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Hawaii Packing List
What to pack for beach, dinner, water and trail days, sorted by what you'll actually be doing.
A real, editable checklist below — tick, tap a line to rewrite, drag to reorder.
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Salt & Wind sorts a Hawaii packing list by what you'll be doing: everyday exploring, dinner out, beach time, water sports, then trails. Expect strong sun, brief showers and cool trade winds after dark. Dr. Julie reports daily temperatures typically running 75 to 90 degrees year-round, with a rainy season from November through March. This list assumes you already have toiletries, socks and sleepwear. It leaves out travel documents, bookings and island-specific itineraries.
Why these items are on the list
- Breathable tops and tees. Light layers cope with strong sun, passing showers and cool trade winds.
- Lightweight linen pants. Jeans are usually too warm, except at night or in winter.
- Dress or caftan cover-up. Nice enough for a meal, and it doubles as a beach cover-up.
- One resort-chic dinner outfit. Higher-end resorts and fine dining expect smart casual, not beachwear.
- Modest outfit for historic sites. Dress modestly at Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace. No beachwear.
- Light jacket or hoodie. Evenings are usually warm, but trade winds can pick up.
- Light rain jacket. Dr. Julie says showers fall somewhere on the islands daily; the rainy season runs November to March.
- At least two swimsuits. HYDAWAY advises two so you're never waiting around for one to dry.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Required by law, per Salt & Wind. Unsure what counts? Buy it once you land.
- Sun hat. Keep your face out of the sun; a cap works for paddleboarding.
- Polarized sunglasses. Opt for polarized ones that stay put when you sweat.
- Long-sleeve rash guard. Part of the water-sports kit, with water shoes and a secure swimsuit.
- Water shoes. Coral and lava rock are sharp. Dr. Julie says Oahu's ABC stores sell them if you forget.
- Dry bag. Protects phone, wallet and camera from waves and sudden rain.
- Waterproof phone case. Add a flotation strap, or wear it around your neck.
- Sand-resistant beach towel. Shake it out and fold it. It packs small.
- Splash-proof beach bag. A beach bag ends up wet and sandy, so pick one that can take it.
- Reusable water bottle. Empty it for security screening. A skinny one fits the seat pocket.
- Snorkel set. Bring your own so you never miss a chance to snorkel.
- Trail shoes with traction. Rainforest trails are humid and muddy; sandals with traction can also work.
- Quick-dry shorts and wicking tops. Humid, muddy rainforest trails and high-elevation sun call for quick-dry, moisture-wicking layers.
- Bug spray. Depends on your itinerary and the season; worth having for waterfall hikes.
- Portable charger. You never want to run out of power and miss photos, or get lost without GPS.
- Two charging cords. Your Friend The Nomad suggests one cord in the rental car, one in the hotel.
- Foldable cooler bag. For cold drinks and poké to go; it folds into a suitcase.
- Corded headphones. Your Friend The Nomad notes AirPods don't work with most seat-back screens on the 6-plus-hour Pacific flight.
Tick it off on your phone next to the open suitcase, then reopen it at the airport to catch stragglers. Share it with a travel partner so nobody packs the same thing twice.
When to use it
Use it before you start packing, early enough to order a dry bag or snorkel gear.