Camping on the Beach - Heaven Or Hell?

Camping on the beach can be one of the mostconcentrated.
incredible experiences of your outdoor life. Waking upShower or rinse off often and especially before bed
every morning and going to sleep every night with theto keep your bedding from getting salty. Consider
sound of the waves and the magic of a front rowsetting up camp behind a barrier of brush and shrubs.
view of sunrise and sunset can be an experience youThis natural barrier will absorb some of that salty
will remember for a lifetime. But beach camping canspray.
mean intense exposure to the elements and couldSand
possibly become very unpleasant if the weather turnsLove that sand! Long walks down the beach with the
bad. So be prepared for every possibility and you willsand massaging your feet can feel better than a
surely have the time of your life!massage or a day at the spa. Lying in the sand,
The beach has certain elements that come with thereading, meditating, sunning is one of the reasons many
territory, namely wind, salt, and sand. Rain is commonof us love the beach. But, when sand finds it way into
to every outdoor experience so we'll assume that youeverything you wear, eat and sleep in, it can become a
are already ready for rain. If you are camping in thenuisance. Practice strict de-sanding procedures
tropics be ready for noise from roosters, hens andwhenever you go in or out of your tent. If possible,
dogs. Here is some advice on how to make beachhave your clothing and everyday items in a separate
camping relaxing and fun.spot from where you sleep. That way, every time you
Windgo to get your book, or your toothbrush, or want to
Wind could be a nice breeze but it can also developchange your clothes you aren't tracking sand into your
into a gale or even worse a hurricane. If you are goingsleeping area.
to be camping during hurricane season be aware ofShake and air out your bedding every day if possible
hurricane procedures in the county or country that youand take the opportunity to sweep the sand out of
are visiting. Are there evacuation plans in place foryour tent at this time, during the day, while you can see
your beachfront campground?what you are doing! Then, at night, after sunset and
So, say it's not a hurricane but more like constant onlast meal and the campfire is going out, you can slip
shore winds that make it difficult to light a fire or keepinto your clean tent and just slip into sleep.
your camp stove going. First and foremost have someNoise
extra tarps and rope so that you can construct yourRoosters and hens are ubiquitous to all Caribbean
own windbreak. Second, make sure to bring rain gearislands. They are often living half wild and roosting in
that also works as wind gear, i.e. Jacket and pants,nearby trees. Although there may be someone
because no matter how heavy is your sweatshirt orfeeding them and collecting eggs, there is usually no
sweater, the wind will find its way in and make youcoop and they roam freely. Maybe you have lived on
miserable.a farm and know that roosters crow all day and
Finally make sure that your tent is in good conditionsometimes all night. If you don't know this fact know it
with no rips, and that you have all the stakes you neednow and be prepared. Bring earplugs and a bit of
to keep it in place while the wind is blowing. If you planpatience. Earplugs can also keep the peace in
to use a pop up canopy as a shelter for your picniccrowded campgrounds where some people like to
table and campfire area, choose one that has astay up late partying while others like to go to bed with
vented canopy top and make sure to attach somethe sunset!
kind of weights to keep it from sailing away. HavingBeach camping can be an unforgettable vacation if
optional side panels for your canopy can also help toyou are prepared for it. Check out Vancouver Island
make cooking and eating your meals endurable, evenfor incredible whale watching every evening in your
calm!own private campsite, or for tropical beach camping in
Saltthe BVI there is the crude and just adequate
Salt spray from the ocean can be corrosive. It willcampground at Tortola's Brewers Bay, the most
cause parts of your body, especially your nostrils, tobeautiful and unspoiled bay on Tortola, or for a more
become chafed and sore. Rinse your face often withupscale experience the Virgin Gorda Campground. For
fresh water and breath in some of the fresh watera really pricy camping experience check out Cinnamon
through your nose to keep the salt from getting tooBay Campground in St. John, USVI.