Hawaii is an incredible island in the U.S. and the perfect place for your next vacation. It sits over 2,000 miles west of California in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. With an incredible number of beaches and warm sun all year long, Hawaii is the perfect getaway! But even the best getaway is no fun if you forget to pack something. Below you will find the ultimate list for what to pack for Hawaii.
Hawaii is the world’s largest island chain, and it is also the only U.S. state that is entirely made up of islands. Hawaii is also home to the Hawaiian hoary bat, the Hawaiian owl, and the Nene. The islands have 2 main seasons, summer and winter. During summer, temperatures are around 29–31°C, and during the winter temperatures range from 26–28°C. The islands are typically warm all year long, with most of the rain coming during the winter. Since the islands are hot year-round, you can visit them anytime. Keep in mind, though, that summer is the more tourist-y season, so if you want to avoid the crowds, then you’ll want to go during winter.
When you pack for Hawaii, keep in mind that you will likely be doing a lot of walking! You’ll want to be able to explore places like the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Waianapanapa State Park, and Manini’owali Beach in comfort. Additionally, be ready for the rainy season if you are visiting during winter and pack accordingly. Do not miss this list of packing must-haves for both summer and winter travel to Hawaii.
What to Pack for Hawaii
Travelling to Hawaii in Summer
Learn to surf, explore the beaches, experience culture, and celebrate the arts. Travelling to Hawaii during the summer season is fun and amazing, but there are a few things that you want to make sure to bring. This packing list will help you have the most comfortable stay while also being safe and having fun!
Sunscreen
With intense heat on a regular basis, sunscreen is a must in Hawaii!
A few things I look for in a sunscreen formula are a high spf, water and sweat resistance, and a dry-touch formula. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer is the sunscreen that I live by.
For my little ones, I personally love this sunscreen because it sprays on which makes it remarkably simple to keep reapplying. Water resistant for about 80 minutes, this is the sunscreen you need in your beach tote.
You are going to want to have a reef-friendly sunscreen option in Hawaii, so check out Thinksport's sunscreen, available for both adults and kids.
Beach Tote
When your hands are full, you need a great bag to help you carry it all!
This beach tote is perfect for carring loads of bean necessities. It also conveniently folds down to a smaller size, making this bag easy to transport. It is large, with pockets on both the inside and outside, and it's made of waterproof material. With many spots to store your sunscreen, towels, and snacks, this is a super great tote for the beach.
Another option for a beach tote is something with more mesh. The benefit of this is that the sand falls right off, rather than sitting at the bottom of your bag. This bag has an amazing number of pockets which are perfect for keys, phones, wallets, etc.
Grab one of these backpack-style beach bags so your little ones can carry their own towel and toys.
Beach Cover Up
Visiting Hawaii in the summer likely means a lot of beachin’! A cover up is a must.
I always like to have one mini coverup for when it's just too hot for anything longer!
I also like to bring one maxi for those windy days or the times you might just feel like being a little more covered up.
Sunglasses
Hello Hawaii sunshine! Packing sunglasses that protect your eyes from the UV rays is a definite must for any tropical vacation.
Look for sunglasses with a mirror coating to reduce sun glares.
If you are going to be in Hawaii for longer than 3 days, I would recommend bringing 2 pairs of sunglasses. It's fun to change it up!
Water bottle
To stay hydrated while you explore the islands, get yourself a reusable water bottle.
This style of water bottle is glass which protects the planet against single-use plastic ones. This bottle is easy to clean and great for carrying smoothies and juice, too!
This water bottle is perfect for your littles. It is spill-proof, shatter-proof, and will keep their drinks cold!
Beach Towel
Enjoy the beaches with quick-drying and easy-to-carry beach towels.
Folding down extremely small and made of incredibly soft material, this beach towel is a must-have.
For your little ones, try to bring a towel with a hood. A hooded towel will help them warm up quickly and dry up comfortably.
Traveling to Hawaii in the Winter
While the temperature does not change very much throughout the year, there is a significant amount of rain during the winter season in Hawaii. On average, Hawaii gets about 70 inches of rain throughout the year. The coldest month of the year is February with an average temperature range of 20–26.1°C.
A Light Zip-Up Hoodie
Travelling to Hawaii during its winter season means that it could start raining at any time.
Get yourself a light, breathable sweater with a hood.
Umbrella
An umbrella is a handy tool for both summer and winter in Hawaii. I am adding it into the winter section because I feel that an umbrella is more associated with rain.
This umbrella is great for summer, as well as winter, because it also offers UV protection.
A dome-shaped umbrella is great for little ones as it really protects them from the rain.
Good Walking Shoes
You'll want to bring shoes that will be able to take you all over the islands—from beaches to cities to mountains!
Speaking from experience (I own these shoes in pink!), these are the best shoes for long stretches of walking. They're perfect for exploring around Hawaii! The rubber sole keeps the wet rain out but is also noticeably light and breathable.
Small Crossbody Bag
You need a bag for adventures during the rain!
This bag is perfect for all kinds of exploring. It's small enough that you can carry it with ease, but still large enough to hold your cards, your phone, keys and more. This is the perfect bag for last-minute adventures during the rain.
If you just need something to toss your phone and Visa into, then this bag is the one for you. With card slots built in, you can easily grab what you need.
A Light Water/Beach Shoe
A light water shoe can help you feel more comfortable while you explore, especially at the beach!
This water shoe is perfect for evening walks on the shore during the Hawaiian winter.
Don't forget water shoes for your littles ones’ feet!
Hawaii is an incredible island that is great to visit any time of the year! But before you visit, check this list to make sure you have everything you need! (Doing so will help you avoid any mid-vacation shopping trips.)