What to Pack for Hawaii - Ultimate Packing List (2024)
Originally published February 2023
Hawaii is a tropical island in the Pacific Ocean. It’s about a 5-hour flight from California, the nearest U.S. state. Due to its proximity to the equator, Hawaiian weather is warm and humid year-round!
The summer months are the hottest, with an average high of 85° F (29.4° C). The “cool” winter months still have an average high of 78° (25.6° C), so it’s a great winter destination if you’re looking to defrost!
The Hawaiian islands all have their own, special features to pack for, but you could easily pack the same items for each island!
The lists below include clothes to pack no matter which island you are visiting, additional island-specific items to pack, things to pack for the beach, camera gear I recommend, and sustainable items to bring.
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Hawaii Packing List: Clothes to Wear
Hawaiian style is casual, beachy, and laid back. You will not need fancy clothes, heels, or lots of accessories. When I’m in Hawaii I usually wear soft, lightweight shorts and tops every day, and fit in perfectly!
I’ll sometimes wear dresses if we’re going out to dinner, but I always keep them beachy and somewhat casual (This dress is about as fancy as I get for Hawaii). You can dress up if you want to, but it’s pretty uncommon even amongst fellow travelers.
A general packing list for clothing and accessories:
Lightweight, loose t-shirts/tank tops
Comfy shorts/skirts
Casual dresses
Swimsuits (Vitamin A Swim is the best sustainable swimwear brand)
Workout clothes for hikes/walks
Hair ties/clips
Sun hat
What to Pack in Your Carry-On
The best tip I ever learned (thanks, Mom!) was to pack a full change of clothes and any essentials you cannot live without during your trip in your carry-on (in addition to things you’ll use on the plane).
This way you will have mostly everything you need, even if your luggage doesn’t make it to your destination with you.
I typically prefer to pack carry-on only now, but if you’re checking luggage, that tip will save you some stress!
Shampoo/conditioner bars
Ethique bars are my favorite since they’re solid, which saves space for sunscreen and other liquids in my carry-on! Get 20% off through this link.
Reef-safe sunscreen (Coola is the best!)
Swimsuit (1-2 in your carry-on)
Full outfit
Pair of shoes (different from what you wear on the plane)
A few pairs of underwear
Medicine or medical devices (e.g., contact lenses)
Ear plugs (Recommended: Wax ear plugs)
Laptop/camera (I prefer to keep valuables with me)
Headphones (Recommended: noise canceling AirPods)
Maui Packing List
Warm clothes: If you plan to visit Haleakala National Park, it’s much colder than the rest of the island — sometimes it will even have snow! Wear a packable warm coat and long pants. I like the Abercrombie Lightweight Packable Puffer, but if that’s sold out, there’s a very popular Amazon Packable Puffer you can get.
I packed a dress to change into at the top for some quick photos! This is totally optional, of course.
Nice outfit: Some dinners out can be a bit “fancier” on Maui than on other islands, so I usually like to bring one nicer outfit. It can still be pretty casual since “fancy” in Hawaii is more casual than in other places. My favorite place to get nice dresses is Reformation!
Kauai Packing List
Bug repellent: The gorgeous, lush landscapes attract mosquitos. Bring bug repellent!
Hiking shoes for the mud: Kauai has lots of great hikes, but they’re often muddy! Pack shoes you don’t mind getting dirty/stained. I love my trail runners — they have great grip.
Light raincoat: Of all the islands, Kauai is the wettest. Bring a lightweight raincoat (or poncho!) for those more rainy days.
Oahu Packing List
Nice outfit: If you’re staying in Honolulu on the south side of the island, there are some nicer restaurants that you may want to wear one nice outfit for — again, still more casual than you may be used to.
Long pants and closed-toed shoes: Kualoa Ranch is a must-visit spot on an Oahu trip. They filmed many movies there (including Jurassic Park!) and have different activity options. One of those activities is an ATV ride, which requires long pants and closed-toed shoes.
Hawaii (Big Island) Packing List
Warm clothes: The Big Island is known for its volcanoes, so pack warm clothes for the cold temps at the top!
What to Bring to the Beach in Hawaii
Reef-safe sunscreen
It’s against the law to use sunscreen that is not reef-safe in Hawaii. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are two ingredients that not only cause sun bleaching to coral reefs but also kill sea animals.
I’m very allergic to sunscreen and have had an impossible time finding one that is both reef-safe and doesn’t cause an allergic reaction, but I found one!!
Coola is by far the best sunscreen I’ve ever used. It’s natural, reef-safe, goes on like moisturizer, and smells great (I like the cucumber-scented one). You can get it from Amazon, Ulta, or Sephora.
Hat
I like to bring a wide-brim sun hat that covers both my neck and shoulders. I opt for a less expensive one so it’s no biggie if it gets a bit bent in a suitcase.
Sunglasses
My favorite sunglasses are from ASOS because they have the most trendy shapes and are incredibly affordable.
I usually bring 2-3 different pairs and if one gets swept away in the ocean, left behind on the beach, or crunched in my beach bag, it’s not a huge loss! They usually last me a long time though.
Coverup
If you want to enjoy the beach without sitting in the sun, a coverup is a great item to bring. Not all beaches have shade to sit in and I like wearing a lightweight, white long-sleeve shirt over my bikini to protect my shoulders, back, and arms from the sun.
Beach towel
Most hotels or rentals will provide beach towels for you, but double-check the list of included amenities. If towels are not provided, I bring Turkish towels since they’re both lightweight and absorbent. Super easy to fit in your beach bag!
Cooler
This is completely optional, but if you want to pack some cold drinks and food for a beach day, consider bringing a flat-pack cooler. If you’re lucky, some rental homes may already have a cooler for you to use!
Waterproof phone case
I prefer to use my phone with a waterproof case for underwater photos/videos instead of a GoPro or underwater camera. It’s great for snorkeling or just peace of mind during boat trips, beach days, or pool days.
Permanent cases are ones you keep on all the time (e.g., LifeProof) and temporary cases are ones you only put your phone in when you’re going to be in/near water (e.g., waterproof pouch).
Camera Gear for Hawaii
Canon R5 - professional
Canon Rebel t8i - beginner
Disposable camera (for fun film photos!)
Sustainable Items to Bring to Hawaii
Tote bags (there are no bags available at grocery stores)
To-go containers (for food truck leftovers in Oahu and Kauai)
Refillable water bottle (Owala is perfect for travel)
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More Hawaii Guides
Where to Stay in Hawaii
Looking for a place to stay? We most often use VRBO to book our Hawaii stays, but I also love Booking.com for all hotels, apartments, and condos!
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