No matter where you're going, deciding what to pack can always be hard, especially when deciding what clothes you'll need for a Maui vacation.
Whether you're a chronic over-packer or need a little direction, check out our ultimate guide on what to pack below.
The Basics
Luckily, Maui is a tropical, temperate, gorgeous place all year round. This means you don't need to waste space on layers and bundles but can leave plenty of room for souvenirs to bring back in your suitcase!
No matter what time of year you go, you'll want to bring the following:
Plenty of underwear
A couple of pairs of shorts
We'd recommend at least two athletic pairs and one nicer pair, but if you're mostly planning on lounging on the beach or by the pool you might prefer more lounge attire.
Wearing cotton or linen is also a great idea as it will help keep you cool and dry quickly if you get wet.
4-6 pairs of T-shirts, or tank-tops
One cute outfit (for a fancy dinner or luau.)
"Slippers;" aka flip-flops, thongs, or any other footwear that you slip on and off easily.
This is extra helpful for the beach, as many have Kiawe trees (invasive Mesquites) that drop long nasty thorns on the ground. Plus the sand can get quite hot in the afternoons, so having something you can kick on and off with ease is a must.
It's also a huge part of Hawaiian culture to take your shoes off at the door to keep the floors of your house clean. With slippers, this is easy and not a hassle at all.
Swimsuits!!
This is a must. Of course, you can always purchase once you're on the island if you forget, but you'll want at least two pairs of swimsuits. We'd recommend taking a cover-up as well, just for when you're walking around after the beach or when you need a break from the sunshine.
Activity Specific
Chances are, you have a few specific activities planned for your trip that may need specific attire, or you at least have an idea of your group's traveling temperament.
Check out each activity below and build your own packing list based on our recommendations.
Hikes in Hawaii are challenging, to be sure, but they don't typically require all the gear that a hike in Colorado or California might.
Hikes on Maui will typically be 4 miles or less and may involve navigating stream beds or a steep incline.
It's common to see people hiking barefoot or in sandals. Unless you normally hike barefoot at home we wouldn't recommend giving it a try while you're on vacation. We'd recommend taking a pair of sneakers for most hikes or investing in some good-quality hiking sandals that would do well in mud and water.
You definitely don't need to bring hiking boots, trekking poles or heavy-duty hiking gear unless you need it for your own peace of mind (which is highly valuable.)
For wet hikes (aka you're going to a waterfall), we'd recommend wearing comfortable clothing so that you can easily wear a swimsuit underneath.
Haleakala, the volcano on Maui makes up 75% of the island. Rising 10,000 feet above sea level it's a popular spot to see the sunrise or sunset and is also home to some of the longest hikes on the island.
During January and February Haleakala is known to get snow at the summit, so it can get quite a bit colder than the rest of the island!
If you're going to the summit for any reason, you'll want to pack some warm layers! Leggings, jeans, and at least one sweatshirt.
If you're hiking up there, make sure to take layers you can easily take on and off. Weather in the crater can change quickly so you'll want to be prepared for extremes.
If you're planning on golfing, you'll probably need a golf outfit- collared shirts and potentially even pants. Check your specific golf course for their requirements.
Conclusion
Overall, Maui is a casual place. The temperate climate makes it easy to pack light since you won't need many layers, although specific activities may require some more specialized clothing. Overall packing clothes for Maui vacations is easy and won't take that much work!
