyone remembers swimsuits, sunscreen, and flip-flops, but over the years, I've discovered a handful of items I never leave home without because they make our trips easier, more comfortable, and a lot more fun.
I thought I’d share my personal Cape San Blas packing list in case it helps you plan your next visit.
1. A Frozen Meal for Arrival Day Dinner
This might be my favorite packing tip.
I'll be honest, I dislike grocery shopping and meal planning on a normal day, let alone on vacation. The last thing I want to do after a long drive is unpack the car, head to the grocery store, and figure out what's for dinner.
We always bring a frozen or prepared meal from home. I tend to pack something simple like lasagna, enchiladas, BBQ, or a casserole. Dinner is handled before we ever leave home, and a prepared meal means vacation can start immediately. The kids can jump in the pool, everyone can head to the beach, and I'm not spending the first evening organizing meals or worrying about feeding a hungry family.
A little planning before leaving home means everyone gets to start relaxing sooner.
And here’s a bonus the “cooler packer” will appreciate: The frozen meal will slowly thaw in the cooler during the drive while helping keep everything else cold.
2. Water Shoes
Not flip-flops. Actual water shoes or sturdy water sandals.
I love my Chacos, and they get more use than almost anything else I pack.
They’re perfect for exploring Stump Hole, walking along the shoreline, launching kayaks, looking for shells, or wandering through the shallow waters of St. Joseph Bay. They’re also especially handy if you plan to explore the Bay View Trail and the Maritime Hammock Nature Trail in the state park, where you’ll encounter a mix of boardwalks, sandy areas, and shoreline access.
If you’re debating whether to bring them, bring them.
3. A Flashlight or Headlamp with a Red Filter
One of my favorite Cape activities is taking a walk on the beach after dark.
The stars are amazing, the beach is peaceful, and you often feel like you have the entire shoreline to yourself.
If you’re visiting between May 1 and October 31, remember that it’s sea turtle nesting season. A flashlight or headlamp with a red filter helps protect nesting turtles and hatchlings by minimizing light disturbance.
And here’s a lesson learned from experience…
Before you head out, make sure you know exactly where your beach access is located. Don’t rely on a porch light or a neighboring house as your landmark. People turn the lights off, and suddenly every house looks the same from the beach. Knowing your access point before sunset can save you from a very confusing walk home. 😬
4. Binoculars
Binoculars are one of those items that seem obvious, but they’re surprisingly easy to forget.
I still use my grandfather’s binoculars, and they’re one of my favorite things to bring to the Cape. Almost every morning starts the same way with a cup of coffee, my spot on the deck, and a view of the Gulf.
From the decks of our homes, I’ve watched dolphins feeding offshore, pelicans diving for fish, eagles and osprey carrying their catch back to the nest, and all kinds of shorebirds. They’re also fun for watching shrimp boats and other vessels traveling across the horizon.
Some mornings I’ll sit there much longer than I planned, simply enjoying the view.
5. A Few Downloaded Apps
Before every trip, I make sure a couple of apps are downloaded on my phone.
Two of my favorites are a star identification app, such as Stellarium Mobile or SkyView, and the Merlin Bird ID app
There’s something really fun about hearing an unfamiliar bird call and instantly finding out what you’re listening to. The same goes for identifying constellations and planets while sitting on the deck after sunset.
These apps have made me appreciate the natural beauty of the Cape even more.
6. A Small Rechargeable Table Lamp
One of the things I love most about Cape San Blas is how dark it gets at night.
When I’m sitting on the deck stargazing, I don’t want bright lights ruining the view, but sometimes, I need just enough light to see my drink or have a conversation.
A small rechargeable lamp is the perfect solution. It provides a little glow without creating a lot of light pollution, so you can still enjoy those incredible Cape night skies.
7. A Small Dry Bag
Water is a big part of every Cape vacation.
Whether we’re kayaking, paddleboarding, exploring the bay, boating, or spending a day on the beach, I like having a small dry bag to protect my phone and valuables.
My favorite is a 5-liter dry bag. It’s large enough to hold the essentials without being bulky, and many come with a shoulder strap so you can wear them like a crossbody bag while you’re out exploring.
And here’s a bonus use that parents will appreciate: dry bags are perfect for packing wet swimsuits when the kids decide they need “just one more swim” before it’s time to head home. Instead of putting the wet swimsuits on top of the last suitcase packed in the car, you can toss the wet items in the dry bag and be on your way.
8. A Mesh Beach Bag
This may not sound exciting, but it makes a huge difference to me.
A good mesh beach bag allows sand to fall out before you ever make it back to the house. Towels, sunscreen, snacks, beach toys—it all fits inside, but most of the sand stays where it belongs. No mess or dumping out a ton of sand when you are back at the house or when you return home.
Beach homeowners everywhere appreciate this packing tip, too. 😊
9. A Good Book
I always pack at least one book, usually two.
Some of my favorite reading spots anywhere are the bed swings on the decks at Good Fortune and Sweet Necessity and the bay-facing deck at Beach Camp. There is something incredibly relaxing about settling into a swing with a cold drink, a good book, and the sound of the Gulf in the background.
Some of my favorite reads are The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Before We Were Yours, The Great Alone, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Daisy Jones and the Six
Life moves a little slower on the Cape, and a great book is the perfect companion.
If you discover halfway through the drive to the Cape that your book is sitting on your nightstand at home, you're in luck. Beach Camp, Good Fortune, and Sweet Necessity each have bookcases filled with guest-favorite reads, making it easy to find your next beach book.
10. Cash
I very rarely carry cash at home anymore, but I always bring a little when I come to Cape San Blas.
One reason is Weber’s Donuts, which is cash only. Having the ability to buy these sweet treats is reason enough; however, I’ve always enjoyed handing the kids a few dollars and sending them off on their bikes for ice cream or a treat from the Tradin’ Post.
Watching them pedal down the bike path with a few dollars in their pocket feels like something from a 1980s summer vacation. In a world where everything is digital and scheduled, those simple moments are pretty special.
My Final Packing Thought
What I love most about Cape San Blas is that it encourages you to slow down.
The best days here aren’t usually the ones packed with activities. They’re the days spent watching dolphins from the deck, identifying bird calls, reading on a bed swing, walking the beach after sunset, and enjoying time with the people you love.
These are the items I always pack because they help me enjoy those moments a little more. Hopefully, they’ll help make your Cape San Blas vacation even better, too.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Cape!
~ Carrie