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40 Things You Must Pack for Hawaii (Plus Printable List) Don't forget the...
Going to Maui or Kauai? Here is a list of packing essentials for Hawaii! Digital Download and Printable checklist included for those commonly forgotten items! This list consists of female items with what to wear suggestions and it can all fit in carry-on luggage! Don’t forget the…
A curated collage of Hawaii outfit ideas featuring summer dresses, neutral sandals, and travel-friendly accessories suitable for island days and evenings.
Packing Essentials for Maui or any Island in Hawaii, Plus a Pretty Printable Packing Checklist - 2026 Update
Update: January 9, 2026
We’ve gone to Hawaii so many times I’ve become an expert on packing! We’ve been to almost all of the islands and they are relatively the same when packing. If I don’t have my list, I will forget things, so I always keep it handy since we venture to Hawaii at least once a year!
Related Post: How to Spend 4 Days in Maui - Complete Itinerary
Maui Sunrise looking over Lanai
Download our Hawaii Packing Essentials Checklist
Since I love to organize things, I sorted my list by category so it is foolproof not to leave something behind. Granted Hawaii does have shops and anything can be bought there, but I’d rather save my money to come back!
Great Budget-friendly finds on Amazon for Hawaii Packing!
Want a FREE downloadable pretty Hawaii travel packing essentials printable checklist with everything in this post? Click here: Packing Essentials for Hawaii
See our shopping list (with some great budget-friendly dresses and tons of Hawaiian outfit ideas) straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials
RELATED POST: How much does it cost to go to Maui in 2026? - Itinerary, budget, and more!
Here we go…
My favorite Hawaii Outfit - dress with pockets!
CLOTHING FOR HAWAII AND HAWAII OUTFIT IDEAS - What to Pack for Hawaii Vacation
Dresses - Short and Maxi (Hawaiian themed is always fun). I usually wear dresses for dinner and wandering around. See more Hawaii Outfit ideas here
Light Sweater - for cooler nights
Workout Clothes - Hikes, Road to Hana, Runs on the beach, Zip-lining, golfing, etc.
Sneakers - great to have if you’re walking around or going on adventures - I LOVE Asics Gel Venture shoes! The gel is so squishy and comfortable. Must HAVE!
Plane Outfit - I love a good oversized top and leggings since it is usually a long-haul
Basics - Socks, Underwear, Bras, Sports Bras, PAJAMAS!
Small Purse - to hold an ID, Credit card, cash, phone, lipstick, gum and maybe a car key
Accessories/Jewelry - Earrings, Necklace, Bracelet, Watch
Looking for a complete Maui resource? Our Ultimate Travel Guide for Maui 2026 brings together hotels, activities, food, and travel tips in one place.
Hawaii outfit ideas with comfortable, breathable clothing and simple accessories designed for warm weather travel.
BEACH ITEMS FOR HAWAII - Hawaii Packing List for 5 Days
Flip-flops - I love Havianas! They are the only flip flop brand I’ve bought for 15 years.
Sandals - To wear to restaurants and shopping, unless you want to wear your flip flops
Swimsuit - I bring a couple so one is always dry
Swimsuit Cover Up - Great to wear around the resort or to get a drink at the pool bar! Hat - Sun hat and baseball hat for hikes/outdoor activities
Sunglasses - Sojo Sunglasses on Amazon are budget-friendly, great quality, and trendy!
Towel - or use the resort towels
Beach or tote bag - to throw towels, sunscreen, magazine, clothes, etc.
Water Bottle - Stay hydrated! Collapsable bottles are great!
Snacks - We like to have granola bars, gummi bears, and M&M’s on hand for the plane or for the room
Crossword Puzzle - This is our FAVORITE puzzle! Travel terms and countries! https://amzn.to/4lVixuR
Want a FREE printable/downloadable list with everything in this post? Click here: Packing Essentials for Hawaii or see our list of things to buy straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials
Swimsuit coverup and hat perfect for Hawaii Travel
TOILETRIES FOR HAWAII
Reefsafe Sunblock - Save the reef! Buy reef safe! I noticed the Sheraton Maui had dispensers around the resort - check with your hotel ahead of time or bring your own!
Aloe Vera - I don’t know about you, but I always miss a spot.
Basics - Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel (if you prefer your own, most hotels have these)
Deodorant
First Aid - I pack a few bandaids, Neosporin, aspirin… just in case!
Manicure Set - Manicure scissors (small TSA friendly ones), Nail clipper, tweezers, small nail file
Makeup! - I forgot my makeup bag once. It wasn’t pretty.
Hairbrush and Comb
Hairspray/Gel
Hair ties and Bobby pins - don’t forget, it gets windy on the beach!
Curling Iron or Flat Iron - Beachy waves are cool too!
Feminine Products
Maui Hawaii Beach
ELECTRONICS FOR HAWAII
GoPro - Get those adventure shots while swimming, snorkeling, zip-lining, surfing, waterfall hiking, or parasailing
Camera - We love our DSLR for a higher quality shot
iPad - load it up with shows and movies for the plane before you go and refresh the apps the day before you leave Hawaii as some downloads won’t work after 24 hours.
Mobile Phone - I mean I can’t go 10 minutes without mine. I also bring an old iPhone in a waterproof case for snorkeling and swimming!
Headphones/Airpods - don’t forget the little jack for Apple devices if you don’t use bluetooth
External battery - keep your electronics charged! We like the Mophie brand with built-in cables so you aren’t searching for them.
Cables - don’t forget your charging cables for your phone, headphones, tablet, watch…
See more plane tips here: Flying in 2019: Tips and Trick for the Airport and Airplane
Dive the Cathedral
Snorkel with Turtles
SCUBA DIVERS OR SNORKELERS PACKING LIST
We bring our own fins and masks so we can not only scuba dive but also snorkel whenever! Pro tip - buy a set and carry them on in a mesh bag!
Masks - I’ve tried so many masks and the Cressi Pano 3 is my personal favorite. At a budget-friendly price, it has one big window, fits well, and does not leak!
Fins
Baby Shampoo - use as defogging for the mask!
Rash Guards! Great for protecting your skin in the water! We forgot ours one year, so we bought new ones at our favorite store in Hawaii, Honolua Surf Shop
Dive Book and PADI/Dive Certification - for divers
Diver Essentials - Dive Watch, BCD, Wetsuit, etc. We usually make sure the dive shop has the basic package.
Scuba Mesh Bag to carry all of the above! We carry this mesh bag on the plane with our gear.
Want a FREE printable/downloadable list with everything in this post? Click here: Packing Essentials for Hawaii
CARRY-ON LUGGAGE RECOMMENDATION
Would you believe me if I said I fit everything on my list for a 4-5 day trip in a carry-on and personal bag? We have the best carry-on that is spacious and seriously compacts all of our clothes - Travel Pro. Most pilots and plane attendants carry this Travel Pro model as well. Although I love the ease of steering my suitcase with 4 wheels, having 2 wheels you get an extra couple of inches!
What NOT to Pack for Hawaii
Skip these items to pack lighter and enjoy Hawaii’s relaxed island lifestyle:
Heavy jackets or bulky layers – Hawaii is warm year-round; a light sweater is enough for evenings. ONLY pack these if you are going to a higher elevation early in the morning or late at night.
High heels or dressy shoes – Most places are casual; sandals and sneakers are best.
Too many outfits – You’ll live in swimsuits, shorts, and casual dresses.
Full-size toiletries – Easily available at Target, Walmart, and local stores.
Non-reef-safe sunscreen – Hawaii restricts certain chemicals to protect coral reefs.
Expensive jewelry – Swimming and beach days increase the risk of loss.
Hair styling tools – Humidity and beach days make them unnecessary.
Large beach gear – Chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear are often provided or rentable.
Pro tip: If you won’t use it more than once, leave it at home.
Doing my dance in my Hawaiian Lilly Pulitzer dress with a mai tai at the Grand Wailea.
FREEBIES AND DISCOUNTS! Free Hawaii Packing Essentials Printable Checklist Download
Want a FREE printable/downloadable list with everything in this post? Click here: Packing Essentials for Hawaii or see our list of things to buy straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials
Find the best rate to visit paradise by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks!
Hawaii Packing Checklist FAQs
What should you definitely pack for Hawaii?
Pack lightweight clothing, swimsuits, sandals, comfortable walking shoes, reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and a light jacket for evenings or higher elevations.
What should you NOT pack for Hawaii?
Avoid heavy jackets, high heels, too many outfits, non-reef-safe sunscreen, bulky beach gear, and full-size toiletries. Hawaii’s climate and casual style make most of these unnecessary.
Do you need a jacket in Hawaii?
Usually no. A light sweater or windbreaker is enough for cooler evenings or breezy areas. The only exception is visiting higher elevations like Haleakalā or Mauna Kea.
Can you buy essentials in Hawaii instead of packing them?
Yes. Stores like Target, Walmart, CVS, and local markets are widely available, making it easy to buy sunscreen, toiletries, and beach items after you arrive.
Is reef-safe sunscreen required in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii restricts sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate to help protect coral reefs. Always bring or buy reef-safe sunscreen.
What shoes are best to pack for Hawaii?
Sandals, flip-flops, and comfortable walking shoes are ideal. Most travelers don’t need dress shoes or heels due to Hawaii’s relaxed dress code.
How many outfits should I pack for Hawaii?
Fewer than you think. Plan to rewear casual outfits and focus on swimsuits, cover-ups, and breathable clothing rather than packing a new outfit for each day.
Do hotels in Hawaii provide beach gear?
Many hotels and resorts provide beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, and sometimes snorkel gear. Check your hotel amenities before packing large items.
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Family Vacation Ideas for School Holidays (Pandemic Friendly)
Guest post featuring inspiring ideas on where to travel during school holidays! Don’t knock a staycation until you’ve tried it! #traveltips
Image from Unsplash
Best Family Vacation Getaways for School Holidays (Pandemic Friendly)
Written by Emma Grace Brown
School holidays are a welcome respite from the ongoing burden of everyday life and routine. But while your kids may be thrilled by the idea of days off from school, the prospect of summer break or winter holidays isn’t quite as appealing to parents. There are activities to book, laziness to nip in the bud, and vacations to plan. And as we emerge from the pandemic, travel options may be more restricted than before.
But it’s nothing a little planning and foresight can’t fix! According to Travel Agent Central, 85% of Americans plan to travel this upcoming year. There are lots of options - and contrary to popular belief, vacations can be pandemic-friendly. Here, we share some ideas and activities for the whole family.
Get Out of the House
Embarking on a new adventure after years of being stuck at home will be a special memory for your children. Pandemic guidelines are constantly changing, so your best bet is to remain within the country rather than exploring other worldwide destinations. An all-inclusive resort in a beach town may be the move for you and your family to experience the healing benefits of water. Or else, book a unique and exciting property near you for a more intimate, peaceful stay. You’d be surprised at how much fun you can have exploring the woods with your kids or setting off on daily hikes by foregoing the typical amusement park staples.
Home Is Where the Fun Is
In our opinion, you don’t even need to step outside your home to enjoy the calming and relaxing benefits of vacationing. Opt for fun activities that get the whole family involved if you’re not quite ready to venture out into the world. The sky is the limit here: you could do family movie night with all the snack fixings or go camping - in your backyard. Pick a hobby for the whole family to work on together - be it painting, sewing, or pottery, and stay comfortable in some new clothing like a pair of leggings or a loose but flattering T-shirt. According to Zapier, learning a new skill together is one of the best ways to create unique bonding moments.
Just be sure to put up a boundary between fun time and chore time, as kids may find it difficult to differentiate different activities taking place in the same environment. Setting up a physical limit around your property will also be beneficial to ensure safety when the kids are out and about. If your property needs a fence, it’s best to get that sorted prior to embarking on your home vacation. Before meeting with a fencing contractor, evaluate companies by reading online testimonials, recommendations, and reviews. The average homeowner spends around $4,500 to install a new fence, but the total cost will depend on your area, materials, and size. When looking up “fence contractors near me,” be sure to check your contractor is licensed, insured, and updated on underground utility lines.
A Happy Medium
Are you looking for the perfect balance between staying in and going out? A staycation is the ideal solution for your family! Book in at a hotel or Airbnb in your city, and take the struggle out of traveling and commuting. Remember to pack some games, lots of snacks and enjoy luxuriating in a new setting that’s not too far from home. It will be a welcome treat for your kids, but without the commitment of planning travel in these changing times.
We’ve all been stuck in an endless cycle of work from home, virtual school, zoom workouts, and online shopping. All that digital presence may have you (and your kids) craving some good old-fashioned vacation time. While it may not yet be safe to take off on a far-flung, exotic vacation, there are many options closer to home that are pandemic-friendly. Whether you opt for that staycation or book a stay in secluded woods or a ski slope, we hope this time is a memorable bonding experience for your family. Happy vacationing!
More from the Sweetest Escapes:
Do You NEED Travel Insurance?
For the crazy and unprecedented events of 2020, travel insurance might be more important now more than ever for future trips! Make sure you’re protected for delays, illness, lost luggage, and even natural disasters. How do you get travel insurance? How does travel insurance work? How much does travel insurance cost? See our post for more!
For the crazy and unprecedented events of 2020, travel insurance might be more important now more than ever for future trips! Make sure you’re protected for delays, illness, lost luggage, and even natural disasters—the best travel insurance can soften the impact of unforeseen events.
How do you get travel insurance? How does travel insurance work? How much does travel insurance cost? ALL great questions that can be answered in this ultimate Travel Insurance Guide from Consumer’s Advocate.
PRO TIP: We typically book travel on our credit cards that offer travel insurance, just make sure you read the fine print!
You never know who’s watching you. Look out for pickpockets! ;-)
5 Interesting Facts About Travel Insurance
Buzzkills - Standard in most travel insurance policies is a drug and alcohol exclusion that won’t payout if you’re intoxicated. So… don’t get hurt after that mai tai in the fun tiki glass with the tiny umbrella.
How much does travel insurance cost? It depends on what type of coverage you end up getting. Typically costs range about 4-10% of the trip price. However, premium coverage or Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) policies can be a bit more expensive. But if you can cancel a $3000 trip for $100, isn’t that worth it?
Event Cancellations - Allows for the cancellation of the trip if the specific reason for the trip--an event such as a concert or festival--is canceled.
Medical Coverage - If you are injured on your trip, some policies will fly a relative to take care of you or even emergency transport to your hospital of choice around the world. However, if you are being adventurous, check out extreme sports (bull riding, cave diving, and mixed martial arts) in the Explorer Plan vs Standard Plan activities (kite surfing, ice hockey) coverage here.
Loopholes--as they’re commonly understood--do not exist in insurance policies. While coverage can be denied for a number of reasons (drug or excessive alcohol use, for instance), those reasons are clearly laid out in the policy contract.
Zip-lining in Maui, Hawaii
5 Different Types of Travel Insurance Coverage
Basic cancellation coverage: Covers you for pre-paid, non-refundable expenses under a fixed set of circumstances outlined in your policy. You can make a claim when have to cancel a trip due to:
A health emergency or illness, for example. Depending on the policy you choose, you may also be able to make a claim
If you’re laid off from work or you’re called for jury duty (depending on the policy chosen).
If your travel provider has to cancel your trip due to a natural disaster in the destination city.
Trip delay insurance: You’ll be reimbursed for any expenses you incur as a result of your trip being delayed
Usually included with cancellation coverage.
Meals, hotel charges, and taxi fees are among the expenses covered.
Short departure delays are not covered; policies set a minimum number of hours for covered delays.
Trip interruption coverage: protects you in the event you have to return home due to an emergency once you’ve already started your trip.
It will likely pay for the cost of getting you home and getting you back to your destination once you’re able to travel again.
Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR): Offers the fullest coverage but may only make sense for you if your calendar is subject to change at a moment’s notice.
Specialized Event Coverage: covers special events for most cancellations (i.e. outdoor game gets rained out)
Have high-value items (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)? Make sure your items are within the limits of your policy; and if not, consider increasing your policy coverage!
So do you NEED travel insurance? Probably a good idea if you’re planning in 2020!
Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.
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Do You NEED Travel Insurance?
Check out the latest and greatest:
Holiday Gift Guide for the Traveler Under $50
Looking for the perfect gift? Try our gift guide for the traveler or anyone in your life for under $50! Shopping for everyone on your list! Last minute Christmas gifts under $50 #giftguide #greatgifts #shopping
The holidays are coming and so is my birthday! Here are gifts for pretty much anyone on your list because who doesn’t like to travel?! Some of these items are even great for everyday use.
This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!
Luggage Under $50
Pretty Personalized Duffels
Perfect for a weekend getaway, galavanting across Europe or great for basketball practice!
AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage - 20-Inch, Carry-On
Carry-ons are important, this model has maximum capacity, is light weight, has four wheels to maneuver around easily AND comes in a variety of colors (blue, green, black, red, orange, etc)!
Jewelry and Watch Gifts Under $50
I love all kinds of jewelry! Here are some great options for any lady or man in your life!
Airplane Ring
Stackable Name Rings
Airplane Bracelet
Travel Jewelry Box
Perfect for organizing all jewelry without getting necklaces and bracelets tangled.
Personalized Men’s Wrist Watch
Check out that fancy leather and classic face. Sure to look great on any man in your life!
Electronics and Accessories Under $50
Here are some great options for the techy type.
Portable External Battery Charger
Anker PowerCore 10000 is one of the smallest and lightest external batteries. Ultra-compact, high-speed charging technology power bank works for iPhones, the Samsung Galaxy and more.
Perfect for charging any device on the go!
Sony MDRZX110NC Noise Cancelling Headphones
Perfect to drown out the screaming baby or chatty neighbor on the plane!
World Map Mac Computer Decal
Comes in all colors and the decal can be used almost anywhere such as computers, walls, phones, car windows, etc.
Flamingo Phone Case
There are so many phone case options and designs at such a great price.
Leather Apple Watch Bands
These bands come in all sizes and colors!
Floral Shop on Casetify
See beautiful designs for all devices on Casetify: Click Here
Macbook Sleeves on Casetify
Holiday designs and more on Casetify.com
Must Have Travel Items Under $50
Here are some items anyone could use!
Trendy Luggage Tags
Check out all of the different colors and designs (and free shipping)!
Collapsible Water Bottle
Great travel accessory - Lightweight Silicone Travel Mug. Even has a filter for coffee or tea! Could be good for the office, too!
Travel Umbrella
EEZ-Y Compact Travel Umbrella w/Windproof Double Canopy Construction - Auto Open/Close Button
Travel Pillow
Twist Memory Foam Travel Pillow for Neck, Chin, Lumbar and Leg Support - For Traveling on Airplane, Bus, Train or at Home - Best for Side, Stomach and Back Sleepers - Adjustable, Bendable Roll Pillow by Dot & Dot
Looking for the best restaurants and places to eat in Maui, Hawaii? Check out our favorite Restaurants in Maui from Lahaina to Wailea! | Where to go in Maui | Where to eat in Maui | Food in Maui