What to Pack for an Ocean Lakes Vacation (And What’s Already in the House)
The single most important thing to know before you pack for an Ocean Lakes vacation: most rental homes (including all of ours) come stocked with the basics, but sheets, towels, and full paper-product supplies for the week are usually NOT included. Beyond linens, the list of what to bring depends on what activities you’re planning, what’s already in your specific house, and whether you have small kids, a dog, or grandparents in tow. This guide breaks it down room by room.
After watching thousands of family arrivals at Ocean Lakes, I’ve developed strong opinions about what to pack and what to leave at home. Here’s the list.
What’s already in a Dune Life Rentals house?
Standard inclusions across our properties:
– Fully equipped kitchen (cookware, dishes, utensils, glassware, coffee maker)
– Air conditioning (per booking.duneliferentals.com listings)
– Free Wi-Fi on most properties
– Washing machine (and dryer in most homes)
– Basic cleaning supplies
– Starter toilet paper and paper towels
– Complimentary golf cart (on 33 of our 34 homes; the one exception is clearly marked on the listing)
What is NOT included:
– Bed sheets and pillowcases (most homes)
– Bath towels and washcloths
– Beach towels
– Full-week paper-product supply (you get a starter kit)
– Specialty kitchen items (blender, juicer, fancy coffee equipment)
– Beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards
– Personal toiletries
You can either pack your own linens or arrange linen rental for the week (typically $30 to $60). Specific arrangements vary by property, so confirm with me directly before you finalize your packing.
What should I pack for the bedrooms?
Pack bed sheets and pillowcases for every bed in the house, plus bath towels and washcloths (2 to 3 per person for a week). Bring a spare blanket if anyone in your group runs cold, an overnight bag with toiletries, and pajamas plus casual clothes for around the house.
If you’re traveling with very small kids, bring a portable crib or pack-n-play unless the property explicitly lists one.
What should I bring (and skip) for the kitchen?
The kitchen comes equipped for most cooking needs. You shouldn’t need to bring pots, pans, plates, glasses, or basic utensils. Here’s what’s worth bringing anyway:
Bring:
– Coffee (and filters if you use them). Most kitchens have a basic coffee maker, but specialty grinds and your preferred beans are on you.
– Cooking oil, salt, pepper, and basic spices. Kitchens vary on what’s left from prior guests, so never assume.
– Ziploc bags and plastic wrap
– Trash bags (a starter roll is usually included, but you’ll need more for a full week)
– Dish soap and a sponge (starter quantities are stocked, but they run out by Wednesday)
– A cooler if you plan to take drinks to the beach
– Reusable water bottles for everyone
Skip:
– Pots, pans, and bakeware (already there)
– Coffee makers (already there)
– Microwaves and toasters (already there)
– Dishes, silverware, and glassware (already there)
Book your next Myrtle Beach vacation
What should I pack for the bathroom?
– Shampoo, conditioner, body wash for every person
– Hair styling tools (most rentals don’t have hair dryers in every bathroom)
– Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss
– Deodorant, shaving supplies
– Sunscreen (lots of it, see below)
– After-sun lotion or aloe
– Personal medications and prescriptions
– A basic first-aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, ibuprofen, allergy medicine)
– Extra toilet paper (the starter supply doesn’t last 7 days for a family of 4 or more)
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What should I pack for the beach?
– Beach towels (separate from your bath towels)
– Sunscreen, at least one bottle per family member, more for kids and longer stays
– Hats and sunglasses for everyone
– A wide-base beach umbrella or pop-up shade tent
– Beach chairs (most rentals don’t include these)
– A cooler for the beach
– Reusable water bottles (you’ll go through more than you think)
– Beach toys for kids: buckets, shovels, sand molds
– Boogie boards or pool noodles (cheaper to bring from home than buy at boardwalk shops)
– Waterproof phone pouches
– A spare grocery bag for wet swimsuits at the end of the day
Sandy Mart inside Ocean Lakes carries beach gear, sunscreen, and basics if you forget something (per oceanlakes.com, https://www.oceanlakes.com/amenities/camptown-center/sandy-mart/).
What should I pack for the water park?
Sandy Harbor Water Park features a lazy river, four-lane mat racer slide, splash zone with kid slides, and an Olympic-sized pool (per Ocean Lakes Water Park page, https://www.oceanlakes.com/amenities/sandy-harbor-family-fun-center/water-park/).
For water park days:
– Swim diapers if you have toddlers
– Goggles for kids who care about goggles
– Water shoes (the pool deck and water park get hot)
– An extra towel just for the water park
What should families with small kids (ages 0-4) pack?
– Portable crib or pack-n-play
– Stroller (the campground is golf-cart-friendly but a stroller is still useful)
– Baby monitor
– Snacks for the inevitable in-between hunger crashes
– A favorite stuffed animal or comfort item
– Sound machine if you use one at home
– Diapers, wipes, and a small diaper trash system
What should I pack for a dog?
– 6-foot leash (Ocean Lakes’ max leash length per their pet policy, https://www.oceanlakes.com/about-us/policies/pet-policies/)
– Collar with current ID tags
– Vaccination records (the dog park requires up-to-date shots)
– Folding travel water bowl
– Crate or playpen for downtime in the house
– Towels specifically for sand and water cleanup
– Your dog’s regular food (Sandy Mart carries some pet supplies but may not have your dog’s specific brand)
– Waste bags
The Lakeside Paws N’ Play dog park and Sandy’s Wash N’ Wag DIY dog wash stations are open in-season 7 AM to 8 PM. You don’t need to pack shampoo since the dog wash provides all-natural products.
What should multi-generational groups remember to pack?
– A power strip or extra outlet adapter (older guests often have CPAP machines or chargers that compete for outlets)
– A bedside lamp or two if your group includes a light sleeper
– An extra blanket (different generations want different room temperatures)
– Reading glasses backups
– Medications and a printed list of dosages
What do most families forget?
After watching enough check-ins, the recurring forgotten items are:
– Sunscreen (people forget it or don’t bring enough)
– A wide-base beach umbrella
– A real water bottle (not the disposable one you bought at the gas station)
– A power strip
– A first-aid kit
– Extra phone chargers
– A small bottle of laundry detergent for mid-week swimsuit washing
The simple copy/paste checklist (short version)
Bedroom: sheets, pillowcases, bath towels, beach towels, washcloths
Kitchen: coffee, spices, ziplocs, trash bags, dish soap refill, water bottles
Bathroom: shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, toothbrushes, toiletries, medications, first-aid
Beach: chairs, umbrella, cooler, toys, sunscreen, water shoes, hats, sunglasses
Water park: swim diapers, goggles, water shoes, extra towel
Small kids: crib, stroller, snacks, sound machine, comfort items
Dog: 6-foot leash, vaccination records, food, water bowl, towels, waste bags
Multi-gen: power strips, extra blanket, medications, reading glasses
What can I buy at Ocean Lakes if I forget something?
Sandy Mart inside the campground carries groceries, beach gear, sunscreen, basic supplies, and some pet items. Sandy’s Meet n’ Eat handles prepared food and breakfast items. Sandy Harbor Café covers snacks and food during water park hours.
For real grocery runs: Food Lion and Lowes Foods are within 10 minutes of the front gate.
Frequently asked questions
Are sheets and towels included in Dune Life rentals?
Most of our properties do not include sheets or towels. You can either pack your own or arrange a linen rental through us. Confirm specifics with your host before you finalize packing.
Is laundry detergent provided?
Usually no. A small bottle is worth packing for swimsuits and beach towels mid-week.
Do the rentals have hair dryers?
Most do, but availability varies. If your hair dryer setup matters, bring your own.
Are beach chairs and umbrellas in the rental?
Usually no. Some homes provide chairs as a bonus, so check the listing.
What kitchen items should I assume are NOT in the house?
Specialty equipment (blenders, juicers, espresso machines, specific cookware), specific brands of basics (coffee, oil, spices), and a full week’s supply of consumables (trash bags, paper towels, dish soap).
Can I bring my own grill?
Most rentals have an existing grill on the porch. Confirm with your host before packing one.
What’s the closest grocery store?
Food Lion and Lowes Foods are both within a 10-minute drive of Ocean Lakes’ front gate.
Is there a Walmart nearby?
Yes, within about 10 to 15 minutes of the campground gates.
Do I need cash at Ocean Lakes?
Most things accept cards, but the dog wash stations and a few smaller services may charge cash or coin. A small amount of cash is worth packing.
Should I pack beach umbrellas or rent them?
Pack them. Beach gear rentals along the Myrtle Beach strand are available but more expensive than bringing your own.
Sources
– Property inclusions: booking.duneliferentals.com/all-listings (accessed May 2026)
– Sandy Harbor Water Park features: Ocean Lakes Water Park page
– Sandy Mart inventory: Ocean Lakes Sandy Mart page
– Pet policy and 6-foot leash rule: Ocean Lakes Pet Policies
– Dog park and wash station details: Ocean Lakes Lakeside Paws N’ Play
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Last updated: July 23, 2026
About the author: Shawn Huffines runs Dune Life Rentals, managing 34 vacation homes inside Ocean Lakes Family Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC. He has seen every kind of arrival, from the family that packed everything to the one that arrived with a single duffel bag. Reach Shawn at 336-382-1415 or shawn@duneliferentals.com.