How to Make a Beach Shade Shelter

You've been shipwrecked. As far as you know, there are no additional survivors--just you. Count yourself lucky that you've found yourself on land. Your task now is to find water and then, before the night falls, find some sort of shelter so that you can survive the night, not to mention escape the sun during the day. You want something that will similarly shield you from rain and wind. Never fear! The materials needed to make a beach shade shelter are almost certainly at hand.

Things You'll Need

• Driftwood
• Hand-sized stone
• Palm branches
• Grass and leaves

Instructions

1. Select a spot for your beach shade shelter. It should be at least 8 feet above the visible high-water mark (this is important!). A sandy area is best, as it is easiest for digging.

2. Gather 8 to 10 pieces of driftwood. These should be at least 4 feet in length, preferably a little longer. Take them to your pre-selected shelter spot.

3. Use a hand-sized stone (or, if the sand is soft, your own two hands) to dig a trench, at least 4 feet wide and around 6 feet long, into the sand. Pile all excess sand into two long mounds running parallel to the trench and around the bottom (ocean-facing) side of the trench. Leave the top of the trench open--this is your entrance. The higher the mound, the more room you'll have inside your shelter.

4. Place the driftwood across the top of the shelter, resting on both sides of the mound. These are the crossbeams to the roof of your beach shade shelter.

5. Gather palm leaves (or other, similar foliage) and place them on top of the driftwood to complete the shelter's roof.

6. Gather grass and leaves and lay it along the bottom of your beach shade shelter. This is your bed.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your entrance larger, if desired, by digging out more sand near the front (land-side) of your shelter.