You’re getting ready to venture off on an exciting trip to Hawaii. Whether it’s your first time there or you’ve been plenty of times before, you’re probably wondering what you should pack. After all, you want to make sure you have all the essentials, without completely overstuffing your suitcase with things you don’t really need.
What’s going to help you have a fantastic time on the island? Today we’re covering the 10 things you’ll want to bring along to ensure your trip is smooth sailing. So, grab a notepad and start making a checklist…
Let’s get started!
1. Plenty of Weather-Appropriate Clothing for Various Occasions
Since it’s Hawaii, it’s safe to say you’ll be hitting the beach quite often. That means you’ll want to make sure you pack plenty of swimsuits for days by the ocean or the pool. And you’ll want to bring a swimsuit cover-up as well, as many resorts require them to keep things family-friendly. Don’t forget polarized sunglasses for time outside too, otherwise you’ll be squinting all day long. And that sun glare is not good for your eyes long-term.
You will also want plenty of casual outfits for during the day, but something a little dressier for night is perfect if you plan to attend a fancy dinner. A rain jacket is also great to have on hand for unexpected weather events.
As for shoes, don’t forget to pack flip-flops for the beach and casually walking around plus hiking shoes for any daytime adventures.
A good rule of thumb for packing is to always look at the weather a few days beforehand, while also considering your itinerary for the trip. You want to be prepared for anything you may get into during your trip, otherwise you’ll have to purchase last-minute outfits.
For longer trips to Hawaii, to keep packing light, ask the hotel you’re staying at if they have a washer/dryer. This will allow you to wear certain clothing multiple times on your vacation without anything getting stinky.
2. Sand-Resistant Beach Blanket
When you visit the beach, it’s impossible to not bring some of it back to your hotel with you. The sand clings to everything, which no one wants to clean up while on vacation. That’s why you should ditch the usual beach towel in favor of a sand-resistant beach blanket.
The great thing about these blankets is that the sand just brushes right off, instead of clinging to the fabric. It makes beach visits mess-free and prevents you from tracking the sand everywhere you go. If you get one like this option from WellaX, it contains weights to prevent your blanket from blowing away at the beach.
3. Waterproof Phone Cover
When in Hawaii, you’re likely going to spend much of your time surrounded by water. And the fastest way to ruin your vacation is by causing water damage to your phone. Instead of spending your entire trip worrying about keeping your phone safe and dry, be proactive about protecting it. Order a waterproof phone case for your trip to protect you phone from water, sand, and just about everything else.
This waterproof case on Amazon is super inexpensive and fits a ton of different phone sizes.
4. Reef-Safe Sunscreen
It’s no secret that if you’re going to be spending time in the sun, you need to protect your skin. The sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can do a lot of damage, leaving us with dry skin and even premature signs of aging. And on a more serious note, it can cause skin cancer as well. It really only takes a few minutes to properly apply sunscreen before heading outside, so please make sure you pack some for your trip! You’ll thank yourself later when you don’t have a nasty, painful sunburn.
And if you want the environment to thank you as well, you should also make sure you purchase a reef-safe sunscreen. Unfortunately, there are chemicals in our traditional sunscreens that can actually destroy the coral reefs in the ocean. Do yourself and the oceans a favor by grabbing a sunscreen that’s reef-safe. You can find plenty of options online. And while you’re at it, grab a lip balm with SPF too!
5. Bug Spray
If you’re a mosquito magnet, this is one item you’ll want to make sure you pack for your trip to Hawaii. There are often a lot of mosquitos around the lagoons, the pool, and any other bodies of water. The last thing anyone wants is to spend their beach vacation scratching mosquito bites that completely cover their body. And you certainly don’t want to catch any kind of illness from bites either!
To protect your skin, make sure you bring a mosquito repellant on your trip or at least plan to buy some once you arrive. Just make sure you put it inside your checked luggage, otherwise you’ll get it taken away by the TSA. Besides bug spray, you can also try out Deet-Free Mosquito Wristbands to prevent bites without covering yourself in stinky repellants.
6. Insulated Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important, especially if you want to feel your best while on vacation. That’s why a reusable insulated water bottle is one of the things you’ll want to make sure you pack for your trip to Hawaii. You’ll always have water on hand, including while out sightseeing and exploring the island. Plus, you can avoid buying and throwing away plastic water bottles, which are harmful to the environment.
A trendy option you could consider are S’well bottles but they can be a bit expensive. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, check out these MIRA bottles.
7. Binoculars for Sightseeing
To make the most of your time in Hawaii, you may want to go bird watching or even whale watching. If you do, binoculars will really come in handy. They’ll allow you to have a great view no matter where you are. So, if sightseeing is on your list of to-dos, stash some binoculars into your suitcase before you head out of town.
Here’s a great article that goes over some of the incredible sightseeing spots in Hawaii you can check out with those binoculars.
8. Waterproof Dry Bag
Some of those adventures you’re planning to take will probably be better if you have a waterproof dry bag, like this one from Earth Pak. Whether you’re kayaking, rafting, boating, hiking, or just relaxing on the beach… It’s going to keep all of your belongings safe and dry. It’s protections for your things, while also providing you with peace of mind.
They come in various sizes to accommodate all of your things and are made from a 500D PVC material. Should your bag become fully immersed in water while on a boat trip or exploring the waterfalls, you can be assured everything will stay dry. That means no water damaged smartphones or camera gear!
9. Book or Kindle for Passing Free Time
When on vacation, sometimes it’s nice to just relax on the beach or by the pool with a good book. That’s why it’s a great thing to pack for your trip to Hawaii. Pick out a new book or bring your Kindle along if you prefer. This way, you can read on the plane and while you’re relaxing during down time. It’ll also be a fantastic way to unwind at night after a long day of exploring.
Or, if you prefer, audiobooks are a wonderful option when you’re in loud areas that prevent you from reading.
10. Camera to Capture Your Memories
While it’s true that most of us have smartphones to capture the most important memories in our daily lives, there’s just something supremely satisfying about taking pictures with a high-quality camera. Also, consider you may not want to bring your smartphone on every excursion you go on (such as sailing or other places it could get damaged).
You may even want to get something like a GoPro that’s waterproof so you can take pictures without having to worry about your device getting ruined by the elements. Plus, you’ll be able to take some incredible underwater photos. And if you’re not afraid of looking cheesy, bring a selfie stick too so you can get your entire family in the shot!