Are you planning a trip to Hawaii? It is a magical destination, but you’ll spend a lot of time in the sun. Read on for five essentials to bring on your next trip to Hawaii.
Hawaii is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide, especially for those who like going to beaches. One of its famous locations—Waikiki Beach—is considered one of the best beach vacation escapes thanks to its beautiful sunsets, beach-front hotels, and cool evening breeze. You may be eager to visit other places during your next trip to the islands, such as the Koko Crater Trail and the Kaumana Cave.
View of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Beyond arranging your itinerary, you must pack your luggage and other beach essentials. While you may have the basics down, like your swimsuit, flip-flops, and beach towel, you might forget a few more essentials. With that said, here’s a list of the five things you shouldn’t forget to bring on your next trip to Hawaii.
Beach-Ready Sunglasses
Everyone knows they should bring sunglasses to the beach to protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays and avoid eye conditions like cataract formation. But do you know what kind of sunglasses you should pack?
While there are different types of sunglasses: photochromic, anti-reflective, and gradient, you should focus on getting prescription and polarized sunglasses. Using prescription sunglasses ensures you have lenses that correct your vision, enabling you to see the beautiful Hawaiian outdoors while protecting your eyes. Those from Ray-Ban are perfect for eyeglass wearers who want to look cool on the beach. They offer many famed frames—like the New Wayfarer and Large Metal Aviator—with prescription lenses. Meanwhile, polarized sunglasses reduce light glare and eye strain, letting you appreciate Hawaii’s beauty without squinting. Oakley is known for its polarized sunglasses, including the Caveat and Valve.
Sunglasses are one summer essential for everyone. Photo by tanya1985 via DepositPhotos.com
Wide-Brimmed Hat
You can’t go to the beach without a hat. Still, you can’t bring just any type of hat; they must be wide-brimmed to cover your whole face. After all, hats should protect your skin from the heat and sun to prevent sunburn.
You can find a fashionable hat that is also functional. Photo by FabrikaCr via iStock by Getty Images
Even if you plan to get sun exposure for vitamin D, you’ll need a wide-brimmed hat that covers your face, head, ears, and neck. These areas are most prone to sun damage and burns. Wallaroo Hat Company makes crushable, packable, and washable fabric sun hats with ultraviolet protection for men, women, and children. They have wide-brim, cowboy, and bucket hat designs to suit your style. Another is GearTop, which creates unisex, wide-brimmed hats with UPF 50+.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Another non-negotiable essential is sunscreen. It may surprise you, but you could bring the wrong type of sunscreen. Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing the coral-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate to protect reefs and the marine environment. You must take a reef-safe sunscreen when you visit Hawaii.
Reef-safe sunscreen is also known as biodegradable sunscreen. This doesn’t contain the dangerous chemicals mentioned above, as well as camphor, butylparaben, and 4-methylbenzylidene, that harm the ecosystem. Despite the lack of said ingredients, this product is as effective as the chemical sunscreens you’ve grown accustomed to—as long as you follow the reapplication instructions. Consider brands like Hawaiian Tropic and Badger.
A reef-safe sunscreen protects you and the ocean’s natural beauty. Photo by Francesco Ungaro
Reusable Water Bottle
Hawaii has a warm climate. If you’re not used to it, you can get dehydrated quickly, especially if you plan on doing strenuous activities like hiking. Moreover, a Hawaiian doctor warns everyone (including tourists) to drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration, which can lead to heatstroke, fainting, and organ failure.
Bring a reusable water bottle on your next trip to help reduce waste while exploring the islands. Hawaii encourages beverage container recycling through its HI-5 program, which adds a refundable deposit to eligible beverage containers and helps keep recyclable materials out of landfills and the environment. Refillable bottles from brands such as Hydro Flask and YETI can also keep your water at the desired temperature for hours. Just remember to empty your bottle before going through airport security to comply with TSA regulations.
Dry Bag
It’s a real problem to get your belongings wet when you get splashed or fall into the ocean. Waterproof dry bags can keep your valuables (like your phone, wallet, and passport) safe while kayaking, island-hopping, or lounging on the shore.
Dry bags are waterproof and float on the water, keeping your valuables dry and secure. They have straps and buckles, so you can easily carry them or attach them to your luggage or backpack. Popular dry bag brands include Earth Pak and IDRYBAG, available in sizes from 5 to 55L.
Consider Shipping Your Car for an Extended Hawaii Stay
If you’re planning to spend several weeks or months in the islands, having your own vehicle can make it easier to explore beyond the major resort areas and settle into the rhythm of an extended stay. Instead of relying on a long-term rental, you may want to investigate Hawaii car shipping before your trip and compare the total cost with renting a vehicle for the duration of your visit.
Shipping a car to Hawaii requires more planning than simply dropping it off at the port. Check your shipping company’s current requirements for documentation, vehicle size, personal belongings, fuel levels, and vehicle preparation. Also thoroughly clean cars before shipping, especially the undercarriage, wheel wells, and interior, because inspectors may check for soil, seeds, plant material, and other potential invasive species.
If your extended visit requires you to register the vehicle in Hawaii, remember that individual counties handle vehicle registration rather than a statewide DMV. Hawaii also requires a current safety inspection before vehicles can be registered, along with applicable insurance and documentation. Requirements can vary depending on your circumstances and the island where you’ll be staying, so check current county rules and your shipping carrier’s policies before you leave.
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- Exploring Maui: The Raw Beauty and Magic of Hawaii
- 20 Ways to Beat the Heat When Traveling
- My List of the 20 Best Travel Products for 2024
When You Take Your Trip to Hawaii
Packing the essentials will make your trip to Hawaii more enjoyable. Keep this list in mind for your next trip to the islands!
If you’re looking for a seamless way to experience Maui, Let’s Go Maui offers excellent vacation rentals to make your stay even more relaxing.
Let Wander With Wonder be your guide when planning what to see and do on your trip to Hawaii. We also have more travel tips to help make your travels more enjoyable.
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