Kauai is one of the most beautiful and special places on earth.  With its abundance of natural beauty, lush mountain forests and secluded beaches, Kauai offers travelers the perfect blend of adventure, romance and relaxation.  When deciding what to pack for Kauai, my advice is: pack as minimally as possible! Packing just what you need frees up time and space, allowing you to focus more on the beautiful experience of being in Kauai. Plus, packing light is better for the environment (lighter planes = less fuel to run), and makes post-trip unpacking and laundry much easier!  

What To Pack For Kauai (the Minimalist Edition)

Kauai has a very casual and laid-back vibe, and with temperatures hovering in the mid-80’s year round, it’s easy to get away with just packing some beach/resort wear and a few beach and hiking essentials.

Below is a minimalist Kauai essentials packing list that can take you from the pool to the jungle, and will all fit in your carry-on luggage. For some inspiration on what to do while in Kauai, check out my list of 20 budget friendly activities on Kauai.

Beach Essentials To Pack For Kauai

• Sunglasses
• Waterproof Dry Bag and Phone Case – also good for kayaking and rafting. (A silicone stasher bag makes an excellent waterproof phone case.)
• Flip flops or beach sandals – Sanuk’s Yoga Mat Flip Flops are the best.
• Reef Safe Sunscreen – 100% a must if you plan on swimming or snorkeling in the ocean. You can always buy this on the island, but it will be more expensive.
• Rashguard – I actually prefer rashguards to sunscreen. They’re reusable and reduce the amount of sunscreen washing into reefs.
• Sun Hat
• Turkish Towel – super light and fast drying, they make the best beach towel and can double as a sari.
• Reusable travel mug – perfect for coffee/wine/drinks on the beach
• Tiffin or stasher bags for snacks – Tiffins are nice because they’re light and kid-friendly.
• A good book

Adventure and Hiking Gear to Pack for Kauai

• Athletic shoes – also consider bringing hiking shoes if you’ll be hiking the Kalalau Trail.
• Watershoes or Keens – not strictly necessary, but very helpful for certain beaches in Kauai, where the descents can be slippery and steep.
• Lightweight Backpack – for hikes, the beach, etc. Or a hip bag for just the essentials, like phone, lip balm and sunscreen.
• Bandanas/handkerchiefs – to cover your neck on hikes, wipe away sweat, as a reusable napkin – the uses are endless.  
• Reusable water bottle – Plastic pollution is a huge issue in Hawaii, so pack a reusable water bottle to avoid plastic water bottle waste. 
• Reusable tote bag – Hawaii recently banned plastic bags, so bring a reusable bag for groceries, shopping, etc. during your trip. A tote is also perfect for packing up laundry at the end of your trip!

What Clothes to Pack For Kauai

• Swimwear – 1 bikini + 1 one-piece
• 3-4 tanks/shirts – Opt for natural fabrics like cotton, linen and bamboo, which allow skin to breathe.  
• 2 bottoms – I pack a wrap skirt and a pair of soft shorts that can double as hiking shorts or lounge wear.
• 2 dresses – 1 maxi dress + 1 breezy sundress
• Yoga pants – Yoga pants are life. The best yoga pants are these from Lululemon. They have deep pockets on the sides, which are perfect for holding your keys and keeping your phone secure yet accessible.
• 1 bra(lette) + 1 sports bra
• Socks and underwear – Cotton basics like Pact are the best because they let your skin breathe in hot weather.
• Sleep set
• Cute and comfortable walking sandals
• Small crossbody purse
• Light sweater or water-resistant jacket

What Toiletries to Pack for Kauai

• Aloe/After Sun Spray – The After Sun Aloe Mist from Herbivore feels amazing on hot skin after a long day at the beach.
• Facial Sunscreen
• SPF lip balm
• Bug spray – very useful on hikes.
• Moisturizer – the sun is hot on Kauai, so moisturizer is key!  I bring pure rosehip seed oil for my face and a small container of coconut oil for my body.
• Biodegradable Soap – I use an activated charcoal soap for both my face and body.  A biodegradable non-toxic soap bar is perfect for tossing into your backpack in case you want to take a quick rinse at a beach shower after snorkeling or swimming.
• Soft cotton washcloth – for removing makeup + exfoliating.
• Shampoo & Conditioner Bar, Comb, and Hair Ties
• Mini bottle of castille soap – for washing clothes, hands, cups, etc.
• Makeup – Honestly, wearing makeup on Kauai is kind of pointless because it comes off so quickly, so just bring the basics. I pack tinted SPF, waterproof mascara, eye/brow powder, and a lip/cheek tint.

What Not to Bring to Kauai

• Hair Dryer.  Most places will supply a hair dryer, plus you’ll have an endless supply of free beach tousled hair.
• Fancy Clothes/Expensive Jewelry/High Heels
• Snorkel Gear. Unless you love your own gear, save space and rent on the island.  There are lots of shops at different price points.
• Umbrella – while it does sprinkle, a light water resistant jacket should be sufficient.

Essential Kauai Packing List

I hope you found this Kauai packing list useful as you prepare for your trip! If you have any Kauai vacation essentials that you always pack, please share in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!