Travel Tricks & Hacks

Make the most of limited space…..

Since my first trip abroad I’ve researched ways to reduce the size and weight of my luggage, find multi-purpose items and pack more efficiently. Below are my travel tricks and hacks. I hope you’ll find something you can use on your next trip!

Diaper Bag – this makes an amazingly organized carry on. The exterior pockets provide easy access to a water bottle, anti-bacterial wipes (hint, use wipes container), the changing pad provides a clean surface while in the airplane bathroom for staging my change of clothes, some even have an insulated area for a snack and tons of pockets.

Dish Washing Gloves – need to get into a new or tight wet suit? Dish gloves take up little room in your bag and protect your hands from raw knuckles caused by new, tight, neoprene and or damp fingers and knuckles.

Dive Skin – this is another option for maintaining warmth and as a bonus can help ease the stress of putting on a new wetsuit. Just remember dry over dry or wet over wet…not a combo of wet/dry.

Hair Conditioner – also works as an effective shaving cream.

Pillowcase – bring your own pillowcase to convert any travel pillow, extra blankets and or excess clothing into a full-sized pillow for the flight. If you’d like you can use it on the resort pillows or tuck it away for your return flight. If you use it at the resort…make sure it’s a bold color or print so housekeeping doesn’t mistake it for one of their own while switching out the bedding.

Sarong/Sulu – who doesn’t love a triple purpose item? This can act as a blanket on the plane, a daytime cover- up or a skirt for evenings.

Flip Flops – bathroom shoes anyone? Have you noticed how nasty the airplane bathroom floor gets a few hours into a long flight? While seated on long flights I typically wear heavy soft socks for comfort and warmth. That isn’t ideal for walking around the plane or into the bathroom. Flip flops are perfect for tucking away into a pocket of the diaper bag as they are lightweight, easy to clean, and you can wear them while on vacation!

Travel Pillow – enhances the comfort of hotel pillows. When your resort pillow is a little flat add your travel/neck pillow to add to the bulk of flat/thin resort pillows.

Shoes - wear the heaviest/bulkiest shoes on the plane. This will give you more space in your luggage. Slip on shoes are recommended to make the screening process at the airport, if removing shoes is being enforced, easier.

Layer Clothing - planes are notoriously cold, post COVID. Layer your clothing for the plane ride. Yes, it will mean more time dressing after security points but that is a few minutes, compared with hours of discomfort from a cold plane and airports. Choose your travel clothing from the items you already planned to pack.

Socks or Footies - in your carry-on bag. Security check points sometimes Xray your shoes. I don’t like the idea of walking barefoot around the airport security checkpoint for even a short distance. I tuck a pair of socks in an easily accessed part of my carry on to grab and wear if needed. I can use these same socks to layer in-flight if my feet are super cold while trying to sleep. Layer them with a pair of soft fuzzy socks and you’ll be both comfy and toasty.

Reef Friendly Sunscreen – we all want to do our part to protect what we pay so dearly to enjoy underwater.

Dress for Your Arrival – sweltering at the island airport upon arrival isn’t the best way to start your vacation. Avoid this by layering, again items you were taking anyway, for your departure and in-flight. Removing them upon arrival for comfort. Being cold for the short time it takes from your car to the airport when departing is far better, in my opinion, than roasting on arrival and carrying around a coat on vacation. If you must wear items on the flight you won’t use while on vacation, make sure they are lightweight like a hat, gloves, or scarf.

Packing Cubes – they keep clothes compact, which limits wrinkles and gives more room in your luggage.

Rain Gear - always pack either a small umbrella or lightweight raincoat, both are even better. You never know when it might rain! Although we dive in the ocean it isn’t nearly as fun to be wet from rain topside.

Flashlight - traveling with a small flashlight can be beneficial for walks at night along poorly lit walkways or just getting to the bathroom in the middle of the night in your dark unfamiliar room.

Global Entry – shorten your time in line for customs when returning home from vacation. The lines with Global Entry are shorter, the process goes faster and in some cases, you can speed up the arrival process by up to an hour. It does require some paperwork and in-person follow-up but it’s valid for 10 years and worth the cost!