The ultimate packing list for your next Caribbean vacation

Islands in the Caribbean tend to stay warm all year long, yet temperatures usually drop to a much more comfortable level at night. With that in mind, I always bring my favorite travel jeans from Mott & Bow. I can wear them to dinner at my resort, or even on my departure flight when I'm arriving to colder weather at home. I like Mott & Bow travel jeans because they're stretchy and extremely lightweight, making them ideal for Caribbean trips and plane rides. My personal favorite is the brand's "mom jean," but I also have a pair of Mott & Bow skinny jeans I like almost as much.

My husband and I tend to visit a lot of all-inclusive resorts where men have to follow a specific dress code. This usually means wearing closed-toe shoes and pants instead of shorts, but my husband typically dresses his outfit up more with a blazer on top of a collared shirt. In the Caribbean, he favors the lightweight, wrinkle-resistant Hopsack Blazer from Bluffworks. This blazer is also machine washable, which is important since he often wears this jacket in tropical climates where heat and humidity certainly take a toll.

In a tropical location like the Caribbean, it's always nice for men to have breathable, lightweight shirts to wear for a nice dinner or a round of golf. My husband's favorites are the jersey polos from HyperNatural, which are made of cool, odor-resistant lightweight fabric. Even better, these shirts are environmentally friendly as they are made without harmful chemicals and dyes, are 95% biodegradable, and are also 100% plastic-free.

A proper rash guard is a must-pack for any trip to the Caribbean, but you want to make sure you buy one that's made of quality materials. The Shady Dreams Long Sleeve Performance Tee for women is the best of the best when it comes to protecting your skin as it comes with UV 30 sun protection and built-in anti-microbial protection. This long sleeve rash guard comes in three colors and sizes range from small to extra-large. You can also opt for a similar style with a built-in hood for added sun protection.

Caribbean or not, if you’re planning to go to the beach then a beach bag is essential. Of course, your beach bag can double as your everyday bag, what’s most important is having a place to carry your go-to items like sunscreen, diapers and wipes for your kids, an extra change of clothes, or a book to read later in the day. The Hoxis Mesh Beach Tote Womens Shoulder Handbag is a good option as it’s not only lightweight, but it also rings in at less than $20.

Even the most beautiful Caribbean beaches often have rocks hidden in the sand, plus there's always the chance you may step on a sea creature. Either way, it helps to have water shoes with you on Caribbean trips, especially if you plan to swim or snorkel directly from the shore. The Aqua X Sport Water Shoe from XERO is lightweight and features a mesh top and toe guard drainage holes for water drainage. These shoes are also quick-drying and come with adjustable laces for a tight, comfortable fit.

Known for its typically sunny skies and warm temperatures, you'll want to have a way to keep the strong Caribbean rays off your face when you're spending time outdoors. The Fringe Brim Straw Hat from Micas is not only sleek and stylish, but it also features a brim that is wide enough to offer prime shade all day long.

While it’s always smart to apply SPF regularly, did you know you can also wear it? That’s right, certain clothing comes with SPF and can give you an extra layer of protection of the sun. A range of products from Salt Life come with this benefit, including The Salt Life Long Sleeve Performance Shirt with 50+ UPF Sun Protection. This shirt is ideal for a day at the beach, an afternoon boat trip, or a day spent hiking in and out of the sun and shade.

The Caribbean may be known for its sunny, tropical weather, but this region also gets its share of rainy days. Having a rain jacket in your bag "just in case" may provide you peace of mind, and it can also come in handy if the weather turns sour during your trip and you still want to spend time outdoors. The Women's WindPac Jacket from Eddie Bauer offers protection from the rain and a built-in hood, and it even folds up into a fanny pack when not in use. This makes it perfect for saving space in your luggage. Eddie Bauer also offers a similar rain jacket for men.

Whether we're planning a cruise or staying in a resort along the coast, I always pack a pair of binoculars. Tropical destinations are full of wildlife, so it's nice to have a pair of binoculars on hand to get a closer look. I love the Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars from Celestron because they're lightweight and compact, making them easy to pack in a backpack or suitcase. This set of binoculars also comes with its own handy carrying case.

Colleen Kelly, who hosts the national PBS travel series, "Family Travel with Colleen Kelly," says she never visits the Caribbean without a portable charger, and that she loves Nimble charging products because they're small but powerful. "These are especially helpful not only for traveling from the airport to your destination but also when you are on those long beautiful Caribbean boat tours that sometimes can last for hours," she says.

Kelly also says you can't go to the Caribbean without a really great camera, and that the GoPro HERO11 Black — which we’ve put through rigorous testing — is the best. Not only is this camera great for action sports like hiking and ziplining, but it's great for snorkeling and diving since it's waterproof up to 33 feet. "The quality of the camera is stunning, and you can take it in the water and shoot amazing footage of the beautiful fish while snorkeling," she says. She adds that her family loves this portable camera for its ease of use and incredible production quality.

Whether you’re planning a hiking trip or going on a snorkeling tour, things tend to get a bit wet in the Caribbean. As frequent Caribbean traveler, Brittanie Harbick of the Travel Squad Podcast knows this and always brings her Piscifun Waterproof Floating Backpack along with her. "It has become my go-to choice for storing my change of clothes and protecting my valuables from water damage," says Harbick. "The added phone case provides peace of mind, allowing me to capture pictures without worrying about my phone getting wet."

Lindsey Puls of Have Clothes, Will Travel says one of her favorite packing items for the Caribbean (or anywhere, really) is the laundry detergent packets from SinkSuds. According to Puls, you can fill up your hotel sink and throw in your swimwear or other fast-drying clothing, wash them up and hang them to dry — helping you save on valuable luggage space. "Bringing these soap packets with me means I only need 2 swimsuits in the Caribbean," says Puls.

Travel agent Deanna Wolff of Wolff World Travel books a lot of clients on Caribbean cruises and at beach resorts, and she always recommends Duk Gear's 100% waterproof, floating cell phone cases. "When my clients come back from their vacations, they're always telling me how the phone case saved their vacation because they accidentally dropped their phones in the water while in the case," says Wolff. And since the phone can be used while inside the case, travelers cans still talk, text, and take pictures and videos — even underwater!

If you’re visiting the Caribbean, there’s a high chance you’ll be near water most days. While the water may be enjoyable to you and I, personal belongings don’t always agree. A waterproof pouch gives you a place to keep your credit cards, cash, and keys on your body without worrying they'll get wet. This two-pack of pouches from Amazon is a good bargain at less than $15, and it can also help you prevent important items from being stolen from your beach chair.

Whether you're spending a week at an all-inclusive resort or you rented an oceanfront villa, you'll want to have a large tumbler that keeps your drinks cold all day long. Enter The YETI Rambler 30 Ounce Tumbler.

You may not need your own cooler if you're staying at an all-inclusive resort, but you absolutely will if you're staying in a regular hotel or resort, a vacation condo, or a beachfront villa. After all, cold drinks and snacks are key to a relaxing day under the sun. Icemule Backpack Coolers are ideal for travel since they fold down flat for transport and come with built-in straps that turn the cooler into a backpack. You could even use this cooler as your carry-on or day pack when you’re not using it as a cooler.

If you're trying to look your best during your Caribbean vacation, you'll want to have an arsenal of hair tools and styling products. The Mini Rose Gold Travel Kit from FoxyBae is perfect for travel since it includes smaller versions of your must-have hair tools — a blow dryer, a curling iron, and a flat iron. This travel kit for your hair also comes in a handy carrying case that helps you keep all your tools neatly organized in your luggage.

Travel blogger Alyssa Nelson of WayWard blog says she always brings reef-safe sunscreen on Caribbean trips, and that all travelers to this region of the world should do the same to protect their skin and the environment. Her sunscreen of choice is Kinfield's Sunshine Set, which includes three types of SPF 35 coverage for your entire body. Nelson says some other reef-safe sunscreen brands are chalky or don't offer sufficient protection, but reef-safe sunscreen from Kinfield manages to apply smoothly without leaving a white residue behind.

You have your reef-safe sunscreen packed, but that doesn't mean your skin won't get a few extra rays. Having some aloe vera on hand just in case you need to soothe sunburned, irritable skin during your trip is never a bad idea. Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion is a great option since it's less than $15, vegan, and made with natural ingredients like aloe, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil.

Like it or not, many Caribbean destinations have a fair share of bugs and mosquitoes. To make sure you're prepared, you should pack a can of bug spray at the very least. You can also buy a 3-pack of Murphy's Natural Mosquito Repellent Balm and bring it along on your trip. This stick-style mosquito repellant can be brushed on your skin just like sunscreen, and it helps keep mosquitoes and other flying insects away for hours on end.

You’ve applied your SPF all over your body, but what about your lips? This often-forgotten about spot is always exposed and easily burns under the Caribbean sun. A lip balm with SPF can help prevent that. The Sun Bum SPF 30 Sunscreen Lip Balm is a good choice because it's not only affordable but it’s also made with Aloe and Vitamin E to keep your lips moisturized all day long.

There are all kinds of swim covers on the market today, but very few of them offer protection from the sun for your skin. The Roll Sleeve UPF Hooded Coverup from AmberNoon is unique because it offers SPF 50+ sun protection for your entire upper body, and it even comes with a hood to keep your shoulders, neck, and head safe from sun damage. This swim cover also comes in eight stylish colors and sizes from extra-small all the way up to 3X.