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Ocean Isle Beach is the perfect beach vacation destination. Of course, being an island we always have a gentle cool breeze, but that isn’t to say it doesn’t get hot here in the Carolina sun. This week we have all the best tips and tricks to help keep you cool on those hot beach days.

Don’t Over Do It.

It’s really easy to get carried away at the beach. Activities like volleyball, playing with the kids, passing the ball or tossing a frisbee can cause you to overheat in the summer sun. The more intense the activity, the higher your body temperature will be. Avoiding strenuous movements will keep you cool. If you need to cool down and want to stay active consider water polo, surfing, or good old-fashioned swimming. Remember, there is nothing wrong with taking it easy, it’s a vacation after all.

Find Some Shade

Ok, so finding shade on the beach is going to be tough. No problem just be sure to bring the shade with you. There are, of course, several designs from the traditional to the one we have pictured here. This is called the Sombrilla. Designed by best friends, Sky and Claire, of Hollie and Harrice. As childhood friends they fell in love with the beach, but not sunburns or the sun’s harmful UV rays. After being unable to find a product they liked they did what all great inventors do. They created their own. The Sombrilla is a neat way to find some shade. Of course, there are lots of options but we loved this creative design.

Wear A Hat

Throw on some shade in sunny weather with a hat. Aside from being a great fashion statement, broad-brimmed sun hats or straw hats will provide excellent protection for the ladies. Guys can also enhance their style by choosing among safari hats, trilbies, trucker hats, fedoras, boater hats, and a host of other choices. We like hats that embarrass the kids. Which brings up a good point. Don’t forget the little ones. There are a lot of great designs out there that the kids will love.

Have A Frozen Treat

Eating ice cream or drinking milkshakes in the sun makes going to the beach fun. It’s vacation so it is ok to have an ice cream. They’re also a great way to lower your core body temperature very quickly. While such treats help banish heat quickly, their effects also vanish quickly. That’s because the human body quickly compensates for lowered core temperatures by generating more heat. Bottom line: icy desserts are a quick fix but they aren’t a long-lasting remedy. Still, any excuse to eat ice cream is something we can support.

Take A Midday Break

The hottest part of the day is generally between 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., which is the perfect time to take a long lunch break and let your body temperature cool down a bit. Enjoy the beach during the morning hours, and then head back to your vacation home for some midday shade, air conditioning, and cool ocean breezes from your balcony. It’s the perfect recipe to recharge. You can also stop by one of our fantastic local restaurants and have a light lunch with plenty of fluids before heading back out to bake in the afternoon sun.

Don’t Forget The Cooler

Staying hydrated is essential for your health and well-being. It’s vital that you bring drinks with you to the beach. Water and sports drinks are preferable. Avoid carbonated soft drinks. Bring a cooler large enough to keep everyone in your party happy and hydrated. One simple trick all seasoned beachgoers know is to place some water bottles in the freezer and leave them overnight. In the morning the bottles will be frozen solid but the ice will melt throughout the day and provide icy cold refreshment for parched beachgoers.

Get In The Water

Few things are more refreshing when you are hot than a dip in the pool. It’s like a shock to the system but in a good way. Visitors to Ocean Isle Beach have plenty of options, from our outdoor pools at one of our vacation homes to taking a dip in the Ocean. You can surf, swim, paddle or wade your way to those cooling waters we all love. Want the best of both worlds? Check out all of our vacation homes with pools by clicking here!


There is still plenty of time this summer to plan your Ocean Isle Beach vacation. Need help finding the right vacation home for you and your family? We have lots of tools and friendly staff who can help you. Give us a call at(800) 727- 9222 or click the button below to start planning your summer beach vacation. Don’t let summer slip away without a vaca!

Do you have a favorite trick for staying cool? Leave a comment below and let us know all about it.

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