Five things people forget to pack for the Big Island
You will pack swimsuits and flip-flops without me. This list is about the five things that quietly ruin a day when they’re missing, because the Big Island isn’t one climate, it’s several, and you can cross three of them before lunch.
A warm layer
Kīlauea’s summit sits at about 4,000 ft and evenings there are often in the low 50s °F, wet and windy. Maunakea at sunset is close to freezing. A light fleece or down jacket takes no space and turns a shivering half-hour into the best part of your trip.
Mineral sunscreen (and a rash guard)
Hawaiʻi restricts sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, and Hawaiʻi County goes further, so look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. A long-sleeved rash guard means less cream in the water and no burnt back after your first snorkel.
A real rain jacket
Hilo is one of the rainiest towns in the United States and the volcano gets its share too. A poncho from the airport shop will not survive a windy crater rim. Bring a packable shell with a hood.
Water shoes
Many of the best snorkel entries are over lava rock, not sand. Cheap neoprene shoes or sturdy sandals that can get wet save your feet, and let you explore tide pools without wincing.
A headlamp
For walking back from a night-time eruption viewpoint, stargazing on the Saddle or reaching your rental after a late dinner in a town with few street lights. Your phone’s torch drains the battery you need for photos.
Everything else, from snacks to snorkel gear, you can buy or rent on the island.