What to Bring on an O'ahu Day Tour: A Practical Packing List
A day touring O'ahu can include a beach, a rainforest, a windy lookout and a food truck – sometimes all before lunch. Packing the right small bag makes the day much more comfortable, and it means you can say yes when a great swimming spot or short hike appears. Here is the list we'd give a friend.
The Short Checklist
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Comfortable walking shoes | Lookouts, short trails and uneven ground |
| Sandals ("slippers" in Hawai'i) | Beaches and quick stops |
| Reef-safe sunscreen, hat and sunglasses | The sun is strong all year |
| Light rain jacket | Passing showers, especially on the windward side |
| Swimsuit and quick-dry towel | For swimming when conditions are safe |
| Refillable water bottle | It is easy to get dehydrated |
| Phone or camera, charger and power bank | You will take more photos than you expect |
| A small backpack or tote | Keeps your hands free |
| Card and some cash | Food trucks, shave ice and small shops |
| Any personal medication | Including motion-sickness tablets if you need them |
Clothing and Shoes
Dress for warm weather in light, breathable clothes. A T-shirt or tank top with shorts or a light skirt is fine almost everywhere. If you are planning to swim, wear your swimsuit under your clothes to avoid hunting for a changing room.
Bring two kinds of footwear. Sandals – which locals call slippers – are perfect for the beach. For lookouts and short trails, closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers are much safer, because rocks and red dirt can be slippery, especially after rain. If your tour might include a hike, wear shoes you don't mind getting muddy.
Pack a light layer. Mountain lookouts can be windy, and the air-conditioning in vehicles and restaurants can feel chilly after a day in the sun.
Sun Protection
Hawai'i is close to the equator and the sun is strong year-round, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen before you leave the hotel and again during the day, especially after swimming. A hat and sunglasses make a big difference too.
Choose a reef-safe sunscreen. Hawai'i has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate because of the harm they can do to coral reefs. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are a common alternative. A long-sleeved rash guard is another easy way to protect your skin while snorkeling.
Rain Gear
Even on a sunny day in Waikiki, the windward side and the mountains can be showery. Most rain passes quickly, so a packable rain jacket is usually all you need. Umbrellas are less useful because of the wind. Keep a zip-lock bag or small dry bag for your phone.
For the Beach and Water
- Swimsuit and quick-dry towel. Microfiber towels pack small and dry fast.
- Snorkel gear (optional). If you have your own mask that fits well, bring it.
- A plastic bag for wet things. It keeps the rest of your bag dry.
- Water shoes (optional). Helpful on rocky shorelines.
Only swim where it is safe, ideally at a beach with a lifeguard, and always ask about conditions. Read our O'ahu ocean safety tips before your trip.
Food and Water
Bring a refillable water bottle and drink more than you think you need. Light snacks are useful between stops, especially for children. On our tours, meals are not included, but we usually stop where you can choose from two or three local food options – part of the fun is trying something new. Our guide to local food on O'ahu will give you ideas, and a card plus a little cash covers most food trucks and small shops.
Photos and Electronics
- A fully charged phone or camera, plus a power bank and cable.
- A spare memory card if you use a camera.
- A lens cloth – sea spray and sunscreen fingerprints are common.
For tips on taking better pictures, see our O'ahu vacation photography tips, or join one of our photo tours with a professional photographer.
If You Are Traveling with Children
- Extra snacks, water and a change of clothes.
- Sun hats and child-friendly reef-safe sunscreen.
- Something small to do in the vehicle between stops.
- If your children need car seats or boosters, ask about them when you book any tour.
Adjust Your Bag for the Day's Plan
- A North Shore day: in winter, bring binoculars or a camera with zoom to watch the big-wave surfers, plus a towel to sit on the sand. In summer, pack snorkel gear for calm days.
- A day with hiking: closed-toe shoes with good grip, extra water, a small first-aid kit and insect repellent for shady, damp trails.
- A photo day: spare batteries, a lens cloth and a dry bag. Our photo tours run about five hours.
- A Big Island volcano day: warm layers and a rain jacket, because the summit of Kilauea is about 4,000 feet above sea level and much cooler than the beach.
Whatever the plan, keep your bag light. You will be getting in and out of the vehicle many times, and a small backpack is far easier to manage than several loose items.
What to Leave at the Hotel
- Valuables you don't need. Car break-ins at beach parks and trailheads are a real problem in Hawai'i, so carry only what you need and never leave bags visible in a parked vehicle.
- Bulky beach gear. Large umbrellas, chairs and coolers are hard to carry between multiple stops.
- Drones. Many parks and areas restrict them, and they are prohibited in national parks.
And What to Leave Where You Find It
Please leave sand, rocks and coral where they are. Taking sand from Hawai'i's beaches is against state law, and many people in Hawai'i consider taking lava rocks disrespectful. The same goes for wildlife: look, but don't touch. Our sea turtle and wildlife guide explains how close you can get.
Ready for Your Day Out
With good shoes, sun protection, a rain jacket, a swimsuit and plenty of water, you are ready for almost anything O'ahu offers. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included on all of our tours, so you only need to carry what you'll use during the day. Have more questions? Check our FAQ, read our guide to the best time to visit, or choose from our private O'ahu tours.