Wondering how many trips to the beach were made last year in the U.S.? The Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports there were nearly 100 million! It’s not hard to understand why most Americans love going to the beach – but for those who are fair skinned, an entire day in the sun can be their worst nightmare. Planning a full day at the beach is no walk in the park; luckily, in an era of smart phones (and hopefully smart people using them), it’s never been easier to prepare for one. With that in mind, here are 5 useful apps to help make your beach experience more enjoyable.
- Sunburn Timer
Planning to work on your tan? The Sunburn Timer app determines how long you can be in the sun safely by factoring in skin color, SPF levels, and of course, weather conditions. The app offers information based on the 6 different types of skin color as well as the type of sunscreen used (or not used, if you like to live wildly). Before you start to fry like an egg, you’ll be reminded via alarm when you’re suitably cooked.
Compatible with: Android ($1.53)
- BeachPro
The BeachPro app is a nifty tool to have for all you surfing enthusiasts. Select a beach you want to visit, and set parameters for the types of waves you want to surf. You will then receive notifications when your waves are ready! BeachPro provides an accurate 7 day forecast with information specifically geared towards the sport. And if you are as directionally challenged as myself, then perhaps you’ll find solace in the fact that BeachPro is directly compatible with Google Maps.
Compatible with: iOS (FREE)
- Key Ring
If you’re planning on stocking up on supplies before you head to the beach, it might be worth checking out the Key Ring app. Instead of taking all of your membership cards, coupons, and credit cards with you, just use Key Ring to skip the hassle of carrying around a clunky purse or wallet. You can even share shopping lists with your friends and family members if you want to divide up the work!
Compatible with: iOS (FREE), Android (FREE)
- Toilet Finder
Hey, this is no laughing matter. Everybody needs to do their business (30 minutes a day on average, in fact). For information on the nearest public facilities, Toilet Finder is a useful application to have because it has up to date information on over 70,000 restrooms around the world. Whether you’re on your way to the beach or relaxing in the sand listening to the soothing sounds of the surf, knowing the location of the nearest potty is comforting information to have.
Compatible with: iOS (FREE), Android (FREE)
- DU Battery Saver
The last thing you need after a relaxing day at the beach is a dead cell phone with no way to contact the friends and family you’ve made plans with later on in the evening. Luckily, with the DU Battery Saver, you can easily monitor the time remaining on your phone as well as the amount of power every application on your phone is currently using. You can then optimize your settings to save hours of battery life.
Compatible with: Android (FREE)
PRO version: Android ($2.99)
Sunburn Timer (Android)