Your Island Travel Guide: Planning, Packing, and Snacking
A recent study revealed that 40% of Americans have never left the country. If this describes you, it’s time to get out there and go!
An international island vacation is a great way to enjoy new activities and relax. It takes quite a bit of planning, but that’s what we’re here for.
Keep reading to learn about the steps you should take to plan island travel.
Research the Island
Planning an international trip requires a bit of research, especially if you’ve never been to the destination before. If you opt for island travel, look at the photos of the destination and explore available activities.
Most islands have tourist guides and websites with helpful information on accommodations, holiday packages, local cuisine, and much more.
Read reviews from travelers who have already visited the island to get an idea of what to expect during your stay.
Consider the Climate
It’s impossible to know the exact weather conditions when you book an island trip way in advance. However, you can learn about the overall climate. Find out the best time to visit the island based on the weather.
Visiting a tropical island likely means you plan to spend a lot of time at the beach or pool. Make sure you don’t visit during the rainy season as this can affect your outdoor activity.
If you visit an island in autumn or winter, you might experience different activities other than hanging out on the beach, such as camping and hiking.
Your best bet is to check the average temperatures on the island during the time you plan to visit. This will help you know what to expect and you’ll be able to pack accordingly.
Plan Your Budget
Any vacation requires some budgeting. Think about how much money you can afford to spend during your island travel stay. Research the costs of the following:
- Plane tickets
- Accommodation
- Transport
- Food
- Activities
If budgeting is a large concern for you, visit an island during the slow season. You can also try to get a discount by booking directly through the property owner instead of a third-party website.
There are other options to consider besides plane tickets that might be able to save you money. You can choose to travel by cruise ship or ferry. Visit FerryGoGo to find the best ferry connections.
If it helps, you can create a spreadsheet or use a financial tracking app to stay on top of your finances during your stay. The last thing you want to worry about on vacation is money, so make sure you have enough in advance.
Build an Itinerary
Unless you’re a go-with-the-flow kind of person, you’ll want to make a vacation itinerary of all of the things you’ll want to do during your island stay.
Decide whether or not you want a laid-back vacation or something more active and adventurous. You can always opt for both.
Depending on the island, there might be different activities to choose from, like:
- Swimming
- Scuba diving
- Snorkeling
- Fishing trips
- Sailing trips
- Hikes
Ask yourself what makes a vacation desirable to you and start narrowing down activity choices from there.
In your itinerary, you should also plan for some downtime. Allocate some time for relaxation during the trip so you can enjoy the experience of new things even more.
Know What to Pack
If you’re a last-minute packer, you’re causing yourself more stress than necessary. Luckily, we have a checklist of things you’ll want to pack when staying on an island.
Of course, you’ll need travel documents to get to your island destination like your driver’s license, luggage tags, and flight boarding documents. If your trip is international, you’ll need your passport.
If your vacation is beachy and sunny, these are some essential clothing items you’ll want to pack:
- Swimsuits and cover-ups
- Sundresses
- Formal Dresses
- Pair of jeans
- Underwear and socks
- Lightweight jacket
- Pajamas
If you’re doing a lot of sporty activities, don’t forget to bring some comfortable workout clothes and shoes. Don’t forget your everyday toiletries and electronics. Some miscellaneous items to consider packing include:
- Refillable water bottles
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Goggles and snorkeling gear
- Playing cards and books
- First aid kit
- Sanitizing wipes
One of the most important things you’ll want to bring is a beach tote! Make sure it is big enough to carry all of your stuff to the sand and back. If you are doing more outdoorsy activities, a backpack might be more fitting.
Learn About Local Cuisine
If you’re a big foodie, you probably learn about the local cuisine before every vacation. Knowing the best things to try in a new destination can enhance your overall experience even more.
Research what typical cuisine is like on the island. For example, if you are taking a Hawaiian vacation, you’ll find a lot of traditional Hawaiian food options like:
- Poi
- Laulau
- Poke
- Lomi salmon
- Chicken long rice
Learning about local cuisine can get you even more excited about your trip.
If you are on a diet or have dietary restrictions, this is an essential step when planning your trip. Check out popular restaurant reviews or call your hotel ahead to see what places they recommend to tourists.
If you are staying at a resort, they may have restaurants included in your package that you can learn about on the general website.
Get Ready for Island Travel!
An island vacation awaits! To get ready for island travel, you need to consider planning, packing, and snacking. This guide covers all of that and more!
Research your island destination, consider the climate, plan your budget, and create an itinerary. Once your trip is booked, start packing and learning about local cuisine.
For more informative travel articles like this, check out the other posts on our website.
