Let's talk about the sneaky vacation expense nobody warns you about: the resort gift shop. You know the one — where a bottle of sunscreen somehow costs more than your poolside cocktail, and a pair of goggles is marked up like it's designer eyewear. I learned this lesson the expensive way, and now I have a go-to packing list that I bring on every single pool or beach trip. It saves me money, saves me a mid-vacation gift shop panic, and honestly just makes the whole trip smoother.
If you've got a pool vacation on the calendar, here's exactly what to pack.
Sunscreen (Bring More Than You Think You Need)
This is the big one. Resort sunscreen prices are borderline criminal, and you will go through more than you expect between reapplications, kids, and general pool life. My family's go-to is Sun Bum — it's reliable, smells like vacation, and works for everyone from the kids to me.
For myself, I also love adding in the Kopari Rose Gold Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen. It's a gorgeous sheer glow mist that doubles as a little bit of self-care poolside — feels like a treat, not just a chore.
Pack more than you think you'll need. Trust me, you don't want to be rationing sunscreen on day two.
Mesh Zipper Pouches
These are an absolute game changer for pool bag organization. I use them to separate sunscreen from hair ties, keep wet swimsuits away from dry stuff, and corral all those little loose items that otherwise end up as chaos at the bottom of your bag. They pack flat, dry quickly, and make unpacking so much easier too.
Blow-Up Pool Floats and Noodles
Resort pool floats are usually rented or sold at a steep price, and honestly the selection is never as fun as what you can bring yourself. I always pack a couple of inflatable floats and a pool noodle — they roll up small before inflating and are worth the extra suitcase space.
Hair Ties
Such a small thing, such an easy thing to forget — and somehow always needed the moment you're in the pool. I toss a whole package in my bag so I'm never digging through the bottom of my purse for one stray hair tie.
Active Coco Spray
If you're someone who wants to protect your hair before it hits chlorine or salt water, Active Coco is a great one to pack. It's made for exactly this — a quick pre-swim spritz to help protect your hair, so you're not dealing with straw-like ends by the end of the trip.
Goggles
Non-negotiable for pool days, especially with kids. Buying a pair at a resort shop is painful when you know they're a fraction of the price online. Toss a pair (or a few, if you're traveling with a family) into your bag before you leave home.
A Large Beach Bag That Pulls Double Duty
My favorite kind of beach bag is one that can either work as a carry-on for your flight or fold completely flat inside your luggage. It means you're not sacrificing packing space to bring a bag, but you'll have a roomy, sturdy bag ready to go the moment you land — perfect for hauling everything above to and from the pool.
Why This Packing List Actually Saves You Money
Every single one of these items is something you'll either be tempted to buy at a marked-up resort price, or something you'll wish you had and end up doing without. Stocking up before you leave home means:
- You're not paying resort prices for essentials
- You're not compromising on quality (hello, good sunscreen)
- You're not scrambling last-minute for something simple like a hair tie or goggles
- You get to actually relax at the pool instead of running errands on vacation
A little planning before you pack goes a long way toward a more relaxed, more budget-friendly pool vacation. Save this list, and tap through to shop each of my go-to items so you're ready for your next pool day in the sun.
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