Hawaii Packing List: What To Bring & NOT To Bring

Hawaii has its place on our eternal TOP 10 list of best travel destinations in the world. It offers pleasant climate year-round, incredible natural beauties, and also an exciting mix of outdoor activities, like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, hiking – or just hanging out on fabulous beaches. And did I mention waterfalls? Humpback whales? So what to pack for Hawaii then to enjoy any and all of these?

No, your swimsuit and beach towel won’t be enough to truly take advantage of the diverse activities that most of the Hawaiian islands offer. But we have a complete Hawaii packing list to help you not to forget any essentials. Oh, and we also tell you what not to bring to Hawaii, which is just as important (especially that most of us fly there).

We have a basic checklist of general warm weather clothing and packing accessories in this post, but what we’re focusing on more is all the activities you can do, and all the clothes and gears you need to enjoy them. So we have different sections for different kinds of activities, and the first thing you need to think about is your exact itinerary.

Before you start packing

To decide what to pack and what not to pack for Hawaii, first you need to decide about the focus of your Hawaiian trip. Will you spend all your time on the beach? Will you do snorkeling? (You should, the underwater life is stunning!) Will you go on boat trips, rent a kayak or paddleboard? Any hiking, road trips, special adventure tours or fancy dinners? Once you know all the things you plan to do, packing gets very easy.

Also consider climates. Hawaii has 10 of the world’s 14 climates, and microclimates are truly a thing there. Even though the weather is fairly consistent year-round (usually in the 70s), it’s rainy season between November and March. Temperatures can be cooler at higher elevations, and northern and eastern coasts usually get the most rain. Again, plan your itinerary so that you can prepare for higher elevation hikes, rainy days or chilly nights.

I often find it useful to have a printed out checklist that I actually tick, especially since I have a toddler running around and distracting me with a new question every few minutes. Checklists work for me both for shopping and packing.

Essential things to pack for Hawaii

First thing first, there are some important items that you need on any trip. Double check, and triple check them, because while you can buy sunscreen, flip-flops or whatever else you forget to pack, these are truly essential and hard to go without:

travel documents, like passport, ID, travel insurance and visa (if applicable)
flight, car rental and hotel booking confirmations
credit cards (preferably more than one, just in case)
emergency cash

Now let’s move on to the list of second most essential things:

carry-on suitcase: most flight tickets won’t include a free check-in bag (you might even have to pay extra for the carry-on luggage), so you can save a lot if you can squeeze your stuff into a carry-on size suitcase. And sure you can! You travel to a warm beach destination, after all. No need to pack tons of clothes.
travel toiletry organizer: you can easily hang it up in any hotel bathroom, and it packs up small
packing cubes: are you bored to see them on every single packing list? That’s because they are effective. They compress and organize your stuff neatly.
day bag: we prefer backpacks, because whether we go hiking, on a boat trip or to the beach, they’re good for all (for extra light travelers, here’s one that packs tiny)
external battery: if you use your phone for directions, pictures, videos (simply everything), you might be happy to have an external battery to keep it alive during the whole day
reusable water bottle or hydration reservoir
first aid kit: buy a prepared one or make your own
travel clothesline: in case you need to wash a few clothes or dry your towels and swimsuits, having a clothesline means you can hang them somewhere airy and sunny, not the towel rack in the bathroom (which is the worst place to dry clothes – surprise, hah?)
safety pins and a mini sewing kit: I’m minimalist about travel clothes, but I’d like to have these with me any time so that I can do quick fixes and be able to use my clothes at least until the end of the trip
medicine

Hawaii beach essentials

THE swimsuit – and another swimsuit that also fits so that everyone in the family has two; if you’re still looking to find those that fit, try SwimsuitsForAll. They have a range of swimsuits for women in different types and sizes. (I won’t mention men, because they usually grab the first one they see and are fine with it for the next two summer seasons. Or is it just in our family?)
Rash guard: the best skin protection is not sunscreen, but covering as much skin as possible. A simple, white T-shirt can effectively protect your chest and shoulders, but rash guards are specifically made of materials that dry quickly and won’t be ruined in saltwater. Wear a rash guard at least in the hottest part of the day.
Sun hat: the best protection that you can give to your face is a wide-brimmed hat. If you can’t fold it, fill it with clothes to retain its shape when packing it – or even better, wear it on travel days.
Beach towel
Beach mat (or an extra beach towel to sit on)

Snorkeling essentials

Snorkeling set: ZEEPORTE has a great set with a two window tempered glass lens dive mask and a valve that seals the breathing tube while underwater
Anti-fog spray: it enhances your experience so much, given that you apply it correctly. Spray the front and back of your mask, rinse the mask in water, then shake the water off.
Water shoes (for women, for men): not all beaches are comfortable barefoot. Water shoes protect your feet on lava rock beaches and when snorkeling close to a coral reef.
Swim leggings or full body suit: your first longer snorkel in tropical waters comes with a realization that should have been obvious – your butt can burn easily. Ouch, yes! Swim leggings (paired with a rash guard) or fully body suits protect as much of your skin as possible. (And then you can sit comfortably at the dinner table.) Why not regular leggings? You’ll ruin them in saltwater. Swim leggings are designed to be sun, saltwater and sunscreen resistant.
GoPro: an underwater camera is a must when you snorkel in Hawaii, and GoPro is the best. We bought ours before our trip to Kauai, and we were so happy we did. Who doesn’t want a video of themselves swimming with sea turtles?
Swim buoy (optional): so imagine a floating dry bag that you can put around your waist with a strap while snorkeling. You can store your valuables inside, and you can even hold onto it for a little bit of a break in deep water. However, it’s not a life saving device and shouldn’t be treated as such!

this is not any of us, we only admired local surfers 😀

And what not to pack for Hawaii for water sports?

Don’t pack surf boards or boogie boards, but you can pack your snorkeling set. You can rent water sport equipment on the spot. However, we usually make an exception with a snorkeling set, and pack it even when traveling with a carry-on only. Because it doesn’t require that much space, and once we find one that’s comfortable, we don’t want to experiment with random ones we manage to find in local shops.

Don’t bring fins for snorkeling, have water shoes instead. Fins take up a lot of space, and yes, they make you faster, but honestly, who wants to hurry when there’s so much to see underwater?! We more often wished for a floating device than for fins as we were marveling at colorful fish and turtles at the reefs in Kauai. Water shoes are great for protecting your feet though. Coral and lava rock can be sharp, so you benefit from the protection of your water shoes while snorkeling, wading or just walking on lava rock beaches. Many good snorkeling beaches have rocky entrances. And even though you should avoid touching coral reef, if you swim directly above it, your foot can accidentally hit it.

Kayaking, paddleboarding and boat trip essentials

Since you’ll likely rent a kayak or paddleboard, you don’t need to worry about necessary equipment (or life jackets), because they are included in the rental. Same goes for boat trips. However, there are two crucial items that you most probably won’t get:

Dry bag: if you set foot on any boat, put all your stuff that’s sensitive to water into a dry bag. You never know when a more powerful wave comes, or a humpback whale splashes you (you wish… you should be really lucky to get so close to one!)
Binoculars: since those humpback whales won’t get that close to your boat, you better have your binoculars to make your sea excursion more enjoyable

General clothing checklist

When packing for Hawaii, keep in mind that light-colored clothing repels the sun, and natural, breathable materials, like cotton, linen or viscose, are the most comfortable in hot, humid weather. But don’t forget about the chilly nights and the air-conditioned flight, and have one warmer sweater or light jacket.

underwear and bras: choose quick-drying and moisture-wicking underwear like this nylon-spandex ExOfficio bikini brief or boxer brief, they’re great for the sweaty days and also for any sport activities
a few pair of socks: think travel days, chilly nights and outdoor activities; if you pack closed shoes, don’t forget socks
quick-drying, moisture-wicking T-shirts or tops (for women, for men): you can use them for any outdoor activities to stay comfortable, and we actually prefer T-shirts, because they cover our shoulders, as well, and covering your skin is the best protection against sunburn
a pair of lightweight short (for women, for men)
rompers, beach cover-ups, dresses: choose the ones that have the most versatile usage, then you can wear them on the beach and also while walking around in town or dining out
a pair of leggings: combine it with your beach cover-ups to have a proper outfit for a night out
light jacket or sweater
walking (or hiking) sandals: choose one that’s comfortable for longer walks and rugged terrain, too. TEVA Hurricane (both for women and men) is a good option both for walks and easier trails.
sunglasses
pijamas

Don’t pack too many clothes. You’ll mostly wear your swimsuit and cover-ups. Quick-drying, moisture-wicking underwear and T-shirts that you pack for hiking can be just as good for other outdoor activities. One sweater or jacket is enough – and don’t pack it, wear it when traveling.

Don’t pack jeans. Of course, you can if you really want to, but you’ll be more comfortable in anything else than jeans on those warm and humid days.

Hiking and other outdoors gear

Since you pack quick-drying, moisture-wicking T-shirts, comfy walking sandals and a lightweight short for everyday wear, you almost have your hiking outfit ready, too.

Hiking shoes or boots (optional): a durable pair of hiking sandals work great in a tropical climate, except when the terrain is extremely muddy or you hike across lava fields where sharp rocks can hurt your feet if you don’t wear closed toe shoes. And Haleakalā National Park in Maui can be too chilly for sandals at higher elevations. So bring or don’t bring hiking boots based on your itinerary. And if you’re thinking of a lightweight pair of pretty sneakers instead, think again. Some of the more adventurous trails can be very muddy, and that red mud will ruin your shoes. Hiking boots are meant for those terrains and conditions.
Raincoat: Hawaii is tropical, so no matter the season you visit, have a raincoat. You don’t have one? Read our article about how to choose the most suitable jacket for your needs!
Insect repellent: if you use both insect repellent and sunscreen, apply sunscreen first, wait 15-20 minutes, then apply insect repellent

Don’t pack snacks. Stock up on food in a supermarket once you arrive. You can buy all the granola bars, dried fruits or crackers on the spot, no need to waste your space for them in your luggage.

Consider the need for hiking pants. Hiking pants have their advantages, but when we hike in warm climates (and pack light), a lightweight short or leggings is enough. We did all of our hikes in shorts in Kauai, and even a ¾ leggings might be too much for the lower elevation trails.

Hygiene packing list for Hawaii

Most accommodations are equipped with hair dryers and even free toiletries, so make sure to ask before you pack your hygiene kit.

soap or body wash
shampoo
conditioner
toothpaste
toothbrush
floss
body lotion
deodorant
disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer
hairbrushes
hair elastics
hairdryer
travel-size toiletry bottles: these are super handy for a carry-on only trip! You can continue to use the same products you use anyway, you just measure a small amount of them for the trip.
travel towel (optional): if we travel with a carry-on suitcase, we usually only pack beach towels, because most accommodations provide towels, anyway. However, a travel towel that dries quickly and folds up to be tiny can still fit in if you like using your own.

What not to pack for Hawaii in general?

Large, bulky items that can be rented on the spot. Like umbrellas, surf boards, boogie boards, snorkeling fins.

Too many or too heavy clothes. Hawaii has a tropical climate, so focus on lightweight and breathable clothing, and leave most of your shoes at home (not your hiking boots though).

Travel iron, hair dryer, toiletries. These items are often provided in hotels, apartments and guesthouses, so it’s unnecessary to carry them while flying.

Food and plastic bottles. Local food is delicious, and you also find plenty of supermarkets to stock on snacks. Instead of bringing and buying plastic bottles, choose reusable ones, or a hydration reservoir.

Hawaii trip FAQs

Since what to pack for your Hawaii vacation depends on the season you visit, the activities you do and the amount of time you spend there, let’s see some common travel tips.

Is there a best time to visit?

Spring and fall are the best in our opinion. The Hawaiian islands have nice weather all year, even though there’s rainy season between November and March. But summer and winter are the most popular seasons to visit (because of school holidays and escaping harsh winter), so to have the best prices and fewer crowds, choose spring or fall.

How much time do you need to visit?

I hope you haven’t really expected an answer to this, because how could we? 😛 You can have a few days getaway thanks to a cheap flight, or a week or two, maybe even hopping between two islands in the meantime. You can plan a multi-day hike on Kauai’s Kalalau Trail that’s among the most astonishing trails in the world, or you can plan a road trip with a mix of beach time, waterfall hunting and kayaking on serene tropical rivers. There’s only one thing that’s a solid truth: you can’t spend too much time in Hawaii.

Do you need to rent a car?

Sure! (It’s still the USA, what do you think?!) Anyway, the islands are quite rural, there’s usually no center, and even if you stay walking distance from one beach, driving is the most convenient way to get to some other nearby places of interest. Besides, road tripping can be spectacular! Just drive through Waimea Canyon in Kauai or take the Road to Hana in Maui.

Use kayak to compare rental car prices and find the best deal for your dates.

What’s the best way to visit more islands?

Flying. Hawaii is further from the mainland than you’d think, and its islands are more spread out than you’d think. But it takes only 1-2 hours to fly between the islands.

What food can you not bring to Hawaii?

To protect the unique ecosystem of the islands, there are restrictions on the food and materials you can bring to Hawaii. You can’t bring fresh food and vegetables. Generally, most foods that are cooked, canned, frozen, commercially processed or packaged are welcome to Hawaii, if you purchased them in the US. This includes packaged nuts for personal consumption.

If you’re coming from another country, you likely need to declare food. Our experience is that it’s best to declare things if you’re not sure whether you need to than getting a hefty fine.

And surely, leave your pineapples, passion fruits and coconuts at home. You can buy heavenly delicious ones in Hawaii, anyway.

Disclosure: Please note that affiliate links are used in this post, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a commission if you make a purchase.

Hawaii Packing List: What To Bring & NOT To Bring – Our Wanders (2024)