When swaying palms, gorgeous beaches, and some of the best snorkeling in the US beckon, you must be planning a trip to Hawaii.
When it comes to prepping for your trip, there are considerations for a Hawaiian vacay that don’t exist for other states in the US. It’s truly unique in terms of what you need to bring, the tropical weather, and surprising variation in temperature that one can encounter depending on the island.
From a girl who has spent a good chunk of time on all of the visitable islands, this is the perfect Hawaii packing list:
Weather in Hawaii
Expect warm temperatures and tropical vibes in Hawaii year-round. Some islands will be drier than others (I’m looking at you, Lanai) and some islands will also be more tropical than others (hello, Kauai) and some islands, like the Big Island, can experience several ‘seasons’ in a day during rainy season (November-January).
Rainy season is another consideration, so modify the packing list below according to the time of the year of your visit. Read this post to find out when is the best time to visit Hawaii.
Picking the right gear
Personally, I am a huge advocate for backpacks over suitcases for their versatility – you can go anywhere, including up and down stairs, and backpacks force you to pack minimally, because you have to be able to carry your backpack. That being said, I did bring a suitcase to Hawaii, and noticed that most people did the same. If you are not moving a whole lot during your holiday in Hawaii, I recommend taking a suitcase with you.
If you are, you might prefer a backpack in case you’re staying at Airbnbs without paved walkways.
Clothing
- 3 dresses (1 beach cover up, 1 midi, 1 maxi)
- 2 shorts (1 sporty, 1 casual)
- 1 long pants/leggings
- 2-3 tank tops
- 2-3 t-shirts
- 1-2 sleepwear
- 3 interchangeable swimsuits
- 1 rashguard
- 1 lightweight, waterproof jacket
- 1 flip flops
- 1 running/hiking shoes
- 1 quick dry towel
- 1 large scarf
- Plenty of underwear, sports bras and socks
Toiletries
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Shampoo + conditioner + body wash (fill them in these 100ml bottles)
- Facial wash + moisturizer
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush
- Razors
- DivaCup
Others
- An alarm (to attract attention during emergencies)
- A doorjamb (good to have when staying in a private room alone!)
- A LifeStraw water bottle, or refillable water bottle, as tap water in Hawaii is typically safe to drink
- A first-aid kit and your personal medications
Sara says
Hey!
Where did you get that green tie-back dress? It’s so pretty!
Kristin says
Asos 🙂
Ana says
How do you choose between running or hiking shoes?
Kristin says
If you want to do any of the longer treks up on Mauna kea on the Big Island or especially on Kauai where the trails can be muddy and you’ll want more tread, I would bring boots but otherwise running shoes would probably be fine. I’d base it on how much hiking you plan to do.
Ana says
Thanks!