Packing lists

What to pack for Hawaii in March

March in Hawaii is warm, breezy and green. Beach afternoons sit around 80°F, the ocean is comfortable for swimming, and the humpback whales are still offshore. It is also the tail of the wetter season, so short showers pass over most days, especially on the windward side of each island.

So the list is mostly beachwear and light layers, with two exceptions people miss. A packable rain jacket earns its space on every hike, and if you drive up a volcano for sunrise, the summit can be near freezing. Hawaii is relaxed everywhere, so a sundress or a nice shirt covers even the best restaurants.

Checked

The weather

Daytime high
81°F
27°C at sea level. Upcountry towns run cooler.
Overnight low
68°F
20°C on the coast. Volcano summits drop below freezing.
Sea temperature
76°F
24°C. Cool for the first minute, then perfect.
Daylight
12 h
Sunset around 6:40pm. Hawaii does not change its clocks.

The capsule

A week, one traveler, Boathouse palette. Navy and ivory with chocolate leather, from the beach to dinner on the lanai. A capsule is a few clothes in one palette (a base color, a neutral and an accent) that all go together. The full list below adds what sits outside it.

Boathouse palette · 12 pieces · 16 outfits

Layers

  • Packable rain jacketPackable rain jacket
  • Fleece, for the summitFleece, for the summit

Tops

  • Linen shirtLinen shirt
  • Cotton tankCotton tank
  • Camp-collar shirtCamp-collar shirt

Bottoms

  • Linen shortsLinen shorts
  • Drawstring linen pantsDrawstring linen pants

Dresses

  • SundressSundress
  • Beach cover-upBeach cover-up

Shoes

  • Leather sandalsLeather sandals
  • Water shoesWater shoes
  • Trail runnersTrail runners

Three days from this capsule

Rainy waterfall hike
Volcano summit sunrise
Dinner on the lanai

Shown for one traveler. Packlier packs a capsule like this for each person on the trip.

The full list

Clothes

  • Two or three swimsuits
  • Beach cover-up
  • Four or five light tops
  • Shorts and one pair of light pants
  • A sundress or nice shirt for dinner
  • Packable rain jacket
  • Fleece or warm sweater, for a summit sunrise
  • Rash guard, if you plan to snorkel for hours

Shoes

  • Sandals or flip-flops
  • Water shoes for rocky beaches
  • Trail shoes for muddy hikes

Beach and sun

  • Mineral sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
  • Wide-brimmed hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Dry bag
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Snorkel mask, if you have one that fits
  • Packable daypack

Documents and tech

  • ID or passport
  • Driver’s license, if you are renting a car
  • Reservations for timed-entry parks and summit sunrises
  • Travel insurance details
  • Power bank
  • Downloaded offline maps; coverage drops on remote roads

Toiletries

  • After-sun lotion
  • Insect repellent
  • Any prescriptions, in your carry-on

Gear worth the space

  • A rash guard

    Snorkeling face down for an hour burns the back of your legs and shoulders. A long-sleeve rash guard is easier than reapplying sunscreen in the water.

  • A packable rain jacket

    Light enough to live in your daypack, and all you need for a warm tropical shower on a trail.

  • Trail runners with grip

    Hawaiian trails are red mud and wet roots after rain. A lugged sole is safer than sneakers and lighter than boots.

  • A dry bag

    Keeps your phone and keys dry on a boat tour or a beach where you leave your things on the sand.

80°F at the beach, near freezing on a volcano at sunrise. Packlier fits both into your bag.

Tell it where, when, why, which bag and which palette, and it packs the capsule, checks it against the bag and adds everything that is not clothing. Launching this year on Android, with iOS to follow.

One email at launch, nothing else.