What Should I Pack for My Trip to Maui?
Island style is very casual and Maui's climate is warm. Your basic wardrobe will consist mostly of shorts/pants, flip flops or sandals and beachwear. Note that loose clothing is cooler so avoid tight clothing. Polyester and rayon hold heat so you might want to avoid these fabrics. Most people find that cotton is your best option. Most restaurants have a casual dress code but some nicer restaurants require long pants and collared shirts. Suits and dinner dresses are not needed. Women may want to refrain from wearing stockings or pantyhose since they retain body heat.
We've provided a packing list for you based on our experience. We've included a place for you to enter the quantity of each item since that will depend on your style: some people prefer to pack lightly and do laundry, while others require an extensive wardrobe or want to stay as far away from the clothes washer as possible. Please check the footnotes (denoted by *, + or #) for additional comments on certain items.
Almost anything that you need is available close by so you can easily purchase a forgotten item. However, for most items, you will pay a higher price than back home. This is because of higher shipping costs and the fact that Maui is a tourist destination.
Special situations will require additional clothing and these are listed separately. Also, we've separated out items that are included in the amenities of our Maui condo. Some people using this list may not be staying at our condo and may need these items so they are included at the bottom. Have a great trip!
Basic Packing List
- Shorts/Lightweight Pants and Tank Tops/T-Shirts - Qty: _____
- Casual Sundresses * - Qty: _____
- Casual Shoes/Sandals or Flip Flops - Qty: _____
- Swimsuit ** - Qty: _____
- Cover-Up *** - Qty: _____
- Nicer Pants (Dockers/Chinos) and Golf/Aloha Shirt or Nicer Sundress for going out - Qty: _____
- (optional) Dressier Shoes/Sandals - Qty: ______
- Light Jacket/Sweater +
- Underwear - Qty: _____
- Pajamas/Sleepwear - Qty: _____
- Purse/Carry All/Fanny pack/Day Pack
- Belt
- Toiletries (Shampoo, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Comb/Hairbrush, Razor, Deodorant, Sanitary Hygiene Items, Makeup)
- Sunscreen, Hat and Sunglasses ++
- Mosquito Repellant +++
- Camera/camcorder, film/memory cards/tapes, batteries/charger *+#
- Prescriptions, glasses/contact lenses
- Reading material
- Airline tickets, travel vouchers, reservation numbers, itinerary, money/ATM card
- Address Book/List, Stamps #
- Music CDs/music player (CD/MP3)/Headphones ##
If You are Traveling with Children
- Automobile Child Safety Seats
- Pacifiers, Bottles, Diapers, Formula
- Baby Sunscreen
- Favorite toys, crayons, books, games, videos/DVD's *++
- Lots of snacks for the trip *+*
Additional Items for Special Situations
- T-Shirt to wear while Snorkeling +#*
- Disposable underwater camera *+#
- Long pants, hooded sweatshirt, socks and athletic shoes if you plan to go horseback riding, bicycle down Haleakala or hike.
- Specialized sports equipment if you own them and choose not to rent (snorkel/mask, diving gear, golf clubs, surfboard, kayaks, mountain bikes)
Items Needed In Case Things Go Wrong
- Cell phone/Charger +*#
- Health Insurance Cards
- Extra prescription glasses
- Copies of prescriptions for medicine/glasses
- Photocopies of credit cards, driver's license, tickets/travel vouchers, passport (if not a U.S. citizen)
- Emergency Contacts including doctor's phone number
- If traveling with children bring photos in case they get lost.
Items that You May Need if Staying at Another Accommodation (These items are provided for you in our Maui condo.)
- Beach Towels
- Guidebooks
- Hair dryer
- Alarm clock
- Travel Iron
- Umbrella
Footnotes:
* Many locals prefer loose, waist-free dresses to shorts or pants because dresses allow more air to circulate.
** After a long day at the beach, I change out of my swimsuit for the trip back to the condo. Once there, I often like to go into the hot tub but I don't relish putting on a wet swimsuit. Having 2 swimsuits is much more pleasant. Unhemmed cut-offs are not allowed in many pools because the threads clog the filter. Also, I find a greater selection of swimsuits in Maui than at home. I purchase all of my swimwear here.
*** Hotels and restaurants usually require that women put a cover-up over a swimsuit before entering their premises. Men usually need only a shirt.
+ Nice for chilly, winter evenings, trips to high elevations (the top of Haleakala) or in overly air-conditioned restaurants.
++ Hawaii is closer to the equator than the rest of the U.S. If you are not careful, it is easy to get a severe sunburn.
+++ When the trade winds are blowing, there are few mosquitoes. However, when the trade winds die, the mosquitoes are out in full force.
# We send lots of postcards to children. I pre-print address labels and affix them to postcards as I purchase them. This allows me to designate a special postcard for a particular child and keep track of who I still need postcards for. I carry the postcards in my purse and will write out 1 or 2 while lounging or waiting. Stamps are available everywhere but I prefer to have one less errand while on vacation. I usually drop the postcards in the mail at the airport. Be advised that the only mailbox is in the departures check-in area you must drop them off before going through airport security.
## Our Maui condo is equipped with CD players in each bedroom and in the living room. We also provide a selection of Hawaiian music on CD.
*++ Our Maui condo is equipped with DVD/VCR players in each bedroom and in the living room. DVD's/VCR's can be checked out of the reservations office at no charge.
*+* Most fresh fruit and vegetables must be consumed on the plane. They will be confiscated upon your arrival in Hawaii.
*+# Purchasing these items in Maui is expensive, because they are typical tourist purchases.
+*# Maui has good cell phone coverage over most of the island so pack your phone in case of emergencies. However, charges depend on your individual plan.
+#* Many guidebooks recommend against sunscreen while snorkeling fearing that it will harm the fish.
