An evening party on the beach

Try a party with a difference - a party on the beach. Invite your friends to enjoy the pleasures of the sandy beaches, salty sea air and the sound of the mighty sea, while watching the sunset. Keep your party casual and relaxed as a day at the beach should be.

Prior to the planning of your beach party

Because beaches are public areas, they are under the protection of local authorities. Therefore, you will have to establish well in advance what the rules are on having a party on the beach.

1. Before the party, check with local authorities on the rules regarding trash, glass bottles, alcohol, fires and time of day available for a beach party.
2. If you require any permits, make sure that you apply for them well in advance. Permits may take longer to issue than you anticipate.
3. Check with the authorities which beaches can be used for a party.
4. Scout the beaches for a suitable beach area for a party. An area with some kind of protection is a good idea; rock outcrops, brush or alcove. Make sure that access to the beach area is adequate and that there are restroom facilities and showers. The perfect spot for a great beach party should be clean, with a wide sandy area that won't completely disappear at high tide.

Invitation to a beach party

To the conventional information (date, time, venue, directions, etc.) that forms part of an invitation, add the following:

Ask your guests to:

• Bring beach blankets, chairs and towels
• If it is a theme-based party, give the instructions

Preparing for your beach party

There is a collection of items that you need to bring to your party for it to be a success:

• Cooler boxes with ample ice to keep food and drinks cold
• One or more fold-up portable tables
• Food
• Grill and grilling supplies, if barbecuing
• Disposable cups, dinnerware, utensils and napkins
• Trash bags
• Beverages
• Music

Favorite beach activities

A bonfire on the beach provides a cozy atmosphere. Singing around the warm fire while melting marshmallows on a stick makes a great evening. Ask friends to bring guitars and other musical instruments. Use the fire to barbeque some meat.

What about a dance competition?

Safety tips

• During the day, before your guests arrive, check the sand for hurtful debris
• Ensure that all the guests use the trash bags. Debris in the sand can hurt or cut your feet
• After the party scout the beach for trash
• Keep containers with water close in case the fire runs away
• At the end the evening douse the fire with water to make sure that the fire is completely out