🔑 Quick Answer: What to pack for Hawaii is light, breathable layers that carry you from beach to trail to dinner, including quick-drying clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, flip-flops, a hat, a cover-up, and a secure swimsuit. Add one dress-up outfit for a nicer night out and be sure to plan for strong sun, brief afternoon showers, and cool evening trade winds.
Deciding what to pack for Hawaii is the fun part of the countdown, right up until you are standing over an open suitcase wondering how one place can call for a swimsuit, a rain layer, and a dinner outfit all at once.
The reality is that no two Hawai’i trips pack the same. One traveler is chasing the mixology scene in Waikīkī while another is out on the legendary waves of O’ahu’s North Shore. One is here to sport fish and golf, another for an all-relaxation honeymoon.
What ties them together is the basics, because almost everyone clocks some beach time, a bit of land adventure, and a nice dinner or two. This packing list sorts the real essentials from the extras and lays them out by what you will actually be doing, so you can pack once and get it right.
Why Trust Us On What To Pack For Hawaii
I am married to a Hawaiian who grew up in Honolulu, and I have been visiting the islands for more than 15 years. In that time, I have packed both poorly and perfectly, so this list comes from real trips, not a generic template.
There is a second layer too. At Salt & Wind we plan custom Hawai’i itineraries for our travel clients across O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, and Hawai’i Island, so we see the same gear regrets come up trip after trip. The reef-safe sunscreen nobody knew was mandatory, the dressy dinner reservation with nothing to wear, the beach bag that came home full of sand. This checklist is built to head those off before you zip your suitcase.
What To Pack For Hawai’i
We know you’re already following our advice on how to pack light. Also, we’ll assume you’re dialed in on skincare essentials and toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and lip balm and that you will already have essentials that you’d need in any travel scenario like socks, underwear, and sleepwear.
Here, we will get into what to pack for Hawaii beyond those items.
| What you are doing | What to pack | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday exploring | Breathable tanks and tees, lightweight linen pants, a caftan that doubles as a coverup, slip-on flats, one water-resistant sandal, a light jean jacket | Strong sun, surprise showers, and cool trade winds after dark |
| Going out to dinner | Resort-chic pieces: linen or silk pants, a flowy top or sundress, a nicer Aloha shirt or muumuu | Higher-end resorts and fine dining expect smart casual, not beachwear |
| Beach time | Splash-proof beach bag, reef-safe sunscreen, a UPF sun hat, polarized sunglasses, flip-flops (called slippers locally) | Reef-safe sunscreen is required by law, and salt and sand ruin non-water gear |
| Water sports | Water shoes, a long-sleeve rashguard, a secure swimsuit or board shorts, a dry bag, a waterproof phone case | Rocky, coral shorelines and strong currents |
| Outdoor adventures | Trail shoes or sandals with traction, quick-dry shorts, moisture-wicking tops, a UPF sun shirt, a reusable water bottle | Humid, muddy rainforest trails and high-elevation sun |
For Everyday Exploring
Everyday clothes for Hawai’i are light, breathable layers that handle strong sun, a passing rain shower, and cool trade winds after dark.
Whether you’re heading to Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail or to the Bishop Museum to learn about Hawaiian history, you’ll likely do a bit of cultural exploration.
For that, you can wear what you’d wear at home so long as you plan for the stronger sun and possible rain showers. Here are a few additional items to consider when deciding what to pack for Hawaii:
- Tank Tops: You can layer any other breathable short-sleeve top.
- Lightweight Pants: Opt for really lightweight pants, whether linen pants, cotton joggers, or something else. Outside of nighttime or winter, wearing jeans in Hawaii is usually too warm.
- Caftan or Dress That Doubles As A Coverup: We wear a lot of Lemlem dresses and caftans whenever we’re at the beach because they’re nice enough to wear out to a meal and also work as a (fancier) cover-up.
- Slip-on flats: If you’re going to wear a closed-in flat shoe, wear it for everyday exploring—anything from a classic Vans sneaker to an espadrille will do the trick.
- Water-resistant sandal: Or leave the slip-on shoe at home and pack one water-resistant sandal that is stylish enough to double as a walking shoe. Something like this Reef sandal is perfect for a rain shower or for heading to the beach, as you can wash them off if they get sandy or dirty.
- Long-sleeved top: Pack a light linen or cotton top for the heat.
- Light Jacket: Outside of winter, Hawai’i is usually warm enough at night that you don’t need a jacket. However, trade winds may pick up, so pack a jean jacket or another similar light jacket just in case.
NOTE: If you are visiting Pearl Harbor or Iolani Palace, dress modestly and don’t wear beachwear to show respect for these historic sites.
Going Out To Dinner
Dinner attire in Hawai’i is resort chic, a step up from beachwear but rarely formal, so think linen pants, a flowy dress, or a nice Aloha shirt. For the most part, you can wear the clothes you’d wear for everyday exploring for dinner. But if you’re staying at a higher-end resort such as the Mauna Lanion Hawai’i Island, going to a fine-dining meal like Seniaon O’ahu, or heading to a performance, it’s a good idea to dress up. I tell our travel clients to dress resort chic, but it is not quite as fancy as resort wear for places like St. Barth’s or the Amalfi Coast. For nicer events in Hawai’i, men often wear long-sleeved dress shirts and jeans or nicer Aloha shirts (like those from Reyn Spooner) and chinos or slacks, while women tend to wear lightweight pants (think linen or silk), flowing tops, muumuus, or long sundresses.
For Beach Time
Beach gear for Hawai’i starts with sun protection and reef-safe sunscreen, then anything that can shrug off salt, sand, and water.
Even if your idea of a perfect Hawai’i vacation involves nothing more than lounging on the beach, you’ll still want a few key beach items when you decide what to pack for Hawai’i, such as:
- Beach Bag: You could take any bag to the beach, but it’ll likely be full of sand and wet. Instead, bring something splash-proof like the ALOHA Collection bags, which are stylish, practical, can be used as a carry-on, and give back to local causes in Hawai’i.
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen: As discussed before, using reef-safe sunscreen in Hawai’i is mandatory. If you doubt what passes as reef-safe, plan to buy your sunscreen once you land.
- Sun Hat: Pack at least one hat that will keep your face out of the sun, whether it’s a baseball cap you can throw on for a SUP session or a wide-brimmed hat with UPF.
- Sunglasses: Opt for polarized ones that will stay put if you sweat, like these sunglasses by Sunski.
- Sun layers: Something simple like a long-sleeve tunic or tee can work to protect you, but we suggest choosing a material with UPF, like anything in the UNIQLO UV Collection.
- Flip Flops: Leave your fancy leather slides at home. Instead, pack a pair of flip-flops (called “slippers” in Hawai’i) that are waterproof, like classic Havaianas, so you won’t care if they get sandy or wet.
For Water Sports
Water sport gear for Hawai’i keeps you protected and secure in rocky, coral-lined water with strong currents, from a rashguard to a swimsuit that stays put.
If you’re getting into the water, you’ll also need to bring the following (or even more if you’re doing a specialized sport like ocean kayaking, SCUBA, snorkeling, or surfing):
- Water Shoes: The shoreline is covered with rocks, lava, and coral, so you may want to pack water shoes to walk around it without risking a cut.
- Rashguard: Pack a long-sleeved rashguard so you don’t have to worry about getting burned.
- Swim Tights: If you’ll be doing a lot of surfing, pack something that will protect your legs from the sun and the surfboard wax, like swim tights.
- Turkish Towel or Light Scarf: Your rental or hotel room will likely have beach towels; however, we always carry a thin Turkish towel or a light scarf that can do triple duty as a towel, a coverup, and sun protection.
- Stylish But Practical Bathing Suit or Board Shorts: You want something that will stay on in the strong currents of Hawai’i, such as board shorts in a one-piece with elasticized edging. Look to performance surf companies like RVCA, SLO Active, Dakine, Billabong, and Nine Foot Studio.
- Dry Bag: The ALOHA Collection splashproof bags mentioned above will work great if you’re heading to the beach or wandering near the water. If you’re heading out boating or fishing, consider getting completely waterproof bags like these ones by Patagonia.
- Waterproof Case: Consider a fully waterproof case (like this one by Pelican) for your keys and electronics.
For Outdoor Adventures
Hiking gear for Hawai’i needs to handle humid, muddy trails and high-elevation sun, so pack traction, quick-dry layers, and UPF coverage.
If you plan to go hiking in Hawai’i (and we very much think you should), you’ll want to bring a few key things to do just that. If you go into the rainforest area, you know it can get humid, and the paths can get muddy (especially if it has recently rained).
If you’re planning on doing any land-based adventures, at the minimum, you’ll need (in addition to sunglasses and the water or windproof shell mentioned above):
- Hiking Shoes or Sandals With Traction: Opt for a waterproof boot if you’re spending serious time in the wilderness. Otherwise, a sandal with traction (like a classic Teva) is a good option.
- Baseball Cap or A Sun Hat: Most locals wear trucker-style baseball caps for everything from stand-up paddleboarding to hiking. Be sure to pack that or a sun hat like this collapsible one from The North Face.
- Shorts or Hiking Pants: Pack quick-drying nylon shorts or pants for hiking, a quick dip in a waterfall, or rain.
- Sweat-Resistant Tanks or Tees: Pack at least one moisture-wicking top like this tank or this one from Alo.
- Long-Sleeved Sun Protection: We wear this sun shirt by Patagonia for everything from hiking to surfing.
- Bandana or Neck Gaiter: We always have a bandana or neck gaiter on hand to protect our necks from the sun and in case we encounter dusty paths.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Travel with a collapsible water bottle like this, which you can store away when not in use.
If you plan to see the sunrise at Hāleakala, read our checklist and tips on preparing. And, if you’re doing a more rigorous excursion like camping the Nāpali Coast, doing an overnight at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, or kayaking to Moloka’i, check out this Camping Essentials checklist to make sure you have everything from mosquito repellent to backpacks.
What Not To Pack For Hawai’i
Now that we’ve covered what to pack for Hawai’i, let’s also get into what not to pack. If you’re staying at a resort, you don’t need to bring your beach towels. And if you’re doing planned excursions that provide equipment, you can leave most gear (e.g., snorkel mask) at home.
Of course, if you’re highly skilled at bodysurfing, you’ll want to bring your fins and anything else you usually would use. Oh, and expect to pay an extra fee on most airlines for oversized gear like tennis rackets, surfboards, golf clubs, or deep-sea fishing gear.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, learn what to pack for Hawai'i, the local style, and the weather. The style in Hawai'i is casual but not sloppy. Even if someone wears a tee shirt and shorts to work, they’ll be spotless or ironed. So, when deciding what to pack for your Hawaii vacation, follow suit and keep it relaxed but put together.
You don’t have to wear resort wear like you would in St. Barth's, but you will fit in if you wear that at the higher-end luxury resorts. Beach attire works for easy outdoor adventures or on the beach. However, most restaurants won't let you wear a swimsuit unless it's a beach or poolside bar.
Since Honolulu is a major metropolis, you’ll find the most fashion-forward looks there. Some might sport urban street style while others wear a more traditional look of khakis and an Aloha shirt. As a general rule, Honolulu residents will have the trendiest fashion while it's more relaxed elsewhere.
Outside of winter, it rarely rains all day in Hawaii. However, there are often daily showers in the afternoons, especially on wetter spots like Hāna on Maui or the Nāpali Coast on Kauai, so be sure to account for that when deciding what to pack for Hawaii.
Since the weather can go from sunny and breezy to windy or rainy all in one day, it’s crucial you keep tabs on the forecast and always have layers.
It’s generally colder, wetter, and windier in the winter and hotter, drier, and more humid in the summer. The best weather is spring and fall when there are consistent trade winds, moderate temperatures, and the occasional rain shower.
Speaking of rain, outside of business professionals, many locals don’t use umbrellas but rather wear a light, waterproof, and windproof layer, so be sure to add one to your Hawai'i packing list.
As for footwear, you’ll want at least one pair of flip-flops or sandals, shoes you don’t care about getting muddy if you go hiking or head to a local farm, and a few other wedges or slip-on shoes for dinners out.
As we've discussed before, there is a huge community of creative small businesses in Hawai'i, including fashion brands. Leave room in your luggage to shop and feel good about supporting the local economy.
Classic local fashion labels include Reyn Spooner, Jams World, and Tori Richard. Some newer-generation brands worth seeking out include Salvage Public, Western Aloha, Maoi Swim, Tai Swim, Kealopiko, and Wa'ahia.
Yes. Hawai'i law bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so pack a mineral, reef-safe formula with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. If you are not sure yours qualifies, wait and buy it once you land, where reef-safe options are the default on shelves.
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One of our favorite ways to immerse ourselves in the local culture in the Aloha state is to go on a Hawai’i food tour. Here are five delicious food activities in Hawaii, from baking bread to farm tours.
Hawaii-Inspired Recipes
Stoke your wanderlust for Hawai’i by cooking up some local flavors at home. Here are our readers’ favorites:
Hawaii Travel Guide
If you’re heading to Hawai’i sometime soon, you’ll want to peek at our Hawaii Travel Guide, which shares travel tips, dining recommendations, and things to do across the Aloha State
Have Us Plan Your Hawai’i Trip
Did you know we’re also a boutique travel agency specializing in Hawai’i vacation planning? If you’re looking to plan a trip to Hawai’i, our Hawaii vacation planning services are here to help you plan your perfect itinerary.
Photo Credit: Opening photo by Isaiah + Taylor
Hawaiian Diacritical Marks: To be accurate and respectful of the Hawaiian language, we use diacritical marks in our articles on the region. For more about which marks are used in the language and how to find proper spelling, refer to this Hawai’i Magazine article.
