I've been to over 20 Caribbean islands. Here are 9 travel essentials I never visit the area without.

• After traveling to over 20 Caribbean islands , I know what essentials I need for every trip.
• Bringing a water bottle helps me ensure I'm staying hydrated throughout the day.
• I always pack travel-sized sunscreen because buying a bottle on the islands can be expensive.

Now that I've traveled to over two dozen islands in the Caribbean, I know exactly what I need to bring on each trip. When I first started traveling, however, I was definitely an over-packer and often had to pay extra for my heavy suitcase.

But over the years, I realized I only used a fraction of what I was packing — all I needed was a few versatile clothing pieces and accessories.

Here are the nine essentials I never visit the Caribbean without.

I wear my water shoes on the plane to save room in my suitcase.

I've gone through several pairs of water shoes before finding one I absolutely love. Instead of bulky pairs that look like webbed feet, I like to wear sturdy rubber sneakers that have some arch support. I usually wear them on the plane to save room in my suitcase.

Throughout my travels, I've worn rubber sneakers when walking, hiking, and going through waterfalls. An added bonus is that I don't have to worry about mud and sand, as they're easy to wash off.

A visor is necessary for keeping the sun out of my eyes.

I joke to my friends that I'm embracing my "Golden Girls" era whenever I rock a sun visor.

I've always struggled to find a straw hat that fits over my thick hair, so a visor was the natural solution. It keeps the sun out of my eyes while accommodating my hair.

It also rolls up easily in my suitcase and has been a lifesaver on boat trips and hikes.

A reusable water bottle helps me keep track of how much I’m drinking.

It's hard to keep track of how much water you consume on vacation, especially if you're staying at an all-inclusive resort where alcoholic drinks are included.

By carrying around a water bottle in my beach bag, I can hold myself accountable, making sure I finish it off a few times a day.

I love how versatile my pashmina is.

One travel hack I learned was to pack as many multi-use items as possible. For example, I've been traveling for years with a simple black pashmina.

I wear it as a sarong on the beach and a shoulder scarf at a nice restaurant. I recommend getting a light, breathable fabric like cotton or linen, which is easy to wash and hang.

All my swimsuits can double as outfits when paired with the right clothing.

I used to bring a dozen swimsuits on vacation, but I've pared it back to just three. Now, I always bring one solid-colored, one patterned, and one black two-piece swimsuit, which can double as daywear.

When I'm lounging around at the beach or the pool, I like to wear a swimsuit under a beach kimono or crochet dress. When it's time to eat, I'll throw a pair of denim shorts or a skirt over a suit and have an instant outfit.

Sunscreen and bug spray are necessities.

Bringing sunscreen seems like a no-brainer, but there have been times when I've forgotten it and had to pay the price — literally.

Depending on the island, sunscreen can be expensive, especially when I have to apply it every few hours.

Now, I fill several 3-ounce containers of sunscreen and pack them in my carry-on. Bug spray is another lifesaver, so I make sure to bring a travel size of that as well.

I wear my leggings on the plane and during outdoor activities.

I rarely fly in anything but black workout leggings, and I usually roll up another pair or two in my suitcase. They're comfortable and keep me warm on the plane, which is often quite chilly.

Leggings have also come in handy during activities like horseback riding, hiking, or beach yoga.

My multi-purpose bags come with me whenever I travel.

I bring two bags on every single trip: a nylon tote bag and a sturdy belt bag.

The tote is the perfect size for a personal item on the plane, with enough room for my laptop, magazines, and snacks. When I land, I usually unpack the tote and use it as a beach bag for the rest of the week.

The belt bag is perfect for bringing essentials with me when I'm hiking or sightseeing. There's just enough room for my phone, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, a credit card, and some cash.

Cotton dresses and rompers can be dressed up or down.

I always pack a few breezy cotton or linen dresses that can be dressed up or down. For daytime, I lean toward cotton tank dresses, which are easy to pack and keep me cool.

If I have a nice dinner planned, I'll wear a colorful dress or romper, which can be paired with sandals or heels, depending on the occasion.

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