12 THINGS YOU MUST PACK IF YOU’RE TRAVELING SOMEWHERE TROPICAL FOR SPRING BREAK

About two years ago, I moved to St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, after wintering there since 2016 (remote work FTW!). In addition to packing for myself for four-month stretches and accumulating the best things for full-time #islandlife, I’ve hosted more than a dozen visitors and counting—shockingly, a free place to stay in the Caribbean is a draw.

All that is to say: I can share on excellent authority what items are absolute musts to make room for in your checked luggage or carry-on bag for a tropical vacation. (And don't forget your face mask for the plane... and in case your destination has different COVID-safe requirements than you're used to at home.)

4. Insect repellent

One of the less brag-worthy things about living on an island: The tiny biting creatures that also inhabit it. Because mosquito-borne illnesses are always something of a concern in the tropics, it’s wise to pack protection.

Skip those essential oil-containing products, which smell great but are largely useless. (I once found a dead mosquito floating in the water of my lemon-eucalyptus oil diffuser, so I guess she wasn’t exactly repelled by it.)

In terms of active ingredients that work, DEET is the king of the repellents, but picaridin rates comparably well and is less noxious-smelling and greasy on the skin. You can get effective products in pump sprays and lotions that don’t exceed carry-on size restrictions, or wipes that don’t even count as liquids. For a weeklong trip, you won’t need more than one of those options.

Explore the rest of the Spring Brak packing list from Amy Roberts here.