Packing for Hawaii looks simple: swimsuit, sunscreen, sandals. Then you find yourself at 10,000 feet on Haleakalā at dawn, shivering in a T-shirt, or walking a muddy trail in flip-flops, or reading the label on your sunscreen and realising it is not allowed on Maui. This list covers what you will actually use, from the reef to the summit.
The essentials
- Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide)
- Two swimsuits and a rash guard or swim shirt
- Sun hat and polarised sunglasses
- Slippers (as Hawaii calls flip-flops) plus closed shoes for hiking
- A light rain jacket: showers are common on windward coasts
- One warm layer: fleece or light down jacket
- Reusable water bottle and a small dry bag
- Insect repellent for rainforest hikes and evenings
- ID, ESTA or REAL ID, insurance details (see entry rules)
Clothes
Hawaii is warm all year: daytime highs at the coast are about 80–88°F (27–31°C) depending on the month. Pack light, breathable clothes, cotton or quick-dry fabrics, shorts, a couple of sundresses or aloha shirts, and a long-sleeved shirt for sun protection. Dress is relaxed almost everywhere; even good restaurants rarely expect more than "resort casual", meaning a collared shirt or a nice dress and sandals.
Evenings can feel cool, especially in winter and in upland areas such as Kula on Maui, Volcano Village on the Big Island or Kōkeʻe on Kauaʻi, where temperatures drop into the 50s °F (10–15°C). Bring long trousers and a sweater for those.
Beach and ocean
- Rash guard or swim shirt: protects from sun and reduces how much sunscreen you need.
- Mask and snorkel that fit you well, if you snorkel a lot; fins can be rented.
- Reef shoes or water shoes for rocky entries and tide pools.
- Quick-dry towel or sarong; many hotels provide beach towels.
- Waterproof phone pouch and a dry bag for boat trips.
- Seasickness tablets for snorkel cruises and whale watching; the channels can be rough.
Before you swim, read our guide to ocean safety in Hawaii. The best piece of beach kit is knowledge of where the lifeguards are.
Reef-safe sunscreen: the rules
Hawaii was the first US state to ban sunscreens that harm coral. Since 1 January 2021 it has been illegal to sell sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription. Maui County, which includes Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, went further from October 2022: only mineral sunscreens, with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients, may be sold or distributed there.
Those chemicals can damage coral and the young of fish and other marine life, especially in calm, crowded bays. The simplest rule: buy a non-nano mineral sunscreen before you go or on arrival, apply it 15–30 minutes before swimming so it binds to your skin, and cover up with a rash guard and hat so you need less of it. Avoid aerosol sprays on the beach; much of the spray ends up in the sand and water.
Hiking and mountains
- Hiking shoes or trail runners with grip: Hawaiian trails are often red mud and slippery rock.
- Daypack with 2 litres of water per person, snacks and a headlamp.
- Warm jacket, hat and gloves for sunrise on Haleakalā or stargazing on Mauna Kea, where it can be close to freezing.
- Rain shell for rainforest trails and the Road to Hāna.
- Old clothes for muddy hikes; red Hawaiian dirt stains.
Planning hikes? See our trail maps for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi and the Big Island.
Documents and tech
- Passport, or REAL ID for US domestic travel, and a printed ESTA approval if you have one.
- Driver's licence (plus an international driving permit if your licence is not in English).
- Travel insurance documents with medical cover.
- Phone, charger and a power bank; US plugs are type A/B at 120 V.
- Downloaded offline maps: mobile coverage is patchy on the Road to Hāna, in Kōkeʻe and in parts of the Big Island.
- Reservation confirmations: Haleakalā sunrise, Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Hāʻena (see reservations to book ahead).
What to leave at home
- Fruit, plants, seeds or soil from the mainland: they must be declared and are often confiscated.
- Formal clothes and heels: you will not need them.
- Too many shoes: slippers, one pair of walking shoes and maybe water shoes are enough.
- Non-mineral sunscreen: buy reef-safe instead.
- A full-size suitcase if you plan to island hop: inter-island bag fees add up.
Hawaii's counties have banned single-use plastic checkout bags, so a foldable shopping bag is handy for the supermarket. Travelling with children? See our Hawaii packing list for families.
Quick answers
What should I pack for Hawaii?
Light summer clothes, two swimsuits, a rash guard, reef-safe mineral sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, sandals plus closed shoes for hiking, a light rain jacket and one warm layer for evenings and mountain summits.
What sunscreen is allowed in Hawaii?
Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, and Maui County allows only mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Use a mineral, reef-safe sunscreen everywhere.
Do I need warm clothes in Hawaii?
Only for the mountains or a chilly evening. At the summits of Haleakalā and Mauna Kea temperatures can fall near freezing, so bring a warm jacket, hat and gloves for sunrise or stargazing.
Should I bring my own snorkel gear?
It is worth it if you plan to snorkel often, especially a mask that fits well. Gear is easy to rent or buy on every island.
What should I not bring to Hawaii?
Fresh fruit, plants, seeds or soil from the mainland, aerosol sunscreen sprayed on the beach, single-use plastic bags (checkout bags are banned) and anything you would need a big suitcase for: you will live in shorts and sandals.
More planning guides: passports and entry, do you need a car?, island hopping, packing list, packing for kids, is it safe right now? and hurricane season.
Facts checked October 2026. Rules, fares and closures change, so confirm with the official source before you travel.
