What to Pack When Visiting Maui

What to Pack When Visiting Maui

Most people over-pack when visiting Maui.  When we meet people at our properties it always amazes me how much stuff they bring.  It’s a wonder how they fit both their family and all their luggage in their rental car.  Not to mention, I cannot imagine how much they must spend in baggage check fees! Packing less on the way here also means you will have more room for all those souvenirs you want to take home.

Here’s some helpful tips to help you decide what you really need to pack when visiting Maui.

  1. Know what your rental property or hotel has to offer:
    • All of our properties have a washer and dryer. Though you probably don’t want to spend your vacation doing laundry, it is a nice to know you have the option.  This of course is especially handy when travelling with kids- who are guaranteed to spill more shave ice down their shirt then they get in their mouth.
    • All of our properties come with all the linens you may need and this includes beach towels.
    • Hair dryers are provided at all properties as well.
  2. Start with the essentials….bathing suits and summer wear. Bring more than one swimsuit.  No one likes putting on a wet swimsuit (trust us!) and you will probably live in your bathing suit, so the more the better.  Shirts and shorts you can mix and match or dresses that can double as a beach cover-up and a casual dinner outfit are also recommended.  Don’t be afraid to repeat outfits! Chances are you won’t know anyone else on island and people will be too focused on how sun-burned you are or simply the gorgeous scenery around you to notice you wore the same outfit more than once on your trip.
  3. Bring a hat and sunglasses. A MUST.
  4. Snorkel gear: Unless you have a fancy set you know and love, we recommend renting gear once you arrive on island. Daily and weekly rentals, as well as delivery, are available.  Unlike the set of snorkel gear you bring from home, if you don’t like the fit or if that particular set just isn’t working for you, you can exchange them for a different pair.  Renting on Maui also puts you in touch with professionals who will help you pick the right size, show you some tricks and help you decide what equipment you really need.  Snorkel boat tours provide the basic equipment needed free of charge and often have optional items such as wetsuits and water-proof cameras available for an additional fee.
  5. Leave the formal wear at home. Maui style is the quintessential laidback, island-style vibe.  Flip flops or as we call them “slippers” go with everything- we mean everything.
  6. Do bring a layer of warm clothing if you plan on visiting Haleakala- it does get extremely cold there. Don’t forget about your poor toes and bring a pair of sneakers (also great for those who will do a lot of walking, exploring the many waterfalls on the way to Hana, plan to go on a zip lining tour etc.)  If you take a van tour they might provide blankets but if not make sure to grab some from your rental property or even dry beach towels will make do.  Of course please make sure to return these items to your respective rental property J
  7. Don’t waste space on liquids and risk the chance of spilling in your bag. If you are not necessarily particular about the brand of shampoo or conditioner you use for the week then we suggest buying these and/or sunscreen once on island.  Otherwise, bring multiple mini bottles to be dispersed between however many bathrooms your vacation property has, so you aren’t running around looking for who has the shampoo.
  8. Travelling with young kids? Ask if your rental property has any items for your use, like a pack and play, high chair, etc.  If not, baby item rentals are common on Maui.  At Alii Destinations, we help you rent what is needed (if not already available) and also arrange for delivery prior to your arrival.   If you do schedule any deliveries that are not through your Alii Destinations vacation specialist, please make sure they are aware of this prior to your arrival so they may make sure the delivery person has access to the property.  For this reason, we do recommend working directly with your vacation specialist to arrange any rentals or deliveries.
    • Grocery delivery is also an option at all of our properties- sometimes showing up to a fully stoked fridge after a long day of travelling is just what you need to start your vacation off properly. See our upcoming blog for more info on this and other tricks to make the most of your stay, coming soon.