If you’ve been following along, you know we’re always planning a trip. Whether it’s to St. Croix or Costa Rica, we love a good tropical adventure! Trip booked and itinerary designed, we’ve reached the packing part of our adventure and have developed this list. Of course, there’s the usual stuff you pack to go on vacation…clothes, bathing suits, hats, toiletries, laptop/tablet (or maybe not)… But our list addresses the items geared towards a tropical adventure!
Product Disclaimer – all opinions expressed in this article are my own., from personal experience using these products. At this time, I am not receiving any financial compensation for advertising these products.
Snorkeling gear
Depending on your agenda, and budget, this is something that can be rented from a local dive shop (or resort) once you arrive at your destination. Being that we own our own personal sets, we’ll be packing ours. A complete gear set should include a snorkel, fins (and booties if you need them for your fins) and goggles. We haven’t really tried out different brands and have owned ours for quite some time. The one recommendation we can make if you are planning to go out and purchase this gear is to be sure to try it on before you buy. There are enough face shapes, and goggle styles to match, so checking out your local dive shop is a must.
Waterproof Marine Animal ID Cards
These are a fun compliment to your snorkeling gear. They don’t take up much space but can also usually be purchased at local dive spots in the tropics. We purchased ours on Amazon ahead of time so we wouldn’t have to search for them once we arrive. We’ve modified our set with a wristband to be easy to carry along on our expeditions and attached a pencil so we can check off any critter encounters as we go along. When ordering, make sure the species on the card are specific to the area you will be visiting.
Waterproof Camera
We purchased this very reasonably priced waterproof camera a couple years ago for a trip to the Florida Keys. At the time, it was one of the highest rated ‘tough’ cameras on the market. It takes great quality (16.4 megapixel) pictures and 1080p video recording. It is waterproof to 20 meters (65 feet), freeze proof to -10oC (14oF) and shock proof from 1.75 meters (just under 6 feet). We absolutely love it!
We have recently invested in a GoPro Fusion which we will also be taking along. It is waterproof to 16 feet, so we’ll be able to take it a little deeper. AND it captures EVERYTHING in a shot. Yep a full 360° ! We also anticipate the image quality to be much greater, so we are very excited about this purchase.
(Plain Old) Camera
This is one of the top rated DSLR style cameras on the market at the time of this posting. It has all the features, but with a static lens (ie. you don’t have to worry about carrying a bunch of lenses around with you). With it’s 60x zoom, you’re sure to capture all those great wildlife shots! We’ve had ours for about two years now and really love it’s capabilities and the end products that result.
If you are planning to bring along a bunch of techy type items, don’t forget your memory cards, batteries and chargers!
Reusable Containers
It’s always a good idea to take some reusable storage along with you (Tupperware, Ziploc bags, insulated cup). Whether it’s for a beverage to go, or to wrap up some leftovers from that road side meat hut, any of these will be handy to have. We will be taking along some of our favourite reusable containers, LunchSkins! These reusable pouches are Velcro sealed and dishwasher safe! They’re perfect for snacking while on your tropical adventure.
Reusable Straws
There are various models out there now. Some are metal, some silicone, some paper and some are made out of straw (get it?!) We have stainless steel ones, and they come complete with a travel bag and a scrub brush. We make a concerted effort to minimize the use of plastic straws in our day to day lives And being on vacation, is no excuse! When out at restaurants, we request beverages without straws and use our own, reusable in place. Have you made the switch yet?
Binoculars
At 4″ x 2.5″ x 1.5″, this little item packs great and is the perfect option for spying wildlife! The optics are 8 x 21 which are enough to bring something at ~75m into clear view.
Footwear Options
Make sure to pack the appropriate footwear! With our plans to do some hiking, chill on the beach and hit up the night life, we’ll need a couple options. We’ll each pack a pair of sturdy shoes for trail blazing, sandals for the beach, water shoes for coastal exploration and casual shoes for hitting the town.
Practical Clothing
Packing practical clothing for a tropical vacation is key to staying comfortable and prepared in the heat and humidity. Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking synthetics help regulate body temperature, while versatile pieces—such as quick-dry shorts, loose-fitting tops, and swimwear—make it easy to transition from beach to town. It’s also wise to include items like a sunhat, a light rain jacket, and footwear suitable for both walking and water activities. With the right mix, you’ll be ready for everything from jungle hikes to seaside dinners without overpacking.
If you’re planning on doing any hiking, you’ll want to opt for a comfortable but light pair of pants to minimize any brushes with prickly or poisonous plants and cut down on bug interactions. KÜHL’s Free Flex Roll-Up Pants are a great choice for hiking in the Caribbean, offering the kind of comfort and versatility that’s easy to appreciate on the trail. Lightweight and breathable, they handle the region’s heat and humidity well, while the roll-up feature lets you quickly adapt to changing terrain or wade through water. With just enough stretch for ease of movement and a design that doesn’t scream “technical gear,” they strike a nice balance between function and laid-back island style. My favourite feature of these pants are the high-rise seat, ensuring lower back coverage from the elements and the number of pockets (6!) which is an asset for hiking in my books. KÜHL offers a wide range of outdoor clothing, including pants, shirts, and jackets, catering to durability, functionality, and style for your next outdoor adventure.
Anti-Monkey Butt
This is Phil’s go to travel aid. For all the hiking/walking/exploring we do, this anti-chafe has ‘saved his bacon’ many times. If you’re looking for a product to assist with that annoying skin friction, this is one we recommend!
Bag O’Air (Inflatable Lounger)
We’ve had these for about a year now and ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM!! They pack down really well and are easy to set up. We purchased them with the intent of using them as beach chairs (the sand falls right off!) and floaties. They even work well as an inflatable mattress in a pinch. And the pocket on the side if perfect for your food, phone, book, and so many other things.
Day Pack
As we have some hikes planned for this trip, so we’ll need a small backpack to carry essentials including snacks, water and camera(s). Other key items to carry in your day pack include the following:
Reef Safe Sunscreen
We have been searching for a good ‘reef safe’ sunscreen for a while now, and we believe we have found it! Because we will be spending time in the water, and of course, in the sun, we want to ensure we are using the gentlest form of sunscreen, for the oceans’ sake. More and more tropical destinations are banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemicals have been shown to have a negative impact on the world’s coral reefs. So we’ll be doing our [small] part and using oxybenzone and octinoxate-less sunblock.
Bluetooth Speaker
This small sound generator is always a great addition to your packing list! Whether you’ll be chilling at the beach or end up indoors on a rainy day, it’s always nice to have the options to listen to your own playlist. And maybe you make some new friends while traveling who want to share theirs with you 🙂
Natural Bug Repellant
Now that the CDC has officially announced that lemon eucalyptus oil has similar repellent effects to a low powered DEET, we’ll be putting it to the test!There are several DIY recipes available online, including these.
First Aid Kit
This little baby fits in the palm of your hand and contains all the basics you could need for any minor injuries. Always a great thing to have on hand because you just never know what might happen on your tropical adventure.
Head Lamp
Nowadays, many folks use the flashlight built into their phones, which are great! But there are times when you just can’t beat the hands free flexibility of a headlamp. You might need both hands to swat all the bugs away!
Swiss Army Card
This has been one of Kat’s favourite bring alongs for almost 20 years now. It is a handy little tool, similar to a Swiss Army knife, but with a credit card like profile. It comes in handy for MANY situations.
Local Guide Book
Whether you are looking for a Portuguese dictionary or a bird identification guide for your tropical adventure, there are so many great book options! Our go to for all things paper back (or hardcover if that’s your jam) is Thrift Books. They sell books in various stages of ‘used’ and generally at a great deal! So if you are the type who still likes to flip pages when exploring, definitely check out their stock.
Nowadays, there are a lot of apps out there to download as well. Offline translators, species identification guides, maps and much more can also be added right to your phone, making it the ultimate travel tool!
What Else…
As nice as it is to be prepared, there are always some items that you can purchase at your destination if you forget it. And if something slipped your mind, don’t stress too much, after all, you’re on vacation! Unless it’s the boarding passes…then maybe you should start to panic 😉
Read more on our tropical adventures to St. Croix or Costa Rica!
WHAT SPECIAL ITEMS WOULD YOU PACK FOR A TROPICAL ADVENTURE?
