What to Pack for a Tropical Vacation : The Ultimate Beach Vacation Packing Guide

Whether your next vacation is to Hawaii, Mexico, Bali or Bora Bora, or on a  beach getaway in the USA, these cute vacation outfits will have you feeling ready for your first day at the beach before you even step on the plane. From cute vacation swimwear, to resortwear, cover ups, beach bags, and everything in-between, here are my favorite vacation outfits for any vacay I go on. 

What should you pack for a tropical vacation?

Tropical beach vacation essentials

• Sunscreen 
• A sun hat
• Swimwear + Cover ups (I have lots of recommendations below!)
• A pair of tennis shoes for hiking or the gym
• Sandals
• A cute beach bag
• Jewelry
• Casual daytime outfits / resorting outfits
• Dressier nighttime dinner outfits

The best women’s outfits for a tropical vacation

 

Wow I’m obsessed with this set above.

   

 

  

 

 

How Hamptons or St. Barths chic is this?

The absolute best jean shorts I’ve EVER owned

Our favorite matching his-and-hers kimono and swim trunks

Daytime dresses & resortey outfits 

Perfect for: going into town in Cabo San Lucas, shopping the streets of Bali, a chic lunch overlooking the sea in Positano, a wine tour in the South of France

   

 

   

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also love this dress for a bride-to-be on her destination wedding weekend, or a beach rehearsal dinner dress!

 

Nighttime outfits

Perfect for: Resort dinners in Hawaii, sunset seshes in Fiji, girls night out in Tulum, sunset dinners on the beach in Jamaica, underwater restaurants in the Maldives, chic nights in Miami and private bungalows in Bora Bora

 

 

 

 

The best shoes to pack for a beach vacation

I would do a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of flip flops (love these casual birkenstock brand ones!), some cute sandals for dressing up or cute day outfits, and maybe a pair of heels for a fancy resort night dinner.

These are my go to sneakers for working out, anywhere – they are the comfiest things EVER. 

These are my favorite flip flops for travel, beach days, anything and everything. These things are so high qual, comfy and cute. I bring them on every trip, and Kenny has a pair of the men’s that he LIVES in. 

Swimwear, beachwear, and cover ups

Perfect for: a resort day in Maui, a beach day in Bali, a pool party in Vegas, island-hopping in the Maldives, a beach club in Saint Tropez, yachting in Monaco 

This tie-dye bikini is everything

 

  

Chic sunglasses

These are my favorite sunglasses – they’re so chic and they look good on EVERYONE who tries them on – seriously have turned so many girlfriends onto this brand. They’re soooo high quality. Cannot recommend enough. 

Sunscreen

This is my GO TO sunscreen – I’m obsessed. It doesn’t feel like ANYTHING on your face and keeps you protected under your makeup or alone. It’s amazing.

The best beach bags for a vacation

The best sun hats for a beach vacation

Love everything Hat Attack does – their quality is SO superior – and my favorite part of buying hats from Revolve is the easy returns if it doesn’t fit right – they include the return label right in your package so all you have to do is stick it in the mail if you don’t like it. 

 

I’ve had this hat below for YEARS and it is one of the best quality hats I’ve ever owned.

Beach Accessories!

sooo brilliant for a towel to have an umbrella hole!!!

Check out these other posts:

Cute tie dye bikinis for summer

Cute face masks

The best wine glasses 

The best gifts to send in quarantine

the best beachwear brands

The best bralettes for every cup size

The best wine glasses

Bora Bora vs the Maldives

The best travel reward credit cards – how to earn points and travel the world for ‘free’