Bring some nature books along to help you learn about the beach and its surrounding area.

Part of any beach's beauty – or the beauty of any lake, forest, stream, et cetera – is the abundance of nature that makes it unique. Bring along a nature book or brochure to help you identify different fish, birds, shells, rock formations and vegetation. Keep track of what you see and what you find, and take the opportunity to read and learn about the unique ecology that you become part of when you visit the beach. There are nature books available on all sorts of locales, and for many age groups. Children often enjoy having their own books and doing their own exploring.