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.
- While on tour our staff will instruct you on how to prepare for travel between locations, and for certain weather conditions.
- We provide storage for extra bags when necessary and depending on what trip you're on.
- Having at least one small (10-20L) durable waterproof bag for essentials is important.
- 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, so please ensure you have enough clothes for the duration of your trip. 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
- Extra snacks
- 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)
- Quick-dry long pants (for sun + bug protection)
- Quick-dry shorts
- Dresses / Skorts / Sarongs
- 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)
- 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
Basecamp & Reef Essentials
In addition to the items you normally pack on a vacation, we highly recommend you incorporate the following items for you time on the reef/ beach
- Sport sandals or water shoes (thick sole + closed heel)
- Sandals/ flip-flops (for around camp)
- Long sleeve sun shirts
- Long sleeve rash guard (for sun protection when in the water)
- Light gloves/bike gloves (for protection from the sun/blisters when paddling)
- Headlamp and spare batteries / charger
- Small dry bag for camera, wallet, phone, snacks, etc.
- Beach towel (you may consider travel size quick-dry towel or sarong)
- Shower towel (you may consider travel size quick-dry towel)
- Reef safe sunscreen
- 2 to 3 garbage bags - serves as extra waterproofing protection and keeps wet gear separate
- Bandana/ buff or neck gaiter ( for sun protection)
Optional
- Lycra skin suit (great for sun protection & adds warmth)
- Vaseline (essential for snorkeling with facial hair!)
- Socks (great if renting snorkeling fins)
- Fishing rod and tackle - Please click here for more information on fishing gear
- Shortie wet suit, especially for kids (not essential but water temperatures from Dec-Feb. can be cooler)
- Mask, fins, snorkel *IMPORTANT*. Please click here for more information on snorkel gear
- Capilene or other synthetic long underwear (great for snorkeling)
The clothing that works best for the marine, rainforest & tropical environment is lightweight & quick drying synthetic materials. Cotton is great for the evenings, but not during the day, or when in & out of the water.
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.