What to Pack for Oahu
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Don't forget anything major (or minor).
 | The obvious stuff like swimsuit, sunglasses, and lightweight breathable clothing, sandals or flip flops. |
 | Reef Safe Sunscreen. (All other kinds are banned in Hawaii.) |
 | Beach towel and preferably one that won’t take up much space in your luggage. Check with your hotel. They may provide them. |
 | A hat. The sun can be intense. |
 | Backpack or belt bag. A backpack is a must if you’re going on any hikes, but you can get by with a belt bag if you’re sticking to Honolulu. |
 | Aloe Vera: Hopefully you stay sunburn free, but if you do get burnt, you’ll be glad you have this. |
Here are all the things that you’ll be just fine without, but oh-so-friggin happy if you pack them for Hawaii.
 | A waterproof phone pouch comes in handy at the beach, on kayak trips, or if you’re worried about rain on a hike. They also keep sand out of your phone. Look for ones with a lanyard so you have the option to wear it around your neck. |
 | Refillable water bottle: Opt for a vacuum sealed one to keep your water cold all day. Something you can throw in a backpack and take to the beach or on a hike. We like Hydro Flask because it keeps things super cold and it’s more compact than other insulated water bottles. Wide mouth bottles are great because they’re the easiest to throw ice cubes into. |
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 | Snorkel Gear. If you plan to go to Hanauma Bay or think you’ll snorkel more than once or twice, it might be worth bringing your own rather than renting. |
 | Go Pro Hereo12. For underwater videos, scenic hikes, and all around waterproof, rugged friendly photo situations. Don’t forget a Memory Card. There are also GoPro mounts for surfboards, SUPs, kayaks, etc. |
 | Baby Powder. This sounds crazy but if you dust yourself with baby powder when you’re getting ready to leave the beach, it’ll dry up the sand and you can wipe it right off. |
 | Wet Ones come in handy, especially if you plan to hit up some garlic shrimp food trucks (where a few napkins just won’t do the trick). |
 | Garbage bags or Wet / Dry Bags. Store wet clothes or muddy shoes after hikes or a trip to the beach. Wet / Dry bags (typically used for diaper bags) are great for storing wet stuff until you get back to your hotel (without getting the rest of your stuff wet). |
 | Mini Personal Fan. A good idea if you’re worried about not being able to cool off during the summer or planning some intense activities. There are some cute rechargeable handheld ones that look a bit like bears, ones that sit around your neck, and everything in between |
A Couple More Packing Lists
