Best Relaxing Cannabis Strains To Try On Your Next Beach Vacation

Waves crashing, sun shining, and the sand between your toes — beach vacations are one of the most relaxing getaways you can take. Consuming a relaxing cannabis strain while on the beach, however, can enhance your next beach vacation and take your inner peace to a whole new level.

In this article, you’ll discover how cannabis can enhance the relaxing experience of being on the beach and the weed strains that will pair perfectly with this kind of experience! 

How Cannabis Can Enhance Your Next Beach Vacation?

While sipping on an alcoholic beverage is many people’s go-to for adding a little extra relaxation to their beach day, cannabis might just be the better alternative.

Cannabis can give you similar, if not better, relaxation effects without having to lug that heavy cooler to the beach. In addition, cannabis might offer an experience that doesn’t have as many negative side effects as drinking on the beach does — such as hangovers.

Certain terpene profiles within cannabis strains are known to have a biological effect on the body, offering therapeutic effects. Select terpenes within cannabis strains can really pair well with, and enhance, your beach experience. Some of the best terpenes that might pair best with a beach vacation are: 

• Limonene: A perfect pairing scent and flavor for the beach is the taste of citrus, such as fruits like oranges and lemons. The terpene Limonene is produced in the peels and rings of these fruits and is what gives them their signature scent. The benefits Limonene offers include reducing inflammation, alleviating stress and depression, reducing pain, alleviating nausea, and suppressing appetite. It’s also an anticarcinogenic, antifungal, and antimicrobial agent.

• Caryophyllene: This terpene has a spicy scent that’s found in hops, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and rosemary. The therapeutic benefits of this terpene include reducing inflammation, balancing glucose levels, alleviating pain, and reducing symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety.

• Linalool: Responsible for the scent of lavender and birch, which have relaxing aromatherapy properties of their own, this strain is widely found in a variety of plants. The benefits associated with this terpene include reducing inflammation, anti-epileptic properties, lowering stress and anxiety, and antimicrobial properties. It even helps repel mosquitoes, which is perfect for beach trips in southern regions known for heavy mosquito populations.

• Pinene: If you plan to add some water-related activities to your beach day, you might want a strain that is relaxing while not making you feel too beach-chair locked. Pinene comes in two varieties and scents. Alpha-pinene smells like basil, dill, parsley, and hops, while beta-pinene smells more like pine needles and rosemary. The benefits of this popular terpene include boosting energy levels, improving mental focus, acting as a bronchodilator, reducing inflammation, countering short-term memory, fighting against cancer as well as being antiseptic and antiviral.

• Myrcene: This herbal terpene is found in the tropical fruit of mangoes and even in hops plants. Myrcene is known to promote relaxation while also offering anti-inflammatory properties.

You can learn more about each other terpenes and their effect on these cannabis strains mentioned above and how they affect the body here.

The Best Relaxing Cannabis Strains For Your Beach Vacation 

While cannabis strains are a personal preference, some strains contain terpenes and other benefits that lend themselves to a perfect beach vacation pairing.

Hybrid strains in general are likely your best bet for a nice balanced effect. That way, you’re relaxed without feeling excessively drowsy. However, if you know you want to relax but might also plan to do some swimming or other water-related activities, a sativa-dominant strain might be a better choice. If a day full of nothing but rest and beach naps is more your thing, an Indica-dominant strain might be a better choice for a relaxation-immersed experience.

Here are a few popular strains that will enhance your beach vacation no matter what kind of beach day activities you prefer!

• Blue Dream: This strain is known for having a balanced effect, euphoric head-high, and gentle body relaxation. This hybrid strain offers several benefits for both mental and physical ailments. Blue Dream is commonly used to help with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, nausea, tension, and eating disorders. It’s known to help people uplift their mood and relax without inducing a beach chair-locked feeling or excessive sleepiness. This might be a great strain if you plan to do both some water activities along with beach-chair reading and relaxation during your day! The dominant terpenes in this strain include myrcene, pinene, and caryophyllene, resulting in a fruity and sweet berry flavor and scent.

• Pineapple Express: This legendary strain is a cross between Trainwreck and Hawaiian, with aromas and flavors of sweet pineapple and cedar, making it perfect for your tropical getaway. Pineapple Express is a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain known for combating anxiety while aiding in physical relaxation. It’s known to make users feel alert but buzzed, making it a perfect strain to wake-and-bake with or for an afternoon pick-me-up. This strain also helps relieve symptoms associated with depression, pain, and fatigue. The dominant terpenes are Myrcene, Caryophyllene, and Pinene.

• Girl Scout Cookies: This hybrid strain, also known as GSC, has an aroma and dessert-like flavor profile that’s minty, sweet, and earthy. It offers a sense of relaxation along with a happy, euphoric feeling and high. It provides a high that maintains mental clarity while offering pleasant full-body relaxation. GSC is known for helping with stress, anxiety, and depression for a blissful day at the beach. The dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Myrcene, and Limonene. This is the perfect strain for a variety of beach day activities!

• Gelato:  Another balanced relaxing cannabis strain with nearly equal amounts of Indica and Sativa is Gelato. It is a hybrid that causes both a euphoric high and a strong feeling of relaxation. It’s known to improve mood, relieve pain and stress, reduce inflammation, and aid in overall relaxation. The dominant strains are Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Myrcene.

• Sour Diesel: If you plan to spend a good part of your beach vacation doing some water activities or you’re feeling a little sluggish that day, this sativa-dominant strain is a great option. Sour Diesel strain offers an upbeat, euphoric, mood-uplifting, and energizing high. If you’re looking for a wake-and-bake session to kick off your beach day right, this one’s for you! It’s been known to ease depression and boost energy while reducing stress and anxiety. The dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Myrcene.

•  Northern Lights: If your perfect beach day involves nothing but rest, beach chair relaxation, and perhaps a nice beach nap, this strain is for you. This is another popular and well-known strain that is indica-dominant. Northern Lights is known for its euphoric, relaxing, and sedative effects. This relaxing cannabis strain is also known for benefits like stress relief, pain management, insomnia relief, and alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression. The dominant terpenes in Northern Lights are Myrcene, Caryophyllene, and Limonene.

• Granddaddy Purple: If you’re looking for an Indica strain that is sure to induce a relaxing experience for both mind and body, GDP is the perfect pairing! Because Grandaddy Purple gives you such a strong sense of relaxation and tranquility, this strain is great for a full-body relaxation immersed experience. But beware that also offers a sedative effect, meaning it might make you sleepy and ready for a beach nap. It’s also known for being a powerful stress reliever and provides a euphoric feeling to help clear away negative feelings and thoughts. The dominant terpenes include Myrcene, Caryophyllene, and Pinene.

 Pro-Tips for Having the Best Possible Cannabis Experience On Your Beach Vacation

If you’re concerned about discretion, consider looking into edibles or vape pens of these or similar strains instead of flower.

If you typically enjoy smoking flower and are not keen on vapes but need something more discreet, many cannabis companies make vapes that closely resemble smoking flower.

Choosing a strain that contains higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD) might also be helpful for a more enjoyable, relaxing experience. CBD reduces anxiety and stress without side effects like external stimuli getting you overwhelmed as too much THC can.

Overconsumption of cannabis can be a bit overwhelming and less relaxing for some people. Try consuming cannabis in small doses throughout the day as needed to keep a comfortable, steady high. (This method will also help you from getting too high and overheating or getting dehydrated.)

On the off chance you fly higher than the seagulls on your beach vacation, there are a few things you can pack in your beach bag to combat a strong high and recover safely. Plan to pack some fresh lemonade to drink while on the beach. It’s refreshing, a great cotton-mouth combatant, and a delicious way to take the edge off your high if need be. Lemons have terpene limonene in them, which may help reduce the effect THC has on your brain.  

Ibuprofen is also a THC suppressor, and it could help with some of the negative cognitive side effects of THC. Keeping a few in your beach bag is never a bad idea!

Packing various snacks will ensure that you won’t need to leave your beach time bliss to find food when the munchies hit.

Be sure to drink lots of water! Chances are it’s hot out and you’ll be sweating, which can lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion. Drinking water also helps with cotton mouth.

Don’t forget a portable, beach-friendly speaker as cannabis and music are another perfect pairing!