Getaway Girlfriend’s Ultimate Packing List for St. Thomas
- Getaway Girlfriend
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
Planning a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands? Whether you're heading to St. Thomas for a girl's getaway, family vacation, or romantic escape, packing smart is key to living your best (stress-free) island life.
If we could name one travel mistake for the islands, it would be over-packing. You'll find once you get here, that you wind up wearing the same beach cover up almost everyday and only need one or two fancier outfits for those special nights and activities. We've curated this ultimate list of fun, functional, and easy to pack travel essentials...including some of our favorite Amazon finds so you can get them quickly before you take off! We're gonna get you perfectly prepared with just enough for a carry-on so you don't sweat those airport transfers or lost luggage headaches a bit.
🌴 Island Vacation Essentials
These are your can't-live-without items for a happy and stress-free trip:
🧴 Avon Skin So Soft Original Body Oil (Travel Size): Keep the mosquitos and no-see ums away (with a soft scent you'll actually love). Literally the only thing that works!
🌞 Happy Ocean SPF 45 Mineral Sunscreen: Reef-safe, moisturizing, and perfect for those sunny Caribbean days.
🩴 Flip-Flops & Cute Sandals: Pack one waterproof pair and one for a chic dinner outfit. I personally love these from Project Cloud for date-nights. They come in tons of colors and are perfect for any outing or restaurant on island. For activities and just getting around, I always have my Havaianas...they have gotten me literally all over the world and they're affordable and cute!
🕶️ Oversized Sunglasses: You know we love to look great and have UV protection. I like these MEETSUN packs of three! They're polarized, cheap and don't get caught in your hair!
👙 3–4 Swimsuits: Variety = vibes. Pack a sporty one for excursions and bold prints for beach days. This one piece from from American Trends is perfect for active days and comes in a variety of colors with tummy control and I always love a good teeny bikini for those easy beach/resort days! CUPSHE makes a variety of well fitting and super cute combos and is a favorite brand for those of us who live here!
💦 Quick-Dry Beach Towel: Lightweight, colorful, and compact. You probably don't even need a beach towel because most places provide them...I literally haven't bought towels since I moved here but if you want, these Turkish towels are lightweight, easy to pack and get the job done.
👘 Chic Beach Coverups: Think airy sarongs, flowy dresses, or cute rompers. Again, CUPSHE makes a ton of great options...I like to pick something I can go to dinner or lunch in as well as hang out on the beach or a boat day.
🌺 Sarongs: They double as skirts, beach blankets, or even impromptu dresses and take up no room in your bag!
🎒 Fanny Pack or Crossbody Sling: Stay hands-free while shopping, hiking, or ferry-hopping. Make it WATERPROOF...you'll thank me later!
💧 Collapsible Water Bottle: Stay hydrated on the go (bonus if it comes with a clip!).
🧼 Organized & On-the-Go Must-Haves
Keep your suitcase tidy and your beach bag stocked with these:
✈️ Packing Cubes: These make organizing so easy...swimsuits, undies, dirty clothes, travel essentials...I live by these things to try and save space and stay sane.
🧴 Travel Toiletry Set (TSA-Approved): All the mini must-haves: shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, and more. This one is super cute and has every option for all your girl essentials: shampoo, conditioner, lotion, perfume, make-up (which you won't need much), body oils, aloe vera gel, etc...
📱 Waterproof Phone Case: For all the turtle snorkel selfies you’ll be taking!
🧴 Aloe Vera Gel: A post-sun lifesaver (trust me, get the one with lidocaine)...it saved my butt in Mexico when I was down for 3 days...it's cool and numbing.
🔌 Portable Phone/Device Charger: Not always necessary, but helpful if heading out on a boat day or long excursion!
👩👧👦 Kid & Family-Friendly Additions
Traveling with little ones? These are must-haves:
🧢 Kids' UV Rash Guards: Cutest sun/water protection ever and it will save you and them a lot of headaches later from sunburn and ocean itchies.
🎧 Snorkel Sets (Kids & Adults): Avoid rentals and ensure a good fit for underwater exploring. I would highly advise against the full-face masks/snorkels. I'm in the water a lot here and have seen a lot of panic attacks and failures with these types. Have your kids practice getting comfortable with a regular mask at home before the trip!
🎒 Mini Cooler Backpack: Great for snacks, juice boxes, and chilled drinks. This one is small, easy to pack and comes with an ice pack to keep things cool.
🎉 Don’t Forget the Fun Stuff
The finishing touches that make your trip extra fun:
✨ Sparkly Sandals for Dinners Out
📚 Beach Read or Island-Inspired Novel
👗 Maxi Dress or Romper for Nights Out
🛍️ Get the List with One Click!
We’ve put together this full Amazon list so you can shop this post with ease. Bookmark this page and check back soon for other island tips for your best vacation yet!
Want a printable version of this packing list? Sign up for our GG travel email and we’ll send you a free PDF download! hello@getawaygirlfriend.com
Happy Travels!
With love,The Getaway Girlfriend Team
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