Hawaii Packing List

Tired of the same pool bar music playing over and over? Why not bring your own soundtrack with you. Bluetooth headphones have gone waterproof so don’t fret about getting tossed in the pool or getting caught out in a warm tropical rain. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro is the top rated model out there these days, but there are waterproof earbuds available at all price ranges.

Tablets or E-readers are great for hanging by the pool and relaxing or taking your favorite book or tv show to the beach! We love Samsung tablets and Apple Ipads for weight and power. If you’re a reader, the waterproof kindle paperwhite is an excellent way to entertain yourself as you work on that tan. The battery in it lasts for weeks and the backlight is adjustable for sunshine.

Power cords, earbuds, headphone splitters, SD cards and all the rest. These electronic accessory organizer pouches are a travel godsend.

These days we have all realized how important it is to protect the ocean’s ecosystems and the natural waters of the earth. Using an eco-friendly, reef-safe sun lotion is a great way to do just that. This mineral sunscreen is the safest and most popular but there are many other choices available.

Protecting your head and face with a beach hat is both necessary and can be stylish. Men’s beach hats range from fisherman caps to fedoras to straw hats and everything in between. Women’s beach hats come in a variety of colors, brim widths and styles.

A great way to protect your skin, especially while snorkeling, kayaking or paddleboarding, is to get a UV-blocking swim shirt. They come in both short and long sleeve versions, though long sleeves offer more protection. Some even come with hoods that can be handy on scorching days. This UV swim shirt has a comfortable relaxed fit that is great for humid weather. There are many UV swim shirt designs and colors to choose from.

Planning on spending a lot of time at the beach away from sun umbrellas and palapas? Lightweight beach canopies are perfect for families and groups alike. They set up easily in 10-15 minutes (check out this setup video) and can weigh just 2-4 lbs depending on size. We like the wide variety of tropical patterns available for this 4 lb model from Neso that easily fits in your beach bag, but many brands are available.

Lightweight sandproof bach blankets are all the rage these days. Compact and under a pound, they’re easy to throw in a beach bag and take wherever you go. Most include 4 small stakes and have sewn-in corner pouches (to fill with sand) that keep the blanket in place, even in wind. Unlike putting towels directly on the beach, these blankets don’t absorb water and sand just rolls off. This is a very popular larger model, but there are numerous sizes and styles to choose from.

If you’re heading somewhere with reefs or tropical fish, bringing your own snorkel set can be very convenient. Renting equipment can cost $10-$20 a day and isn’t always well maintained or hygienically cleaned. If you just want to keep it simple, this mask and snorkel set is hard to beat. Want to spend more time in the water? This great set comes in 6 colors and includes a semi-dry snorkel, vented fins and an adjustable mask. Some people prefer full face masks, but they can be a bit more cumbersome.

Wet swimsuits are an annoyance in more ways than one. Mini “wet bags” are perfect to tuck your wet swimsuit into and toss in your luggage or beach bag. Its the beach vacation item you never realized you needed.

When it comes to vacation dresses all you want is to be comfortable, cool and stylish. A dress that packs well and never looks wrinkled is also a bonus. Easy to dress up for a night out or simply throw on for a day at the beach we recommend this casual dress with more than 10 colors to choose from. But there are plenty of beachy dresses to explore in all styles, sizes and lengths. For some designer looks, you could also check out Kenny Flowers tropical designs.

Going on a tropical vacation requires more than just a towel, you absolutely need a swimsuit cover-up so you can stroll to the resort pool or beach in style and comfort. You can choose a solid coverup like this favorite of ours, or a more airy style such as this one that comes in many amazing colors and patterns. With dozens of options available, coverups are perfect for all body types and oh so comfortable.

A lightweight, airy pair of pants is essential for your holiday as even those tropical nights can cool down sometimes. Linen and thin cotton are comfortable and stylish. We adore these lovely pants and think they are great for a casual dinner or seaside drinks in the evening. There are many casual fit beach pants in great styles and plenty of colors to choose from. You can’t go wrong.

Button down beach shirts are a godsend in the tropics as they’re breathable and easy to take on and off when sweaty or wet from swimming. Tropical print shirts are great for hanging at the beach or hitting the tiki bar. Linen shirts are an upscale choice for cocktails and seaside dining. For some designer looks, check out Kenny Flowers tropical designs and Kahala Hawaiian shirts.

Linen and loose fitting light cotton pants are great for cooler evenings or upscale dining. These top rated linen pants come in both beige and white and every size imaginable. When looking for beach vacation pants, there are a wide selection of colors and styles available.

Let’s be honest, you plan on spending a good majority of your time in sandals or flip flops. Having good ones is critical. Rainbow makes the best leather sandals period. They may feel a little snug for the first couple of days, but they will soon form to your feet and become an irreplaceable part of you. We also suggest bringing a lightweight colorful pair of flip flops for fashion statements.

Stepping on a sharp rock at a craggy beach or in a cenote can ruin your vacation. We highly recommend a pair of water shoes to protect your feet in certain places. These lightweight quick dry water shoes will keep your feet healthy and are available in 40 colors! There are loads of colors and styles of water shoes to choose from.

A solid suitcase will get you from A to Beach easily. Wheels are a must these days and the more the better. 4 wheel rollers will change your travel life. This lightweight suitcase from Samsonite features a strong expandable exterior and well built zippers and spinner wheels. This ridiculously cool bag from Delsey comes in three amazing colors and sizes, and has all the bells and whistles. Leather accents, garment hanger, integrated locks, and more.

Plan on heading on some adventures? Having a daypack handy for hitting the trail is helpful in so many ways. Bags with integrated hydration packs are excellent in hot tropical heat. Available in 18 colors, this is an excellent hydration backpack that actually has enough room to put stuff in. Perfect for those city explorations, beach days, and hiking day trips.