Tips for Parents Visiting Destin and the Emerald Coast
When we planned our first beach trip with our six-month-old daughter, Estella, the first thought that crossed our minds was probably the same thing you’re thinking right now:
“A baby at the beach?”
We had the same question.
A relaxing beach day with a baby looks a little different than the carefree beach days we remembered before becoming parents. But once we figured out a rhythm that worked for us, those small beach visits became some of the sweetest moments of our trip.
During a stay at a beach house in Gulf Shores along the beautiful Emerald Coast, we quickly learned that simplicity is key. Instead of trying to spend the entire day out on the sand, we focused on relaxed visits in the morning before the midday heat kicked in.
Most days we would head down between 9 and 10 a.m., when the sun was still gentle and the sand hadn’t gotten too hot yet.
We’d set up a small canopy for shade and place Estella in her baby beach tent underneath it so she stayed cool and out of direct sunlight. After a while, we’d head back inside before the afternoon heat arrived.
Once we figured out that rhythm, those little beach visits became some of the best parts of the trip.
The Ghost Crab Incident
One morning we headed down to the beach like we had been doing all week.
I set Estella down on a towel we had left on the sand from the day before. I shook it out a little and let her sit there while I grabbed her baby beach tent to shake out any sand that might have gotten inside overnight.
The moment I lifted the tent, a large ghost crab that had burrowed underneath it during the night suddenly came running out of the sand.
And when I say running… I mean running straight past Estella’s tiny little feet.
My heart jumped into my throat. I was convinced it was about to pinch her.
Instead, the crab just darted right by like we had interrupted its morning routine. Meanwhile, Estella looked absolutely fascinated and seemed determined she was going to grab that crab before it got away.
In the moment it was a little scary, but looking back now it’s one of our favorite memories from her first beach trip.
One thing we learned from that moment is that ghost crabs are extremely common along Gulf Coast and Emerald Coast beaches. They usually come out at night and burrow into the sand before morning.
So if you’re staying somewhere that allows you to leave your chairs, tents, or beach gear set up overnight, it’s always a good idea to give everything a quick shake in the morning. Sometimes you may wake up to find that a few little beach critters decided to make themselves at home while you were asleep.
Thankfully in our case, the crab was just passing through.
But it definitely gave us a story we’ll never forget.
Tips for Taking a Baby to the Beach
If you’re heading to the Emerald Coast with a baby, here are a few things that made our beach trips much easier.
Use a Sunscreen Applicator
One of the most helpful things we brought was a sunscreen applicator with a roller ball and sponge top.
Instead of trying to rub sunscreen onto a wiggly baby with your hands, you simply roll it onto their skin. It spreads evenly and makes it much easier to cover tricky spots.
This was especially helpful because Estella does not like having her face touched, and the roller made sunscreen time much quicker and less stressful.
Bring a UV Baby Beach Tent
A baby beach tent with UV protection became one of our most important pieces of gear.
It provided a shaded place for Estella to sit and play while staying protected from the sun, and it helped keep the temperature a little cooler around her.
If you’re planning a beach trip with a baby, this is something I would absolutely recommend bringing.
A Portable Fan Is a Lifesaver
Another item that turned out to be incredibly helpful was a portable fan with flexible tripod arms.
The one we used could wrap around almost anything; a stroller, crib, pack-and-play, or beach tent.
At the beach we attached it to her tent so it could create airflow inside. That little bit of moving air made a huge difference in keeping her comfortable.
If you charge it the night before, the battery will usually last through your entire beach visit.
Always Bring Baby Wipes
If you’re bringing a baby to the beach, baby wipes are an absolute must.
Between sunscreen, sand, snacks, and tiny hands touching everything, things can get messy quickly. The last thing you want is your baby grabbing a handful of sand and trying to eat it.
Baby wipes make it easy to keep sandy hands, faces, and even your own arms and legs cleaned off so things don’t feel overwhelming.
Pack a Small Cooler for Bottles and Drinks
A small cooler or insulated bag can make a huge difference.
Whether your baby is still drinking formula, milk, or water, you’ll want to keep everything cool and shaded while you’re at the beach.
It also helps keep snacks fresh and makes sure everyone stays hydrated.
Bring a Light Beach Blanket
A soft beach blanket is another great item to bring.
The sand can sometimes be rough on a baby’s soft skin, so having a comfortable place for them to sit, crawl, or lay down makes things much easier.
At the same time, letting babies explore the sand a little can be a wonderful sensory experience. Feeling the texture of the sand, the breeze, and the sounds of the ocean can be a great way for little ones to experience the world around them.
Final Thoughts
Taking a baby to the beach might look a little different than the beach days you remember before kids.
But with a little planning, some shade, and a few helpful items, those beach visits can become some of the sweetest memories of your trip.
For us, what started as a slightly intimidating idea turned into one of our favorite parts of traveling together as a family.
And who knows … you might even end up with your own ghost crab story to tell someday.
