If you are wondering what to pack for a trip to Bora Bora, this is the post for you. I am a chronic overpacker. I always bring way more clothing than I need. What can I say? I like to have options. The 12 items listed below are ones that even minimalist packers should consider bringing.
Sunscreen
The sun in that part of the world is no joke. And, buying sunscreen there can be very expensive. Typically I wouldn’t recommend taking up valuable luggage space with something that you can buy at your destination, but this is an exception.
Bring as much sunscreen as you can. For the two of us, we used 12 bottles of spray sunscreen and 3 bottles of cream sunscreen for a two week trip. Frankly, we probably did use more since one of the hotels did have sunscreen available at the activities desk. With all that, we still managed to get a burn.
UV protective shirt
As mentioned in the previous section, the sun is really strong. If you are going to be spending any amount of time in the water or partaking in water activities, and you will, a UV protective shirt is a must.
Travel adapter
For visitors from the USA or Canada, you will need a power adapter. My recommendation is to bring a power adapter with multiple USB ports. This will ensure that you are able to charge all your devices without having to pack multiple adapters. And, don’t forget all the cords that you need.
Waterproof Camera
If you are like us, you will on or in the water most of the day. Between sailing, snorkeling and jet skiing, you will want to take pictures. We were really happy with the underwater pictures from our GoPro.
Not in your budget? No problem, there are other great options. You could invest in a waterproof phone case or even a waterproof phone pouch. The pouches are less than $10 and work surprisingly well.
Daypack
For any tour or excursions, a daypack is a must. It’s good to have a bag to stuff your water bottles, sunscreen, towels and other items. If you are thinking of doing a lot of water activities, you might want to consider a waterproof or dry bag.
Sunglasses
I love these sunglasses so much that I have them in several colors. They are comfortable, lightweight and great for traveling or any activity for that matter. And, since they are reasonably priced if you lose or damage them, it’s not a big deal.
Sundress
I have this particular sundress in two different colors and what I like about it is that it is lightweight, doesn’t really show wrinkles and most of all, it has pockets. I don’t like to carry a handbag around while on vacation, so this allows me to free up my hands of my phone, room key, etc. Admitedly, the dress linked below is not of the highest quality, but it is super easy to wash (even in the bathroom the sink) and dries quickly.
Water Shoes
Not an absolute must, but really high on the nice to have list is a water shoes. They are great to wear on boating adventures and out jet skiing. They will protect your feet from rocky sand and coral injuries. On some of the tours that we have taken the dock is unable to dock and so that requires walking sometimes in areas with rocky or coral seabeds.
SWIMSUITS
I swear by versatile swimwear to minimize luggage. Although I never just pack one option, a stylish confortable once piece would be my choice if I could only bring one.
There is no right or wrong answer in the one piece vs. two-piece swimsuits debate. Both suits are wonderful options for a variety of shapes and sizes, and both offer modest coverage and are comfortable choices. This is truly a decision that must be decided by each person.
Cover-ups
Not only do cover-ups protect you from the sun, but they offer some coverage when you’re walking to and from the beach you want something to cover-up, particularly when walking through common areas like the lobby or a bar. At most resorts, your pool may be a bit of a walk, and if you don’t like walking around in just a bikini, then a beach cover-up is a must.
Hat
You’ll want a hat to help protect your hair, eyes, and skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. And those rays are powerful. One that can fold and travel well is your best bet. I’ve had the one linked below for a few years and love it!
Swimsuit cleaner
While on vacation, you can end up earing the same swimsuit multiple times. For me, bringing swimsuit cleaner is a must. These cleaners are specially designed to remove chlorine and salts from the fabric while still being gentle enough to not cause damage to the suit. These cleaners will keep your suit lasting a long time and keep the colors nice and vibrant.
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