Florida Packing List
By the NanoPack team · Updated on · Checked against official sources
What to pack for Florida: dress for heat, humidity and a daily storm, all in the same afternoon. Pack light, quick-dry clothes, strong year-round sun protection, and a packable rain poncho, because summer afternoons bring near-daily thunderstorms that pass quickly. Add insect repellent for the Everglades and for dusk, water shoes that work for both the surf and the freshwater springs, and a light layer for Florida's fierce indoor air-conditioning. A Florida trip often mixes beaches, theme parks and wild places, so light layers beat one fixed wardrobe. In the Keys, a reef-safe mineral sunscreen is the kind thing to bring near the reef, even though it is not required by law.
Florida essentials at a glance
- Light, quick-dry clothes
- Year-round SPF, a hat and sunglasses
- A packable rain poncho for the daily storm
- Insect repellent for dusk and the Everglades
- A light layer for fierce air-conditioning
- Water shoes for the surf and the springs
- Swimwear, two or three sets
- A power bank and a reusable water bottle
Florida packs three kinds of weather into one day: strong sun, thick humidity, and a short, heavy afternoon thunderstorm that clears as fast as it arrived. A single trip often mixes a beach, a theme park and a wild place like the Everglades or a freshwater spring, so the winning approach is light, quick-dry layers rather than one fixed outfit. Pack for the sun and the storm, add repellent for the bugs and a layer for the ferocious air-conditioning, and the rest of Florida takes care of itself.
Sun and heat
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ · UV is high all year, not just in summer
- SPF lip balm
- A wide-brim hat and sunglasses
- A cooling towel for the humidity
- After-sun or aloe
- Light, breathable clothing · for a full beach day, see the beach list
The daily storm
- A packable rain poncho or light rain jacket · better than an umbrella in the wind
- A dry bag for your phone and valuables
- Quick-dry clothes
- A second pair of shoes · so a soaked pair can dry
- A compact umbrella, if you prefer one
Bugs and the outdoors
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin · for dusk and the Everglades
- An after-bite treatment
- Long, light sleeves for buggy evenings
- Closed shoes for trails and boardwalks
Water: beaches and springs
- Swimwear ×2 to 3
- Water shoes · for both ocean rocks and the rocky freshwater springs
- A rash guard · the springs stay around 72F all year
- A beach towel
- A reusable water bottle
The indoor layer
- A light cardigan, hoodie or wrap · Florida air-conditioning runs cold
- Long trousers for cooler indoor evenings
Practical and family
- A power bank
- Cash and cards
- Comfortable walking shoes for the parks
- A stroller and spare toddler clothes for little ones
- Motion-sickness bands for the rides
- Offline maps
What not to pack
- Only an umbrella for the rain · Florida storms come with wind; a poncho or rain jacket keeps you drier
- Heavy clothes · it is hot and humid almost year-round; pack light and quick-dry
- Insect repellent as a fix for love bugs · love bugs are harmless and repellent does not deter them; repellent is for mosquitoes
- Glass on the beach · banned on many Florida beaches
Packing tips and mistakes to avoid
Pack for sun, humidity and a daily storm at once
Florida summers are hot and humid with near-daily afternoon thunderstorms from roughly June to September, and they pass quickly. Light, quick-dry clothes, strong sun protection and a packable poncho cover all three at once, so a passing storm never ends your day.
Know the hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the peak from about August to October. If you travel then, pack a rain jacket and quick-dry clothes, consider travel insurance and flexible bookings, and check the current-year NOAA outlook before you go.
The Keys sunscreen ban never took effect
You may have read that the Florida Keys ban chemical sunscreen. Key West passed such a ban, but a 2020 Florida state law overrode it, so there is no enforceable ban today. Near the Keys reef, the only living barrier reef in the continental US, a reef-safe mineral sunscreen is still the kind thing to pack, just not a legal requirement.
Repellent is for mosquitoes, not love bugs
Pack insect repellent for mosquitoes at dusk and in the Everglades. Florida's famous love bugs, which swarm in spring and late summer, are harmless, do not bite or sting, and repellent does not deter them. They are a windshield nuisance you wash off, not a packing problem.
The things people forget
- A packable poncho for the afternoon storm
- A light layer for the freezing indoor air-conditioning
- Insect repellent for the Everglades and dusk
- Water shoes for the rocky springs
What people wish they had packed
- A rain poncho when the afternoon storm hit
- A cardigan in an over-air-conditioned restaurant
- Repellent for a dusk walk near the water
- A dry bag when the boat kicked up spray
Frequently asked questions
What should you pack for Florida?
Light, quick-dry clothes, year-round sun protection, a packable poncho for the daily afternoon storm, insect repellent for the Everglades and dusk, a light layer for fierce air-conditioning, water shoes for the surf and the springs, and swimwear. A Florida trip often mixes beaches, parks and nature, so pack layers.
What clothes do you need for Florida?
Light, breathable, quick-dry clothes for the heat and humidity, plus a light layer for the fierce indoor air-conditioning. Add a poncho for the afternoon storm and closed shoes for trails and boardwalks.
When is hurricane season in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with the peak from about August to October. If you travel then, pack rain gear and quick-dry clothes and check the current-year NOAA outlook.
Do you need reef-safe sunscreen in the Florida Keys?
It is not legally required. Key West passed a ban, but a 2020 Florida state law overrode it, so there is no enforceable ban. Near the Keys reef a reef-safe mineral sunscreen is still encouraged and kinder to the coral, and year-round SPF matters everywhere in Florida.
What do people forget to pack for Florida?
A poncho for the afternoon storm, a light layer for the air-conditioning, insect repellent for dusk and the Everglades, water shoes for the springs, and a dry bag for the boat and the rain.