Packing For An Overseas Island Holiday
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To get the most out of your overseas island holiday here are some tips to help you when you pack.
Passport
Make sure your passport is current and will not expire not until well after your vacation is complete. This will make your travel hassle-free and is important in the case of an emergency.
Clothing
Most islands have a casual dress code and a lot of time will be spent in a swimsuit, shorts and t-shirt. Include sandals or thongs as footwear for crossing hot sand, and take evening wear for some of the nicer restaurants. If your planning for activities such as hiking make sure you have comfortable walking shoes and some loose cotton clothing.
Sun Protection
Remember to slip, slop and slap. Take a long-sleeve shirt, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses to avoid getting sunburnt. Take your favourite sunscreen (minimum SPF 15+) from home as it may not be available at your destination. Sunglasses with UV protection or polarised will help with glare off the water.
Reading Material
It’s great to relax with a good book or magazine, so pack some reading material, as your choice of English reading on the island might be limited. You may be able to book swap with others at your destination.
Camera
A digital camera is best as you can take hundreds of pictures and delete the ones that didn’t work. You are sure to see heaps of things you want to photograph when you are walking round the island or in the water.
Pack Light
Don’t take too many clothes – most people overpack for island vacations. Make sure you have room in your bag to bring back souvenirs and remember the less luggage you have the quicker you will get through customs.
Research the culture
It’s great to learn a little about where you’re going and know about local traditions. It is often worthwhile buying a travel guidebook or even a basic phrasebook for non-English speaking destinations, as it adds a whole new dimension to your island holiday.
Cash
Even though most locations and restaurants accept credit cards, always keep a small amount of cash. It will be needed for things likes taxis, small purchases, and tips.