Awesome Travel Gadgets for an Island Getaway!
A trip to the islands (and perhaps Tonga?) just got a whole lot easier (and more fun) with these amazing travel gadgets and accessories! Water bottles that allow you to drink the local tap water with peace of mind, straws that save the planet, and the classic yet essential travel adapter, we’ve listed some awesome and actually useful travel gadgets and accessories to pack for a tropical holiday in the list below.
1. Lifestraw Bottle
Save money and the planet from buying endless bottles of water by getting the only water-drinking companion you’ll need for your tropical holidays: the Lifestraw Bottle. For most visitors, the tap water in the islands does not agree with them, unless you boil the water first. With most travellers not reasonably having access to something to boil water, the next best thing is a Lifestraw Bottle with a filtration system that removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, as well as 99.9% of waterborne protozoan. Tried and tested with tap water all over the South Pacific without experiencing a single health issue, the TongaPocketGuide.com team approves! For more tips on drinking water, see Is it Safe to Drink the Water in Tonga?
Check the Lifestraw Bottles out!
2. Waterproof/Dustproof Phone Pouch
Sand, water, dust… There are quite a few elements on a tropical vacation that don’t mix well with phones. That’s why a waterproof phone pouch is more than an awesome idea as an essential tropical travel gadget! Some waterproof phone pouches, such as the Niveaya Phone Pouch, can be used to snap photos underwater with your phone (whale pics, anyone?!). Plus, they even float should your clumsy self drop your phone in the water.
Check Niveaya Phone Pouch out!
3. Reusable Straws
Sipping a refreshing coconut or tropical cocktail is all part of the island getaway experience. However, in less developed island nations where cardboard or metal straws are not yet a thing, you are likely to go through a substantial amount of plastic in the process using single-use plastic straws. Turn things around by taking your own reusable straw! There are metal and silicone straws available and come in compact cases with an easy-cleaning straw brush. For more eco-friendly items to pack, see the 10 Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens.
Check out the Scurry Reusable Metal Straw or the Dinostraw Silicone Travel Straw.
4. Hanging Luggage Scale
Are all of your new trusty gadgets going to be light enough for the airline weight restrictions?! Find out with a portable hanging luggage scale! Sticking to the airline baggage allowance is always a task, but you can make it easier with a hanging luggage scale, so you get no nasty excess luggage fees at the airport. Especially with some tropical destinations having ultra-restrictive baggage allowances for domestic flights, you’re going to want to keep your baggage weight in check.
Check the Etekcity Digitial Hanging Luggage Scale out!
5. Waterproof Wallet
Cash is the way to go when it comes to paying for things in many tropical destinations (see What is The Best Payment Method in Tonga? for example). But with the Tongan Pa’anga being paper money, getting it wet isn’t ideal. With that in mind, a waterproof wallet, like the Pelican Micro Sport Wallet, is a good idea. It also beats destroying your fancy leather wallet.
Check out the Pelican Micro Sport Wallet!
6. Packing Cubes
Something you’ll find yourself using for the rest of your travels for the rest of your life, packing cubes makes living out of a suitcase so much easier! Not only do packing cubes make it easy to find certain items in your backpack or suitcase, but they also allow you to put more into your luggage.
Check the TravelWise Packing Cube System out!
7. Solar Charger
Depending on where you’re travelling to, you might not have access to electricity 100% of the time but you will have access to sunlight – an average of 13 hours of it per day! Have a trusty backup to charge your devices with a solar-powered charger, like Sunnybag’s Portable Solar Panels which effortlessly straps to the back of your day pack and connects straight to your device. Genius!
Check the Sunnybag’s Portable Solar Panels out!
8. Microfibre Travel Towel
Microfibre towels are nothing new, but man, are they still amazing! Super compact, microfibre travel towels barely take up any space in your backpack/suitcase. Plus, they are fast-drying meaning you don’t have to travel around with a smelly towel. While not an essential item for those staying in more upmarket resorts where towels are often provided, travel towels are essential for the budget traveller or frequent beach-goer.
Check out 4Monster Camping Towels here!
9. Pure Silicone Mask and Snorkel with High Flow Purge Valve
Needless to say, you’ll be doing a fair bit of snorkelling in the tropics. Up your snorkelling game and avoid cheap and uncomfortable rental masks by using a TUSA Sport snorkel and mask set! Constructed with pure silicone, these masks and snorkels are not only comfortable but healthier. We also like the quality purge valve that stops water from entering the snorkel, so no more spluttering when you reach the surface!
Check the TUSA Sport Snorkel Set out!
10. Travel Adapter
Finally, while it might seem simple, a travel adapter has been a top travel gadget for decades! It hardly needs any introduction: they just enable you to charge your devices through the mains at your tropical destination. Check out our recommended travel adapters for Tonga, for instance, in the 5 Best Travel Adapters for Tonga. Otherwise, check out this Universal Travel Adapter for all countries!
Check this Universal Travel Adapter out!
More Travel Gadgets and Accessories…
Can’t get enough of our travel gadgets and accessories for a tropical holiday? Head on over to the 65 Genius Travel Gadgets & Accessories on our sister website, NZPocketGuide.com.
More Travel Gadgets for a Tropical Holiday
That’s it for the guide to the must-have gadgets and accessories to pack for a tropical holiday. For more packing tips, especially for Tonga, check out the following:
- 20 Amazing Reasons to Visit Tonga
- What Clothes to Pack to Travel Tonga
- 20 Essentials to Pack for Tonga
Finally, head over to The Complete Packing List for Tonga or get even more advice in our 30 Tips for Travelling in Tonga.
Author
Robin (Lopini) C.
This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.