Who is excited about warm-weather travel this spring and summer? We are going to Hawaii in May with some of our closet DINK friends, and I cannot wait! It’s my first trip to Hawaii, and I am excited to explore Honolulu, hike Diamond Head, and relax by the ocean. But, for now, I’m already thinking about my packing list.
Over the years, I’ve really gravitated towards becoming a more minimalist-style packer. I hate lugging around extra heavy suitcases, not to mention trying to find something (like clean underwear) in an overly-full suitcase is a pain in the ass. At the same time, I want to look and feel good on vacation, with nicely curated outfits that I love. To help balance these two goals, I like to plan packing lists, and today I want to share my tropical vacation packing list.
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What to Wear on a Tropical Vacation
It is my belief that tropical vacations should be laid-back and relaxing, so I like to make sure the clothes I pack are just as comfy as the vacation vibes. Since tropical climates tend to be hot and humid, I aim for loose-fitting clothes made from natural materials like linen or cotton or casual excursions on land like dinner or exploring town; quick-dry, moisture wicking clothes for physical adventures like hiking; and cute swimwear for basically everything else. Linen button down shirts and wide-legged pants are great for a little extra sun protection, too, and they can double as a swimsuit coverup if needed.
Of course, it’s important to consider what you are actually doing on your tropical holiday. If you are honeymooning in Jamaica and plan on lounging in a beach chair for most of your trip, then you probably don’t need to pack much more than swimsuits, coverups, and maybe a maxi dress or two. But, if you plan to do a lot of hiking in Hawaii, you want to make sure you have the right attire that will keep you comfy and cool.
When planning my packing list, I pick one dedicated outfit per excursion (including any fancy dinners) and then rely on my swimsuits and cover ups for casual daily wear. This works out well, as swimsuits and coverups are small and lightweight, meaning they are super easy to pack.
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Don’t Forget to Pack Protection
No, not that kind. I mean, yes, that kind, too, if you need it (#TeamNoBabies here, obviously), but I’m talking about sun protection here. Tropical destinations are close to the equator. Think the Carribbean, the Maldives, Seychelles, Mexico, Thailand, French Polynesia. Closer to the equator means the sun is a lot more intense. Not necessarily hot, but intense. Even if it isn’t that hot out, or the sky is overcast, you can still burn really easily.
There are three types of sun protection that need to be on your tropical vacation packing list:
- Quality, eco-friendly sunscreen.
- A nice sun hat.
- Good quality sunglasses.
Eco-Friendly Sunscreen
While lots of sunscreen brands claim to be eco-friendly, few actually are. If you are hitting up a tropical destination, I’m going to assume you will probably be swimming in a natural body of water…like an ocean. It’s nice to use chemical free sunscreens in these environments to avoid contaminating the water and hurting local wildlife, not to mention the importance of reef-safe sunscreens!
These are my top tips to choosing an eco-friendly sunscreen:
- Check the ingredient list. It shouldn’t contain oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, silicones, preservatives, parabens, phthalates or SLS/SLES. Not only do these ingredients harm the environment, they can also harm your body…like by disrupting your hormones 😳.
- Check the packaging. I try to purchase products that come in plastic-free packaging, like metal tins, cardboard, sugarcane-based biopackaging, or other recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable materials. Recycled packaging is also okay, although I try to avoid plastic as much as possible.
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Sun Hat
Never underestimate the power of a good sun hat when it comes to sun protection! I highly recommend packing a broad-rimmed hat for your tropical vacation that will protect your face, neck, and shoulders from the sun. This is perfect for lounging on the beach or by the pool, or even sitting at an outdoor table for lunch. I’ve gone through my share of sun hats, and this one is hands-down my favorite. It’s affordable, sturdy, it can afford to get a little wet, and it looks damn good. I get compliments on it all the time.
If you are doing more adventurous things, like taking a sailing trip or hiking, I also recommend bringing a baseball hat or a bucket hat with a chin strap. Yes, I know, the chin strap looks dumb, but I’ve lost hats to the wind before and using the chin strap on boats or windy days is a game changer.
Real Sunglasses
Fun fact: I worked at Sunglass Hut throughout college! As such, I know a weird amount about sunglasses and lens technology and stuff like that. I hate to break it to you, but those $10 Target sunnies are not actually offering you eye protection. Sure, they may help keep you from squinting as much in the sun, but they aren’t actually providing UV protection in the long run.
Good quality sunglasses (which are definitely more than $10) have UV protection built into the lenses rather than a spray on coat that wears away as you clean your glasses. Polarized lenses are especially great for tropical vacations because they cut glare, and when you are around a lot of water, there is a lot of glare. Good quality sunglasses will reduce eye strain and fatigue, as well as protect your eyes from harmful UV. Plus, less squinting = less wrinkles.
Invest in a good pair of sunglasses and you will never go back to cheapies, I promise. You can shop my Maui Jim sunglasses here.
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