At Crystal Coast Beachside Grills & Gear, we truly understand the challenges of preparing for a beach vacation. After spending eight years living near Chicago, we made it a family tradition to vacation every summer at Emerald Isle and stroll the beautiful docks along the Beaufort waterfront. These trips were a perfect way to reconnect with friends and spend quality time with our families.

But let’s be honest—getting ready for those vacations was anything but relaxing!

Picture this: every year, we’d pack up the minivan with beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, toys, towels, bags, and everything else we thought we’d need. Add in our two kids, our dog, and a grueling 17-hour drive, and you can imagine the chaos. As the kids grew, so did the size of the beach toys, and before we knew it, the minivan wasn’t enough. We had to invest in rooftop carriers and luggage racks just to fit it all.

Flying wasn’t any better—the cost of buying or renting everything after landing was sky-high. And as someone who loves cooking for family and friends, I quickly realized bringing my smoker or grill along wasn’t practical. To make matters worse, many of the rental houses we stayed at either didn’t have a grill or had one that wasn’t safe or functional.

When we moved back to the Crystal Coast, we knew we wanted to help families like ours have a stress-free beach experience. That’s why we started Crystal Coast Beachside Grills & Gear—to make beach vacations easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

We offer families the chance to rent everything they need, from grills to beach gear and more, so they can focus on creating memories instead of cramming their car or worrying about what’s missing. Now, you can enjoy your time at the beach without the hassle of overpacking. Let us take care of the essentials, so you can relax and soak up every moment of your vacation.

Warm wishes from our family to yours,

Dondi, Tracey, Brayden, and Logan