Maui Packing List: 35 Must-Haves For Your Hawaii Trip

Let’s be real… A cute sun hat adds serious beachy style to your pics. But it also keeps your face shaded and sun-safe!

Pick one that’s lightweight and packable – like this wide-brimmed beauty that bounces back from being crammed in a suitcase.

Beach or pool – pick your pleasure. Either way, if there’s one item you can’t forget when packing for Hawaii, it’s a bathing suit.

Actually, pack two! If you’re in and out of the water all day, you’ll want a dry one to change into.

Miraclesuit is a great brand for ladies. (One style is shown here.) They’re a bit pricier, but they’re designed to make you look slimmer, and there’s no denying their quality. (I, Janice, love them and have bought several over the years!)

If you expect to be in the pool a lot, consider choosing a chlorine-safe option for your second swimsuit.

From both a style and utility standpoint, sunglasses are a must-pack item.

Unfortunately, they’re easy to forget – and buying a replacement onsite usually means paying steep resort prices.

You can’t go wrong with these Ray-Ban “New Wayfarer” sunglasses.

Offering 100% UV protection, they’re a classic style that looks good on almost everyone. And they never go out of fashion. Timeless!

What goes with your cute bikini or one-piece bathing suit? Why, a beach cover-up, of course!

This shirt-style cover-up is flattering and protects your back and shoulders from the sun’s harmful rays.

It also provides enough cover that you can feel comfortable going for drinks or lunch wearing this over your swimsuit (without fretting about showing too much skin).

Get it in sky blue, classic black, white, hot pink or other colors.

Swimming, snorkeling, SUP and long beach or pool days? You need a rash guard or snorkeling skin!

Sure, they might feel snug on land.

But trust us, once you’re in the water, you’ll be sooo glad you have one!

A good rash guard protects your skin from scratches (like when body surfing or snorkeling over coral reefs) and prevents nasty sunburns. We never go without!

With a UPF of 50+, this Body Glove women’s rash guard is soft and won’t chafe. (And, yes, they have men’s versions too!)

Protecting your skin from the sun is a no-brainer. (And sunburn is no fun.) So don’t forget the SPF!

As for what type, reef-friendly sunscreen is one of the kindest things you can pack for your Maui trip – for you and the environment.

We really like Sun Bum sunscreen. It’s reef-safe and free from two of the worst chemicals found in regular sunscreens: Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. (Hawaii actually banned sunscreens with those ingredients in 2021.)

Bonus: It smells amazing too!

Whatever reef-safe brand you choose, slather it on generously, and reapply often or after swimming.

Here’s another easy way to do your part for the environment when packing – for Hawaii or anywhere you travel.

We all know plastic pollution is a huge problem for beaches and coastlines. Pack your own reusable travel water bottle, and you won’t add to it.

Good news: Maui’s tap water is safe to drink, so you can just refill your bottle as needed.

These collapsible water bottles are easy to pack, leak-proof and made of BPA-free silicone (FDA approved).

Why do you need to pack a beach towel?

If you’re just going to be lazing about at the Four Seasons Resort, of course you don’t need one – the beach and pool concierges will lay out hotel towels on your chaise lounge for you.

But if you head out for an excursion, maybe to Ka’anapali Beach (one of the world's top beaches!) or on a snorkeling trip, you don’t want to stuff a big fluffy hotel bath or pool towel in your bag.

Instead, go for a soft and absorbent towel that’s thin and quick-drying at the same time.

These easy-care high-quality microfiber towels are convenient for beach outings – and they’re lightweight and compact to pack for travel too.

You might even want a beach mat too.

If you’re like us, you have a love/hate relationship with sand. But who knew! There are actually sand-proof beach mats like this one shown here.

Say goodbye to dirt, sand and water! It all just slides off your breathable tear-proof mat.

You even get anchor stakes to fix the corners in the sand. And this light beach blanket scrunches down into a small carrying bag, meaning you can easily pack it in your suitcase for beach days.

These days, it’s hard to go anywhere without your phone, even for a short while.

So if you’re beach-bound or planning any water-based adventures, packing for Maui should definitely include a waterproof phone case.

These clever cases work like mini dry bags, keeping your phone protected from water, sand and splashes. They’re cushioned and designed to float, so if it falls in, it won’t sink!

Also, the transparent cover gives you full access to your touchscreen and camera, so you can snap pics or scroll without removing your phone.

And getting your phone inside? Super easy. The case opens wide and fits even the largest models.

Underwater videos of you swimming among coral reefs amidst exotic sea life? Come on, you know you want these memories captured!

To do this, you’ll need a reliable underwater camera.

The waterproof GoPro HERO13 is a top pick – high quality and built for action. It shoots stunning 5.3K video and works like a charm underwater (up to 32 feet).

You can’t go to Maui without exploring underwater. We always love snorkeling at Molokini (it’s crystal clear there!) and Turtle Town is a sure bet for spotting huge sea turtles.

Having your own snorkeling gear means you can dip in whenever you want, wherever you are, without chasing down a rental shack for gear (or using the same mouthpiece a stranger has previously used).

One great option? The Cressi Bonete Dry Set from the reputable Italian dive brand, Cressi. It includes a dry snorkel that seals when submerged, a tempered glass mask and short fins that are perfect for travel.

(Just check the fit before your trip so you know everything works and your mask doesn’t leak.)

Snorkeling gear is definitely one of those Maui packing essentials for water babies! Of course, only bring it if you’re checking a bag. If you go carry-on only (which we try to do), just rent on the island.

Another surprisingly useful item? A waterproof wet bag.

It’s perfect for tossing in your damp swimsuit or snorkel skin when you go to the beach. You’ll also find it handy after that final beach or pool dip (we always try to sneak one in on our last day) – no more soggy mess in your suitcase.

This zippered wet bag is machine washable and also great for carrying sweaty gym clothes.

If you’re stuck on what to bring to Maui for a day pack, this one’s the perfect companion when heading out from your hotel room or condo.

With contoured, padded shoulder straps and an ergonomic back panel, it’s comfy enough for all-day wear. Plus, it’s cute enough to take anywhere – shopping, grabbing coffee, hitting the beach or even a light hike.

With a capacity of 16 liters, it’s just the right size. It features a sleeve for a small (13-inch) laptop, a handy front zipper pocket and more smart storage.

For women, a small travel purse is nice for going out in the evenings. (You don’t really want to have to take your day pack to dinner.)

This leather crossbody bag is small, light and classic looking. It’s available in many colors. And it has room for your hotel key, cell phone, glasses, wallet, comb and some make-up.

There’s nothing like enjoying your favorite music while watching the tranquil blue waves or sitting by the pool.

So indulge in some good quality noise cancelling earbuds. (Did someone say Bose?)

Pop them in to listen to “Over the Rainbow” by famous Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo Ole – or just to tune out screaming toddlers on the plane. Total win either way!

Do you get seasick? Sea-Bands might be your new best friend.

These stretchy wristbands use acupressure to help fight nausea, by pressing on a specific spot on your inner wrists. No Gravol, no drowsiness – just a natural way to help keep your stomach happy.

Lots of people swear by them, including pregnant women dealing with morning sickness.

If you’re doing any sailing trips (to Molokini or Lanai maybe?), you might be grateful to have these.

When thinking about what to pack for Hawaii, a first-aid kit may not be top of mind. But accidents happen.

While you can always run to a pharmacy and buy band-aids, that’s not so convenient, particularly if you don’t have a rental car. (Then you might, literally, be running to the pharmacy.)

It’s much easier to have your own basics on hand – especially if you’re traveling with kids.

This small portable one contains moleskin (for blisters), assorted bandages, tweezers, sterile wipes and more.

Just remember to still pack any meds you might need, like Tylenol and Cortisone cream for minor rashes and the like.

Vacation is all about relaxing – identity theft is not.

While RFID (radio frequency identification) theft isn’t common, it does happen. Scammers with handheld devices can skim your credit card information right through your pocket or purse.

That’s why it’s smart to travel with an RFID-blocking credit card holder or wallet. They’re lined with special material that blocks unauthorized scans, keeping your personal data safe.

We like the FurArt slim RFID cardholder. It’s compact, lightweight and comes in a variety of colors – from classic black to pearl gray, lime green and pale pink.

With over 40,000 five-star reviews, it’s a smart little travel companion that adds peace of mind.

So you’ve gathered everything for your trip to Maui. Now it’s time to pack like a pro.

We swear by packing cubes. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them! No more rummaging through a jumbled suitcase to find that teeny bikini – it’s right where it belongs in the beachwear cube.

Packing cubes also help keep your clothes wrinkle-free and organized. We especially like compression cubes that let you squeeze in more (great if you’re flying carry-on).

We use (and love!) these TRIPPED compression packing cubes – ultralight, durable and designed with strong double zippers that survive all our tugging.