What should I pack for Maui?

It’s tempting to go overboard when packing for a big trip, but you don’t need much clothing in Maui. Think about it—you’ll be in a bathing suit most of the time! All you need are a couple of bathing suits, a rashguard or sun shirt, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen (or buy it there), a cover-up, a couple of dresses, some hiking clothes, a rain shell, one warm layer, and a couple of pairs of shoes. Plus there are so many unique and local boutiques in Maui, you need to remember to leave room in your suitcase for unique souvenirs and beach wear you can only find in Maui.

Bathing suits for Maui

Depending on the length of your trip you might need 2-3 bathing suits. For our trip in May 2022, I had 3 with me and ended up buying another for my birthday. I like one piece suits and bikinis with sporty tops and high-waisted bottoms but you can find any and every cut of bathing suits in Maui.

If you want to find a unique suit, definitely shop in Maui boutiques and surf shops, because you’ll likely see unique brands and you can try on the latest cuts and designs. My favorite place to shop for bathing suits is the Cruise boutique in the Grand Wailea Resort, where I scored this reversible Maaji bikini. Check out Acacia Swimwear’s flagship boutique in Paia for its latest suits, coverups, and major sales.

Pro tip: Shop name-brand swimwear like L Space and Roxy at the Maui Clothing Outlet in North Kihei.

Sunscreen and Sun protection in maui

The sun in Hawaii is stronger than most people are used to. A sunburn can ruin your vacation quickly, so pack these items before you arrive so you’re ready to hit the beach right away.

• sun hat - I prefer big floppy ones but a ball cap is good too

• reef safe sunscreen - keep marine life safe!

• rash guard - love these for surfing, paddle boarding, and snorkeling

• swim leggings - these are really helpful if you’re out snorkeling for a while.

beach friendly clothing to pack for maui

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Maui is a relaxed place—you don’t have to dress up if you don’t want to. Easy breezy fabrics are the way to go. Linen is my go-to because it’s lightweight, it dries quickly, and doesn’t matter if it’s wrinkled. My daily uniform is a bathing suit, coverup, and then a quick change to a maxi dress and sandals for dinner. Becasa, a linen beach lifestyle brand is one of my favorite beach brands. I live in one of their tunics (sold out) but they have so many gorgeous coverups.

• Coverups: I have my eye on this Becasa caftan and a Free People slip dress. The one I have is sold out but this one is similar. I bought this Sweet Paradise Club dress with pockets from Tribe Maui in Makawao and LOVE it.

• Jumpsuits: The Hot Shot onesie is hugely popular for good reason. It’s so comfy and really cute. I like to throw mine on with this bra top to go shopping, lounge in the shade, or grab a coffee. The only drawback is the fabric is cotton so it doesn’t dry quickly. This one would be cute dressed up a little for dinner with some accessories.

• Maxi dresses: I feel the most comfortable in maxi dresses and live in them all summer long. Shop for a Maui original at Nuage Bleu in Paia. I also love Farm Rio prints and this maxi is super cute.

HIking clothes for Maui

If you plan on exploring Upcountry or Haleakala National Park, I recommend packing pants and/or a jacket. According to the National Park Service “On average, the temperature drops about 3°F for every 1,000-foot rise in elevation (or approximately 5°C for every 1,000-meter elevation rise), making the 10,023 foot (3055m) summit of Haleakalā about 30°F (or 17°C) cooler than the coast. Year-round summit temperatures range from below freezing to 50°- 65°F (10-18°C).”

Pack a light fleece and maybe even a rain jacket or windbreaker to wear on top. If you plan on doing some hiking up there, definitely wear some durable shoes like these light hikers or if you’re trying to pack light you can get away with running shoes on the easy trails. If you refuse to pack hiking shoes, I’d recommend sandals with good tread like Chacos. I take mine EVERYWHERE.

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If you’re hiking on the south or west side, you can get away with hiking in shorts but you might want to bring a long sleeve sun shirt and hat for some sun protection. The key for hiking clothes is for the material to be something synthetic—no cotton so it wicks moisture away and dries quickly. You never know when you might take a dip!

• Hiking shorts - I always pack these Athleta trek shorts. These FP movement ones are cute too.

• Hiking pants - I’ve had these Prana Halle pants forever and love these Athleta trek pants (on sale). I’m curious to try these new Athleta trek joggers. Both are easy to pack and are quick drying.

• Fleece top - I’ve had this one since we lived in Maui and still wear it. I’ve been eyeing this packable puffer for lightweight warmth that is quick drying as well.

• Long sleeve sun shirt - I got this one a few years ago and never travel without it. Makes a great base layer too. I’m thinking about getting this white jacket for this summer.

Shoes to pack for Maui

When it comes to shoes, less is more for me. I stick to one pair of sandals that will go with everything and one pair of hiking shoes/sandals that are easy to walk in and have good tread. I have an old pair of leather sandals similar to these that I wear with every sundress or jumpsuit. I also wear these Chaco sandals all the time in Maui. They’re great for hikes and treks to the beach. If you’re not a hiking sandal person, these light hiking shoes would be good too. If you want a close-toed sandal hybrid, I owned Keens and wore them a lot when we lived in Maui.

All of this could easily fit in a carry-on bag. With fern and our own carry-ons, we don’t have enough hands to manage anything else. When we go to Maui, we change planes several times and pack everything in one big checked bag so we don’t have to deal with so many bags. I am thinking of getting these splash-proof bags to help separate things in our luggage and to use for wet clothes after the beach.

Shop my Maui packing list