Coastal Slumber

How to complete Coastal Slumber

A full night on the sand with the sky as your ceiling and waves as the soundtrack. Beyond the romance, it's a small test of preparation, since wind, tide, and damp cold turn a dreamy idea into a miserable one fast.

1. Confirm overnight beach sleeping is legal or tolerated where you are; many beaches have patrols and fines
2. Check the tide table and set up well above the high-tide line, never in the wet sand
3. Lay a tarp or groundsheet down, then a pad, since sand pulls heat from your body all night
4. Use a windbreak like a dune, driftwood, or your bag, and bring more warmth than you think you need

Tips

• Coastal nights get colder and damper than the daytime suggests; pack a hat and an extra layer
• Keep electronics and shoes in a sealed bag, as blowing sand gets into everything
• Sleeping slightly back from the water cuts wind and the risk of a surprise high tide

What counts as done

You slept the whole night on the beach under open sky and watched the sun come up, without bailing to a car or room.