What to Bring on Your Trip to Oahu
Suitcase photo uploaded by tomeppy
Having just returned from a trip to Hawaii, I thought I’d share some of the tips I picked up on the road. Some of these are items that I actually brought and others are items that I wish I’d brought!
- Sunscreen. This sounds obvious, but if you’re as fair as I am, then you’ll definitely need it. Remember to reapply every few hours, especially if you’re going in the water.
- Camera (and extra batteries). With all the beaches, sunsets, and other gorgeous views, you’ll want to take tons of photos to remember you vacation. If you’re curious, you can check out my Hawaii vacation photos on flickr.
- Extra cash. We discovered that Bank of America doesn’t have a single ATM on the island of Oahu! Fortunately, I’d brought a little extra money and was able to get cash back with my debit card at a grocery store to avoid paying a transaction fee with another bank.
- Sturdy walking shoes. Hawaii has excellent hiking, but you’ll need good quality shoes so you can get the most of out of your trip. I brought sneakers and hiking boots, but I actually saw women trying to climb up to the top of Diamond Head Crater wearing flip flops or platform sandals!
- Bathing suit. Another obvious item to bring to Hawaii, but I’d recommend bringing two so that you can alternate days. Wear bathing suit #1 snorkeling and let it dry the next day when you visit Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.
- Extra duffel bag or backpack. A little travel trick is to pack a lightweight bag in your suitcase so that you’ll have extra luggage space for souvenirs on your return trip (or if you’re overweight). My boyfriend bought a case of chocolate-cover macadamia nuts, which he had to carry through the airport, because it didn’t fit in his suitcase!
- Surge protector. Between my laptop, camera charger, hair dryer, cell phone charger, and all my boyfriend’s electronics, we found ourselves fighting over electrical outlets, because some of the places we stayed only had one or two outlets. If you travel with lots of tech toys, this one is a good idea regardless of your destination.
Anything I’ve missed? Leave a comment and let us know!
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I think you’ve just about covered all the essentials needed.Remember to pack early to avoid leaving things behind, and double check you have everything you need before leaving.
A great list of items to take on a trip to Hawaii.You can also buy all or most of those items when you get there. Things such as beach wear, camera batteries and film, office supplies, shampoo and conditioners, sun tan lotion, and sun glasses are readily available. Specialized items such as scuba and snorkeling equipment, kayaks, surf boards, and even golf clubs are available for rental or purchase everywhere.
If you want to save the island of Hawaii by being green, I recommend bring a reusable water bottle. It’s really hot in Hawaii and bottled water is quite expensive. It’s best to just bring your own water bottle and save the earth while you’re at it!
Also, I recommend bringing a beach towel since the hotel towels are often too small to lay on. A beach blanket will be too heavy to carry in your backpack, but a beach blanket is a great idea.
Waterproof disposable camera. On the islands they can be quite pricey and you’ll find better deals at home. I’d bring one or two of these to snap shots under the water!
@Paul: You brought up another excellent point - check all the nooks and crannies of your hotel room before you check out. The boyfriend left a pair of shorts in one of our hotel rooms and they never resurfaced. He ended up wearing his bathing suit for much of the trip, because he hadn’t brought enough other clothes!
@Shannon: You are dead on! Everything is more expensive on the islands, including bottled water, so it’s best to bring everything you’ll need and save your money for sightseeing or souvenirs.
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