5 Things to Pack for Vacation in Hawaii

Hey, hun! It’s Chanice (@cwrlifestyle), and if you’re reading this, you’re planning to visit the gorgeous islands of Hawaii in the near future. I honestly couldn’t be more excited for you. Read on to discover the 5 things to pack for vacation in Hawaii!

Dearest D-RAVEL Traveler,

Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe the azure skies, lush greenery and turquoise oceans that you’re going to see during your stay, and I know you’ll never want to leave.

But before you actually go on your trip, you have to make sure you’ve got everything you need to have a successful trip. That’s where I come in. Even though I’ve only been living here in Oahu for under a year, I can guarantee if you follow my list of essentials, you’ll be free to strut through the Instagram-worthy streets of Hawaii without a care in the world.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is number one on the list for many reasons, but I’ll just give you two. The first being, even though sunscreen is something you know you need to pack, it’s a surprisingly easy thing to forget (guilty). I want to make sure that you remember to stuff it in your suitcase so that you can be dark spot and sunburn-free throughout your trip. 

The second reason sunscreen is number one on the list is because I want to stress the importance of packing more than one. If you’re like me and skincare is like a religion to you, then you know exactly what I mean. The Hawaiian sun is no joke, so you must be prepared! This means packing both a sunscreen for your face and your body.

I know that there are sunscreens that are two in one, but the ones I’ve tried have always left a bit of a white cast on my skin, which isn’t a good look. That’s why I love the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunscreen with SPF 70. The bottle is compact enough to fit in my makeup bag or purse, making it easy to carry around just in case I need a touch up. I use Neutrogena’s CoolDry Sport Sunscreen with SPF 100 for the rest of my body. It’s a spray on sunscreen that is sheer, doesn’t have that generic sunscreen smell and  stays on through sweat. It’s a sunscreen god!

Each item is under $15 and can be found in your local Target.

Casual Clothes

Growing up in the U.S. Virgin Islands, I can tell you that locals dress more casually than people in the continental U.S. There’s something about living on an island that makes you tone down your street style. 

If you stick to shorts, flowy and cropped tops, breezy dresses and jumpsuits you’ll fit right in. Accessorize with a pair of sunglasses and some comfortable sandals or sneakers to complete your look. If you need some inspiration for this kind of look, I recommend searching ‘vacation outfits’ on Pinterest. 

I’m into minimalist fashion and mainly wear white, black and neutral colors. My go-to look is a white tee with long, flowy pants and my trusty wide-brim hat. If you’re like me and you enjoy effortless looks with a little flair, you can search ‘minimal summer style’ on Pinterest. 

Whatever your style is, don’t be afraid to stand out a little! You’re on vacation, you’re supposed to look cute, hun.

Bikinis

It should be a crime to visit Hawaii and not visit the gorgeous beaches, which is why swimsuits are essential! I would recommend packing at least 3 of them, no matter how long you’re vacationing for. 

Pack your most flattering pairs, making sure that the color and fit do an amazing job at complimenting you. You’ll be taking pictures from the beginning of your trip to the end, so why not make sure you look your best?

Oh, and don’t forget to pack some cute coverups!

Hiking Clothes

If you’re planning to hike to some of Hawaii’s breathtaking views, you’ll definitely need to come prepared. 

All you’ll need is a sports bra, some yoga or workout leggings, a pair of sneakers you don’t mind getting dirty and some workout tops. I personally skip the workout tops because I stick to the easier hikes (I’m not a nature girl at all), but if you plan on hiking a trail that has a good bit of greenery, the tops may be more comfortable for you.

I typically purchase my workout clothes from Fabletics. Their clothes are cute, comfy and fit very nicely.

If you love to hike and plan to do the more strenuous hikes (like the Stairway to Heaven) that take 5-6 hours to complete, I recommend packing a small backpack that can hold some snacks and water. And if you are a hike lover and are reading this right now, know that I’m jealous because I could never!

Camera

Everything about Hawaii is picturesque and you’ll have many opportunities to take pictures. If you have a camera, make sure to pack it. You’ll want to take the highest quality pictures you can. 

Since moving here, I bought a Rebel T7 for my husband because he wanted to get into photography, and I’m so glad I did. My Instagram pictures come out great.

If you only have your phone camera, that’s fine too! Don’t spend hundreds of dollars on a camera just for a vacation. There are certain images your phone can catch that your camera won’t be able to and your phone is the more convenient choice.

You’ve reached the end of the list! I hope that it was able to help you in some way. Don’t overthink the packing process or you’ll end up packing a bunch of items you don’t need. If you stick to the list for the most part, you’ll be prepared to enjoy your vacation. I know you’ll have an amazing time