Here's What to Pack For the Perfect Sun-Kissed Vacation in Maui

"Book Lovers" by Emily Henry ($10)

Mornings in Maui would find me meditating in my suite and relaxing on a sun lounger reading this romcom. I've read all of Emily Henry's books and the cheeky banter between the two main characters in "Book Lovers" is by far my favorite. If you're a bookworm like me, I recommend bringing multiple books (or an e-reader), as I read this one in less than four hours.

Kimire Video Camcorder ($66, originally $90)

In the past six months, I've upgraded my digital-capturing capabilities from my iPhone to a DSLR camera and this handy camcorder. From mornings on the beach to window shopping at local stores to five-course dining experiences and more, I took the Kimire with me everywhere. Its compact size means it easily fits in my purse or backpack and is a tiny bit smaller than my hand. It takes quality video with great sound and accurate stills (even while in motion). Plus, it easily connects to my laptop, allowing me to save and create proper content post-trip.

Béis The Cosmetics Case ($68)

My 4A curls always take on a life of their own in tropical climates, so it was important that I brought all five of my styling products (detangler, leave-in conditioner, curl cream, curl mousse, and gel), along with my shampoo and conditioner. I fit all my hair products, SPFs, makeup, and other self-care goods in this sturdy Béis case. I've had the toiletry bag for two years now, and having stuffed it with up to 42 products before, I know how well it holds up on big trips.

Vuori Studio Half-Zip ($88)

Regardless of where I travel, soaking in the history and traditions of a culture is always high on my list of priorities, so I was excited to discover Fairmont Kea Lani's Rooted in Aloha program. Located at the Skyline Conservation, the hotel allows guests to plant native trees on the slopes of Haleakalā to help preserve Maui's beauty for future generations. For this, I packed my lightweight Vuori long-sleeved top. A tight fit, it blocked out any external air to keep me warm on the short hike to the tree planting.

Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress ($100)

Whenever I'm in Hawaii, I love getting out on the water. And lucky for me, the Fairmont offers 30-minute outrigger canoe tours for all guests. I signed up for an 8 a.m. tour and needed something that could withstand a little ocean water. The Exercise Dress from Outdoor Voices is my perfect one-and-done outfit. It was flexible for getting in and out of the canoe, thanks to the built-in shorts, and it was a breeze to dry (I ended up jumping in once we were off the shoreline).

Nintendo Switch Lite ($200)

Flying to Hawaii from my New York City home takes a little over 10 hours. It was crucial to bring lots of entertainment, so I packed my computer, two books, and my Nintendo Switch. Unsurprisingly, I ended up playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 and NBA 2K25 for the majority of the flight. I also brought my Switch with me on lengthy car rides outside of the town center and occasionally to the pool. The sleek design fits perfectly into my purse and the battery lasts nine hours — making it ideal for long travel days.

Farm Rio Sleeveless Linen Maxi Dress ($270)

Attending a luau is the No. 1 thing you must do in Hawaii. Here, you will experience authentic Hawaiian culture with fresh food, fire dancers, hula, and so much more. On my trip, I went to the Old Lāhainā Lū'au, one of the few venues on Front Street that survived the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. I packed a velvet floral dress to match the energetic aura of Hawaiian culture — and I fit in perfectly. (Pro-tip: I wore the same dress to Pilina, the Fairmont's posh open-air cocktail bar overlooking Polo Beach.) I noticed Maui visitors like to dress up, so I highly recommend packing a fancier dress or two for any nighttime activities.

Natasha Marsh (she/her) is a freelance writer who writes about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Prior to freelancing, she held styling staff positions at The Wall Street Journal, Burberry, Cosmopolitan, British GQ, and Harper's Bazaar.