What you need to wear and bring for sightseeing in Hawaii

There are few things more exciting than getting out for a day of sightseeing in the Hawaiian Islands. It’s a day filled with amazing views and memorable experiences.

After many, many days of sightseeing in Hawaii, we’ve determined the best clothes to wear and the best supplies to bring. Besides a car or tour bus, sightseeing in Hawaii usually involves short walks/hikes, going to rainforests and other diverse climates. This list will have you prepared for all those situations.

What to wear

– T-shirts and shorts are typically fine for most Hawaii sightseeing. If you plan to be outdoors most of the day and taking any short hikes/walks, light-weight, moisture-wicking and quick-drying clothing is ideal. Some specialty fabrics even include sun protection and mosquito repellant. Wearing clothing with lighter colors will keep you cooler.

– Sneakers are usually okay for Hawaii sightseeing. We prefer multi-functional shoes that are good for short or long hikes. We like shoes that are quick-drying in case we need to cross a stream or encounter rain. A hiking sandal like we describe here checks all those boxes.

– Sunscreen – due to Hawaii’s proximity to the equator, the sun’s rays are very strong. Many people discover that they burn/tan quicker in Hawaii than they do from most mainland homes.

– Sunglasses – for comfort and to protect your eyes. Polarized sunglasses are best.

– Hat/visor – for additional sun protection for your head and face.

What to bring

A well-stocked, water-resistant daypack keeps you prepared for fun days of exploring Hawaii. We gotten a lot of use from these inexpensive Zomake backpacks from Amazon. Here’s what to carry in your day packs:

– Camera or smart phone

– Drinking water – It’s possible that you could be away from convenience stores and restaurants for hours at a time. So, it’s a good idea to bring lots of water.

– Snacks – As we just mentioned, depending on where you go and what you do, it’s possible that you could be away from convenience stores and restaurants.

– Lightweight backpack – Ideally, use one with padded straps for comfort and pockets for convenience. A daypack that’s waterproof or water resistant is useful if you get caught out in a rain shower.

– Sunscreen – To reapply throughout the day. (See our recommended sunscreens for a Hawaii vacation.)

– Mosquito repellant – We like the convenience of pre-moistened, individually wrapped towelettes as they don’t count as liquids that have to be stored in our 3-1-1 bag in our carry-on luggage. If we would be checking luggage, we like these two clean-feel products — Cutter Dry spray with DEET and OFF Clean Feel spray with Picaridin. In case you get a bite, you’ll appreciate some sort of after-bite relief, such as this one.

– Portable chargers/equipment to recharge smart phones. With smart phones being used for photos, videos and navigation, battery life can quickly dwindle.

– Wet wipes – Pre-moistened wipe are useful for cleaning your hands when you’re on the go.

– Umbrella or quick-drying clothes – We typically wear quick-drying clothes and don’t bother with an umbrella. We’ve also worn breathable, waterproof jackets with a hood.

Other considerations

– If you’ll be swimming, bring a towel.

– If you will be visiting higher elevations — such as upcountry Maui, Waimea Canyon, Pali Lookout, Lanai City, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — you’ll likely want to wear a light jacket. For even higher elevations, Mauna Kea Visitor Center and Haleakala summit, you’ll likely want to wear even warmer clothes.