NEW YORK — Would living by the beach ever get old? A survey of 2,000 Americans who go to the beach often finds that even those who live by the sand and surf don’t tire of it. In fact, they enjoy it nearly as much as those who live further away (83% vs. 88%).
Most survey respondents believe that going to the beach is an absolute necessity during the summer (84%). While 30 percent of those surveyed start heading to the sand and sea as early as June, nearly a quarter are so excited that they go even sooner (24%).
Conducted by OnePoll for BeachBound Vacations for National Beach Day, the survey also found that the average respondent visits the beach six times a year, although 31 percent go more often than this.
People would be willing to drive an average of three hours for the perfect beach day, and one in seven would travel even longer for a prime day in the Sun.
Those surveyed also weighed in on “beach etiquette” with the top rules being: don’t sit too close to others if there is open space (58%), don’t litter (53%), and don’t shake off sand too close to others (51%).
Are you unknowingly disturbing fellow beachgoers?
To make sure you’re in the clear, avoid interfering with others by: not sitting too close to them (31%), engaging in PDA (30%), or playing your music too loud (25%). Otherwise, you may be breaking some of the worst beach etiquette rules.
Yet, beachgoers admit they’re guilty of breaking a couple of those unspoken rules themselves, particularly leaving a mess behind (28%), shouting or talking loudly (27%), or bringing their pet (26%). Plus, one in six Americans still find sand in their clothes at least a week after going to the beach, according to the new research.
However, these issues don’t get in the way of a perfect day at the beach. The top five activities those surveyed would include in their ideal beach day are: swimming (49%), sunbathing (41%), surfing (29%), snorkeling (28%), and reading (27%).
Unsurprisingly, 73 percent make going in the water a priority, and another 43 percent enjoy a beachy sunset.
“Whether your perfect day at the beach involves laying on the sand and reading a book cover to cover, bodysurfing in the waves, or relaxing with friends and good music, there is no debate that beach days are synonymous with summertime,” says head of global consumer business at BeachBound Vacations Michael Lowery, in a statement. “Your vacation preferences can help determine which beach destination and resort works best for you.”
When packing for the beach, 56 percent feel that they pack the perfect bag for the beach. Besides the basics, the top five things people bring to the beach are their water bottle (56%), food (46%), an umbrella (39%), a portable charger (38%), and a first aid kit (37%).
Thirty percent of those surveyed have lost something at the beach, usually their sunglasses (41%) or water bottle (39%). One in five have even been unlucky enough to lose their swimwear (21%).
No matter how prepared they try to be, roughly half of beachgoers admit they’re likely to forget to apply sunscreen at the beach (49%). Consequently, 38 percent “always” or “often” come back from the beach with sunburn.
“My perfect beach day involves an all-inclusive resort because I don’t have to worry much about what I should pack,” says vice president of marketing of consumer brands at BeachBound Vacations Dana Studebaker. “I can head from my room to the beach with some sunscreen and have snacks and drinks at my fingertips, plus plenty of activities to keep my family entertained all day.”
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 Americans who go to the beach was commissioned by BeachBound between July 18 and July 19, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
