how aware is a 9 month old?

My baby will be 9 months old in August, and my aunt has offered for us to go stay on the beach with her for a few days around that time. Can a 9 month old enjoy something like that? I know right now at 3 months, he would have no idea that we were anywhere different lol so I'm not sure how aware a 9 month old is of his surroundings. I hope he'll be able to play in the sand and have fun.