Packing Lists
Here at the Holgate house, we’re deep in the trenches packing for our trip to Kauai, shopping when we realize we’re missing something, packing some more, shopping some more, and on and on until eternity. We assume everyone’s been on vacation before, so we won’t give full packing lists, but we’ve curated a list of some items you will need – we want your time on Kauai to be spent partying and marinating at the beach, not searching for stuff!
Stuff That’s Better To Get On Island
Despite what I said above, there are a few things that are better to just get on island.
Sunscreen - the stuff you can get at home isn’t always reef safe, and it’s difficult to pack enough to get you through a trip anyway without either going over the carry-on liquid limits or risking making a mess in packed luggage. It is available on island all over the place - and you’ll need a lot of it.
Beach equipment - Condos and resorts usually have free or rental gear if you need chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, snorkel gear, etc. It’s a bit easier to just buy/rent the stuff you need as you need it.
Sneakers - Chances are you’ll never put them on. You’ll be living in sandals. There is great hiking, so if you’re going to be doing more technical stuff feel free to bring some hiking boots/shoes - but we normally hike in hiking sandals (Tevas or Chacos, etc.)
Nice Clothes - Aside from dressed up clothes for party events / dinner, you aren’t going to need “hard” pants, long sleeve shirts, etc. It’s warm and humid on Kauai - I usually pack a few shirts and live in my athletic/swim shorts.
General Island Vacation Stuff To Pack
Don’t forget your swim suit(s). We’re in and out of the water all day, so swimsuits that can be dressed up (e.g. by throwing on a cover up or T-shirt) are best.
Sun shirt/rash guard. Especially for kids or fair-skinned adults (like me). I like the ones that extend all the way down to your hands and have a hood.
Sun hat (or baseball cap if you have a sun shirt with a hood).
Waterproof phone bags. Not necessary if you have a newer phone, but if you want to take underwater pictures or just not worry about ruining your phone, the bags are cheap. These are also available all over the island if you forget.
A light rain jacket (any windbreaker will do - just to keep you dry if it rains)
Travel Towel. You can also pick up towels at an ABC store, but if you have a travel towel, they come in handy for drying off and as beach blankets.
If you are camping before/after the Rumpus, a light sleeping bag (Amazon has these which are great - they double as a beach blanket: https://a.co/d/5v33Cob
Items for Rumpus Activities
Clothing: the Friday night Rumpus party and the vow renewal on Sunday will have “island nice” dress codes - which means the first step up from beachwear. For gals, think a casual dress or mermaid coming out of the sea to dance. For guys, a Hawaiin shirt and linen pants or simple shorts (i.e. not swim trunks). You can totally wear the same thing for multiple events!
Water bottles for everyone in your family (we’ll need these for outdoor activities!)
A small backpack you don’t mind getting wet - to take on hikes or out on kayaks
Hiking sandals, water shoes, or other footwear that hang on to your feet (i.e. Tevas, Chacos, or water socks).
Adventure squad members: Your special tools, handbook, and gear.
A sense of adventure!
