Family vacations in the Virgin Islands are always an exciting adventure, especially when your kids are young. Whether you plan to lounge on the beach, explore the vibrant marine life or simply relax and enjoy being with your family away from the daily grind, packing the right items in your beach bag can make all the difference.

Here’s a comprehensive list of what to pack for vacation, specifically curated for Moms of littles (12 & under) traveling to the Virgin Islands, to ensure you’re well-prepared for a hassle-free and fun-filled vacation.

Sunscreen

Make sure you pack High SPF, reef-safe, mineral sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. The SPF 50 Face Stick from Sun Bum is one of our favorites for tiny faces! Lots of families prefer Spray Sunscreen for easy application on busy kids, but it’s important to note that spray sunscreen is not allowed on most boats, since it makes the decks slippery and increases the chance someone gets injured. Sun Bum’s Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is a great alternative for Boat Days.

Rash Guards

If you’re not looking to reapply full body sunscreen to all your kiddos all day long, Rash Guards provide a great solution to protect their sensitive skin. There are some great local shops in the Virgin Islands that sell all sorts of beach gear, and it can double as a souvenir. Some of our favorites: The Gear Shop in Compass Point Marina, St. Thomas. Just Beach in St. John. Southern Saint & Saint Croix Surf Company in St. Croix and Jost Van Dyke Scuba in the British Virgin Islands.

Beach Towels

Villas and resorts will provide beach towels for you to use during your stay, so there’ss no need to bring them with you in your suitcase; however, there’s something to be said for a great towel that doesn’t bring the entire beach home with you in your bag. Sand Cloud and Venture 4^th have some great options for lightweight and microfiber towels that don’t get completely covered in sand after a long day at the beach.  

Snacks

It goes without saying that hungry kids are zero fun to be around, and the food bill can add up quickly when you’re on vacation. Bringing along some of their daily favorites is always a great idea, or you can have your favorite snacks delivered to your villa or resort so you don’t have to lug them with you in your suitcase. Protein bars and fruits like apples and oranges are a great sweet treat to pack for your beach day or boat trip to get the salty water taste out of your mouth and keep hungry kids satisfied.

Water

To ensure your time spent under the hot Caribbean sun is both enjoyable and safe, staying hydrated at the beach is without a doubt the most important factor. Keep your kids happy and prevent heat exhaustion and dry skin by making sure they get plenty of fresh water to drink and don’t let them ingest too much salt water, as it’s bad for their tummies. We always try to stay away from single use plastic water bottles, especially in the islands where recycling is limited, so we don’t leave home without our Yeti Rambler!

Bug Spray

Around sunset when the air cools down, the no-see-ums and mosquitoes can become a real buzz kill. No pun intended. They can truly wreck an otherwise magical beach sunset if you’re not prepared. Deet will usually do the trick, but if you want to avoid hosing down your kids with poisonous chemicals, the Avon Skin-So-Soft Bug Towelettes are the best at keeping the bugs away. There are certainly more affordable options, but after years of battling the bugs at late afternoon beach hangs, we will 100% recommend these wipes every time.

Baby Powder

Trying to put on dry clothes after a long day in the sand and salty water can be frustrating when you’re having to help all your tiny humans too. If you plan to visit any beaches without amenities, like a fresh-water rinse, you’re going to want to pack some baby powder in your bag. Not only will it get rid of that scratchy, salty feeling on your skin, but it helps remove sand from little feet, so you don’t have to pay that added car rental fee for having too much sand in your floor mats. The Be Green Bath & Body Baby Powder is one of our favorites and it’s got a great rating from the Environmental Working Group.  

Change of Clothes

Speaking of putting on dry clothes, if you plan to be away from your resort or villa all day or going straight from the beach to dinner or another activity, you’re going to want to get out of your wet bathing suit. A change of dry clothes for everyone can be a lifesaver for post-beach activities.

Snorkel Gear

Getting your kids to explore the magic below the surface may feel like an impossible task for some, but there are tons of great excursions geared towards families and first-time snorkelers. There are also some great options to rent snorkel gear locally, but if you have any feelings about germs and want to pack your own gear, the Cressi Rocks Kids Set or the U.S. Divers Kids Dorado Mask, Proflex Fins & Sea Breeze Snorkel Set with Carry Bag are both great options for a starter set.

Beach Toys

Plenty of island shops sell all the gear you’d need for a fun-filled day of building castles and playing in the sand. You can also rent sand toys and many villas have a stash of beach gear available for you to use during your stay, just ask your property manager what’s available. That said, we love our Waboba games and they’re typically lightweight and easy to travel with if you want to bring them with you.

Packing these essentials will ensure you’re well equipped for any beach adventure in the Virgin Islands. Remember to pack light, choose multipurpose items where possible and most importantly enjoy the precious moments with your family in paradise.