You have your plane tickets. You have your hotel. If you booked one of our All-Inclusive Hawaii Vacations you have your flights, hotel plus meals, and activities already lined up! Now it’s time to pack.

What should you pack for Hawaii? 

What to Pack for Hawaii: 10 Items

1. Clothing

This may seem like a no-brainer, but what clothing to pack is the #1 question our clients have after they’ve booked their vacation. Hawaii is about being relaxed and having fun, so there are no “right or wrong” things to wear – however, there are some things to keep in mind when deciding which clothes to pack.

What to Wear in Hawaii?

In general, Hawaii is very casual.

• Most people choose to wear shorts and T-shirts or tank tops while on bus tours or exploring and shopping. 
• Athleisure or athletic wear is a great option for hiking or walking tours. 
• In the evening, “dressy-casual” attire is preferred by most for luaus, sunset dinner sails and dinners out. This attire may consist of slacks and polos or button-down shirts for men, and sundresses or slacks and blouses for women. 
• Swimsuits and a good cover-up are perfect for a day at the beach or pool, or on snorkeling excursions or catamaran sails. 
• We also recommend a light jacket or sweater, especially if you are visiting higher elevations in Hawaii, as they can sometimes be much cooler than sea level, as well as for the air-conditioned tour buses.

2. Shoes

Next up for what to pack for Hawaii: we know you’re planning on packing shoes, but which ones?

The humble flip-flop, also known as “slippahs” in Hawaii are probably the most popular choice. Not ironically, the “Locals” brand is a locals’ favorite, and these can be found in many shops in Hawaii. These are perfect to wear to the beach, pool, catamaran sails, snorkeling or just a casual breakfast.

Sneakers or covered shoes are highly recommended for all the exploring you’re sure to do, and they are mandatory on many hikes and activities such as zip lining.

If you plan on more adventurous outdoor activities – comfortable, covered shoes such as sneakers are a “must-pack”. Many people also choose to bring a dressier pair of sandals, wedges or boat shoes for the evening. Reef or water shoes are a good idea if you plan to do a lot of snorkeling.

3. Reef-Safe Sunblock or Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from sun damage is so important, especially in a sunny locale like Hawaii. In addition to protecting your skin, pack a reef-safe sunscreen or sunblock that does not contribute to coral bleaching.

These sunscreens do not include oxybenzone and octinoxate. Sunblock containing these chemicals is no longer sold in Hawaii, and you are not prohibited from bringing these from home, but please consider doing your part to Malama Kai (take care of the sea), when you are packing for Hawaii.

4. Sunglasses

Your eyes need protection too! In case you forget, there are many places to buy sunnies in Hawaii, and shades for every budget.

5. Toiletries

Most hotels and resorts supply small bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash, but if you’re like us, you will go through those in a day or two. You can buy your own at your hotel’s sundry shop or major chains such as Walgreens and Walmart, but you will pay much more than you would at home, which is why we recommend packing them.

6. Medications and Prescriptions

As previously mentioned, there are major US pharmacies such as Walmart or Walgreens available on most Hawaiian Islands in case of emergencies, but otherwise make sure you have enough medication to last your entire trip, so you don’t have to stand in line at a pharmacy unnecessarily.

7. Swimsuit Cover-up

This was briefly touched on earlier, but it’s hard to overestimate how much usage most people will get from a bathing suit cover-up. These are perfect for boating activities such as catamaran sails and snorkeling excursions, for walking off the beach to your hotel or one of the many restaurants or bars near the ocean or pool. Maybe even pack two!

8. Hat or Head Covering

The Hawaiian sun can be hot, and many activities such as the Diamond Head hike, Makapu’u Lighthouse hike, catamaran sails, volcano hikes and more are exposed to the sun. Your scalp can get sunburned, and it is not a pleasant experience – take our word for it!

9. Camera

We know that most cell phones have such high-quality cameras that bringing an actual camera is a bit outdated, but just make sure you pack something to take photos with. Hawaii is one of the most stunning locations on earth, and you’re going to want to remember it!

An underwater disposable camera is a fun throw-back, and perfect for those snorkeling trips or days at the beach.

10. Hang Loose Attitude

This isn’t something you can physically pack in a suitcase, but it may be the most important thing you bring. Remember that Hawaii is about “no worries,”  so leave your cares and frustrations at home. There will possibly be things out of your control, such as the weather or flight delays, but if you go with the flow and let the aloha spirit in – your time in Hawaii will be magical!

Start Planning for What You Need Now!

Just a reminder, Hawaii is a shopper’s paradise, so if you forget to pack something, you can get it in Hawaii, so no worries. It will just be much more cost-effective to bring it from home. Also, a great way to know what to pack for Hawaii is to know what you’ll be doing in Hawaii ahead of time. That’s one of the reasons our All-Inclusive Hawaii Vacations are a smart choice for your Hawaii trip.

So, what do you think? Did we forget anything? Are you ready to book your trip? Give us a call 800-256-4211