• It has been more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside-down in many ways. The threat it has given everyone has caused lockdowns, community quarantines and stay-at-home setups to be the so-called “new normal”. It’s sad but true.

There are tons of things and events everybody misses now because of this unwanted occurrence, and one of them is going to the beach. 

For sure, you have seen some social media friends posting about how they miss the sea and wish they could freely travel and swim again. On the other hand, you could be one of those people too. Especially if you consider the beach as your most favorite place to be in and if your family and squads often go on beach trips, it’s really heartbreaking to be restricted to visit the sands. 

It’s definitely upsetting to realize that these trying times have hindered, postponed and cancelled all your beach plans. But what you must and can do right now is to stay safe at home and just recall the prized moments. 

This piece will let you take a quick trip down memory lane of the days before this pandemic happened. Without further ado, here are 8 things we miss so bad from pre-pandemic beach outings. 

1 – OF COURSE, BEING COMPLETELY ALLOWED.

Because of the pandemic that poses health hazards to humans, places of leisure like beaches have been obligated to close and stop operations. As they are often crowded and their facilities are usually utilized communally, beaches are areas where the virus can easily spread. To lessen the possibility of transmission, going to resorts and beaches is prohibited, thus, these establishments have been required to pause their business.

Of course, first and foremost, we all miss the times when beach trips are completely allowed. These are the times when you have tremendous options to jot down and visit. You did not need to research which beaches are open and available. Often, you could just walk in without worries, too, because beach outings are permitted before this pandemic!   

2 – NO CHECKPOINTS. NO TRAVEL PASSES.

Not just each country in general but also the cities within each nation have been urged to become strict with allowing outsiders to enter and insiders to exit their zones. 

The pre-pandemic days when you can freely drive to the beach whenever you wanted to are missed. There were no checkpoints to worry about. No travel passes were demanded from you when you’re traveling to the coast. 

Before, you can drive through different places without an essential reason, but today, you must have a valid purpose before you can enter or pass by some cities. What’s more, those travel passes are not easy to acquire. You have to line up, schedule appointments and fill out forms to get them and to travel. But still, the scope of the places you can traverse in is very limited.

3 – NO MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS.

We all miss the times when no swab test results must be submitted before you can go on a beach outing. Before pandemic, what you were worrying about was your last summer’s rash guard that doesn’t fit you anymore. Now, what makes your head ache is how to secure particular medical requirements and road passes first before you can visit the beach.

4 – THE PRESENCE OF CO-TOURISTS 

If you are in a city or country where beaches are moderately accepting guests now, what you miss is the presence of co-tourists who are also enjoying the beach. 

Before pandemic, you hate to see other people, especially when there are lots of them, but now, you somehow miss how you can randomly greet strangers while on your beach outing. In a way, you miss group trips with people you don’t know too. Especially when the beach you are in feels boring, too quiet or abandoned because there’s no one but your squad or because there’s only a few people, you definitely miss the noise of the beaches’ crowds as well.

5 – TOTAL SPONTANEITY

Since people are restrained to travel due to the pandemic, you cannot fully go on spontaneous beach outings now. 

Before, you can actually just leave the house with your heavy bags even without booking a hotel accommodation since you can just walk in to any lodging. You can just go beach hopping if you please. You can simply honk your car’s horn in front of your cousins’ place to pick them up for a random beach trip. Sadly, they were all fine before COVID-19 happened. Those days when you don’t have to be extremely conscious about the time you spend outside are missed.

Nowadays, you have to schedule and book flights, vehicles and hotel accommodation a lot of weeks beforehand because aside from these, you will need to work on health requirements and travel permits as well. It’s a hassle for real, yet they are necessary. 

6 – MASKLESS BEACH OOTDs

You miss the beach trips when you can happily show your smile and breathe freely without obstruction. Maskless beach OOTDs are now part of your pre-pandemic memories. Of course, when you swim today, you don’t use face masks, so that’s a different topic. 

Currently, face masks are not optional. They are required. Before pandemic, wearing a face mask makes people look at you because “Why is he/she wearing a mask?” Nowadays, when you are not wearing a mask outside the house, you feel like you are committing a crime because of how people are glaring at you.

7 – GOING WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY INCLUDING KIDS AND ELDERS

There are specific age limits set for people who are allowed to leave the house and enter public establishments. This may not be the same for all countries and cities, but this is one of the most common pandemic regulations in various locations. 

If your place permits beach trips during the pandemic, then the sad thing is that the whole family cannot go because kids and elders will not be welcomed. You might agree on just leaving them with a family member to take care of them, but you yourself know that it won’t feel right. You won’t even totally enjoy the beach trip, knowing that some family members are stuck at home, not included in your beach photos and terribly wishing they can join you. You’d rather stay at home, all of you, if that’s how it would be, right? Right. 

8 – FEELING OF SECURITY TO SWIM JUST ANYWHERE

Even if your city allows going to the beach now, you cannot deny that there is still discomfort and paranoia going on inside your head because of the pandemic. “What if I get infected during this beach outing?” “What if these tour guides have contacted the virus from the previous tourists?” “Who swam in this lagoon before us?” “Is it really safe?” 

You miss the feeling of security to swim just anywhere. Why? Because today, the big threat comes from the fact that the virus is unseen and that you can get it too without your knowledge.

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PRE-PANDEMIC BEACH TRIPS

Can you relate to some or all of the above-mentioned points? Share them with your friends and family who miss the beach too! 

Everything that happened before the COVID-19 pandemic is truly missed right now that this distressing event is still not over. While praying that this ends already, stay safe and healthy by avoiding non-essential travels. Postponed and cancelled beach plans can be rescheduled and resumed after all these or when it’s safe. 

For now, following rules in order to keep your life and the whole community healthy is vital. No matter how itchy your feet may get because you want to drive to the beach already, have more patience. Lives are more important now than leisure. 

Even if your local authorities slightly allow beach entrances, think of the dangers that exist while the virus is still around. Remember, the virus is invisible, and it can infect anybody. That’s why you have to be extra careful and responsible for your actions and decisions. You miss the beach, yet you’re not the only one who does. Everyone has been suffering, and the hardships are not only about missing this and that. Be wise for yourself and for others. 

After all, imagine how post-pandemic beach outings will feel like a celebration. Rather than taking unnecessary risks right now, wait for that time instead. That’s the perfect and safest time to meet the sea again. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. She finds quality and well-researched writing as a worthwhile avenue to enlighten and delight others about things that matter. For her, it’s restoring and fulfilling to the heart and a great way to clear the mind while loading it up with fresh learning. Film critiquing and filmmaking are among her interests too. Giving all the glory to God, Nicole graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.