All excited for your Island Getaway? Here is a convenient checklist to tick to make sure you won’t leave any essentials behind:

1. Sunscreen

As you will be expose to the sun majority of your stay this is a must. Go for no lower than SPF 30 and look for one that has UVA and UVB protection / broad spectrum and look for the following ingredients that block UVA: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, ecamsule, oxybenzone and avobenzone. Suncreen only reduce the harmful rays by 98% so it is important to still stay in shade as much as possible and cover up.

2. Sun protector stick for lips

Don’t forget to also protect easily forgotten exposed area like back of your ear and the lips. Stick type sunscreen is made for the lips and other focus area. Elizabeth Arden has a great sun-protection products including this.

3. Aloe Vera Gel

To minimal the chances of sunburn as well as a speedy recovery/ relieve when you do get sunburn always protect your skin with Aloe Vera Gel afterwards. I always go for one that is as natural as possible to 100% or as close to 100% aloe vera Gel.

4. Masks

Aloe Vera Mask provides awesome cooling sensation and moisturation to your face after sun activity. You don’t need this everyday just apply one when you feel like giving your face a treat.

5. Sunglasses

One of the cause of cataracts is the damaging sun rays so don’t forget to bring your sunnies.

6. Hat

Go for a broad hat to extra protect your pretty face and looks super sweet in it too.

7. Wetsuit

I love these long sleeves and legging that is UV protected. If the sun is not too intense and you are not a fan of applying sticky sunscreen like me just put this one and you’re good to go. Best of all these are so affordable. Other than protect most of your exposed area, if you go to Guesthouse Maldives Maldivian will appreciate that you adhere to their dress-rule.

8. Bathing suit

Because…how could you not bring this.

9. Wet tissue and hand sanitizer

Other than super convenient in place where the water is not always reliable and available , these are basically essential for my travel.

10. Moisturiser

I love the legendary 8 hour cream by Elizabeth Arden. They are super moisturizing and do wonders to sunburned skin.

11. Vaseline/ other ointmen

Other than the 8 hour cream I love to carry Lucas Papaw with me. It is great for burns too and instantly moisturised your lips.

12. Medication

My must have medication are as follows: difflam for irritated throat, telfast for allergy, paracetamol for headache/fever, cold medicine, 2 types of stomach ache/diarrhoea/ vomiting/ food poisoning medicine – a mild one for stomach discomfort and one for severe case (Biodiar is extremely strong medicine for severe vomiting and watery diarrhoea, warning: only use in a severe situation), cotton buds, band-aid, and eucalyptus oil (for chilly nights). Is there any other medications that should be in my medication pouch? Please share on the comment below.

13. Insect Repellent

Forget about the insect-borne disease they potentially carry, sand flies and mosquito can be itchy as hell for days.

14. Plastic bags and zip log bags

Important to keep your wet suit and towel separates from the dry one. Zip log bags make sure the items you keeps in it is extra waterproof.

15. Umbrella

Doubles to protect you under the sun or when the sky suddenly turns cloudy.

16. Poncho

Tropical Island rains often, lightweight poncho (usually made up of very thin plastic) barely take any space in your carry on but will prepare you for any weather.

17. Flashlight

Some island is so small that there are not a lot of street light. This is handy for when you decide to go for night activity.

18. Waterproof footwear

The sand at the beach can be coarse and painful if you are not accustomed to it. This is also great for any water activity. I always loved rubber material footwear from brand like Ipanema. It looks good enough for dress up, secure for water activities and it is washable. Multi-purpose meant less things to carry, the lighter my bag.

19. Flip flop

You can’t go to island and not bring/ wear a flip flop. They are cheap, comfortable and the lightest foot wear to carry.

20. Gloves

Gloves is useful if you are going underwater or semi underwater where there are a lot of corals to prevent getting scratched.

21. Snorkelling gear

If you stay at budget guesthouse, the snorkelling gear they have may be overused. Any fault in gear can be dangerous.

22. Fins

23. Waterproof bags

Waterproof bags makes you ready for any situation and weather.

24. Rug for laying down on the Beach

You know how hard to is to get rid of sands and how hot it is under the sun so this is a life-saver.

25. Reading Material

For those who loves to read there is not many more pleasurable things to do than to lay on the beach and read your favorite books.

26. Backpack

Backpack is a more convenient thing to carry around rather than luggage with wheel on sandy and rocky surface. It is also easy to carry hopping on and off a boat for example.

27. Detergent

You will definitely need to wash you bathing and wet suit. I usually use shampoo to wash clothing if there is no detergent available.

28. Toiletries

29. Light weight Clothing

Light and comfortable clothing will be ideal for usually warm climate Island. Especially those that are easy to dry so you can wash and re-wear, yes to travelling light.

30. Waterproof Camera

Invest in a good quality Waterproof Camera so you can document your adventure. Best waterproof/rugged camera is the Olympus tough and GoPro to document the best action.