General Packing Tips
- Soft luggage is preferred over hard-shelled suitcases. Hard suitcases generally don't travel well on boats, van transfers, and small planes.
- Carry essentials and a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage, in case your checked bag gets delayed.
- Be aware electronics like cameras, computers, phones must be fully waterproofed especially on boat rides.
- Wrapping sensitive items in garbage bags inside your luggage for boat rides is a great way to add some extra waterproofing to your packing system.
Everybody packs for a vacation differently - here is a general checklist of essential & suggested items you can reference to when packing for your Island Expeditions vacation.
Essential Items
- Cell phone + chargers
- Passport + copy of passport (paper or digital)
- Families traveling with minors, see important information on consent letters and birth certificates
- Credit / Bank cards
- Cash
- List of medications
- Emergency Contact Lists
- Travel Insurance cards
Miscellaneous Items
- Laptop / Tablet / E-reader / Books
- Portable power bank
- Headphones
- Travel Pillow
- Eye Mask
- Ear plugs
- Glasses/ Contacts + lens solution
- Sunglasses with band (Chums, Croakies, etc.)
- Disinfecting wipes
- 1 liter refillable water bottle
- Headlamp and spare batteries / charger
- Small day pack for day tours/ hiking with a waterproof cover
- Waterproof Camera (GoPro, etc.) + memory cards & chargers
- Luggage lock (optional)
General Clothing
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- T-shirts / Blouse/ Tank tops
- Belt
- Quick-dry long sleeve shirt (for sun + bug protection in the rainforest)
- Long sleeve rash guard (for sun protection when in the water)
- Quick-dry long pants (for sun + bug protection)
- Quick-dry shorts
- Dresses / Skorts / Sarongs
- Comfortable sturdy hiking/ running shoe
- Watersport sandals or water shoes (Teva’s or Keens are a good choice)
- Lightweight fleece jacket (this will keep you warm even when wet)
- Swimwear (at least 2)
- Beach towel (you may consider travel size quick-dry towel or sarong)
- Breathable rain jacket (doubles as a windbreaker)
- Wide brimmed sunhat or baseball hat (to keep the sun off your face and neck)
Suggested Toiletries
- Reef safe sunscreen - Please click here for more information on biodegradable reef-friendly sunblock & soap.
- Biodegradable liquid soap, shampoo & conditioner
- Toothbrush / Toothpaste / Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Shaving kit
- Hair brush & hair ties
- Vaseline (essential for snorkeling with facial hair!) , Aloe Vera lotion, or skin care cream
- Insect repellent (20-80% Deet)
- Caladryl/After Bite/Benadryl Cream/ / Antihistamines, or lotion to ease itching from bug bites
- Menstrual products
- Medicine for traveler's diarrhea /rehydration drink packs
- Motion Sickness medication (for boat rides - if applicable)
- Small first aid kit with band-aids, bandages, blister kit, etc.
- Medications
- Hand sanitizer
- Tweezer
- Nail clippers
- Lip balm
PLEASE NOTE
Island Expeditions cannot be deemed responsible for people’s personal property while travelling. There are a variety of luggage and personal property insurance policies available.