What to pack for a week in Hawaii: Packing Checklist

Hawaii has always been a top dream destination for travelers. With a plethora of stunning beaches and natural sceneries to remember, combined with the Aloha spirit – it’s truly a special destination.

Since Jedd grew up in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, we frequently travel to Hawaii to visit family. Over the years, we have honed our Hawaii packing list and have a few recommendations to share.

Read on for our list of must have items for your upcoming Hawaiian vacation.

>> Scroll down to access our free Hawaii Packing Checklist <<

What to Pack: Hawaii Essentials

Let’s start with some of the essential items that are particular to packing for Hawaii.

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Reef-safe sunscreen

It’s no surprise that the Hawaiian islands are surrounded by beaches and seas are teeming with a diverse marine life, especially the vibrant coral reefs. For this reason, Hawaii has banned sunscreens that are not environmentally friendly.

Whether on land or in the sea, it’s best to make sure you protect yourself by using reef-safe sunscreen. Choose a sunscreen that offers moisturizing sun protection and is dermatologist approved.

We recommend: SunBum Reef-friendly Sunscreen

Swim Suit

Chances are you’ll be taking advantage of Hawaii’s beaches, so you’ll want at least one bathing suit. If swimming, surfing, or sun bathing will be your primary activities on your Hawaii vacation, consider bringing more than one swim suit.

Sandals

The great thing about Hawaii is that it’s fairly warm year-round! Get comfortable and pack your trusty sandals or cutest flip flops for your trip. With the exception of hiking trails, where we always recommend more sturdy close-toed shoes, sandals (or slippers, as they’re called in Hawaii) are acceptable footwear everywhere else in Hawaii.

Beach Bag

You’ll likely be spending a lot of your time on the beach so you must enjoy the sun and surf to the fullest. A good idea to keep your items organized is to bring your own beach bag.

Keep your drinks and other items safe and cool with the HydroFlask 35L Insulated Tote. This bag is coated with waterproof and durable fabric which makes it a great option for storage and travel.

Reusable Water Bottles

Our Sahara water bottle is excellent for staying cold, regardless of the outside temperature. Put an ice cube in there in the morning, there’s a good chance it will still be intact at the end of the day! They’re a bit hefty but we’ve managed to cart them around on all of our trips.
We Recommend: Tiger Water Bottle 1.5L

Mosquito Repellent

We recommend packing mosquito repellent with you to minimize bug bites, especially for hiking in tropical areas.

If you’re not sure what brand to buy, we recommend Ranger Ready deet-free bug spray. It has scented and unscented options that you can choose from and provides up to 12hrs of protection from ticks and mosquitos.

*Take 10% off any travel-size bug spray at rangerready.com with code IntentionalTravelers10 >

Toiletries

No essentials list is complete without preparing your personal toiletries. It’s important that you pack the right products for the weather you’ll be experiencing during your stay in Hawaii. We recommend checking out these natural deodorant for humid climates.

For ladies who are looking to pack lighter luggage for their trip, see our minimalist toiletries list for women.

One Week to 10 Days in Hawaii Nice-to-Haves

Planning for an extended Hawaii vacation? Here are some items that’ll make your stay much more enjoyable that will not break the bank!

Sun Hat

We know you’ll be spending a lot of time under the sun during your Hawaii vacation. Keep yourself cool by wearing a sun hat like the Outdoor Research Sombriolet sun hat. It’s made of light fabric that is water-resistant and quick-drying. Stay fresh and picture-ready while on the go!

Aloe Gel

Lost track of time and enjoyed the sun a tad too much? Well, you can still continue having fun! Aloe Vera Gel can help soothe your sun-parched skin. Made with 96% pure organic aloe juice, it’s great for all skin types and leaves no sticky residue.
We recommend: Badger Aloe Vera Gel

Waterproof Phone Case

The last thing you want to do on a vacation is tend to a broken gadget. Keep your memories safe and secure by getting a waterproof phone case. 

Look for a case that is clear and made from touch-screen friendly material. This will allow you to always be camera ready, even underwater!
We recommend: Nite Ize Waterproof phone case

Waterproof Camera

If you’re into water sports or prefer doing water activities for long periods of time, you’ll need heavy duty but high quality equipment that can keep up with you!

The GoPro HERO Underwater Camera might just be the camera you are looking for. It can shoot stunning videos with up to 5K resolution even while zoomed in. It can also take crisp and clear photos making it so easy to use. Just make sure to pack an extra memory card to get the best use out of it.

Quick-Dry Towel

We both have thin, quick dry towels from REI that take up very little space. While most hotels and rentals in Hawaii provide large beach towels, a compact quick dry towel can still come in handy.

We use them for camping, some AirBnB rentals that don’t provide towels, and wiping down outdoor seating after rains. 

We Recommend: REI Co-op Multi Towel

Sandproof Beach Blanket

Tired of bringing home sand back to your car or hotel room? Having a regular beach towel with you might help but it can’t keep the sand out.

It’s much better to get a sandproof beach blanket that provides comfort and a hassle-free clean up after your swim. Once you’re done sunbathing, you can just brush off all the sand with no effort!

We recommend: Wellax Beach Blanket

Sturdy Compact Umbrella

A good windproof umbrella for travel is light-weight, compact, and sturdy. This is why we have used the Totes brand for years.

An umbrella in Hawaii may not be necessary in some seasons, but it can definitely be handy in rainy season. Especially since waterproof rain jackets will just make you clammy in Hawaii’s humidity.

We Recommend: Totes Compact Umbrella

Packing Cubes

We like to keep our clothing a bit neater by packing in separate canvas bags or packing cubes within the suitcase. We shared more details in our packing hacks of frequent travelers post.

We Recommend: Eagle Creek packing cubes

Canvas Shopping Bags

Hawaii banned single-use plastic bags, and stores charge for paper bags. In addition to grocery shopping, there’s a good chance you’ll find multi-purpose uses for canvas bags for your Hawaii trip.

We Recommend: Cute Grocery Tote

Smartphone Holder and Car Charger

Are you renting a car in Hawaii? We’ve found that this holder works great for securing our smartphones to the dashboard for navigation purposes.

The car charger can recharge phones (USB C and USB A inputs) quickly so you don’t run out of juice on the road.

We Recommend: iOttie Easy One Touch 4 Dash & Windshield Car Mount and Anker 50W PowerDrive+ III Duo.

Books

Wind down after a long day out by staying in or cozying up under the palm trees with a good read – consider these books for travelers.

What to Wear in Hawaii

Ease of movement is always key while traveling but that doesn’t mean you should forego style. When planning your outfit for your Hawaiian vacation, just think of comfort and hang loose!

During the day, it’s always about dressing light and casual. Most of the year, you can comfortably walk around with just a tank top and shorts. Consider carrying a light-weight sweater or shawl for air conditioned restaurants.

For the beach, we recommend a combination of a long-sleeve rash guard with slip-on water shoes. In the evening, a dressy casual type of outfit would be best.

What to Wear in Hawaii: Women

Hawaii is a great place to break out your favorite, colorful maxi dresses. Stylish shorts, tank tops, and tees are good staples. Activewear is always a good option, as athletic fabrics wick away sweat and keep you cool.

Something a little more glamorous will come in handy if you plan to enjoy some nightlife.

For pool and beach days, don’t forget a cute swimsuit. Be sure to also have a swimsuit cover-up whenever you leave the beach.

For those of us with hair that reacts to humidity, consider adding De-frizz Leave-in Hair Conditioner to your Hawaii packing list.

What to Wear in Hawaii: Men

Men should pack plenty of shorts and short-sleeve shirts, as casual or stylish as you like. Athletic fabrics are great for Hawaii weather because they’re light-weight, wick away sweat, and dry quickly.

For work and business occasions, “business casual” in Hawaii is extra casual. You will almost never see a suit, tie, nor a long-sleeve collared shirt. Instead, nice Hawaiian shirts or “Aloha wear” are appropriate for men.

Extended Stay Remote Work Essentials

If you’re planning to work remotely in Hawaii, be sure to have use a VPN service when using shared wifi. Consider bringing a portable office setup with laptop stand, keyboard and bluetooth mouse so you can work comfortably anywhere.

Check our full list of tech essentials for nomads to make sure you’re prepared for working online during your Hawaii trip.

What is the weather like in Hawaii?

Compared to most other States in the U.S., Hawaii does tend to be more warm and tropical year-round. The biggest differences in climate are found on the Big Island of Hawaii, where there can be snow on the mountains, rain in Hilo, and dry and sunny in Kona.

Tropical storms can happen from June through November. 

Packing for Summer in Hawaii 

May | June | July | August | September | October

Summer is the optimal time to visit Hawaii. With temperatures around 85°F – 80°F,  it’s the best time for a long vacation. There’s usually only light rain during these months. Wearing light-weight clothing is recommended.

Packing for Winter in Hawaii 

November | December | January | February | March | April

The winter time in Hawaii is considered the off-season as it’s the most humid time of the year. November are December get especially wet on the Big Island. The temperatures rarely drop lower than 70°F. Plan your outfits ready for stronger winds, rain, and slightly cooler weather.

What Not to Pack for Hawaii

Neck wallet – It’s smart to protect your money and IDs, but traditional travel wallets are uncomfortable. Try these alternatives instead.

Rain jacket – We’ve found waterproof rain jackets get too sticky and uncomfortable in Hawaii’s humidity, so better to use an umbrella.

Beach towel – Towels tend to be bulky in your suitcase and aren’t usually necessary to pack as most accommodations already provide them for guests.

Unessential valuables – Free your mind of any unnecessary worry and bring only essential items. You don’t want to be lounging by the beach and thinking about your personal belongings elsewhere!

Heavy sweaters or jackets – These items have no use during your stay in paradise as they’re too hot to wear and a hassle since they’re bulky to pack. Instead, bring a light sweater as an alternative.

Formalwear – If you’re not attending a special event like a wedding, it’s best to keep your long gowns, suit and ties back in the closet at home. If you really want to dress up, packing a few collared shirts is a better option. 

We hope this article will save you a lot of time and stress while preparing for your upcoming trip. Just follow this helpful Hawaii packing list and you’ll find yourself ready for your next Hawaiian adventure!

Wait, there’s more! Download our free printable Hawaii packing checklist with complete lists for toiletries, clothes, work from home, and other essential items for your Hawaii trip.