The Ultimate Bahamas Packing List, What Should I Bring?
Our family is travelling this year to the Bahamas, there are as usual 4 of us. 2 adults and 2 children. At this time of our lives the kids are 3 and 6yrs old. We intend on staying in Nassau for the 2 weeks and to island hop to see the rest of the country. We will be writing about all of the experiences we have here. While we were packing for our trip, I quickly realized that there is very little information online about what you should pack for a Bahamas trip. This is why we decided to create the ultimate Bahamas packing list. This article will have details of all of the things you should pack including a lot of things you might not even think of!
Bahamas Packing list for men. What should I pack for the Bahamas for a 2 week trip?
1. 2-3 Swimming trunks
You will literally live in short in the Bahamas
2. Goggles or a snorkel set
I used mine almost every day at the pool or in the ocean
3. 3-4 Shorts
I like bringing neutral colours so that I can wear them with more shirts. Some of the colours I like are black, white, Beige (kaki) etc. When I am travelling I always choose wrinkle free as much as possible.
4. 3-4 T Shirts
It will be warm almost every day of your trip, you will want to have a lot of t-shirts on hand
5. 2-3 Short Sleeve dress shirts
This is for the evening more than anything, If you are going out for dinner or visiting one of the big hotels. Some of the best family pictures we ever got were in these hotels. They are insta grammers paradise!
6. 3-4 tank tops or substitute for extra t-shirt
I love tank tops, they keep me the coolest!
7. 7-9 Boxer shorts or underwear
In a 2 week trip, we usually do laundry once, so 7-9 underwear should be good enough.
8. 1 Sweatpants/dress pants or jeans to wear on the plane
I bring one sweat pants on every trip and wear it on the plane or in the hotels when the ac is high.
9. 1 Belt
10. Watch
Don’t bring your most valuable watch as it will draw more attention than you would want. I usually bring a smart watch, so that I can count my steps etc. It helps remind me that I need to exercise on the trip.
11. 1 Hat
I like to go for jogs in the morning, and sometimes just run down to the lobby of the hotel for a drink. Its nice having a hat with you. And on really sunny days it gives you much needed portable shade!
12. Sunglasses
Protecting your eyes is very important in high intensity sun. The water magnifies the suns ray’s, so when I go to the beach I am always wearing sunglasses.
13. Running shoes
If you plan on exploring around, you will need running shoes. Some of the big hotels are monstrous in size, and it can take an entire day to walk around the entire hotel.
I found that the transportation around Nassau and Paradise island was expensive, so we tried to walk around as much as we could.
14. Exercise shirt and shorts
If you plan on jogging, then I recommend bringing breathable exercise cloths that will get rid of sweat quickly.
15. Wedding ring lol
16. 1 light jacket or hoodie
I wore my hoodie on the plane and a few times on breezy evenings there. Especially if it is raining, it can feel cool some days in the Bahamas
17. 1 beach bag
I have a backpack I load up and take to the beach with me every time. Do not take valuables, keep it simple. Towel, water bottle, goggles etc.
18. 1 Awesome carry on back pack or luggage
I take a large carry on backpack with waist straps and shoulder straps. It allows me to keep all of my electronics and the kids toys in one place. I always pack it with an extra set of clothes for the kids and myself, just in case someone pukes on the plane!
19. 5-6 Socks
The reason I say 5-6 for this time frame is because most days you will wear your sandals all day.
20. Sandal or flip flops
These are essential, I should have put this at the top of the list.
What toiletries should men bring for the Bahamas?
1. Electric shaver or razor
2. Face cream
I really hate hotel cream, it never does the job. And the AC is pumped pretty high in some of the hotels, so it can make your skin crack if you not moisturizing.
3. Comb or brush
4. Hair gel or hairspray
Bring your own, you will not find the same stuff you use in the Bahamas.
5. Tooth brush
Hotel toothbrushes….suck.
6. Travel sized toothpaste
7. Sun Block or cream
8. Lip Balm
9. Retainers or mouth guards
10. Contact lenses or glasses
11. Nose and ear hair trimmer, beard trimmer
What Electronics should I bring for a trip to the Bahamas?
1. Laptop
2. Bluetooth speaker
3. Go Pro and all accessories
I can’t live without a go pro or action camera on Vacation. It is one of the best investments if you like snorkelling or scuba diving.
4. Drone
5. Cell Phone
6. Tablet
7. Headphones or wireless headset
8. Handheld video games like a Nintendo Switch
9. Laptop charger
10. Cell phone charger
11. international charging station
12. External Hard drive
13. Smart Watch and charger
7 Accessories to Pack for a Bahamas trip
1. Snorkel Set
If you rent snorkel sets, you never know if they have been dissentfected properly. Especially now with all of this covid 19 virus stuff going around, I will not put my mouth on anything that has been in someone else mouth. You can get a good and cheap snorkel set at costco in your home country for less than what they will rent one for anyways. Then its yours forever.
2. Water shoes
I always encourage our kids to wear water shoes when they go in the water. I have step on urchins that have stabbed through my foot, coral that has cut me and rocks etc in the ocean. You have to be really careful as the ocean can push you around. Having water shoes will save you from a to of pain. Trust me on this one.
3. Water knife
I bring this as a precaution, you never know what you are going to find in the water. It can be as little as garbage in the water wapping around your leg, having a water knife can save you.
4. Inflate-able diving marker
If you snorkel a lot these are really good, as they are compact and will show boats or your dive buddies where you are in the water.
5. Dive Watch
If you are scuba diving, a dive watch is an asset.
6. Spear for spearfishing
I like to catch my own food, and have a lot of fun doing it. I bring a portable spear with me so that I can spear fish, its soooo much fun.
7. Underwater/overwater camera dome
This is one of my favourite camera accessories because it takes a picture underwater and overwater showing both images in one shot.
8. Wetsuit or shark skin top
The time of year we went (febuary) the water was pretty cold, having my shark skin top made going in the water a lot more tolerable.
9. Fishing rod (collapsible)
You can buy one of these on Amazon for $30. Its fun, my son and I fish around with shrimp and usually catch some fish. I am all about saving a buck or two and this is a free excursion for us.
10. Tackle/ Hooks/weight
Some of the packages on Amazon and Wal mart come with some tackle. I recommend bringing the bare minimum, just hooks and weights. Ocean fish like simplicity.
11. A book or kindle
Its so relaxing to sit and read on the beach. I read more books while on vacation compared to any other time.
12. Corkscrew or bottle opener
Cant forget this for cracking a beer or wine bottle! Its cheaper to buy your liquor from the grocery store than it is in a hotel!
Bahamas Packing list for women. What should women pack for 2 weeks in the Bahamas?
Makeup
Shoes (Dress)
Sandals (beach)
Face cream
3 Swim suits/Bikini’s
Lingere (for you honeymooners)
Underwear
3-4 Tank tops
2 t-shirts
1 Long Maxi dress
2 Skirts
2-3 Shorts
Skorts
Cross body purse or fanny pack
1 yoga pants or sweat pants
Running shoes
1 strapless bra
3 strapped bras
1 Hoodie or cardigan
Sport Bra/workout gear
Beach hat or ball cap
Sunglasses
Earings/necklace
What toiletries should women bring to the Bahamas
Lipstick
sunscreen
Vitamins
Moiturizer
Lib balm
Hand sanitizer
Bronzer
Tampon/feminine heigene
Toothpaste
floss
Makeup remover/face cleanser
Moose/hairspray/gel
Curling iron/hair appliances
Soap
Tweezers
Eye makeup
Dental heigene
Facial masks
Aloe Vera after burn
Medicines/ birth control
Razor
Medication and vaccines you should have for the Bahamas
Imodium
Gravol
Ibuprofen
Muscle relaxant
Vagisil
Travellers diarrhea medication
Bladder infection medication
Electrolights
Hand sanitizer
Antibacterial Wet Wipes
Aspirin and heart medications
Birth control
What should I pack for kids when I am going to the Bahamas?
1. Hair ties
My daughter hates when her hair is wet when she is swimming and get all in her eyer. Hair ties are a must.
2. Malaria meds
They do have malaria in the Caribbean, although it is not prominent. You are better safe than sorry. You are unlikely to contract the disease if you are not going to primeval forest or another nature preserve in the Bahamas.
3. travellers dhiarrea medication
Every country has different bugs you can pick up, and kids like to touch everything. You can ruin an entire vacation really fast if you do not have travellers diarrhoea meds. If you notice cramping I would start taking it right away. Staying on top of the diarrhea is key.
4. Swimming suits
You will most likely be in the water a lot if you are travelling to the Bahamas.
5. Water diapers
If your kids are still in diapers then the water diapers are a must. Normal diapers retain too much water and get really gross on the beach.
6. Floaties/life jackets
Even if the water looks calm, you should have your kids in a lifejacket or floaty if they are going in the ocean. There are undercurrents that can pul kids down or out to sea.
7. Hair gel or hairspray
8. Sunscreen for kids! (waterproof)
Sunscreen should be used on your kids every day in the Bahamas, even if it is overcast.
9. Electrolyte pills
Electrolyte pills are great for keeping energy up and helping you retain water. Some of them taste good as well.
10. Water bottles
We use cooler bottles that keep our ice cold all day, even in the hot sun! We discovered these bottles a few years ago and it has been one of the best things I have ever found!
11. Mini tents for the beach
Some beaches, like cabbage beach will not have shaded areas and if you have little ones you will have to create your own. Mini tents are great, we use a huge umbrella that we haul around with us everywhere.
12. Shorts
Shorts are a must if you are travelling to Nassau, it will be hot!
13. Tank tops
14. 1-2 Sweaters for the evening
The breeze in the evenings in the Bahamas can be cool, if you keep the kiddies comfortable you will be able to have a much better time!
15. Sweat pants
The A/C in the hotels might also be cranked, sweatpants are great for comfort as well as warmth.
16. Jeans
Great for an evening out, especially if you are restauranting in the Baha mar or Atlantis!
17. Sand toys
You can buy sand toys at the markets in the Bahamas, but they are imported and more expensive. If you buy your own at a dollar store in your home country it will be much cheaper. You kids will play the entire trip with a good set of sand toys. Make sure it comes with a mesh bag so that water can drip out.
18. Goggles
Both of my kids like to snorkel and they love to explore underwater.
What should I pack for infants when I travel to the Bahamas?
Kids will need a lot more stuff than you will need, so I have increased the amount of clothing etc. Good thing is theirs are much smaller and can pack tight in your suitcase.
Diapers
Oval or gripe water
Thermometer
Electrolytes
Diapers
Swim diapers
Cream
Waterproof child sun screen
Beach Hat
Beach tent
Water cap
12 short sleeve shirts or take tops
12 shorts
Breast feeding pump
3 bottles
Hair ties
Formula
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