Complete Florida Packing List (+7 Fun Vacation Extras)

The following article contains our complete Florida packing list that we refer to time and time again when visiting our favorite Florida vacation spots.

There’s no messing around when it comes to making your Florida vacation packing list – after all, you do not want to leave behind your favorite swimsuit, flip-flops, or sunhat when traveling to the Sunshine State.

The following Florida packing list covers all of the clothing, toiletries, and beach essentials that you’ll need for a one-week vacation.

Stick around to the end of the article where you’ll find our 7 top-secret Florida must-haves as well as our FREE printable packing list for Florida!

The links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. If you click on links and purchase them, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What to Wear in Florida

If you’re wondering what to wear in Florida while you’re on vacation, it depends on when you visit.

If you visit Florida during the summer months of June, July, or August, you can count on it always being hot and humid (think temps in the mid to high 90s with heat indexes over 100F!).

Along with packing the right, lightweight clothing, we have an entire article dedicated to tips and product recommendations on how to survive the Florida heat.

The remaining months in Florida are warm to mild, with periodic spurts of (sometimes unexpected) cooler weather.

This means that your packing list for Florida in February, for instance, should always include pants, a sweatshirt, and layers (for guaranteed travel insurance from the possible cold weather).

Even when wondering what to wear in Florida in October, I would still recommend bringing a sweatshirt and layers, along with the anticipated shorts and t-shirts.

*Check out our very own Amazon Storefront that features our favorite vacation looks, beach gear, road trip essentials, and other great packing list ideas! You’re gonna love it!

Florida Packing List

I cannot possibly begin a Florida vacation packing list without first mentioning the need for using packing cubes in order to execute the perfect packing strategy.

We discovered packing cubes several years ago as our family was growing and it became harder and harder to keep our clothing organized and tidy.

(After all, messy, unorganized suitcases can make for a stressful morning when it’s time to get everyone dressed.)

Not all packing cubes are created equal, however, and the key is to find ones that are flexible (not rigid or formed) and are large enough for both child and adult-sized clothing.

We personally own 2 sets of these packing cubes and continue to recommend them time and time again as they are something we absolutely do not travel without!

When considering what to pack for Florida, here’s our packing list for a week in Florida:

Florida Packing List for Women

• 3 pairs of dressy/jean shorts
• 3 short-sleeve shirts/tops
• 2 pairs of gym shorts
• 2 tank tops
• 2 maxi dresses or sundresses (This is one of my favorites!)
• 7 pairs of underwear/3 pairs of socks/3 bras (including a sports bra)
• 1 set of lightweight pajamas
• 2 swim suits
• 2 swim suit cover-ups
• 2 pairs of sunglasses (our favorites linked here!)
• 1 sun hat (Get mine here!)
• 1 baseball cap
• 1 pair of tennis shoes/sneakers
• 1 pair of flip flops for the beach
• 1-2 pairs of dressy sandals
• 1 purse/woven cross-body bag

For cool mornings and evenings, you must also bring:

• 2 pairs of joggers/yoga pants
• 2 lightweight sweatshirts
• 1 jean jacket or other lightweight jacket

Florida Packing List for Men

• 2 pairs of dressy/jean shorts
• 3 pairs of gym shorts
• 5 t-shirts (We love these for UV protection!)
• 2 polo shirts
• 7 pairs of underwear/5 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of lightweight pajamas (if needed)
• 2 pairs of swim trunks
• 2 pairs of sunglasses (our favorites linked here!)
• 1 sun hat
• 1 baseball cap
• 1 pair of tennis shoes/sneakers
• 1 pair of flip flops for the beach
• 1 pair of dressy sandals

For cool mornings and evenings, you must also bring:

• 1 pair of jeans/slacks
• 1 pair of athletic pants
• 2 lightweight sweatshirts

Florida Packing List for Kids

• 5 pairs of shorts
• 6 t-shirts/tank tops
• 2 sundresses (for girls)
• 2 pairs of lightweight pajamas
• 3 swimsuits/trunks
• 3 swim cover-ups
• 1 pair of kid-size sunglasses
• 2 sun hats/baseball caps
• 8 pairs of underwear/4 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of tennis shoes/sneakers
• 1 pairs of flip flops for the beach
• 1 pair of dressy sandals

For cool mornings and evenings, you must also bring:

• 2 pairs of pants
• 2 sweatshirts
• 1 lightweight jacket

Toiletries to Pack for Florida

Along with using packing cubes for our clothing, we use these clear multi-purpose organizer pouches (size large) to store all of these loose extras:

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Travel size body spray/perfume
• Lotion
• Hand sanitizer
• Razor/shave gel
• Face wash/moisturizer
• Makeup
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Hair brush/comb
• Hair ties/clips (I love these ones for fine hair!)
• Styling products/hairspray
• Curling iron/straightener (if needed)
• Contact lens solution/supplies (if needed)
• Sunscreen + LipBalm with SPF (This is one of my favorites because it smells like summer!)
• Travel-size bug spray (yes, there are bugs in Florida!)
• Over-the-counter pain relievers and stomach medications

7 Fun Extras for Your Florida Packing List

Along with knowing what to wear in Florida, we’ve found some additional travel gear that is always on our packing lists for Florida.

Keeping in mind that though you never want to pack too much, I still find that these fun extras are always on our list of what to pack for vacation in Florida.

1. Sunglasses Organizer Case

Even your packing list for Florida in December should include a pair of stylish sunglasses…you’re in Florida, after all!

After becoming tired of not knowing how to store my sunglasses while traveling and never being able to prevent them from getting scratched, I discovered this perfectly portable and durable sunglasses storage case.

This case fits up to 5 pairs of sunglasses or eyeglasses and its pentagon-shaped box fits neatly into suitcases, purses, totes, and backpacks.

2. Collapsible Water Bottle

These collapsible water bottles are one of our Florida essentials and are a huge money saver too.

Start off by storing them in their collapsed form while in your carry-on, and fill them with water at an airport filling station once you’ve gone through security.

Collapsible, refillable water bottles are perfect for traveling as they are non-breakable and don’t take up a lot of space – as well as will prevent you from having to pay for bottled water.

3. A Beach Bag

When packing for Florida, it is absolutely essential that you bring along a beach bag if you are staying somewhere with a pool or beach.

Find one that can double as your carry-on if you’re flying to Florida or one that can be easily collapsed and stored in your suitcase.

Once again, not all beach bags are created equal, however.

Here’s a list of our favorite beach bags for moms that you should definitely consult before purchasing one.

4. Mesh Seashell Bags

Our packing checklist for Florida always includes these awesome, colorful mesh seashell bags.

Instead of storing your freshly picked seashells (and trust me, your kids will want to pick seashells while in Florida!) in plastic baggies – or worse – losing them in the bottom of your beach bag, get each child their own seashell-carrying sack.

The mesh fabric allows sand to fall off leaving behind cleaner, less messy treasures.

*Check out our list of the absolute best beaches to find shells at in Florida!

5. Cooling Towels

Our packing list for Florida with kids always includes ways to help keep them cool in the hot Florida sun.

We have discovered that cooling towels are the best way to keep cool and prevent the kids from whining that they’re ‘too hot’ when vacationing in Florida.

We especially recommend these cooling towels for both what to bring to Universal Studios and what to pack in your Disney day bag, as well as for any of the other things to do in Orlando that involve the sun and crowds.

Wet them with cold water under a faucet and they’ll keep you and the kids cool for hours.

6. Portable Phone Charger

I’m in love with portable Smartphone chargers.

Not only are they a lifesaver when your phone battery gets low, but they’ll charge it at lightning speed too.

Plus, no one has to struggle to find outlets in the airport or hotel.

Beach photos. Family photos. Foodie photos and selfies.

There is definitely no room for error in having a dead phone battery while vacationing in Florida.

This is one of the most popular portable chargers that we happen to own and love – so much so that it’s also on our Mexico packing list, road trip packing list, and is a must when visiting theme parks.

7. Beach Towel Chair Clips

Another Florida essential and one of the best things to take on vacation are these handy beach towel chair clips!

Chances are you’ll be lounging on a lawn or sun chair at some point during your Florida vacation, and trust me when I say how nice it is to have your towel secured with these!

Not only do these colorful clips help identify which chairs are yours, but they neatly keep your towel in place on the chair while you lounge.

They can also be used to clip your beach towels to something as you hang them up to dry.

Store them in one of these convenient travel pouches that we mentioned earlier.

Florida Beach Essentials

Last but not least, you want your Florida vacation packing list to include the necessary items required for a fun, relaxing, and safe visit to the beach (or pool).

Please refer to our ultimate list of things to bring to the beach to ensure that you’re properly packed and prepared for a hassle-free beach day.

This list includes travel gear such as a sun hat, UVA/UVB sun protection, a first aid kit, a collapsible cooler, a portable speaker, and more!

*Coming soon: Our printable packing list for Florida vacation!

Other Packing Lists for Florida

If you’re in need of a more specific Florida packing list printable, you’re in the right spot!

As one of our favorite US vacation spots, we have a packing list for a vacation to Florida that covers multiple things to see and do there!

Check out our following (more specific) Florida packing lists:

• Our complete Walt Disney World Orlando Florida packing list
• Packing list for Universal Studios Orlando
• If you’re going on a Florida road trip, check out our family road trip checklist
• If you’re camping in Florida, check out our awesome printable camping checklist

Lastly, here’s a quick look at our favorite Florida vacation ideas if you’re in need of some vacation inspiration!

• Siesta Key, Florida: 6-day itinerary
• Sarasota, Florida: 6-day itinerary
• Naples, Florida: 6-Day itinerary
• Orlando, Florida: 6-day itinerary
• Tampa Bay, Florida: 3-day itinerary
• Daytona Beach, Florida: 1-day itinerary
• The Best Beaches on Marco Island
• 8 Awesome Beaches in Destin, Florida
• Key West: Coming soon!

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*