10 Things to Bring to the Beach

Sun's up. Surf beckons. Suit's on and you're ready to hit the beach. To make your lime time most enjoyable, take a few moments to pack up some essentials.

Steve Simonsen

1 Just the right towel. Choose one that's just a bit shorter than your body so you can wiggle your toes in the sand. Make sure it's white or pastel; light colors will keep you cooler than dark hues will.

2 A wide-brimmed hat . Any style will work; just pick what suits your personality.

3 Sunglasses. Wraparound shades will protect your eyes best, but you may wind up with a raccoonlike tan line. Ultraviolet protection is a must.

4 Strong sunscreen. Slather it on, using a minimum of SPF 15. After swimming, slather on some more or you'll soon know why the gumbo-limbo tree, with its red, peeling bark, is called the tourist tree.

5 A beach book. Take a peek at the realities of paradise in Herman Wouk's classic, Don't Stop the Carnival, about an expat who chucked it all to buy a Caribbean hotel. Or maybe try Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, about a marooned sailor, or Robert Louis Stevenson's pirate tale Treasure Island. Of course, you can never go wrong with a really juicy romance novel.

Steve Simonsen

6 Snorkel gear. Pack a mask, a snorkel and fins when going to any USVI beach to see colorful fish. If you bring your own, buy a commercial defogger to keep your mask view clear. (Or, do like the locals and just use a little spit and polish.) If you rent, make sure the mask is snug.

7 A CD player. A Walkman is ideal for winding down to local time. Crank up Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise" or a Putumayo Caribbean Party collection.

8 Island snacks. When it comes to picnic lunches, go native. Pick up a pate (a spicy meat or fish patty wrapped in pastry), or fried fish and johnnycakes, from the nearest roadside stand.

9 Beach beverages. Bring key limes to squeeze into bottled water for a really good thirst quencher.

10 Frivolous extras. A laminated fish-identification chart, so you'll know who your fellow swimmers are (available at most T-shirt shops). A disposable waterproof camera. A Frisbee. A folding beach chair. And a watch that doesn't work, so time will stand still.