Heading to Hawaii in the fall? While most places are cooling down, the islands are still serving sunshine, surf, and lush rainforests. Whether you’re lounging on Waikiki Beach, hiking Kauai’s cliffs, or chasing waterfalls in Maui, this Hawaii fall packing list gives you everything you need for a smooth, stylish, and sun-kissed adventure.
Weather Overview 🌡️
Fall in Hawaii (September to November) still feels like summer, just with fewer crowds and a bit more rain—especially in November.
- September: 23–31°C (74–88°F) – Hot, humid, sunny
- October: 22–30°C (72–86°F) – Warm with scattered rain
- November: 21–28°C (70–82°F) – Slightly cooler, more showers
➡️ Note: The ocean stays warm, so beach days are still on! Bring lightweight layers and rain-friendly accessories.
What to Pack for Hawaii in Fall 🎒
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
Dressing Etiquette:
Hawaii is casual and beach-friendly, but always respectful. Swimsuits are for the sand—not shops or restaurants. Bring a cover-up, modest clothes for cultural sites, and breathable fabrics for humidity.
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
🧳 Carry-on suitcase – Lightweight & tropical trip-friendly
🧳 Checked luggage – Optional unless overpacking
🎒 Beach tote or backpack – For beach days & hiking
👜 Personal item – With all essentials
🧼 Packing cubes – Separate wet/dry/swimwear
👟 Shoe bags – For sandy flip-flops or wet water shoes
💄 Makeup bag – Minimal, humidity-proof
🛁 Hanging toiletry bag – Great for hotel or condo setups
📁 Document organizer – ID, snorkel/tour bookings, insurance
🛍️ Collapsible tote – For groceries, souvenirs, and farmers markets
🧺 Laundry bag – For swimsuits and sandy things
⚖️ Luggage scale – Airlines can be strict inter-island
🔒 Small lock – For hostels or beach lockers
🧢 Zipper pouch – For sunscreen, lip balm, or coins
🧖 Quick-dry towel – Beach, boat, and waterfall must
💤 Neck pillow – For long flights from the mainland
😴 Sleep mask – Great if adjusting to jet lag
👗 Clothes
👕 Tank tops / camis (3–5) – Breathable, beachy, mix-and-match
👚 T-shirts / crop tops (2–3) – Casual and comfy
👗 Sundresses (2–3) – Lightweight, flowy, island-perfect
🩳 Shorts (2–3) – Denim, cotton, linen blends
👙 Swimsuits (2–3) – Rotate between dips
🧥 Light hoodie / cardigan – For cool planes or rainy days
🧥 Rain jacket – Thin, packable, and waterproof
🧘 Activewear (1–2 sets) – For hikes and morning walks
👖 Lightweight pants / joggers (1–2) – For evenings or plane
🩱 Swimsuit cover-ups (2) – For restaurants & shops
🛌 Pajamas – Keep it breezy
🧤 Underwear (7+) – Quick-dry types ideal
👙 Bras (3–4) – Mix of strapless, wireless, and sporty
🧦 Socks (2–3) – For hikes or flights
💆 Skincare
🧼 Gentle cleanser – Sweat-proof and refreshing
🌸 Toner – Keep pores clear in humidity
🧴 Moisturizer – Lightweight gel formulas
🌞 Sunscreen (reef-safe) – Non-negotiable in Hawaii
🧽 Makeup remover – Oil-free wipes or micellar water
🌿 Exfoliator – Light scrubs 1–2x per week
👁️ Eye cream – Hydrate after sun exposure
💦 Facial mist – Midday refreshment
🧖 Sheet masks (1–2) – Post-beach skin recovery
💄 Lip balm with SPF – Lips burn too!
🩹 Spot treatment – For heat-related breakouts
💄 Makeup
🧴 Tinted moisturizer or BB cream – Skip full foundation
🖌️ Concealer – For under-eye or redness
🌫️ Setting powder – Light, translucent
🌺 Blush – Cream or tint
🌟 Highlighter – For golden glow
👁️ Waterproof mascara – Beach-proof
👁️ Brow gel – Low-maintenance brows
💄 Tinted lip balm or gloss – SPF bonus
🖌️ Sponge or brush – Small kit only
🌟 Setting spray – Light, hydrating
💇 Hair
💇 Wide-tooth comb – Post-beach detangling
🧷 Hair ties, clips, scrunchies – Sand + wind = secure your strands
🧴 Leave-in conditioner – Saltwater recovery
🧴 Dry shampoo – Tropical volume saver
💧 Hair oil – Defrizz in humidity
🧴 Travel shampoo & conditioner – Moisture-restoring
💨 Blow dryer – Most stays provide it (skip if not styling)
💇 Flat iron / curling wand – Optional for night looks
🎀 Headbands or scarves – Cute + practical
👠 Shoes & Accessories
🩴 Flip-flops – Island life essential
👟 Sneakers – For hikes or exploring
🥿 Sandals – For dinners or dressy-casual days
🥾 Water shoes – For waterfalls, snorkeling, or boat trips
🎩 Straw hat or cap – Shade = skin protection
🧣 Lightweight scarf – Optional for plane
🕶️ Polarized sunglasses – Eye protection + style
⌚ Watch – Waterproof or fitness tracker
💍 Jewelry – Simple, beach-proof pieces
👜 Crossbody bag or beach bag – Keep it casual
☔ Mini umbrella – Just in case
🧾 Documents & Essentials
🛂 ID / passport – Required for flights
📄 Copy of ID – Digital and printed
🪪 Driver’s license – Needed for car rentals or mopeds
📃 Travel insurance info – For snorkeling, hiking, etc.
📲 Flight confirmations – Especially for inter-island
🏨 Hotel / rental receipts – Helpful at check-in
🚗 Rental car docs – If exploring islands
🎟️ Tour tickets – Luaus, snorkeling, volcano tours
🗺️ Itinerary – Digital + backup copy
📍 Offline maps – Especially helpful on remote hikes
💳 Credit/debit cards – Widely accepted
💵 Emergency cash – For local markets or tips
📇 Emergency contact list – Paper and phone
🖊️ Pen & small notebook – For forms and journaling
📘 Hawaiian phrase card – Learn a little Aloha spirit
🔑 House keys – If using a lockbox or long stay
👛 Wallet – RFID-safe recommended
🩹 First Aid
🩹 Bandaids – Blisters from hikes or sandals
🧴 Antibiotic ointment – For small cuts or scrapes
🧻 Antiseptic wipes – Clean hands or minor wounds
🩺 Gauze + tape – Optional, for bigger hikes
✂️ Scissors (travel-size) – TSA-safe
🦶 Blister pads – Beach walks, long treks
🌡️ Thermometer – Optional but helpful
✂️ Tweezers – For splinters, etc.
💊 Health & Hygiene
💊 Prescription meds – Bring full supply
💊 Pain relievers – Sun headaches are real
🤧 Allergy meds – Pollen or sunscreen reactions
💊 Motion sickness pills – For boat tours
💊 Stomach meds – If trying new foods
💊 Vitamins – Support immunity
🩸 Feminine hygiene – Compact supplies
🧴 Hand sanitizer – Always
🧻 Wipes – Beach + public bathroom must
🦟 Bug spray – Especially near waterfalls or rainforests
💊 Birth control – Plan ahead
👁️ Eye drops – Saltwater irritation
🪞 Travel mirror – Optional
🪥 Toothbrush + toothpaste – Travel size works
🧴 Mouthwash + floss – Keep it fresh
🧴 Body wash – Optional if hotel provides
🧴 Deodorant – Tropical-tested
🪒 Razor + cream – For beach-ready skin
💅 Nail clippers / file – For breaks or snags
🌸 Fragrance – Tropical, roll-on style
🧻 Pocket tissues – Always smart
📱 Tech & Electronics
📱 Phone + charger – Don’t forget a backup cable
📸 Waterproof camera or phone case – Underwater must-have
🔋 Power bank – Beach days can drain your phone
🔌 Charging cords – For all devices
🔊 Bluetooth speaker – Island playlist, anyone?
🔌 Universal adapter – Not needed unless from outside US
📶 SIM or pocket Wi-Fi – Optional if US carrier works
📖 Kindle or e-reader – Poolside perfection
🎧 Headphones – Noise-canceling = plane lifesaver
🎧 Entertainment
📚 Beach reads – Light, fun, tropical
🎬 Movies – Download for flight downtime
🎧 Podcasts – Travel, comedy, or history
📓 Journal – Capture that island magic
🃏 Card games – For beach or lanai fun
📰 Local magazine – Learn more about Hawaiian culture
🎒 Extras
🥜 Snacks / bars – Airport, hikes, or road trips
💧 Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated
🛍️ Foldable shopping bag – Eco-friendly + beach-ready
🧴 Travel detergent – Handwash swimsuits
🧵 Mini sewing kit – For beach dress mishaps
📢 Safety whistle – For solo hikes
🧼 Lint roller – For travel day touch-ups
🦶 Inflatable footrest – Flight comfort
👟 Shoe deodorizer – Sand = funk
💤 Natural sleep aid – Beat jet lag gently
✈️ Travel Tips
✔️ Reef-safe sunscreen is required by law
✔️ Avoid overpacking—resorts often offer towels
✔️ Book inter-island flights early
✔️ Respect Hawaiian culture and land: pack modest outfits for sacred sites
✔️ Use a waterproof bag for hikes or boat tours
🛂 Visa Tips
📝 No visa needed for U.S. citizens
📸 Have ID ready for inter-island flights
🚙 Rental car bookings require valid license and card
📍 Download Google Maps offline if exploring remote areas
✅ Must-Haves for a Smooth Trip
🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen
👙 Multiple swimsuits
🧥 Light rain jacket
📱 Waterproof phone case
🥾 Water shoes or sandals
💳 Cards + backup cash
🧖 Quick-dry towel
🎒 Daypack or beach tote
💧 Refillable water bottle
👍 Good-to-Have Items
💧 Liquid IV or hydration powder
🎧 Noise-canceling earbuds
😴 Sleep mask
🧣 Travel wrap
🛍️ Extra tote bag
🧼 Aloe vera gel
📶 eSIM or local SIM
🩴 Flip-flops (extra pair)
🍍 Hawaiian shirt or island dress
