6 Things to Pack for Your Hawaii Vacation!

Let’s talk a bit about over-packing. We’ve all it done it at one point or another and can agree that lugging a suitcase full of things you’ll never use across the country is pretty much pointless. Some of us get so caught up in the planning of the vacation and tend to envision ourselves wearing everything we own while away. In reality though, you really don’t need to pack the entire contents of your closet, especially for a vacation in Hawaii. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of things that we think are essential for a Hawaiian vacation.

• Swimsuit – This is perhaps the one article of clothing that you’ll find yourself wearing most. We’ve got some incredible beaches here in Hawaii and the dress code is the same at all of them.  Even if you don’t plan on beach hopping, chances are that your rental property or hotel will have a pool that you’ll enjoy lounging at and having a swimsuit or two is a definite must. You may want to pack a cover-up as well to make it easy to go from beach to lunch without having to worry about changing.

• Sunscreen – Nothing can hamper your vacation in Hawaii quite like a sunburn. We are closer to the equator than the rest of the US states which means the sun’s rays are pretty intense. Once you’re cooked, it can take days for the pain of a bad burn to ease up enough to feel comfortable in the sun again. Pack sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply often.

• Camera – Hawaii is known as the “Paradise of the Pacific”, and between our lush tropical rainforests, waterfalls, crystal clear blue waters and erupting volcanoes, there is no shortage of photo opportunities. Those who plan to snorkel in Hawaii may want to pack an underwater camera as well. In addition to dolphins, whales and sea turtles, we have close to 700 species of fish inhabiting Hawaiian waters and depending on where you choose to go snorkelling, many of them will swim right up and practically beg you to take their picture.

• Casual Clothing – One of the things we are known for in here in Hawaii is our laid back and casual lifestyle.  That’s not to say that we don’t have anywhere to get all dressed up for but glitter and glam is definitely not the norm. You’ll want to pack shorts, t-shirts, tank-tops and some casual dresses, skirts or pants. Because we are in a tropical climate, clothing made of breathable fabric like cotton is the best choice.

• Sweater – The average daytime temperature here in Hawaii is between 75 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the season, but our evenings can get a little cooler. It’s a good idea to pack a sweater or hoodie. You may also want to consider bringing a windbreaker or rain jacket since we do get rain, especially at higher elevations.

• Comfortable shoes – Flip flops are a must for a vacation in Hawaii but so are some comfortable walking shoes. There is much to see in the Aloha state and chances are you’ll be doing plenty of walking. You will also want to pack a comfortable pair of sandals that can perform double duty for a casual day of shopping, and perhaps a nice evening out on the town.

Of course there are other things you’ll want to pack like your devices, chargers, toiletries and any medications you’re taking but the list of items above are the things we consider most essential for your vacation in Hawaii! Is there anything we’ve forgotten? If so, let us know in the comments section below. We hope you found this post helpful and we hope to see you here soon. Aloha!