The Ultimate Hawaii Packing List: What to Wear & What to Bring 

The Ultimate Hawaii Packing List: All the Essentials You’ll Need

Here is your go-to guide on what to pack for Hawaii. 

Clothing

When deciding exactly what to wear in Hawaii, there are a couple things to keep in mind. First is that the island is very laid-back. Beyond any special events or fancier restaurant outings, you’ll spend the majority of your time wearing super casual clothes (or just rocking your swimwear!). 

Also note that you’ll be in warm or hot, often humid weather. This means you’ll want lightweight and breathable fabrics for maximum comfort. 

With that in mind, here are the clothing items you’ll want to pack:

• Lightweight pants and shorts – think linen and similar airy material. These breezy wide-legged pants are a hot weather staple, and were my go-to on my most recent Hawaii vacation. Leave the jeans at home!
• Casual tops – think tank tops and short sleeved shirts in light fabrics. 
• Casual dresses – again, reach for lighter fabrics. 
• Swimsuits
• Swim cover ups
• Athletic clothes – a must if you plan on hiking, but also great for lounging (Beyond Yoga is my go-to for athleisure and workout gear!). 
• Going out outfits – this is not necessarily a must, but if you’ll be dining out at a more upscale restaurant, be sure to bring along an appropriate outfit!
• Flip flops or sandals – remember to bring footwear that you can easily slip on and off at the beach, as well as casual shoes for walking around (these waterproof sandals and these casual sandals are great for both beach outings and walking around!). 
• Athletic shoes – you’ll want some good closed-toe athletic shoes if you’re doing some easy hikes or long walks. 
• Lightweight sweater – you may not ultimately need a layer, but it can be good to have if your itinerary includes a sunset cruise or an early morning hike. 
• Lightweight & breathable rain jacket – there’s a good chance you’ll run into some rain during your vacation (especially if you’re visiting Kauai, which is the rainiest island!). Personally, I’ve always left my rain jacket at home. The rain is usually light and short-lived (and can feel nice in the hot weather!), and it can be uncomfortable to wear a rain jacket with the humidity. That said, pack one if you think you’ll want it (just go for a lightweight jacket!).

Sun Protection

Proper sun protection is a must in Hawaii. The UV index is no joke! 

Hawaii has stricter sunscreen laws compared to other states, and has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate (two ingredients often found in chemical sunscreens). Maui has taken this further, and only allows the sale and use of mineral sunscreens (which means no chemical sunscreens can be used, even if they are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate). 

With all of that in mind, it’s important to bring along reef-safe sunscreen that is free of banned ingredients. Some options include:

• Badger Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
• Kokua Sun Care SPF 50 Hawaiian Reef Safe Non Nano Zinc Oxide Sunscreen

Whatever you pack, be sure anything you use at the beach or pool is also water-resistant!

Here are some additional sun protection items you’ll want to bring with you: 

• Wide-brimmed or baseball hat
• Polarized sunglasses

Beach Essentials

Beyond swimwear and sun protection, there are a few additional beach and pool essentials that you may want to pack. This includes: 

• Towels – your hotel or vacation rental will likely have beach and pool towels available, but if not, you’ll want to pack some. 
• Snorkel gear – it’s super easy to rent on the islands, but if you have some snorkel gear that you love, you may want to bring it along. 
• Anti-fog spray – this will help keep your goggles clear as you’re swimming or snorkeling. 
• Rash guard – if you plan on surfing or boogie boarding, you may want to bring a rash guard to keep your skin protected. 

Hiking Essentials 

If you’ll be hiking during your Hawaii vacation, there are a few extra items you should bring. In addition to athletic clothing, you will want to pack:  

• Hiking boots or supportive athletic shoes – depending on the length and level of your hike, you’ll want to bring hiking boots or supportive athletic shoes. 
• Hiking socks
• Hiking poles – again, this will depend on the trail, but you may want hiking poles for rockier and longer hikes. 
• Day pack – don’t forget a backpack or shoulder sling bag to bring along your snacks, water, and other belongings. 

Miscellaneous Necessities

Here are some additional items you may want to add to your Hawaii vacation packing list: 

• Underwater camera – this obviously isn’t a must, but it’s a fun thing to bring along (especially if you’ll be snorkeling!). 
• Beach tote – be sure to pack an appropriate bag for bringing all of your belongings to the beach. 
• Waterproof phone pouch – this can be helpful for keeping your phone protected while at the beach, by the pool, or out doing water activities.  
• Dry bag – this can be great for keeping your belongings protected at the beach, as well as keeping valuables safe when out on the water. 
• Reusable water bottle
• Aloe vera 

If you’ll be visiting Kauai, be sure to read through my guide to the South Shore of Kauai! It covers all of the best things to do in the area, as well as recommendations on where to stay & places to eat.