19 Top Florida Packing List Items for 2023 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

What to Pack for Florida – 19 Essentials

• 1. Waterproof Phone Case

  You’ll obviously be around water in Florida, and you’re almost definitely going to be using your phone as well. Protecting your devices from water damage should be a top priority, and this waterproof phone case makes that easy! Your phone’s touchscreen and buttons are still accessible and usable while it’s sealed inside, and you can even use the front and back cameras! The price is hard to beat so it fits into any budget.

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• 2. Packing Cubes

  I can’t say enough good things about packing cubes. They make organizing our items much easier, plus they compress bulky items down to save space in our luggage. I also like that I can move the smaller cubes between my luggage and my daypack with ease. This is especially handy when traveling with children.

  Available on HeroTravelSupply.com with an exclusive 15% discount using the coupon code “HERO”.

  Or view them on Amazon.com ➜

• 3. Swimsuit Cover-Up

  A swimsuit cover-up is essential, but often forgotten. When you’re lounging poolside or on the beach, you won’t feel like wearing clothes, but it’s nice to have a lightweight cover-up to wear for sun protection. It’s also handy to throw on over your suit when you’re running out for lunch or to grab a drink. This cover is adorable and so flattering!

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• 4. Travel Towel

  Sun, beach and relaxation; that’s what I think of when Florida comes to mind. Use this travel towel to quickly dry off from a quick dip in the ocean or lay it down to enjoy a sand free beach picnic. This is the perfect towel for people on the go as it lightweight, super absorbent and easily tucks away in any bag. When you bring a travel towel with you to Florida it makes all things possible.

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• 5. Rash Guard

  I’m an active person, and I love water sports. I use a rash guard frequently to protect me from the sun and from friction caused by sports gear like surfboards. These rash guards are family favorites. They’re both well fitted and extremely comfortable, and they don’t make you feel overheated even when wearing them in direct sun. In fact, they keep you cooler while also adding SPF protection of 50+!

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• 6. Windproof Travel Umbrella

  Though you can expect a lot of warm, sunny days in Florida year round, you will also likely encounter at least one rainy or partly rainy day during your trip. Be prepared for the weather by packing a reliable windproof travel umbrella like this one.

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• 7. Gorgeous Outfit

  A great, flattering outfit can do wonders for your comfort and confidence while you’re out on the town. Bring a rockin’ outfit like this one to wear when you feel like getting dressed up a little – you’ll be glad you did!

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• 8. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

  During your time in Florida, you will likely be using your smartphone for all manner of things, including navigation, photos, communication, music, and more. Don’t get stuck with a dead phone or camera battery when you need it most! Instead, toss this lipstick-sized portable charger in your purse or daypack to charge your devices on the go.

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• 9. Cooling Towel

  Many people are surprised to learn that the water in Florida isn’t especially cool. Taking a dip in the ocean or in a pool isn’t going to cool you down much unless there’s a good breeze that day. That’s where this cooling pad comes in. It’s very easy to use and reusable so that you can drape it over your neck, back, arms, or head if you need to cool down while out and about.

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• 10. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

  Any time you connect to WiFi on your phone or laptop in public places, such as in hotels, airports, or internet cafes, you leave yourself vulnerable to potential hackers. By using a VPN, you eliminate the risk of leaving your sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and password, exposed. As an added perk, a VPN can also help you get around paywalls on popular news sites that restrict your monthly article views.

  View NordVPN.com Options ➜

• 11. Neck Wallet

  It’s always a good idea to keep your valuables, like passport, smartphone, wallet, keys, and credit cards organized and secure whenever you’re traveling. Use this handy neck wallet to house your valuable belongings and wear it tucked under your clothes for optimal protection.

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• 12. Water Shoes

  Water shoes are often overlooked, but they deserve a place in your Florida luggage. They’re wet and dry comfortable, supportive, quick-drying, and self-draining so you don’t have to slosh around in soggy shoes after strolling along the shore or exploring tidal pools and reefs. I especially like these ones since they’re as comfortable as tennis shoes but they have holes for sand and water to drain out. I regularly wear mine hiking, snorkeling, and swimming.

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• 13. Travel Insurance for Florida

  If Florida is more than 100 miles away from home for you, it’s important that you’ve got solid trip protection! Plans from TravelInsurance.com are always our top pick whenever we go anywhere, as they cover a wide range of activities and include a ton of affordable options. Plus, you can easily compare policies from top companies on their website to find the best option for you and your travel plans.

  Compare policies at TravelInsurance.com ➜

• 14. Waterproof Drybag

  The theme for Florida is water protection, and your activity bag should keep with that trend. A drybag is incredibly handy when at the beach, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, or doing anything else that involves risking your belongings getting wet. Pop your items into the bag, roll it up tightly, clip it closed, and sling it over your shoulder like a regular backpack, and know that your items will stay dry the whole time. The bag will even float if dropped in the water.

  Pro Tip: When choosing a size for your drybag, it’s better to get a larger bag than a smaller one. In order to work properly, the top of the bag must be rolled several times before being clipped in order to be truly waterproof, and a small bag can’t do that it’s overstuffed.

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• 15. Deet-Free Mosquito Wristbands

  Florida is notorious for mosquitos, so plan to protect yourself and those you’re traveling with from bites. I prefer these wristbands because I can slip one on and forget about it – it’ll protect me all day with fewer chemicals. However, I also like to layer on a deet-free insect repellent spray when I’m in a particularly buggy area, just in case!

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• 16. Deodorant Wipes

  A combination of heat, humidity, and outdoor activities will leave you sweaty and grungy at times. I can’t stand feeling this way when I’m not able to shower, so I carry these wipes with me whenever I travel. They’re individually-wrapped and safe for sensitive skin, so I can use one or two to freshen up whenever I need to.

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• 17. Natural Hand Sanitizer

  We’ve all become a bit obsessed with hand sanitizer this last year, and rightly so. This bottle not only kills 99% of germs, but it smells great too and works like a charm. It sometimes can be hard finding a place to clean up quickly, but this hand sanitizer not only makes it doable, but hassle free. Feel fresh, clean and safe on your trip to Florida when you have this in your bag.

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• 18. Affordable Underwater Camera

  It sucks to miss out on photos of water activities simply because you’re worried about your camera. I didn’t want to buy a really expensive underwater camera but I also didn’t want to compromise image and video quality. This camera is a great balance of the two at an affordable price.

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• 19. Beach Bag with Cooler

  A beach bag is an obvious essential, but one with a cooler is next-level awesome. This one has plenty of beach item storage, plus enough room for drinks and snacks to keep you refreshed while you’re having fun in the sun!

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