Beach gadgets & more…

So, you’re planning a holiday beach vacation.  Below are a few hot items to make your visit memorable, sun safe, useful and fun.

Easy Underwater Camera: Lining up a killer coral shot while bobbing in the waves is no small feat. The Explorer Series snorkel-mask camera makes taking clear, five-megapixel photos and videos a hands-free snap. The camera, from Liquid Image Works, can be used up to 15 feet underwater. liquidimageco.com, $100.

Smarter Sand Toys: Even a careful parent can accidentally leave behind a shovel—especially one hidden deep in a sand castle’s keep. Zoë B biodegradable beach toys will ease your eco-guilt: The corn-sugar-based bioplastic breaks down to organic materials in as little as two years if immersed in water or soil (regular plastics can take up to 500). zoeborganic.com, $22.

E-Book Shield: Electronic readers have many strengths, but beach-friendliness has never been one of them. The new Kindle KlearKase, made from the same tough, transparent polycarbonate used in F22 fighter-jet windows, takes scratches, splashes, and errant grains of sand out of the equation. amazon.com, $50.

Futuristic Beach Blanket: Large towels are bulky and take forever to dry. Instead, flop down on the ingenious Grand Trunk Parasheet, a beach blanket made from nylon parachute material—it dries in minutes, is mildew resistant, and stays cool to the touch even in the blazing sun. Weigh it down via built-in corner pockets that can be filled with sand. llbean.com, $40.

Waterproof Playing Cards: Stack the deck without getting it soggy with Invisible Playing Cards, by designer Peter Woudt. Made of transparent PVC, a flexible and durable plastic, the deck is easy to wipe down should it come in contact with saltwater or a melty ice cream cone. momastore.org, $8.50.

Carry-on Sunscreen: Bulky bottles of sunscreen are decidedly TSA-unfriendly. SmartShield Towelettes provide waterproof (and sweatproof) SPF 30 protection that won’t trigger security. As a bonus, you get insect protection via chemical-free repellants like cedar essence and lemongrass, which remains effective up to four hours. smartshield.com, $16 (for a pack of 15)

To-Go Grill: Who doesn’t love a beach cookout? For one, the guy who has to carry the cooler, the grill, and the utensils. That’s where The Buccaneer comes in. This all-in-one cooking kit includes an insulated tote (perfect for carrying raw hamburgers) with a reinforced base that stores a grill. A zip-open pocket holds essential BBQ tools, such as a fork and tongs. beachmall.com, $135.

Check the sandy bars and fabulous sunsets blog for action and options on Anna Maria to Manasota Key.

Safe travels and see you…at the beach!