Enjoying the Beach: Activities and Attractions
Swimming off the beach, watching kiters on a windy day, or soaking up the sun are all typical ways to spend a great day at the beach. Perfect is different for all of us, but one thing is common: big smiles and a sense of well-being after a great day at the beach.
With over 30 miles of beautiful sand beaches, Los Barriles, BCS Mexico in the East Cape area offers many great choices. Perfectly located halfway between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, this area is easy to reach either for a day trip from those commonly visited areas or come for a longer stay to enjoy all this area has to offer.
Tips for Navigating Los Barriles’ Beaches
The main beach areas are easy to walk to from most hotels and lodging choices. If you drive onto the beaches, just be sure to locate parking areas and stay on the hard-packed areas to park. To experience the more remote locations, you should consider using a UTV, which can be handy for hauling all your stuff—even to the main beaches. These come in many assorted styles and sizes, so plan your group and locations accordingly. If you need to rent one, there are many great local companies that offer plenty of choices, from two-person to multi-person UTVs.
Essential Beach Day Preparations
Stay Hydrated and Protected from the Sun
Of course, don’t forget to think about sun protection, hydration, snacks, and comfort. Make sure to include water along with your beverage of choice, as dehydration is no joke and can ruin a great vacation. Sun protection in the form of shade, sun shirts, or sunscreen is a must to protect you from the sun. Remember to reapply after swimming and always use reef-safe products. We must protect this beautiful sea and the creatures that live there.
Choosing the Right Gear: Canopies, Chairs, and More
Choose your spot and set up for an epic beach day. Perhaps you’ll choose a beach canopy for maximum shade for your group or just an umbrella for one or two people. Be sure to bring chairs along for a more comfortable experience. If these items are not available in your lodging, you can rent them from LB Beachgear, conveniently located on the beach by Hotel Playa del Sol. Reef-safe products are also available here for sale if you did not bring any with you. If you want to order these before your trip, just use my referral link for a 10% discount using referral code Cheryl.
Adding Fun and Adventure to Your Beach Day
Wildlife Watching and Entertainment
Add some fun or entertainment to your day to ensure everyone is enjoying the experience. Many of us like to listen to music, read a book, swim, paddle, or just sit and enjoy the view. Depending on the season, you may see a humpback whale cruising by or a mobula jumping for joy.
Recommended Binoculars for Spotting Marine Life
Take a pair of binoculars along so you can get a closer look at these spectacular creatures and enhance your beach day experience.
The Importance of Reef Safe Products
Why You Should Use Reef Safe Sunscreen
To ensure we continue to enjoy this beautiful marine environment, make sure you are using eco-friendly reef-safe products. My choice is Stream2Sea, a woman-owned, veteran-owned company that offers a full range of products.
Understanding the Impact of Petrochemical Sunscreens
The full impact of petrochemical sunscreen ingredients is still being studied, but it appears that they can damage aquatic ecosystems and marine life even in small concentrations. These ingredients include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, and more.
Five Important Facts About Reef Safe Sunscreen
1. Avoiding Harmful Petrochemical Ingredients
The full list of petrochemical ingredients includes oxybenzone, octinoxate, and more, all of which can harm aquatic ecosystems even in small amounts.
2. Reading Labels Carefully
There is no legal definition of “reef-safe” or “eco-friendly” sunscreen, so manufacturers can say almost anything. Make sure to read the back of the package and check for harmful petrochemicals.
3. The Broader Environmental Impact of Sunscreens
NOAA reports more than 14,000 tons of sunscreen wash into the oceans every year, with harmful chemicals coming not just from beachgoers but also from wastewater. This can negatively impact marine ecosystems.
4. The Danger of Plastic Containers to Marine Life
Eighty percent of ocean debris is plastic, and it can take hundreds of years to break down. Plastics kill millions of marine animals every year. Microplastics have even been found in fish and shellfish that humans eat.
5. People-Friendly, Eco-Friendly Sunscreens
In 2019, the FDA raised concerns about the safety of petrochemical sunscreens for people. The only sunscreen ingredients still considered safe are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are used in Stream2Sea products.
Why Stream2Sea is My Preferred Choice
Proven Safe for Marine Life and Coral Reefs
Since 2014, Stream2Sea has offered the first and only sunscreen to be scientifically tested and proven safe for fish and coral larvae. While there is debate on the definition of reef-safe, Stream2Sea is the safest choice for marine ecosystems. Check out the results of these tests.
Stream2Sea’s Ecofriendly Packaging All Stream2Sea products are packaged in sustainable containers made with bio-resins from sugarcane or post-consumer recycled materials like milk jugs.