The anticipation of an upcoming vacation trip to Maui is exhilarating. However, there are many things to coordinate and do prior to leaving. You need to plan what to bring to ensure you do not forget anything. If you are planning a trip to Maui soon, a great tip is to check the weather forecast for your vacation spot a few days prior to leaving to ensure you pack the appropriate clothing for the best comfort. Another great tip is to put together a list of items to pack, so you minimize overlooking something important. Below are the 10 must-haves when planning to visit Maui for a vacation.
1. Sun Protection
Sun protection is vital when traveling to Maui as the weather is the same every day: sunny, breezy, and blue skies. Sunscreen is a must-have as the weather invites you to spend time enjoying the outdoors. The place gets about 276 days of sunshine in a year, and the sun’s rays are strong here. So, if you want to avoid getting sunburn after a day on the beach, then you need to pack sunscreen. But not just any type of sunscreen, Hawaii has banned certain types of sunscreens as certain ingredients are harmful to the coral reefs. Maui has a slightly different ban, so be sure to read the guidelines prior to purchasing sunscreen. They advise looking for non-mineral sunscreens, ones that do not include chemicals like oxybenzone and Octinoxate, also called Octyl methoxycinnamate or (OMC). The ban aims to protect the coral reefs and ocean life when the sunscreen washes off the skin and gets into the waters. Hats with all-around brims are another fantastic way to add more protection to your face and neck. You should also add lip balm with SPF to prevent your lips from cracking. Choose the products with SPF that are higher than you would normally use or bring rash guard with good SPF protection.
2. Polarized Sunglasses
In addition to your skin’s protection, be sure to protect your eyes by packing a pair of polarized sunglasses. It is one of those accessories that you must not forget to bring when visiting Maui, especially if you love to lounge at the beach or by the pool. Polarized sunglasses are best to wear as they help you counter the sun’s rays and help you see the beautiful coral reefs from the beach
3. Waterproof Phone Case
The increased use of mobile phones in our daily lives encourages us to never part from them, even in water! We feel secure and comfortable having our phones at hand whenever we want to call someone or take a selfie while on a boat ride headed to Molokini or just sunbathing at the beach. But a phone falling in the water is always a possibility. A waterproof case will protect your phone from getting wet and damaged if ever it falls in the water.
4. Underwater Camera
Although our mobile phones today have the features of taking photos and videos, you may also want to bring an underwater digital camera. Since it is an underwater camera, you can take it
with you on all your water activities and not have to worry about messing up your phone. It will also give you another option to capture the beauty underwater or above the water.
5. Swimsuits and Cover – Up
The tropical breezes on Maui are great to cool you off but sometimes, it gets a bit chilly and the last thing you would like is to catch a cold during your dream vacation. Essentially, bringing swimsuits also means bringing cover-ups. Swimsuit cover-ups now come in assorted styles and designs, so you can still pull off that fashionable style. Dri-fit gear works best for protecting you from the sun, and it is also reef friendly.
6. Proper Attire for your Feet
The temperatures on Maui and the likelihood of wandering over to a sandy beach are high, thus having the appropriate footwear that is easy to remove and will withstand water and sand becomes very convenient. Every day footwear on the island is slippers or flip-flops. The locals wear them everywhere — on the beach, in restaurants, and even when they go out at night to the clubs. If you are fond of hiking and adventuring out on foot, then you need to pack socks and closed-toed shoes that have proper traction. Trails on hikes can get a little tricky, so the proper footwear can make an enormous difference in safety and enjoyment. Mesh water shoes are perfect to bring, especially when doing activities in areas that are slippery and wet near and around the beach.
7. Mosquito Repellent
Having a humid climate like Maui attracts bugs and mosquitoes. If you are prone to attracting mosquitoes, then a mosquito repellant is a must-have for you. Additionally, if you have an anti-itch ointment, throw it in your bag too. You may find it beneficial to use for a later time while traveling.
8. Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is particularly important, especially in a tropical paradise. We highly recommend packing a reusable water bottle as it will help limit plastic waste and keep you hydrated while you bask in the Hawaiian sun. Refilling your water bottle should not be a problem in Hawaii. Remember to check out our other blogs, there are tons of activities to do here in Maui
9. Medications
If you have any medical conditions that require you to need hourly, daily, or weekly medications, be sure to pack them and add extra day or two, just in case. You should keep them safely stored and labelled to ensure you have what you need to make your vacation as stress-free as possible. There are pharmacies and retailers that sell over-the-counter medications, but it is always a little more convenient to pack your own medications.
10. Travel Insurance and other important documents
To make the most out of your Maui vacation, it is always beneficial to be prepared for the unexpected. No matter how peaceful and serene the place is, you still need to remember will be visiting a place that is not your home. For your protection, always get and bring your travel insurance and other important documents such as IDs and/or a passport, boarding passes, etc.