What to Pack for a Trip to Hawaii?

 Each year, more than seven million travelers head to the beautiful Hawaiian Islands for a vacation. Some travel alone, others make it a family adventure and many others enjoy a romantic getaway with their spouse or partner. Whatever the reason for the trip, travelers will need to bring along some luggage and pack for the vacation. While every individual is different and will require a few different items, there are some things that everyone should have in their suitcases. Here are a few things that travelers should definitely have as well as a few things that they won’t need.

Swimming Gear

No matter which island is being visited, travelers will want to bring along some swimming gear. With plenty of beaches and pools, as well as a warm climate throughout the year, there will always be an opportunity to jump in the water and take a refreshing dip. Although bathing suits are available for purchase, they may be more expensive than in a typical mall or department store in the mainland United States.

Hotel Information and Itineraries

When traveling in a large group, ensure that everyone in the travel party has, at a minimum, a sheet of paper with the hotel address and a rough itinerary for the trip. This way, even if someone gets separated from the group they know where to go and how to get there.

What to Bring for Children

Although adults may be entertained on tour buses with the scenery, children will need to have some additional options. Be sure to bring along a few books, handheld video game consoles or art supplies to keep young children busy on long drives around the island, long plane rides home or even as a way to stay entertained on a rainy afternoon in the hotel room. In many resorts, finding indoor toys and games for children can be tough, so bringing some along from home is a smart idea.

Traveling With a Pet

Hawaii has very strict quarantine rules, so the only pet that can be brought along for a short vacation would be one for a special-needs owner. In this case, make sure to bring along duplicates of all the paperwork specifying that the dog is a guide dog or special assistance dog to avoid delays at the airport.

Sneakers or Comfortable Walking Shoes

Even those travelers who plan to spend their vacations relaxing may want to bring along a pair of comfortable walking shoes. There is a lot to the islands beyond just the beach, so there are countless opportunities for exploring volcanoes, hiking trails and more. Whether exploring the underground lava tubes in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or hiking on the less crowded island of Maui, sneakers or walking shoes will come in handy.

Sunscreen

Many travelers don’t realize that since Hawaii is closer to the equator than they might be used to, the sun’s rays are also more harmful. Sunscreen is a necessity, even for those who don’t use it regularly at home. Although there will certainly be sunscreen for sale in Hawaii, it can be more expensive in touristy areas. Those who burn easily may also want to bring along a hat to protect themselves from sunburn.

 Along with what travelers will need, keep in mind what is not necessary. Formal clothing is rarely needed unless the trip includes business meetings. Bringing along snorkel gear is also unnecessary, as most hotels have it for free or for very affordable rental rates.

This article was written by Hank Samson on behalf of www.BodyGloveHawaii.com, featuring numerous activities in Hawaii such as whale watching excursions and dolphin & snorkeling adventures.