Summer is coming and (weather permitting) many of us will be heading to the beach for a day of sea and sunbathing.
But being a vaper at the beach (and vaping outdoors in general) can cause problems. Not only do you have sunburn, bee stings and the great British weather to contend with, but dead vape batteries, sand getting into your device and running out of e-liquid can also ruin your day.
This guide will give you all of the information you need for a perfect day of vaping at the beach. Just sit back, relax… and don’t forget your sunscreen!
Can I vape on UK beaches?
The short answer is yes, you can vape on UK beaches as there is currently no legislation that says otherwise. The UK is one of the most pro-vaping countries in the world and vaping is allowed in many places where smoking is banned.
Of course, these rules only apply to the UK. So if you’re jetting off on a beach holiday you’ll need to check the specific rules of that country. Some countries restrict vaping in public places and in some countries, it’s completely illegal and could land you a hefty fine or jail time! To find out more about these places, take a look at some of the worst places to vape.
Which devices are best for vaping at the beach?
If you spend a lot of time at the beach you’ll need a device that suits this environment. For the perfect beach-vaping device here are a few things to look out for.
Long-lasting or external batteries.
There’s nothing worse than your vape running out of battery when you’re out and about.
As days at the beach can be long and there aren’t electrical plug points for charging, you’ll want a device with a long-lasting battery. The bigger your device’s battery capacity, the longer it will last you throughout the day before running out of charge.
A device such as the Eleaf iStick Power 2, which has a 5000mAh battery should last a full day (and more!) without the battery running out.
Do note the battery life of your device will also depend on the wattage you are using it at. Higher wattages will drain the battery more quickly. Limiting your wattage output throughout the day will help the battery last longer so you don’t get caught short.
If you don’t want to worry about being without your vape at all, a device with external batteries eliminates this problem altogether. (Provided you carry spare, charged batteries, of course.) When your battery runs out of charge you can simply swap it with a new battery with little interruption to your vaping.
IP67/IP68 ratings
Obviously, sand and water are the main elements that make up a day at the beach – but they can be a nightmare for your vape device should it come into contact with them.
More devices are now designed to better handle the elements. The best of these are dustproof and waterproof to stop liquid and particles from penetrating the device and interfering with its operation.
You can check how dustproof and waterproof your device is by checking its IP (Ingress Protection) rating – expressed as IPXX.
·Dustproof rating (1st digit): is expressed between 1 and 6 – with 1 meaning the device offers no special protection from dust or particles (sand) and 6 meaning it is dustproof.
·Waterproof rating (2nd digit): is expressed between 1 and 8 – with 1 meaning there is no special protection from water and 8 meaning the device can withstand complete, continuous water submersion.
For vaping at the beach, a device rated IP67 or IP68 is most suitable.
Great devices for vaping at the beach
Geekvape Aegis L200
Shockproof, waterproof & dustproof
The Geekvape Aegis L200 may just be the perfect device for vaping at the beach.
Powered by double 18650 batteries, you don’t have to worry about the battery running out during a long day at the beach. In the unlikely event that your battery does run out, you can just swap in new, pre-charged replacements.
The Aegis L200 also uses ‘Tri-proof’ technology to make it a super tough device rated IP68 – shockproof, dustproof and able to withstand water immersion up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. This means the device is protected against both sand and water – ideal for beach vaping.
This device’s working temperature range also makes it perfect for vaping in high temperatures. The device has a working external temperature of up to 60℃ – meaning it’ll still work even in the hottest midday sun.
Geekvape Obelisk 120 FC
Fast charging, long battery life & reverse charge capability
As we’ve mentioned before your vape running out of battery at the beach can be a nuisance, but so can running out of phone battery too! The Geekvape Obelisk 120 FC can solve this problem, not only with its long-lasting battery (which Geekvape estimate can last up to 2 days) but the fact it can share that battery with other devices. Using reverse charge technology, you can use the Obelisk 120 FC as a power bank to charge other devices like phones or tablets.
The Obelisk 120 FC also boasts an innovative world-first fast-charging which takes it to 100% battery in 15 minutes – perfect if you need to quickly charge it before you leave the house with hardly any delay to your beach trip.
Smok Nord X
Tough and compact
The Smok Nord X is compact enough to easily carry around but is also tough enough to withstand a day at the beach. It’s rated IP67 shockproof, waterproof and dustproof to stop sand or water interfering with its internal workings. The 1500mAh battery should last a full day if used moderately.
You can also purchase a Smok Nord lanyard to make the device even easier to carry around.
Geekvape Mero AIO
Portable pen-style, long-lasting battery
Beach days can require a lot of luggage. By the time you’ve packed your towels and sunscreen, you don’t also want to be carrying a hefty vape device too. That’s why vape pens are ideal. Lightweight and super-portable, they’re compact enough to keep in your pocket without weighing down your beach bag.
The Geekvape Mero AIO is a great vape pen for the beach as it’s not only portable but has a large battery capacity of 2100mAh. This should power the device for at least a day so there’s no need to worry about it running flat while you’re enjoying your day out.
Accessories and e-liquids for vaping at the beach.
As well as choosing the right device, the right accessories and e-liquids can also make vaping at the beach much easier.
Accessories
If your device uses external batteries and you don’t want to be caught short, make sure to have some spare, charged batteries. Carrying replacements such as the Molicel range means you can quickly swap batteries and carry on vaping. If your device has internal batteries, carrying a power bank such as the Pebble Explorer means you’ll be able to recharge it whilst topping up your tan.
If you want to keep your devices, coils, batteries and liquids together whilst keeping them extra protected from sand, water, sun and spilled ice cream, a bag such as the KBag mini is perfect. This comes with pockets and slots to keep all of your vape and accessories secure.
E-liquids
If you’re someone who vapes a lot and you’re at the beach for a long day, chances are you’ll need to top up your e-liquid at some point. If you don’t want to be carrying multiple bottles of vape juice with you but are worried about running out, you may want to consider using shortfill e-liquids. These typically come in 50ml bottles – much larger than the standard 10ml, meaning there’s little chance you’ll run out of juice at the beach.
Flavour-wise, ice, koolada and menthol blends such as Halo Menthol Blast are perfect for keeping you cool and refreshed in the heat.
Beach vaping tips
Check the rules before you go
While you are generally allowed to vape on UK beaches, there have been stories of particular councils banning smoking and vaping on their beaches. While the bans aren’t legally binding, you could still be asked to refrain from vaping. Just to be safe, double check it is allowed before you go.
Follow vaping etiquette
Just because vaping is allowed at the beach it doesn’t mean you should feel free to blow massive clouds of vapour in the faces of those around you. Many people are still sceptical about vaping and view it as similar to smoking, so to avoid annoying your fellow beachgoers (and giving us vapers a bad name!) make sure to follow the rules of vaping etiquette to avoid causing offence.
Picking a spot that is downwind of others is also a good idea to stop your clouds from engulfing nearby sunbathers.
Keep your device clean and secure
Make sure to keep your vape device stored in a bag or pocket when you’re not using it. Too much heat and direct sunlight can affect electrical devices and even break them.
You’ll also want to stop sand coming into contact with your device as much as possible so make sure to not lay it on the ground at any point. It can get into the drip tip and leave you with a mouth full of sand, get into the tank and clog your coil or, if it gets inside the device, disrupt its workings and break it.
Store e-liquid properly
Exposure to too much heat, light or air will cause the chemicals in vape juice to ‘break down’ and will affect the taste, so make sure to keep your e-liquid bottle out of direct sunlight. E-liquid should be stored in a cool, dry place – at the beach, storing it in a ziplock bag inside your cool bag is an ideal solution.