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Family Packing List for Maui, Hawaii
Maui asks families to pack for tropical beaches and a 3,055m / 10,023ft summit in one suitcase: reef-safe sun care at sea level, rain and carsickness on the Road to Hana, and near-freezing wind before a Haleakalā sunrise.
Updated July 2026
Quick answer
For 7 days in Maui, pack two swimsuits and a rash guard per child, mineral sunscreen whose only active ingredients are zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, water shoes, a packable rain shell, and motion-sickness supplies for the 600-plus curves to Hana. Add trousers, closed shoes, a fleece, warm jacket, hat, and gloves for a reserved Haleakalā sunrise: the summit is 3,055m / 10,023ft and pre-dawn temperatures can approach freezing despite 29°C / 84°F Kahului afternoons.
At a glance
- Haleakalā sunrise:
- $1/vehicle reservation; released 60 days ahead at 7am HST, with a small batch 2 days ahead; separate $30/vehicle entry
- Maui mineral-only sunscreen rule:
- Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide only since Oct 1, 2022; fines up to $1,000
- Plug / currency:
- Type A/B, 120V / US dollar (USD)
- Road to Hana:
- 600+ curves and about 50 one-lane bridges
- ʻĪao non-resident fees:
- $5 entry age 4+ and $10 parking; advance reservation required
- Whale season:
- Dec–Apr; peak sightings commonly Jan–Mar
Sample checklist preview
7 days · 2 adults · 2 childrenWhat the generator starts with for this trip type — you can edit everything in the next step.
- Swimsuits×1
- Hats×1
- Dress Shirts×1
- Dresses×2
- T-shirts×2
- Pants×2
- Shorts×2
- Socks×3
- Underwear×3
- Sleepwear×2
- Casual Sandals×1
- SunscreenShared (1)
The full generator adjusts these for weather, laundry, travelers, and destination.
What actually matters in Maui
- •Pack one genuinely warm summit outfit per person for Haleakalā: at 3,055m / 10,023ft, pre-dawn temperatures can approach 0°C / 32°F while Kahului is tropical.
- •Maui County Ordinance 5306 allows only mineral sunscreen whose active ingredients are zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide; since October 1, 2022, sale, use, or distribution of non-mineral sunscreen can draw fines up to $1,000.
- •Carry kid-appropriate motion-sickness treatment and bags for the Road to Hana, which packs more than 600 curves and roughly 50 one-lane bridges into a long, stop-start day.
- •Put a packable rain shell and dry bag in the Hana daypack: windward East Maui receives frequent short showers even when Kihei and Wailea are sunny.
- •Check the lunar calendar before south- or west-shore swims; box jellyfish can arrive about 9–10 days after each full moon, and posted warnings override the itinerary.
- •Match beaches to season: November–March brings powerful north-shore surf around Hoʻokipa and Peʻahi, while protected south-shore beaches such as Kamaʻole are usually better for young swimmers.
- •Choose accommodation around laundry: a Kihei condo with a washer lets a family pack 4 days of clothes for a 7-day trip; a full-service Wailea resort trades that convenience for pools and housekeeping.
- •Pack US Type A/B charging plugs and USD; UK Type G and Australian Type I travelers need adapters, while Canadian Type A/B devices usually plug straight in.
- •Consider a day-one Costco or Walmart gear run: families report spending about $80–120 total on boogie boards, beach chairs, an umbrella, and budget snorkel sets versus roughly $30–50 per day to rent, then donating usable gear before departure.
- •Schedule snorkeling and paddling before about noon: Maui trade winds commonly strengthen in the afternoon, while morning water is usually calmer and clearer.
- •Add hand warmers and a condo blanket to Haleakalā layers; the summit road has 21 unlit switchbacks, and the pre-dawn drive commonly takes about 1.5–2 hours from Kihei.
Typical weather by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 65°F | 8 |
| Feb | 27°C / 81°F | 18°C / 65°F | 8 |
| Mar | 28°C / 82°F | 19°C / 66°F | 9 |
| Apr | 28°C / 83°F | 19°C / 67°F | 8 |
| May | 29°C / 85°F | 20°C / 68°F | 6 |
| Jun | 30°C / 86°F | 21°C / 70°F | 4 |
| Jul | 31°C / 87°F | 22°C / 71°F | 5 |
| Aug | 31°C / 88°F | 22°C / 72°F | 5 |
| Sep | 31°C / 88°F | 22°C / 71°F | 5 |
| Oct | 31°C / 87°F | 21°C / 70°F | 7 |
| Nov | 29°C / 84°F | 20°C / 69°F | 8 |
| Dec | 28°C / 82°F | 19°C / 67°F | 9 |
Typical monthly averages for planning. Check a forecast closer to your trip.
Seasonal things to plan around
- 9–10 days after each full moonBox jellyfish can reach south and leeward beaches; check warnings and keep children out when posted.
- Nov–MarLarge winter surf and rip currents on north shores including Hoʻokipa and Peʻahi; favor lifeguarded, protected beaches.
- Dec–AprHumpback whale season; book boats early and bring a wind layer for morning departures.
- Jun–NovCentral Pacific hurricane season; direct Maui impacts are uncommon but travel disruption and heavy rain are possible.
- Year-round on windward East MauiFast rain showers can wet Road to Hana trails and make waterfall rocks slippery; carry rain shells and grippy shoes.
Common Maui packing mistakes
- •Taking only beach clothes to a 10,023ft Haleakalā sunrise; the summit can approach 32°F before dawn and sunrise entry from 3am–7am requires a reservation.
- •Bringing any non-mineral sunscreen to Maui; since October 1, 2022, Maui County allows only zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide active ingredients and provides fines up to $1,000.
- •Starting the Road to Hana without motion-sickness supplies; its 600-plus curves can turn the first hour into the end of a family day.
- •Treating every Maui beach as calm in winter; north-shore surf is largest November–March, so families should check lifeguard flags and favor protected south shores.
- •Arriving at ʻĪao Valley without the required non-resident reservation; current fees are $5 per visitor over age 3 plus $10 parking per non-commercial vehicle.
- •Packing 7 full outfits in a condo with a washer; planning one midweek wash can cut children’s clothing to about 4 days.
Notes by where you're traveling from
From the US
- •Nonstop flights from the US West Coast to Kahului take roughly 5–6 hours; East Coast journeys are commonly 11–14 hours with a connection.
- •No plug adapter or currency exchange is needed: Maui uses Type A/B, 120V and USD.
- •Domestic TSA rules apply; Hawaiʻi agriculture inspection checks baggage for restricted plants and produce.
From the UK
- •London to Maui is typically 17–22 hours with at least one connection, often on the US West Coast.
- •A US ESTA is required for eligible Visa Waiver Program travelers, including when connecting on the mainland.
- •Pack a Type G-to-A/B adapter and verify chargers read 100–240V. Expect roughly 10–11 hours of time difference and plan a quiet first day.
From Canada
- •Vancouver to Kahului is about 6 hours nonstop in season; Toronto commonly takes 11–14 hours with a connection.
- •Canadian Type A/B plugs work without an adapter, but prices and payments are in USD.
- •Canadian passport holders normally do not need ESTA for US entry by air.
From Australia
- •Sydney or Melbourne to Maui is commonly 14–18 hours via Honolulu or a West Coast connection.
- •Eligible Australian travelers need a US ESTA; pack a Type I-to-A/B adapter.
- •The 20–21 hour time difference can feel like crossing the date line twice to children, so protect the first 24 hours from fixed tours.
Venue and attraction rules
- Haleakalā National Park sunrise
- Entry from 3am–7am requires a $1-per-vehicle Recreation.gov reservation, released 60 days ahead at 7am HST with a small batch 2 days ahead; it is separate from the $30 vehicle entrance fee.
- ʻĪao Valley State Monument
- Out-of-state visitors need advance entry and parking reservations; current fee is $5 per person age 4+ plus $10 per non-commercial vehicle.
- Road to Hana
- More than 600 curves and about 50 one-lane bridges; never park on the highway or block residents, and do not enter private land at waterfalls.
- Hoʻokipa Beach Park
- Winter north-shore surf can be hazardous; obey lifeguard signs and view sea turtles from at least 10ft / 3m without touching or feeding.
FAQ
Do I really need a jacket for Maui?
Yes for Haleakalā. The summit is 10,023ft / 3,055m and pre-dawn temperatures can approach 32°F / 0°C. Pack trousers, closed shoes, fleece, warm jacket, hat, and gloves for every child attending sunrise.
What sunscreen is legal in Hawaii?
On Maui, County Ordinance 5306 is stricter than Hawaiʻi’s statewide oxybenzone/octinoxate sales ban: since October 1, 2022, only mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide active ingredients may be sold, used, or distributed, with fines up to $1,000.
What should kids take on the Road to Hana?
Pack age-appropriate carsickness treatment, vomit bags, water, snacks, rain shells, grippy shoes, and a dry bag. The road has more than 600 curves and about 50 one-lane bridges, so schedule frequent legal stops.
When are box jellyfish a problem in Maui?
Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety says swarms regularly reach south and leeward shores about 9–10 days after a full moon. Maui occurrence varies by beach, so check the monthly calendar and obey any posted warning.
Is a condo or resort better for families in Maui?
A Kihei or Kāʻanapali condo with kitchen and laundry suits 7-night stays and lets you pack about 4 days of clothes. A Wailea resort costs more and may charge for laundry, but adds housekeeping, pools, and on-site meals.
When can families see whales in Maui?
Humpback season runs roughly December through April, with the most reliable sightings commonly January–March. Pack a light wind layer for boat trips and choose an operator that follows federal approach rules.
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