Best Tropical Theme Party Ideas for Adults
Tropical themed party ideas with a retro vibe for the modern host. You’ll love these decorations, food, and tips for an Island party whether you’re hosting a Luau or Caribbean theme. Plus you can grab free printables including place cards and invitations.
Today we’re going to the Tropics for some fun in the sun and delicious food and drinks! This party has a definite tropical vibe, but it’s not kitschy. Use it as inspiration for a Hawaiian Luau too, and just add in some leis and grass skirts.
A tropical party is the ideal theme party for adults or families. And it’s a fantastic summer party idea.
I included tropical flowers, mini drink umbrellas, shells and coral, coconuts, and more. You can also grab some inspiration from this Havana theme party full of tropical ideas with a Cuban influence.
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I’ve listed all the details to show you just how easy it is to pull together a tropical theme for any occasion, including these:
- Backyard summer party “just because.”
- A ladies night in.
- Adult birthday party.
- College graduation idea.
- Engagement party, especially if the couple is heading to the tropics for the honeymoon.
Grab your sunscreen and lets head to the islands!
How to Decorate a Tropical Theme Party
Sure you could go to the party store and purchase a complete themed party set. But why not add more personality to your tropical party instead? Plus, the items you use here can be used for other occasions too.
Start with fabric that has a pattern with the right balance of color and pattern. Blue to emulate the sea, bright colors to reflect the beautiful flowers, and neutral/brown tones to give that rustic island feel.
I found it all in this fabric pattern (this one is similar) that feels very retro. Just lay it on the table as your base and build up from there.
Place brightly colored flowers in a tall vase and wrap it with a bamboo place mat cut to size. Total island vibe!
Add colorful lanterns, coconuts, and pineapples to the table for decoration. Other items include decorative corral, sea shells, starfish, and sand dollars.
How To Open A Coconut
To open a coconut, hold it in the palm of one hand. In the other hand use a hammer to hit the coconut with enough force to crack it. Turn the coconut slightly and hit it again until you’ve gone around the coconut full circle. It should be cracked open by this point. Make sure to have a bowl underneath to catch the coconut water when it opens up.
Create a DIY party banner with these retro style postcards. String jute twine between two garden stakes and place them above the buffet table. Use mini clothes pins to attach the cards to the twine. The post cards are so festive and add more of the retro look for this party.
Graham cracker crumbs or brown sugar gives a beach sand effect. Use it on the table for a food-safe base. Add a whimsical touch by “writing in the sand.” Here I wrote the word FUN with my finger, but you could write HOT, PARTY, or something else.
If you want to host a sit down meal check out this green dinner party with a tropical inspired tablescape, and then see how to decorate your deck or patio with greenery for a relaxing retreat.
Food Menu
I think food plays a major role in any good themed party. Serve a menu with an island vibe. Fresh tropical fruits are great for making salsas, and mini shrimp cocktails bring the ocean to you. Other popular flavors include coconut and light sauces.
Seems like islanders are always cooking pork on a spit so use that as inspiration for mini tacos. Combine pulled pork with Sriracha and bbq sauce. Then layer it onto soft shells with jalapeno slaw. They’re tasty and have great texture! HOSTESS TIP: Use a biscuit cutter to make smaller party size rounds in the soft taco shells.
Use wooden serving trays to present the food. Top them with real or faux tropical leaves and palm fronds for an INSTANT island touch!
Insert mini umbrellas into salsa bowls, drinks, or cupcakes for a cute themed presentation.
Make this trio of tropical salsas. Here I made mango & black bean salsa, pineapple salsa, and papaya with avocado salsa. I just blended different combinations using red bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, red onion, black beans (drained and rinsed), cilantro, lime juice and salt.
Serve them in coconut bowls and pair with rice chips or tortilla chips.
Chicken satay is one of my favorite foods. Just thread thinly sliced chicken breast onto wooden skewers and brush with a jarred satay sauce when grilling. Or make these jerk seasoned chicken skewers for authentic island flavor.
They’re so convenient to pick up and eat, and they make great party food for all occasions.
What’s a tropical party without seafood? Individual servings of shrimp cocktail can be served in glass votive holders, or you can opt for my cold marinated shrimp recipe.
Pacific islands are influenced by Asian flavors so you can include Asian tuna salad cups or wasabi cream cheese spread too.
Party Drinks
Put tropical flavored bottled drinks in a tub of ice so guests can help themselves. You can also use these drinks to mix into cocktails. Just add rum! My go-to mix-in is Coconut Rum. I added it to the Kiwi Strawberry flavor and it was soooo good.
Other easy-to-grab drinks you can put on ice are bottled water, coconut water, or juice boxes.
Aside from offering bottled beverages, choose a signature cocktail for the occasion. Any of these would add delicious tropical flavor.
- Mix up this easy rum party drink that’s got 2 kinds of rum and a fruity coconut flavor.
- This hula breeze pomegranate cocktail will have you swaying with the palms.
- Don’t be fooled by the name, this blackberry moonshine cocktail is smooth and full of pineapple goodness.
- Go all in with this delicious blue cocktail that looks like the ocean and has coconut rum in it!
- If you like mojitos you’re gonna LOVE my sparkling mojito cocktail!
- Another delicious option is a pineapple martini. It’s complex flavors are easy to combine and I guaranteed guests will love it.
Tropical Themed Desserts
It doesn’t take too much effort to make some sweet treats with an island feel. Incorporate the flavors of coconut, banana, pineapple, or other fresh fruit.
Make mini coconut cream parfaits using packaged pudding mix. When you present them like I did here, your guests won’t know they’re not homemade!
Layer the pudding with graham cracker crumbs in a mini glass or cup, and then top with a Guylian chocolate shell (find them at most grocery stores) and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Use my pineapple cake recipe to make cupcakes instead. Ice them with the frosting included in the recipe, or classic buttercream. Then top them with sliced fresh strawberries and glaze. TIP: Make an easy glaze by warming up strawberry jelly until it’s like a syrup and easy to drizzle.
You can add these delicious banana pudding mini desserts, too. These lemon & lime mini cheesecakes would also be a nice addition to the dessert table.
More Tips & Ideas
Send out invitations at least two weeks beforehand (or more if you know people are busy). Download these FREE printable invitations here, and the tent cards here.
Want to know what to wear to a tropical theme party? Check out these outfits for inspiration.
Be a thoughtful hostess and provide colorful paper fans to help guests stay cool. They fold up so they’re easy to corral in a small bucket and guests can pick one up as needed.
Another cooling trick is to fill spray bottles with water and keep them in a tub of ice. Guests can spritz themselves to cool down if they want to.
Simple party favors are easy to make. You can make them ahead or put out the supplies and lets guests make their own. Fill small paper sacks with tropical blend trail mix. Secure them with decorative tape.
Add A Festive Playlist
Here’s a play list to get you started. It’s got tropical party vibes from classics to modern, that will get you in the right mood!
- Bob Marley – Legend album
- Jimmy Buffet – Songs You Know By Heart album
- Carlos Santana – Supernatural album
- Girl From Ipanema by Astrud Gilberto
- Hey Mambo by Dean Martin
- La Bamba by Ritchie Valens
- Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez
- Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper
- I Like it Like That by Pete Rodriguez
- Havana by Camila Cabello
- Senorita by Camila Cabello
What do you think? Are you ready to host a tropical themed party? I hope you’ll incorporate some of these party ideas!
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Tropical Party Fruit Salsa Trio
Serve this trio of chunky salsas using fresh tropical fruit, including mango, pineapple, and papaya as the base. These dips are perfect with tortilla chips or rice chips, or spooned over grilled chicken or fish.
Ingredients
Mango & Black Bean Salsa
- 2 Mangos (or 2 cups frozen chunks, thawed and diced)
- 1 cup Black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¾ cup diced Red bell pepper
- ¼ cup diced Red or Sweet Onion
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh chopped Cilantro
- ½ lime, juiced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Pineapple Salsa
- 2 cups diced Pineapple (fresh or from a can)
- 1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced (leave in a few seeds for a little heat if you want)
- ¼ cup diced Red onion
- ½ lime, juiced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Papaya & Avocado Salsa
- 2 cups cubed fresh Papaya (or peach)
- ¼ cup diced Red onion
- ½ cup diced Red or Orange bell pepper
- 1 Avocado, diced
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh chopped Cilantro
- ½ lime, juiced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- For each salsa, combine all the ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- TIP: you can add more or less of each ingredient according to your taste. When adding the lime juice and salt, start with the amount given, taste, and add more if needed.
- Serve with tortilla chips or rice chips.
Notes
You can use a bag of frozen mango chunks, thaw and cut into scoopable sizes. Mango does not lose its firmness after it's been thawed.
Take the bite out of red onions before using in the salsa by dicing it and soaking in room-temperature water for about 15 minutes. Drain and continue with use.
Wait to cut and add the avocado just before serving to keep it looking bright green; although it will continue to dull in color over time.
The information provided above is highly relevant.
thanks for taking the time to answer my question! I have been to three fabric shops and numerous websites searching and searching and searching… Thanks again!
No problem Aly. Cheers!
I am going to try to recreate this masterpiece of a spread!!I have looked and looked and looked everywhere for the fabric in the cute luau picture! I have checked out joann’s but no luck!! Do you remember the name or brand of the fabric?!
Hi Aly, it says “Folk Fairytale” on the fabric edge so I searched and found an Etsy seller who has it
Good luck!
Where did you find the retro beach cards?
Hi Alex, those were from Amazon.
This is gorgeous! Where did you find the tablecloth!?? Ohh id love to have it for my mom’s 50th birthday! Thanks!!
Leira, the fabric is from JoAnn’s. Thanks for the sweet comment.
This is the kind of party I’d like to attend!
What a great party idea….it’s like having a holiday in the backyard! I love the fabric you choose for the table 🙂
Loving this so much!! I’m planning a shower and need lanterns like you have here…where did you find yours? I’m having the hardest time hunting them down!!
Thanks Lelia. I found the lanterns at Kohl’s.
Me too! I want to come! Lol! This is Fab as always! Kudos!!
this is AMAZING, chris! i would LOVE to come to this party. you did such a fabulous job. love those postcards, the florals, the coconuts…everything!
Oh, wish you lived close so you could come to all my parties!
This party is GORGEOUS Chris! I love all your details. That vintage card banner is my fave! Those look like the perfect drinks for our block party on the 4th of July!
Thank you sweet lady!