What to Pack For Your Next Island Getaway, From TSA-Friendly Faves to Hollywood’s Go-To Swimwear

With Curaçao's upcoming North Sea Jazz Festival in mind, we've curated your style, beauty and tech packing list for hot and humid weather.

By Natalie Alcala

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Natalie Alcala

@nataliealcala

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One thing to consider when you’re packing for the Caribbean or a similar stunning seaside destination is that island time is the vibe. Once you’re out there, it’s as if the clock is just a construct, and going with the flow is all that matters. Your outfits and glam routine should follow that same low-maintenance approach. Think mini (aka TSA-friendly) versions of all your beauty faves, so you can keep them in your carryall bag to freshen up on the go. Or a single versatile hair tool that offers salon-style tresses in one easy swoop anytime, anywhere. (Hello, humidity.) Or chic swimwear and sandals that work day to night.

Wondering what to pack for your next vacation in hot and humid weather? Read on for the best fashion, beauty and tech products to pack for the Caribbean and other island destinations.

Jisulife Portable Turbo Mini Handheld Fan

$59.49 $69.99 15% off

Buy at Amazon

You can’t always bank on an ocean breeze to cool you down. We recommend Jisulife’s ultra-powerful handheld turbo mini fan, which has an adjustable wind speed of up to 9m/s with a simple scroll. We like that it can be used as a backup phone charger, too.

Project Reef SPF 50 Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick

$22 at Amazon

Curaçao is much closer to the equator than, say, California — so you’ll want to dial up your sun protection. Hawaii-based Project Reef’s SPF 50 mineral sunscreen stick is reef-safe, water resistant up to 80 minutes and made with non-nano zinc to protect your skin from UV rays. We love the travel-friendly, liquid-free packaging for saving precious carry-on space and weight.

Fenty Skin Travel-Size Start’r Set with Mineral SPF

$46 AT FENTY BEAUTY

$46 AT SEPHORA

Hydration is key when traveling to tropical and humid climates. We love Fenty Skin’s travel-size Start’r Set, which features TSA-approved mini versions of their bestselling skincare trio. The Total Cleans’r features Barbados Cherry (Acerola), which is loaded with vitamin C and helps brighten skin. The cult-classic Fat Water toner serum features Australian Lemon Myrtle, which helps reduce surface oil and refine pores. Our favorite is the Hydra Vizor Mineral SPF 30 moisturizer, which helps protect against UVA/UVB sun damage while giving skin a major boost of shine-free hydration. Keep this set in your bag to refresh throughout the day.

Oli G Atomic Hair Repair Leave-In Treatment

$30 at Amazon

If you plan on splashing around a poolside resort or diving into the deep blue sea, don’t leave without packing Oli G’s revitalizing leave-in treatment. (Grab the 2.0 fluid ounce version to make it TSA-friendly.) Atomic Hair Repair features a salon-quality formula with natural and botanical proteins that help to rehydrate, repair and get rid of frizz for all hair types and textures. If your outdoor adventures leave you with dry and brittle strands, simply apply one to two pumps of this treatment to your washed and dried mane. Your hair will drink it right up.

T3 Curling Straightener

Speaking of that gorgeous mane of yours, our packing list also needed a versatile hair tool that gets the job done, all-in-one. T3’s new hybrid styler straightens, curls and waves hair in a single pass. Engineered with 360° floating plates that curl and glide to straighten, this versatile tool features T3 Rapid HeatIQ technology, nine custom heat settings, and an ergonomic, lightweight design that makes styling effortless. It heats quickly, maintains a consistent temperature, and smooths without tugging. The result? Glossy, long-lasting results with less damage.

Gooseberry Intimates Bikini

GOOSEBERRY HALTERNECK TRIANGLE TOP, $45

GOOSEBERRY SIDE TIE BIKINI BRIEFS, $35

There’s a reason why Kourtney Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Rodrigo and more stars can’t get enough of Gooseberry Intimates swimwear. Not only is this bikini’s price on point, but the style is incredibly flattering. We love the adjustable ties at the sides to find your perfect fit, the gold hardware that give it an elevated look and the fact that it’s double-lined for added support. Bonus: Gooseberry’s swimwear comes with its own tiny travel bag, which you can toss in your tote bag.

LSpace Luminescent One-Shoulder One-Piece Swimsuit

$198 at Nordstrom

Prefer a one-piece? LSpace’s luminescent one-shoulder swimsuit is finished with a chic glossy seashell to keep you in a beachy state of mind.

Levi’s High Rise Baggy Linen Shorts

$69.50 at LEvi’s

Linen is your BFF in humidity. These high-rise baggy shorts by Levi’s pair perfectly with your bikini while keeping you breezy.

Indego Africa Braided Raffia Bag

$170 at Nordstrom

Cool girls like Kylie Jenner and Zoe Kravitz have been spotted all summer sporting The Row’s Oregon Woven Raffia tote, which will set you bag a cool $2,000. For a more similar, budget-friendly style of this island-hopping essential, we’re loving Indego Africa’s Braided Raffia Bag, made of 100 percent natural raffia palm and featuring a simple, chic design. Measuring at 20 inches wide with a four-inch shoulder strap, this roomy tote can carry all your beach essentials with ease.

Case-Mate IP68 Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch

$15.99 $19.99 20% off

Buy at AMazon

Plan on taking a dip? Case-Mate’s IP68 Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch lets you take your tech along so you can capture your underwater adventures (in up to 1 meter below).

Havaianas Slim Flatform Loop Flip Flop

$48 AT REVOLVE

Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lawrence, Kylie Jenner, Addison Rae, Olivia Rodrigo and many more stars have all stepped into Havaianas’ classic flip flops all season. We love the brand’s elevated flatform version of their cult-favorite sandal, featuring two-tone sides and a modern contrast stitched trim.

Loeffler Randall Jocelyn Checked Raffia Bucket Hat

$95 at Loeffler Randall

$95 at Net-a-porter

While a wide-brim straw hat is a classic choice, a raffia-crocheted bucket hat is a fun, cool take on vacation headwear that offers ample sun protection. Loeffle Randall’s Jocelyn bucket hat is a chic option, similar to styles seen on stylish faves like Kendall Jenner. (It’s also available in green.)

SNDYS Tala Maxi Dress

$118 AT REVOLVE

A swimsuit cover-up that doubles as a stunning gown for cocktail hour? Sign us up. SNDYS’ bestselling Tala maxi dress features open crochet knit fabric in a beautiful floral pattern, an easy slip-on style, and a long length for added elegance.

VidaKush Pearl Shell Earrings

$52 AT VIDAKUSH

A seaside escape calls for seaside-inspired jewelry. We love Hollywood-loved brand VidaKush’s stunning pearl shell earrings, which are 18k gold-plated and feature seashells with freshwater pearls. It’s as if you plucked these stunners straight from the beach.

Samsonite Proxis Global Carry-On Spinner

$500 at SAMSONITE

$500 at Nordstrom

A striking destination calls for striking luggage. Samsonite’s latest carry-on spinner is sleek, nearly indestructible and built to keep pace with wherever you roam. This lightweight yet sturdy spinner features a Roxkin outer shell — a multi-layered material engineered for strength and resilience. Additional highlights include a built-in USB port, an integrated keyless TSA-friendly lock and an expansion feature for flexible packing. This carry-on also comes in a range of vibrant hues, like the sunshine shade-inspired Honey Gold.

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