What Should You Pack for Your Next Anna Maria Island Vacation?

So, you’ve decided to take a trip to Anna Maria Island. You’re in for a treat! Now the next big decision is what to pack! You don’t want to weigh yourself down and bring too many clothes or things you won’t be using, but you also don’t want to forget anything. It can be a tough balance, but we’re here to help.

Before you check in to one of our Anna Maria Island rentals, refer to this guide for everything to pack for your trip, plus everything you can afford to leave behind. With our convenient packing checklist, you’ll know exactly what you need for an awesome trip to Anna Maria Island!

What to Expect in the Rentals

Our Anna Maria Island rentals come pre-stocked with some basic essentials you’ll need while you’re in town. We do this to give you an easy first day or night in your rental so you can focus on settling in instead of finding a store and running out for something you need.

Let’s start in the kitchen. You’ll probably want a hot cup of coffee on your first morning in AMI, which is why we provide Joffrey’s coffee with sugar and creamer to get you started. Your kitchen will also be stocked with paper towels, Palmolive, Rinse-aid, kitchen garbage bags, a dish scrub brush, and sanitizing wipes.

Once you head into the bathrooms, we’ve got you covered with some toiletries you might want to use to refresh yourself from the long journey. You’ll find travel size versions of shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap, as well as hand soap and toilet paper.

Additionally, we provide you with dryer sheets and laundry detergent for that first load of laundry. You can also find a convenient notepad in case you need to write down any important information during your stay, as well as bottle/can koozies to keep your drinks nice and cold!

In addition to these amenities, you’ll also find fun features within your rental. Your kitchen has all the pots, pans, dishware, and silverware your family will need for every meal, as well as standard appliances like a toaster and a blender. We provide a hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and plenty of clean towels and linens. We’ve also got your entertainment needs covered with high-speed Wi-Fi, DVDs, games, and books.

What Beach Equipment is Provided

We don’t just provide you with things you can use inside your rental; you’ll also get beach equipment to get you on the sand in no time!

Lizzie Lu’s is happy to provide your party with beach chairs, beach umbrellas, a beach cart to wheel your belongings back and forth, beach towels, and a beach cooler for your snacks and drinks. We try to make it as easy as possible for you to arrive, change clothes, and head straight to the beach!

We do understand that accidents happen, and sometimes a piece of beach equipment breaks or an umbrella gets swept away in the wind. That’s why we keep a full inventory of replacements should you ever need an extra item. If you have an issue, all you have to do is give us a call or submit a guest request through our Lizzie Lu app.

What to Pack & Checklist 

While there are many things that we can provide you, there are a few things you’ll have to bring for yourself. But if you’re like the majority of people, you usually wind up overpacking for your vacations. Using a vacation packing checklist is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to ensure you don’t forget anything and you only bring what you absolutely need.

Let’s start with clothing. Any time of year, you’ll want to bring shorts and t-shirts since Anna Maria Island’s weather is comfortable even in the winter. If you are traveling in the colder months, it might also be worth it to bring one long-sleeved shirt and one long pair of pants for the colder mornings and evenings. For shoes, bring a pair of flip flops for the beach and tennis shoes if you plan to do a lot of walking. 

You also don’t want to forget pajamas! The good news is that, since you will have laundry facilities in your rental, you don’t have to bring a new pair of pajamas for every night. Be sure to also remember smaller items such as:

  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Belts
  • Jewelry
  • Accessories

We also want to talk about beach items in their own category, since the items here go far beyond clothing. You will, of course, want something to wear to the beach! We recommend bringing at least two swimsuits so that you can wear one suit the first day and then let it dry while you wear your second suit. You may also want a cover-up to get to and from the beach, as well as a hat and sunglasses to keep you shaded.

Don’t forget sun protection! Sunscreen is essential when you’re spending long beach days on Anna Maria Island. Lip balm with sunscreen is equally as important since there’s nothing worse than getting a sunburn on your lips! In case you do get that dreaded sunburn, having some aloe vera will come in handy. If you plan to participate in watersports, you might want a mask/snorkel. Of course, you’ll also want all your beach entertainment like buckets and pails or beach balls and books. And finally, don’t forget your water and cooler to stay hydrated!

Toiletries are often a category where we tend to forget something. When you’re packing, go through your morning and evening routine and think about everything you use. This can include your toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, hairbrush, deodorant, lotion, and more. If you wear contacts or glasses, make sure you have backups. As we mentioned, we do provide some travel size toiletries, but for a longer stay, be sure to bring your own. You’ll also want any makeup or shaving supplies you might need, especially if you plan to take pictures or have a night out.

Plan Your Vacation

We know that this list might seem extensive and overwhelming, but we’ve created a convenient packing list PDF for you to reference while you’re packing. Simply check off each item as you put it into your bag! Now that you know what to bring, do you know where you’re staying? Check out our Anna Maria Island pet-friendly rentals or any of our other accommodations!

Finally, we come to the “miscellaneous” category. You definitely want to make sure you’ve got all your identification and travel documents, including boarding passes if you’re flying, passport or another form of ID, confirmation of your itinerary, emergency contact and medical insurance documents, and copies of important cards or papers. 

We couldn’t do anything these days without our electronics, so make sure you’ve got them all. You’ll need your cell phone, but you might also plan to bring your laptop, tablet, portable gaming console, or a number of other electronic devices. Download the Lizzie Lu’s Island Retreat smartphone app before you come to make your whole trip more convenient, and don’t forget all your chargers!