Hawaii packing list
- Hawaii requires reef-safe sunscreen — pack it before you land.
- Light layers for evening breezes; days are warm but AC is cold.
- Water shoes protect feet on rocky beaches and reef walks.
What you’ll likely need
A quick peek at must-bring and strongly suggested items for this trip. Your full checklist with checkboxes appears in a moment.
- Sunglasses
- After-sun / aloe gel
- Beach towel
- Child swim vest or PFD (if not a strong swimmer)
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Wide-brim sun hat
- Kids rash guard / UV swim shirt
- Kids sun hat with strap
- Light sundress / linen pants
- Pants / shorts
- Socks
- Sun hat / cap
- Swimsuit
- Swimsuit
- T-shirts / tops
- Underwear
- Credit / debit cards
- Driver's license / ID
- Flight / booking confirmations
- Health insurance card
- Passport
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Quick-dry swim towel
- Swim goggles
- Prescription medications
- Child's own carry-on backpack
- Children's pain/fever medicine (proper dose)
- Comfort item (stuffed animal or small blanket)
- Spare outfit for each child
- Tablet or phone with offline shows & games
- Wired headphones (plane & car)
- Ziplock bag of snacks your child picked
- Extra socks & underwear per child
- Deodorant
- Kids sunscreen SPF 50+
- Day backpack
- Packing cubes
- Beach toys (buckets, shovels)
- Dry bag for phone & keys
- Light aloha / linen shirts
- Mesh beach bag
- Rash guard / UV shirt
- Reef-safe water shoes
- Water shoes
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light jacket / layer
- Packable rain jacket
- Sandals / flip-flops
- Sleepwear
- Emergency contact list
- Local currency / cash
- Travel insurance documents
- Headphones / earbuds
Tips for this trip
- Oahu and Maui have great stores, but resort prices sting — bring essentials.
- A dry bag keeps your phone safe during waterfall hikes and beach days.
- Leave expensive jewelry home — sand and salt are hard on valuables.
More beach vacation packing lists guides on our beach vacation packing lists hub , or use the full packing tool
Common questions
What is reef-safe sunscreen? +
Sunscreen without oxybenzone and octinoxate, which harm coral. Hawaii law restricts sale of non-reef-safe formulas.
Can I pack everything in a carry-on for Hawaii? +
Yes for trips up to about a week if you pack travel-size liquids and versatile clothing. Choose carry-on in the bag setting to see a lighter list and weight estimate.
What should I pack for Hawaii with kids? +
Reef-safe sunscreen, rash guards, beach toys, spare outfits, and a cooler bag for snacks. Traveling with kids is on by default — open our beach with kids list for a longer family-focused guide.