The 7 Items You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-on for Tropical Vacations, According to a Travel Writer (2024)

If the frigid winter season’s got you down, it may be a sign to plan your next sunny escape. As a seasoned traveler who jet-sets to tropical places almost monthly, I’m happiest near the water: basking in the sun, swimming in the ocean, or sailing amongst islands any time of year. If you book now, you can likely score an enticing warm-weather travel deal at the destination of your choice.

As one might guess, I’ve mastered the art of packing my carry-on for a warm-weather getaway and wanted to share the seven essentials I never leave home without. Keep scrolling to get the scoop on my favorite fun-in-the-sun must-haves that keep things comfortable and easy —and always inspire compliments from travelers and locals alike.

TA3 Lifty Swimsuit

I’ve waxed poetic about TA3 swimsuits before, but my love affair with this flattering, functional, female-empowered brand knows no limits. The viral, waist-cinching styles are made of double compression, sculpting fabric and feature a lace-up back to snatch you like you wouldn’t believe. Your figure will look its best while on vacation and the added confidence boost is worth every penny, if you ask me. Now that the line has expanded to shaping dresses, two-piece styles, long-sleeved surf styles (ideal for added sun protection), and more, there’s no reason not to stock up on everything and make TA3 the foundation of your vacay wardrobe.

I recently wore the Lifty on my flight from Los Angeles to Maui with a pair of comfy joggers and slipped right into the Fairmont Kea Lani pool without so much as changing once I arrived to the property. This stylish and supportive one-piece functions not only as a sleek swimsuit for poolside lounging, but also as a versatile bodysuit (just pair it with linen pants or a flowy skirt for a night out), and it works well as shapewear when you’re in a pinch, too!

Athleta White Button-Down Blouse

If there’s one top you pack for a tropical vacation, let it be a quick-drying, wrinkle-free white button-down shirt. This classic silhouette can be worn in countless ways: paired with leggings (like Lululemon leggings or my favorite high-waisted style by Tavi Active) on the flight, worn loose over your bathing suit as a breezy cover-up, or draped around your shoulders at dinner to protect against pesky mosquitoes or ward off unexpected ocean breezes. You can also knot this one at the waist and pair it with denim shorts for an on-the-go outfit for a day of sightseeing like I recently did while exploring the vibrant art scene in Miami. This timeless style from Athleta is my top pick because it’s wrinkle-resistant, breathable, quick-drying, and made of UPF 50+ material, which will certainly come in handy when you’re visiting somewhere hot and humid. Pro tip: It dries easily if you drape it on your hotel balcony, as I did almost daily during my stay at the Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort.

Oofos Oomega Oolala Sandals

The more I travel, the more I crave comfort, and Oofos shoes never fail me. These active recovery sandals cushion and support my feet with every step and absorb impact thanks to their patented pillowy footbed design. Whether you’re strolling the beach or wandering around a luxe resort, these bouncy sandals will energize your arches like you wouldn’t believe. On a recent stay at the stunning Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, I repeatedly wore these chic sandals from the expansive spa to The Biostation anti-aging and wellness clinic to the rooftop pool to the beach, the boardwalk, and back day after day — and felt completely relaxed (and maybe even a little more youthful) from my head down to my toes.

Aloha Collection Mid Pouch Organizer

I never leave home without a few splash-proof pouches from Aloha Collection in tow. The whimsical Hawaiian-inspired prints immediately put me in vacay mode while simultaneously keeping my liquids safe in my favorite Samsonite carry-on suitcase. Everything from the brand is lightweight, affordable, and made of 100 percent coated Tyvek material, which makes them super easy to clean. They take up virtually no space and come in various sizes and silhouettes (including hip packs, totes, dopp kits, and duffels) so you can toss your sunscreen (my current favorites are from Australian Gold and Murad), protective lip oils, bug sprays, and more while en route to paradise with zero risk of leaks or spills.

The pouch is also perfect for keeping wet swimwear separate from dry goods in your beach backpack, and it can even double as a casual clutch for a night out.

Case-Mate Waterproof Phone Pouch

A trusty waterproof phone pouch is a must anytime you’re near water, and this shimmery design from Case-Mate is by far my favorite (and I’ve tested several!) Aptly named Soap Bubble, this fully protective phone pouch shimmers on the sand or in the sea (a rather useful feature I quickly discovered when I accidentally left it behind on a rock on a private island in Loreto and could quite literally see it glistening it back at me from the ocean) and never felt so grateful that I selected a super sparkly holographic case.

The clasps are secure and easy to maneuver for quick transitioning when you need easy access to your phone; while the high-quality soft TPU material allows for touchscreen success time and time again. I used this pretty pouch during an epic Hawaiian outrigger canoe experience at the idyllic Fairmont Kea Lani, and it allowed me to capture the mesmerizing sunrise and unforgettable whales in the ocean — without any worries.

Tripole Mini Handheld Fan

Every time I touch down in a hot and humid place (I’m looking at you, Costa Rica and the Caribbean), I whip out this personal handheld fan while waiting in the Customs line, and I’m immediately in better spirits than most of my fellow passengers. This small-but-mighty miracle worker comes in 11 appealing colors and efficiently cools me off with a touch of a button.

During a recent stay at the stunning Vidanta Los Cabos, I kept my handheld mini fan near me at all times — while watching flamenco dancers at El Bar Co, lounging at The Reserve Beach Club, or taking in the view from my sizable suite balcony — and felt drastically more comfortable in the balmy weather than without it. For just $10 at Amazon, you can’t beat this low price and should probably pick one up for everyone else in your travel group, too.

Sallyander No-Bite-Me All-Natural Bug Repellent

Bugs absolutely love to prey on me, which means I have tried and tested just about every single repellent on the market. My favorite one is this affordable, all-natural formula that protects you against mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and ticks and doubles as both a repellent and an anti-itch cream in one. The compact jar lasts practically forever, and it actually smells lovelier than one might expect. I never have to worry about this one leaking in my bag since it’s a cream consistency, and it’s also safe to use on little ones, too. I also swear by these convenient wipes that I always stash in a small daypack or evening clutch when I’m trying to be as minimalistic as possible.

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