Essential Big Island Packing List

Chapter 5: Essential Big Island Packing List

If you only listen to one piece of my advice, it's this: pack a real jacket. I'm serious. Every night, I see visitors at the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park overlook shivering in their t-shirts, completely unprepared for the temperature drop at 4,000 feet.

Must-Haves for Land, Sea, and Summit

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

This is not just a suggestion. It's a matter of law and respect. Hawaiʻi has banned the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. They have been proven to cause coral bleaching and damage our delicate marine ecosystems. Please, check your labels. Look for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. Our reefs will thank you.

Layers for Altitude

This is the most commonly forgotten item. You will need layers for the dramatic temperature changes at higher elevations.

For Volcano (4,000 ft): Evenings and early mornings are cool and crisp. A fleece or light jacket and long pants are perfect.

For Mauna Kea (9,200 ft+): The Visitor Information Station is cold, and the summit is often at or below freezing, with significant wind chill. A warm jacket, long pants, socks, and closed-toe shoes are essential.

Quality Rain Gear

A lightweight, packable rain jacket is your best friend on the Hilo and Hāmākua Coast. It can start raining with little warning, but the showers are often brief and warm. A good jacket will keep you comfortable so you can continue exploring.

Sturdy, Closed-Toe Footwear

Flip-flops (slippahs, as we call them) are great for the beach. But they are not safe for exploring. Much of the island is covered in uneven, sharp volcanic rock. For any visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park or for hiking on rainforest trails that can be muddy and slippery, you need sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners.

Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is crucial in the Hawaiian sun. More importantly, bringing a reusable bottle helps reduce single-use plastic waste, a simple but powerful way to practice mālama ʻāina (caring for the land).