What I’m Packing for Hawaii (And What I’m NOT Leaving Home Without)

Okay friends, Hawaii is officially on the calendar and I am deep in packing mode. We’re heading to the Big Island — Waikoloa on the Kohala Coast — for a full week with friends, and I have been planning this trip down to the last detail. I even created a 17-page printable itinerary guide for it (more on that in a minute!).

But today let’s talk packing. Because after years of travel I’ve learned that what you bring — and what you leave behind — can make or break a trip. Hawaii especially has a few non- negotiables you genuinely cannot skip, and a few surprises that most packing lists completely miss.

So here’s exactly what’s going in my bag. No fluff, just the good stuff. ☀️

🧴Sunscreen — Please Read This Before You Pack

I’m leading with this because it’s the one thing that surprises almost every first-time visitor to the Big Island — and getting it wrong could actually land you in trouble.

Hawaii has the strictest sunscreen laws in the United States.

Here’s what you need to know:

The statewide law (effective January 1, 2021): Hawaii banned any sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate across the entire state. These chemicals cause coral bleaching and DNA damage in reef ecosystems. The problem? They’re active ingredients in thousands of popular brands including Hawaiian Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat. Always check your labels!

The Big Island goes even further: Hawaii County — which covers the entire Big Island — bans all chemical sunscreen actives. That means only mineral-based sunscreen is permitted. The same applies to Maui County.

What you need to look for: The only active ingredients allowed are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are mineral sunscreens that sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays rather than absorbing into it. They’re safer for coral reefs and widely considered better for your skin too.

Ingredients to avoid on the Big Island:

❌Oxybenzone (also listed as benzophenone-3)

❌Octinoxate (also listed as methoxycinnamate) Octocrylene

❌Avobenzone

❌Octisalate

❌Homosalate

One important tip: Don’t just trust the “reef safe” label on the front of the bottle — that term is not regulated. Always read the actual ingredient list. If anything other than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide appears as the active ingredient, leave it at home.

I’d recommend stocking up on mineral SPF 50 sunscreen before you leave home. It can be harder to find and more expensive on the island. I have my favorite pick linked for you below!

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Beach & Snorkel Gear

The snorkeling on the Big Island is absolutely world class — we’re talking Kealakekua Bay with its incredible reef life, Beach 69 right near Waikoloa, and a manta ray night snorkel that is genuinely on my bucket list. Having the right gear makes all the difference between a magical experience and a frustrating one.

Dry-Top Snorkeling Set A good mask that actually seals to your face changes everything. I spent years fighting with cheap rental masks that fogged up or let water in every five minutes. A dry-top snorkel means no more accidentally swallowing half the Pacific Ocean. If you’ve ever struggled with rental gear, this is the upgrade you need.

Waterproof Phone Pouch Here’s the thing — most of us already have a great camera in our pocket. A waterproof phone pouch lets you take your phone right into the water for reef photos and videos without buying any extra equipment. It’s one of the most affordable items on this list and honestly one of the most used. Make sure you get one with a lanyard so it floats if it slips!

Dry Bag Your phone, wallet, car keys, and sunscreen do not belong unprotected at a Hawaiian beach. A dry bag gives you complete peace of mind. I use mine every single beach day — it clips to my beach chair or sits in the car and everything stays perfectly dry.

Packing Smart

These are the behind-the-scenes items that make the whole trip run smoothly — the ones you don’t think about until you desperately need them.

Compression Packing Cubes Absolute game changer for a week-long trip, especially when you’re dealing with beach gear, snorkel equipment, and multiple outfit changes. I use different colors for different categories and packing and unpacking at the Airbnb becomes so much easier. Once you travel with packing cubes you simply cannot go back.

Power Banttery Pack / Bak Long day trips to Hilo, Volcanoes National Park, or the south side of the island mean you’re away from outlets for hours at a time. I never leave without a fully charged power bank. It has genuinely saved me on more trips than I can count.

RFID Travel Pouch Small thing, enormous peace of mind. Keeps your cards protected and your beach bag organized. I love that it’s lightweight enough to forget you’re even carrying it.

Women’s Packable Rain Jacket / Men’s Packable Rain Jacket Non-negotiable if you’re visiting Volcanoes National Park — it sits at 4,000 feet elevation and can be 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the beach. It can also rain briefly on the east side of the island even on otherwise gorgeous days. A packable windbreaker folds down to almost nothing in your bag and you’ll be so glad you have it.

🌸Shop My Complete Hawaii Packing List

I’ve pulled everything together in one easy place for you — all the items mentioned in this post are linked on my Beacons page so you can shop without hunting around.

👉All my Hawaii picks → beacons.ai/retiredwife

Everything there routes through Amazon so it’s one easy stop and you’ll find both the women’s and men’s options for the rash guard and rain jacket all in one place.

One More Thing — The Itinerary Guide

If you’re planning a Big Island trip and basing yourself in Waikoloa like we are, I created a full 7-Day Waikoloa Itinerary Guide that covers every single day of the trip — the best snorkel spots ranked, a complete food guide, sunset beaches, drive times, logistics, and a quick reference cheat sheet for the whole week. It’s available as an instant download printable PDF in my Etsy shop!

👉Get the Big Island Travel Guide on Etsy →

It took me weeks to research and put together and I genuinely think it’s the most useful thing you can have when planning a Big Island trip.☀️

Until next time — pack smart, wear your mineral sunscreen, and soak up every single second of that Hawaiian sunshine!🌊

— Retired Wife

P.S. Traveling with the guys? I’ve got both women’s and men’s options for the rash guard and rain jacket linked on my Beacons page — perfect if you’re doing a group trip like us!

Some links in this post route through Amazon Associates. If you purchase through my link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep this blog going and I only ever recommend things I genuinely use and love. Always check Hawaii’s current sunscreen regulations before your trip as laws may be updated.