Hawaii Packing List: 21 Must Have Items For Your Getaway

Planning a trip to the tropical paradise of Hawaii is an exciting adventure filled with the promise of stunning beaches, beautiful hikes, lush landscapes, gushing waterfalls, and vibrant culture. To make the most of your Hawaiian getaway, it’s essential to pack for Hawaii wisely and ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable vacation.  Here’s a Hawaii packing list to help you out!

While Hawaii is synonymous with summer, the temperatures and weather can change rapidly. One minute, it can be sunny; the next, there will be total rainfall.

As a traveling professional who lived and worked in Hawaii on and off for seven years, I quickly became accustomed to dressing for weather changes.

From sun protection and swimwear to travel accessories, our list of 21 essential items to put on your Hawaii packing list will help you prepare for your journey. 

What If I Forget Something?

Don’t worry. If you forget something from your Hawaii packing list, there are plenty of places to buy all the essentials for a beach vacation.

From locally owned shops, to Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, to Costco, Target, and Walmart, you can purchase anything you left behind.

Prices in Hawaii do tend to run higher than the mainland. If you want to stay budget-friendly, then try the big box stores like Target, Costco, and Walmart; they tend to have the best deals.

Where Can I Find More Information For My Hawaii Topical Getaway?

Here are some more posts to help you plan your dream Hawaiian vacation.

If you still want more posts: check out the Hawaii Category

• 7-Day Waikiki Itinerary
• 10 Things to Do For Under $10 in Waikiki
• When Is The Best Time To Visit Hawaii
• Best Island To Visit In Hawaii For The First Time
• Top 10 Best Things to Do on Kauai

Hawaii Packing List

Travel Information and Identification

The most important things to pack are your ID and information about where you are staying and your itinerary. You won’t get far at the airport without your ID (or your passport if you’re coming from abroad). 

To stay organized for a trip, I keep all my hotel registration, excursion bookings, and flight information in one place. That may be a physical printed folder or a “Note” in your iPhone. But don’t leave home without knowing your itinerary and the crucial details about where to go. 

Swimwear

Swimwear is the #1 thing you must pack for your Hawaiian vacation. Board shorts and bikinis are the unofficial uniform of the islands.

For ladies, the bathing suit styles in Hawaii tend to run more Brazilian style, so you won’t feel out of place if you’re a woman wearing a thong bikini. If you want to try an island-style suit, many boutiques in Hawaii sell suits with aloha style.

As a more curvy, mature woman, I enjoy Cupshe bathing suits. They are affordable suits that hug the curves well, are well made in material, and have very flattering and stylish styles.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii protects your skin from the sun and marine ecosystems. Traditional sunscreens often contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been shown to cause coral bleaching and harm marine life.

By choosing reef-safe sunscreen, which uses mineral-based ingredients like zinc oxide, you help preserve these fragile ecosystems, ensuring that Hawaii’s stunning underwater landscapes remain vibrant and thriving for future generations

Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses, particularly polarized lenses, is essential for protecting your eyes. Polarized lenses are designed to reduce glare from reflective surfaces such as water, sand, and roads, providing more precise and more comfortable vision. 

Hats

Hats are the final component of sun protection, keeping you comfortable and protecting your skin and eyes from the sun.

I recommend bringing a wide-brimmed hat that has UV protection fabric that protects your ears and your face.

If you plan to go sailing or any other windy activity, get a wide-brimmed hat with a locking mechanism so your hat doesn’t blow off your head.

Slippers (aka Flip-Flops) & Comfortable Shoes

You won’t need fancy shoes, heels, etc., for your Hawaiian vacation unless you have a reservation at an exclusive restaurant like La Mer.

It’s completely acceptable to go almost anywhere in a slipper, aka a flip-flop.

Aloha Collection Pouch

Aloha Collection is a Hawaiian brand that creates waterproof bags and pouches.

One of the first birthday gifts I received while living in Hawaii was an Aloha Collection pouch, and it’s been a staple item I have taken to the beach or traveled with since then.

You can put your wet suit or clothes in the pouch so it doesn’t get the other stuff in your bag wet. They are also great places to store toiletries when you travel because if something breaks and spills, it will stay in the bag.

If you don’t buy an Aloha Collection pouch before you travel, you can buy one at the many retailers in Hawaii.

Casual Clothes

The vibe in Hawaii is laid-back. You don’t need to overthink your wardrobe.

Men can wear board shorts paired with a tee shirt or tank top to most places.

Women can wear bathing suits around town with a cover-up, sarong, or shorts.

Don’t overpack. A few tee shirts, shorts, and dresses will go a long way.

Elevated Resort Outfit

If you have a nice dinner reservation, you may have to follow a dress code at restaurants like Hy’s and La Mer. These places are strict about closed-toed shoes and collared shirts for gentlemen.

Or maybe you just want to elevate your look and walk around the beach in style. If so, don’t forget to pack a nice outfit to match the dress code and vibes.

If you want to dress in style like a local, you may want to buy some Aloha Wear when you get to Hawaii.

Light Jacket or Sweater

The weather can change quickly in Hawaii, and it can rain or get windy quickly. Don’t forget to pack a light sweater or jacket. 

Sleepwear 

Pack your comfy pajamas and slippers for your room to lounge in. 

Beach Bag

Remember to pack a bag with the flexibility and durability to carry all your essentials to the beach. Aloha Collection has water-resistant beach bags. I also like a classic canvas beach bag tote. 

Water Shoes

Some of the Hawaiian beaches are pretty rocky. Or, you may plan to do a river crossing hike. In that case, you’ll want water shoes to protect your feet from the elements.

If you’re hiking and plan to cross rivers, you may wish to wear an open-toed shoe like a Teva sandal. Something more fitted and closed-toed for beach and swimming activities may work better. 

Reusable Water Bottle

I feel naked leaving home without my water bottle. Bringing a water bottle to refill as you go is a must, whether at home or on vacation in a tropical destination like Hawaii.

Aloe Vera Gel

Hopefully you packed your sunscreen and hats and don’t need this item on your list. However, bringing some aloe vera gel with you on a beach vacation is always good, just in case you get burned by the sun. The aloe vera gel with lidocaine is my favorite. It calms the skin and takes away the pain of the burn.

Camera/Smartphone

Taking pictures has never been more accessible with your smartphone at hand.

When packing, don’t forget your phone, chargers, and any accessories for the camera, such as a portable ring light or tripod. P

hotography enthusiasts, don’t forget all of your camera gear. Hawaii is a dream location to capture lush landscapes and sunsets.

If you have underwater housing or a GoPro, throw that in your bag for those epic underwater shots.

Portable Charger and Cables

The last thing you want when trying to take a photo or text a family member is for your batteries to die.

Pack a portable charger so your devices are always fully charged and ready to go. Remember all of your cables and charging blocks.

Dry Bag & Phone Dry Bag

Don’t fall victim to theft because you left your phone or wallet on the beach and went into the ocean. Bring a dry bag to put your personal items in, and take them in the water when you go for a dip.

Dry bags are waterproof and handy if nobody is on land to watch your stuff. They are also great to use if you go out on a sail and don’t want the things in your bag to get wet. 

You can also bring a separate dry bag just for your phone. These bags have lanyards that you can wear around your neck. If the only valuables you take to the beach are your phone and some cards, you can put everything in the phone dry bag.

The other benefit of bringing a phone dry bag is using your phone for underwater photography. Many dry bags come as a set with the larger bag and the phone case.

Rain Gear

November through April tends to be the rainy season in Hawaii. If you’re going at that time, pack a rain jacket and umbrella in case you get caught in the rain.

Check the weather before you depart to see what the forecast looks like, but know it can always change, and some areas of the islands, such as the valleys, may get rain sprinkles daily.

Snorkel Gear

This one can go either way. You can buy snorkeling gear or rent it in Hawaii. However, if you want your own and have room in your suitcase, pack it.

The water in Hawaii is crystal clear, and even at the beaches in Waikiki, you can see fish and turtles underwater. Again, no worries if you don’t have room; you can buy a snorkel at every hotel shop and corner store in Hawaii. 

Personal Toiletries & Medications

I’m saving the boring stuff for last. Pack all of your essentials for daily use. 

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soaps, shampoos and conditioners (unless you want to use hotels)
• Moisturizers and lotions 
• Makeup 
• Razors and shaving cream

In addition to anything prescribed, I recommend traveling with an over-the-counter pain reliever, an allergy medication, and an antacid. If you have any medications that require refrigeration, I highly recommend this cooler travel medication bag. 

What Not to Pack for Hawaii?

Keep it simple. You only need a little stuff to enjoy your time in Hawaii. Less is more.

You need to know things you cannot bring into the state before you get there. Hawaii has strict agricultural regulations. You need to declare anything “living” such as plants, vegetables, etc. when coming into the state and they may need to be inspected and may not be allowed in the state.

In general, I don’t recommend bringing any raw fruits or vegetables or living plants with you to avoid this process.

Hawaii is also a rabies-free state, so you will likely leave your pet behind. To keep the state rabies-free, Hawaii has strict rules for bringing animals which you can read about here.

Conclusions on Your Hawaii Packing List

Hawaii is a beautiful, tropical destination with outdoor activities, from the water to the mountains. Bring the essentials from your Hawaii packing list, and you’ll be all set to enjoy yourself on the islands. Aloha!