Packing for the Florida Keys seems like it should be extremely easy: You open up your suitcase and throw in shorts, shirts, bathing suits and you’re good to go. And that’s fine, but you’ll want to expand your packing list to suit the Florida Keys environment. Between the sun, the heat, the humidity, the saltwater, and the mosquitoes you’ll want to make sure that what you’re packing can withstand the tropics. Plus, we put on our list a few things that you might not have thought to bring.
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The Florida Keys Packing List Essentials, Don’t Forget These
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
The Florida Keys are home to the largest living coral barrier reef in the United States. If you do wear sunscreen, you’ll want something that doesn’t do any damage to the reef. We recommend Native Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, it’s reef-safe, 100% mineral zinc oxide, it’s made for your face and your body, plus it has a pear and coconut water scent, so you’ll smell like the tropics.
It blends with no white cast, and it also nourishes and hydrates your skin, not to mention it’s vegan and cruelty free. What more could you ask for?
Polarized Sunglasses
Water reflects the sun and will do a number on your eyes, so you’ll want to make sure that you don’t leave your sunglasses at home. Polarized sunglasses cut the reflection from the water and allow you to see through it. A good pair of sunglasses reduces eyestrain when you’re in the sun and on the water all day.
Costa Del Mar sunglasses are known throughout the fishing community for rugged, good-looking sunglasses. Perfect for when you’re out on the water all day.
If you want more of a classic look, my go to’s are Ray Ban, classic styling, superior optics, and well-made frames will fit you in perfectly in the Keys.
Wide Brim Hat
The best way to keep from getting sun burned is to keep the sun off of you. A good wide brim hat will keep you cool, while it’s keeping the sun off your face. The Columbia Unisex Bora Bora Booney hat comes in a lot of fun colors, offers UPF 50 protection, is lightweight, and it’s easily packable. Bonus, it has a partial mesh upper to let air flow through.
Clothes for Your Florida Keys Packing List
Moisture-Wicking Shirts
Whether you’re wet from sweating in the sun, or you like to hang out in the water with your shirt on, you’ll love these Hanes Cool Dri Performance T-shirts. Available in multiple colors for men and women you’ll want to make sure that you throw a couple of these in your suitcase.
Lightweight Shorts for Your Florida Keys Packing List
90% of the things that you do in the Florida Keys involves water and getting wet. If you’re fishing, boating, or just beach hopping you’ll want clothes that dry easily. Columbia’s clothing line is engineered for outdoor activities, and their PFG gear is perfect for action on a boat or kayaking through mangrove tunnels, plus it looks good.
Columbia has a lineup of great shorts for men that are stylish, lightweight, and perfect for exploring the Keys. For the women, Columbia offers shorts, skorts, and dresses that’ll keep you looking great from the beach to that waterfront table at The Island Fish Company.
Swimwear (Load Up!)
Let’s face it, you’re going to be snorkeling, beaching, fishing, kayaking, and more, so you’ll want to make sure that you have swimwear on your Florida Keys packing list. How many do you need to bring? As many as you think that you’ll wear and then add one more.
Florida Keys Packing List for Snorkeling, Kayaking, and Exploring
Put Water Shoes on Your Florida Keys Packing List
Water shoes are a necessity in the Florida Keys. A lot of the sea floor is fossilized coral and will do a number on your feet if they’re not protected. Saltwater will do a number on the fabric of the shoe so you’ll want to wear something that will hold up to constant abuse.
I’ve been wearing the Keen Newport H2 sandal for years, you’ll see them in a lot of our kayak photos. They hold up to the harsh salt water, they have rugged bottoms so you can wear them hiking, plus they put a cool tiger striped suntan on your feet. They are available in men’s and women’s sizes featuring plenty of colors.
Snorkel Set
The cool thing about the Florida Keys is that you don’t need a boat to go snorkeling. You can just walk off the beach and see amazing marine life. Having your own snorkel set is your key to snorkeling freedom, plus you don’t have to wait in line for rental gear if you are taking an excursion. Ha ha, see you in the water losers!
The Cressi Adult Snorkel set is a perfect add to your Florida Keys packing list. It comes in aquamarine or pink and the fins, mask, and snorkel fit easily into your suitcase.
Dry Bags
The quickest way to ruin your vacation is to watch your $800 camera fall out of the kayak into the water. Keep your camera, wallet, and other valuables safe with the Wise Owl Outfitters Waterproof Dry Bag set. The set has a 5L, 10L, and 20L bag. Perfect for cameras, phones, and all those clothes that you wanted to stay dry, and if you seal them right, they’ll float.
Microfiber Travel Towel
Nothing’s worse than getting out of the water and trying to dry yourself off with a wet towel. Sure, that sea turtle beach towel that you got from the Marathon Turtle Hospital looks great on your chair, but it still takes a while to dry. The Rainleaf Microfiber towel will absorb 5x its own weight of water. Keeping you dry, and your sea turtle beach towel looking good.
Waterproof Phone Case
Actually, there is something worse than a wet towel. Losing your $1000 phone in the water because it slipped out of your hands when you were trying to take a picture of that school of tarpons in the water. Invest in this Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch. It has a lanyard, a window for your camera, and you can actually use your phone while it’s in the pouch. Make sure you buy the two pack so that when your spouse drops their phone in the water, you won’t be blamed for the wreckage.
Underwater Camera
Those waterproof phone cases work really well but do yourself a favor and get a camera that’s actually made for underwater. The Olympus TG-7 is heavy duty, snaps great pics or vids whether you’re under water or on land, and has a 12MP sensor. Plus, it’s easy to use, just point and shoot.
Florida Keys Packing List Additions if You’re Camping in the Keys
Cooler Bag
Perfect for keeping your drinks and snacks cool while you’re tooling down the Overseas Highway or at the campsite. You don’t want to have to go into the big cooler every time you want that “hydrating sports drink”. Pack the Tourit Soft Sided Cooler Bag for extra storage and easy access. It’s great for in the car, in the tent, and it sure beats lugging that 150-pound Yeti to the beach.
Bug Spray
You don’t know pain until you’re in the woods at dawn in the Florida Keys and you’re swarmed by so many mosquitoes that you think you’re in a horror movie. Deeps Woods Off will repel those pesky critters so you can go back to enjoying the sunrise.
Reusable Water Bottle
They’re not going to let you take that Stanley Cup on the flight with you; I think those straws are considered a deadly weapon. The Hydro Flask Travel Water Bottle comes with a non-lethal foldable spout built into the lid. It keeps the sand, and bugs out, and the liquid in. The bottle is insulated stainless steel and fits into cupholders.
Lightweight Camping Chair
Let’s face it, you can only sit on those campsite picnic tables for so long. Take along this Helinox Beach Chair, it’s foldable, comes in a handy carrying case, it’s lightweight and is great for sitting in after a long day of exploring. If you’re going to be camping at Dry Tortugas National Park, the light weight of this chair is perfect, it only weighs 4 pounds.
Put a Camping Lantern on Your Florida Keys Packing List
The Florida Keys can get dark when the sun goes down, Bahia Honda and Curry Hammock are designated Dark Sky areas. While that’s perfect for stargazing, it sucks when you’re trying to get to the bathroom at night. Pack the Glocusent 135 LED Ultra Bright Camping Lantern and brighten your campsite. It’s rechargeable and works great for those spontaneous campsite singalongs or that light night beach rendezvous.
Pack Smart, Pack Light, Pack for Adventure
The Florida Keys are a unique destination: filled with water adventures, tropical weather, and laid-back vibes. Making the right packing choices will get you into “island mode” quicker with less stress. If you’re going to be kayaking mangroves of John Pennekamp, snorkeling off the tip of Indian Key, relaxing on the beach in Marathon, or living it up on Duval Street in Key West, this Florida Keys packing list has you covered.
Florida Keys Adventure Journal: Capture Every Island Moment
Bring your Florida Keys adventure to life with a journal designed for explorers. Track your packing list, daily highlights, snorkeling spots, sunset memories, and every island moment from Key Largo to Key West. This journal keeps your trip organized, intentional, and unforgettable.
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