We’re headed to the beach tomorrow, and one of the first things I always do is select an assortment of cigars to pack in my suitcase. Some destinations are more challenging than others, however, and the beach necessitates several considerations.  Here's your ultimate guide to packing cigars for the beach!

Consider the Climate

Regardless of what I select to enjoy at the wharf or while watching the waves, I always use a 62% or 65% Boveda pack. If I’m going to be gone less than a week, I won’t even use a Boveda pack when traveling if I think I’ll have time to enjoy all the cigars. This is especially helpful when traveling to humid locations, essentially acting as a dry-boxing method.  

Since a cigar takes on ambient humidity, the lower the starting point when you fire it up, the better off you’ll be in the end. It’s similar to smoking a cigar in the rain: sometimes it works out just fine, sometimes you end up with a mushy blob where a cigar used to be.

Choose Your Container Wisely

When it comes to packing cigars for any trip, you’ll want to keep a keen eye on three things: an airtight seal for retaining humidity, reducing friction as much as possible, and providing crush protection.

If you have a travel humidor (the gold standard in cigar transportation) you’re in luck! It does all of these things really well, and most come with foam ‘shelves’ that protect the cigars from each other vertically and horizontally.

If you don’t have a bonafide travel humidor, your next best friend is a Tupperware container. They check two of the boxes: airtight seal and crush protection. You can use all sorts of things from plastic wrap to socks and underwear to remove open space and protect your cigars. Another winning method is to layer plastic bags in such a way that the cigars are snug side to side, yet have a barrier between the different rows.

Lastly, any Ziploc bag will do in a pinch. To add crush protection, place the bag inside a sturdy box and you’re good to go. If you’re having trouble reducing friction, I also recommend letting all the air out of your bag and then using plastic wrap around the outside to create a solid brick of cigars.

Consider Your Cigars

Everyone has a different agenda, but I always recommend sticking to cigars you know and love when headed to the beach. Unless you live at the beach, the temperature and humidity are likely to be very different from your natural environment. You may find a new favorite – or worse, decide that you hate a new cigar – only to realize later that the experience is completely different back in your hometown.

Personally, I gravitate towards medium cigars when headed into hotter climates. I find that these blends naturally pair better with the refreshing drinks I’ll be enjoying. Because of the heat, though, I try to stay away from too many Connecticut-wrapped cigars except for the occasional morning stroll. Instead, I’ll shoot for a versatile Ecuadorian Habano or Sumatra wrapper for a solid medium-bodied experience that can take a little extra heat without becoming bitter.

Don’t Buy Cigars At the Beach

Lastly, as a word of caution, please don’t buy Cuban cigars on the beach. If you happen to be traveling to a country where Cuban cigars are peddled at the beach, please know that these are notoriously fake cigars. Please purchase Habanos from a licensed Habanos lounge or the airport. I’ve come across many hotels overseas that also sell fake Cuban cigars, and stick to my same advice.