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This is the only Hawaii packing list you’ll need for your vacation. It has all of the details on the items you should bring. This packing list has everything to get you started and beat the packing overwhelm. I’ve also added tips and tricks for all of the necessary accessories you’ll need (and can buy ahead to save money!), such as sunscreen, repellant, a portable phone charger, and more! I’ve broken down the list into must-haves, clothes, accessories, and so forth, so you can decide what’s best for you!

Also please note that I am a part of the Amazon Affiliate Program and this article contains links which, if you click through and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Essentials

Your must-have items include your license/ID for the flight, passport (if applicable), cash, credit card, your medications, phone, your rental car and/or hotel confirmation, and your keys.

Luggage

You’ll most likely bring one carry-on per person, so you really want to only pack your essential things. I also highly recommend these packing cubes, as they keep all of your clothes, shoes, and other random items nicely stored and organized. 

General Clothes Packing List for Women

Swimsuit, socks, undies/bras, PJs, good shoes for hiking, light-colored clothing (as this will help you stay cool during your trip), shorts, beach cover up (I love this one), light jacket (because it does get cold + it’s nice to have for the airplane), nice dress for fancy places, and a sunhat (this one is economical + protects your skin!). 

General Clothes Packing List for Men

Swim shorts, socks, undies, PJs, good shoes for hiking, light-colored clothing, shorts, aloha shirt for fancy places, light jacket, straw hat, hats, and comfortable hiking clothes. 

Accessories

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Your Hawaii Packing List wouldn’t be complete without sunscreen, which you should use everyday! A bad burn will ruin your Hawaii trip, and we don’t want that to happen. Hawaii has a law banning the sale of sunscreens that have chemicals harmful to the coral reefs. These two harmful chemicals are called oxybenzone and octinoxate, and they can bleach the coral. This sunscreen should come in handy on your trip + it’s reef safe! You’re welcome! 

Beach bag

A big beach bag is so handy to have. Just stuff everything you need in it and go! I love these beach bags, as they’re trendy and have a convenient inner pocket as well!

Sunglasses & Chapstick

Protect your eyes from the sun with sunglasses, and keep those lips hydrated with chapstick!

Resuable grocery cooler bags 

Hawaii banned plastic bags, so if you go shopping at the grocery store, you’ll want one of these. I like these bags (which you can also find at grocery stores in Hawaii) because they keep your groceries cool. They’re perfect to pack snacks and meals on the go, and they keep your food nice and cool! 

Towels

I love the Sand Cloud towels because they’re lightweight, portable, and they don’t get tons of sand stuck to them! If you don’t want to pack towels in your luggage, check with your hotel BEFORE your trip to see if they have towels you can borrow—that way you can save space and weight in your luggage. 

Slippers (flip flops) 

In Hawaii, “flip flops” are known as slippers. You’ll be grateful to have these to wear around. They’re nice and cool and easy to wear at the beach. You can find $1 slippers at stores like Walmart in Hawaii.

Mosquito repellant 

Especially when you go hiking, mosquito repellant really helps keep away the bugs. Mosquito bites are so itchy, red, and ugly, and you can avoid them by putting on some repellant. 

Phone charger 

Don’t forget your charger! I have a “last minute” list that I review right before we head out the door and the phone charger is always on this list. You don’t want to have to buy another phone charger on the road! 

Phone battery charger for the road 

It would be devastating to get to a beautiful spot and put up your phone to take a picture… only to find it’s dead! Don’t be that person and keep yourself well prepared with this smartphone portable charger. These are perfectly portable and lightweight, just be sure to charge them ahead of time and they’ll keep your phone charged!

GoPro

The Hawaii Packing List isn’t complete without a camera or something to document those memories! The GoPro is perfect to collect memories while you’re snorkeling and exploring the reefs. It’s also heavy-duty and therefore ideal for hikes, waterfalls, and even cliff jumping! We have the GoPro Hero 8 and love the features it has, including 4k videos, wide angle lens, and stabilization options. If you get a GoPro, also be sure to get one of these floaty handles—there have been too many stories of people dropping their GoPros and losing them forever. You don’t want to lose your GoPro in the water!

Mavic Mini Drone

If you want to take it a step further than the GoPro and truly document your trip, this drone is perfect for getting amazing footage. Not only is it compact and easily portable, but it produces beautiful quality images and videos. With the amazing quality and efficiency of the drone, the Mavic Mini is the gift that keeps on giving. 

Waterproof phone case 

If you feel anxious about leaving your valuables on the beach while you’re snorkeling or swimming, these waterproof cases are great to put in your phone and keys! Just don’t lose them in the water! 

Reusable water bottle 

This is an essential item on your Hawaii packing list. Hawaii banned plastic water bottles, so be sure to bring your own reusable water bottle. I love these ones because they keep your water insulated and cold. You can get free cups of water at most of the restaurants and eateries, but having your own reusable water bottle insures you’ll always have water with you. 

Snorkeling gear 

You can rent snorkeling gear at some of the beaches in Hawaii, but if the idea of someone else’s mouth on the gear grosses you out (no matter how much they sanitize it!), like me, then it’s best to just bring your own snorkeling gear. You can buy some in Hawaii at Walmart, Costco, Target, or any store, but you can also order them online and bring them with you. These are great snorkeling gears and shouldn’t take up too much room in your carry on. 

Reef walkers 

I’ve never been a fan of reef walkers because I just don’t enjoy wearing wet shoes, but they do have a good purpose. They’re helpful when you’re going to beaches that don’t have much sand, such as the lava rock on the Big Island. These are an economical choice, light, and they’re even good to use on hikes, especially on muddy hikes.

Rash guard 

Most locals don’t wear rash guards but I totally understand if you need one of these. I added this to the list in case you’re sensitive to the sun or sand. 

Toiletries

Save money by bringing your own toiletries. These toiletry bottles on Amazon are great but you can also just get travel-size bottles at Walmart and fill them with your own soaps and products. Some general toiletries you’ll want are: shampoo, conditioner, soap/body wash, razor, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, contacts/solution, makeup/remover, hairbrush.

Leave in hair conditioner 

Hawaii has a way of teasing your hair… quite literally. Leave-in hair conditioner is my go-to product to get out the knots and tangles that accumulate after a lovely day of sun, salt, and sand. The Fructis Garnier Coconut Leave-in Conditioner is my favorite leave-in conditioner because it smells amazing and works great with my hair (I have thin + straight hair) which you can buy and squeeze into one of your travel bottles before you go! 🙂 

Medications 

Don’t forget any pills or medications. This is on my last-minute list of stuff to bring! 

Now that I know what to pack, what should I do in Hawaii?

I hope this Hawaii packing list helps and that you have a great trip to Hawaii! If you’re looking for things to do on any of the islands, check out my FREE Ultimate Hawaii Bucket Lists! Or fill in your information below to get the Bucket Lists sent straight to your inbox!

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