top of page

WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR A SAILING CHARTER?

When you’ve booked your sail charter, you must then figure out what to pack. Most first-timers pack too much though. Life in and around the islands is extremely casual, and you don’t need much. These tips will help you as you try on your sea legs.

Sailing Gear Bags and Duffels

The storage space on most luxury yachts is incredibly restrictive. Soft-sided luggage is required so you can fold it away once on board. Hard suitcases are discouraged because they are tough to put away and can cause scratches and damages to the fine woodwork your luxury yacht charter will have.

Backpack

A comfortable backpack is another essential to use when you fly into your destination and when you go out exploring on land at your destinations. They can stow easily in overhead compartments when you fly. They’re also easy for hands-free carrying of items when you’re getting into and out of a dinghy. Something else to be cautious about is that if your luggage doesn’t arrive with you, you should have a spare swimsuit, shorts, shirt, and undergarments just in case. As island pace can be slow, it’s best to be prepared for the worst of losing luggage or having it extremely delayed in arriving at you

General Clothing

For summer, light summer clothes are best. Think bathing suits, and light-feel fabric for shirts, skirts, and shorts. Knowing the climate of your destination is essential for proper packing. If it’s a warm and sunny destination, pack accordingly. If you plan to dine ashore at the more elegant restaurants in your destinations, it’s wise to pack casual trousers and collared shirts for men and flowing summer dresses for the ladies. Smart casual is the best tone you can set. If your yacht charter includes jet ski, you may want to bring some old t-shirts to protect your skin while out on the water in all that sun.

Hats

Do not come without a hat. Carry two types of hats--a visored or brimmed hat, and a watch cap

A brimmed hat that can stay on during windy conditions is essential. Baseball caps are fine, but hats with a full brim that goes all the way around and a chinstrap to secure them are the best. If you’re coming for a summer vacation, choose lighter-colored materials as they will reflect the heat away from your head and keep you more relaxed.

Use the watch cap to protect your head--where you lose 90% of body heat--when temperatures cool. Even in mid-summer, ocean weather temps can drop enough at night to warrant a watch cap.

Sarong

Sarongs are colorful body wraps that can be used as a skirt for women or a quick beach towel or pillow. They can even make for a quick curtain of privacy on the beach should you need to change into appropriate clothes for the town. They’re very versatile whether you’re a man or a woman.

Bathing Suits

You should plan on bringing multiple swimsuits. Three to four swim trunks for men and the same amount for women’s swimwear is plenty. Women should make sure one of their swimsuits is a one-piece if they plan to do water-sports like snorkeling or diving.

Warm Cloths

It might surprise you but even in the summer, nights on the water can get cold. If your destination is tropical, you needn’t come with a parka but do plan on a windbreaker and some pants to help you keep cozy at night.

Shorts & Pants

Ideally, you should bring shorts and pants that can dry fast. Cotton, while comfortable, is not the best choice as once it gets sprayed with a bit of salt water, it will be difficult to dry it out on the water.

Shirts

For shirts, five is an ideal number. Choose comfortable ones that are light and fit loosely. A long-sleeved tech shirt is good for keeping the sun off of your arms both in and out of the water. A long-sleeved button-up sun shirt is suitable for comfortable protection from the sun. The collar can help guard your neck, and you can roll the sleeves up if need be.

Dinner Cloths

Your entire wardrobe shouldn’t be all t-shirts and swimsuits though. If you’d like to dine at one of the excellent restaurants on shore at one of your anchorages, it’s nice to bring a pair of khakis with a short-sleeved collared button-up shirt. Women can go for a lovely summer dress or even a casual skirt and beautiful blouse. The islands are very relaxed, and you don’t need your formal attire to dine out here.

Undergarments

Six sets are an excellent choice for undergarments. This includes underpants or panties, undershirt or bra, and socks. You can wash them on the deck and hang them to dry. Again, cotton is a poor choice as it won’t dry fast. Choose materials that will dry quickly, both for men and women.

Shoes

You’ll generally be required to have bare feet on board your yacht. Sneakers and white rubber-soled sandals are good for the deck, but stiletto heels and black-soled shoes are not permitted. They can damage the intricate teak wood of the deck and leave scuff marks. Leave these types of shoes at home.

Flip-Flops

Flip-flops will be your shoe of choice once you get off the boat unless you plan on hiking. Use flip-flops that were made to get wet. Leather-strapped flip-flops are a poor choice for a yacht charter vacation.

Walking or Hiking Shoes 

If you’d like to do walking or hiking, choose a comfortable pair of sneakers or fully-strapped sandals that are water-friendly. Do not bring boots.

Bio-Friendly Toiletries

Usually, the yacht has all the toiletries for your adventure sailing vacation but if you are used to your particular brand, then pack them as well. Please remember to bring toiletry items such as your toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, makeup, contact solution, shampoo, saltwater Biodegradable Soap, and any other toiletry items you need.

AC/DC Inverter

Some yacht charters don’t have inverters or generators. You can find out from your broker what to expect on your particular vessel. Even if they do, it’s never a bad idea to bring along an inexpensive personal inverter to charge your devices. It should come with a cigarette lighter plug as well as a pair of clips that can attach it directly onto a battery in the event a cigarette lighter outlet isn’t available onboard.

Documents and Other Essential Items

The following things should not be forgotten when you arrive for your yacht charter. Make copies too, and keep everything sealed in one of those zippered plastic bags to avoid water damage.

  • Your boarding pass

  • Contact details for your departure base

  • All your IDs including your passport, driver’s license, health ID card, personal ID card) and charter package paperwork

  • For those taking the helm of the vessel, a skipper’s license

  • Your insurance policy

  • Diving ID, fishing license, and any other IDs you’ll need

  • Address book with highlighted numbers that you can contact in case of emergency, including the port authorities and your contact at the yacht charter company

  • Financials in the form of cash, traveler’s checks, and credit cards

In addition to making color copies of your most important documents like your passport information page, you should scan these documents and save copies of them to a secure cloud or email them to yourself so you can download them anywhere you are in the world. Password protection should be active on these to secure your identity.

For Your Kids

If you’re taking kids along on your yacht charter, it’s a good idea to bring a deck of playing cards, UNO, or some other old-fashioned game that’s easy to take along. Star finders are great for clear nights too. A few good books plus an MP3 player are also excellent for keeping kids occupied during squalls or during quieter times. Whether bird and wildlife watching, fishing, boating, or just touring across the coastland in your kayak, a set of binoculars can help you enjoy it to the fullest.

GENERAL ITEMS

Sunblock and Aftersun Cream

With the glorious winds blowing at you during your sailing experience, it’s easy to forget that the sun is taking its toll. Make sure you bring plenty of sunblock with you on your yacht charter. Apply it first thing in the morning, in the middle of the day, after swimming, and in the afternoon too. You should also bring products that protect your lips. Make sure your entire body from head to toe is protected with sunblock products. Waterproof is best since you’ll be getting wet. Choose sunblock with 30 SPF minimum, preferably higher, and make sure they have a zinc base for the best protection. Also, carry an aloe vera after sun cream in case you got a bit too much sun!

Digital Camera

You’re going to want to immortalize your yacht charter vacation forever so bring along your digital camera. You should bring extra memory cards and batteries as recharging may be a problem. You can use your smartphone too, but again, charging may be a problem while out at sea. Don’t forget your waterproof camera bag, or if you don’t have one, a zippered plastic bag can be used instead. Without it, you’ll have the water-damaged equipment.

Flashlight or Headlamp

Bringing along a small flashlight is essential. Flashlights are a great accessory to have in your cabin in an unfamiliar dark boat. Try LED flashlights that are waterproof, making it ideal for sailing trips because you don't have to worry about the batteries or the flashlight getting busted because it got wet.

Polarized Sunglasses

You’ve probably thought about sunglasses for the trip, but polarized sunglasses are a much better choice because they reduce most of the glare that the surface water will hit you with. You’ll need to see what’s beneath the surface when navigating through shallow waters. Secure them around your neck with a lanyard, or else they could wind up going overboard. It’s wise to also bring a second, less expensive backup pair just in case anything does happen to your sunglasses.

Insect Repellant

Carry a heavy-duty insect repellant containing DEET. If you find that insect repellent sprays don't work for you, try an electronic mosquito repellent. They emit a high-frequency sound to repel mosquitoes and other insects and come on a handy key ring that can be attached to a belt, your keys or your headboard while sleeping. They are completely chemical free, and there is no unpleasant smell or itchiness and ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Medications

If you have any medicines that you take on a regular basis, you will need to make sure that you pack them as well. Forgetting your medications could lead to a medical emergency, and it may be hard to get the medication you need during sailing or even when you are touring various land destinations. You can also pick up motion and sea sickness tablets from any pharmacy these days and generally come in a pack of around 15-20 capsules.

Zippered Plastic Bags

A great way to bring any liquids, keeping essential documents dry as a bone, and keeping small items stowed together is to use those large freezer zippered plastic bags.

Bring along Zip Lock bags in several sizes - They’re great for bringing back souvenirs like liquor from the islands and keeping dirty clothes separated from clean clothes.

Waterproof Phone Case

When you go sailing, a waterproof phone case is an absolute must. If you purchase a case that allows the phone to float in the water, that would be a bonus. 

Water Gear

Some islands have indeed little more to offer than the beaches and sailing; snorkeling.

Most sailing charters either have snorkel equipment already on board or available for a rental where you board your yacht charter, but it’s a good idea to invest in bringing your mask and snorkel. But to cut down on the baggage, rent the fins.

SAILING SPECIFIC ACCESSORIES

Don’t forget about these things you’ll be glad to have during your yacht charter!

Life Jackets

Make sure all the safety equipment have been stashed into the boat before setting sail. Most charter operators provide life jackets but check with them ahead of time that they have the child and adults sizes you require. Adults may choose to bring their own inflatable PFD which is much more enjoyable to wear. Since young children will be wearing life jackets constantly, kid’s PFDs will be much more enjoyable and comfortable over inflatable types.

Foul Weather Gear

So it's a beautiful day? And that marine weather broadcaster in the four-walled room, says it's going to be beautiful without a lick of rain in the forecast? Maybe not from where he or she broadcasts. But, you want to be ready.

Carry your foul weather gear--tops and bottoms. The wet stuff can come up at sea so fast it'll make your head spin. And sailing when you're drenching wet can be miserable. Wet folks lose body heat, and that can be dangerous in windy weather. And it gets worse as the sun goes down and the air temperature cools. A good, breathable set of foul weather gear becomes worth its weight in pirate's gold when the weather kicks up.

Sailing Gloves

For those of you that plan to serve actively on the crew holding the lines, make sure you bring two pairs of sailing gloves. The second one, like backup sunglasses, is good to have should something happen to yours or if another person in your party could use a pair to lend a helping hand.

VHF Radio

A VHF marine radio should be equipped on your boat should the need ever arise for you to get a hold of someone during an emergency. VHF marine radios are equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC), so it will be effortless for you to call the Coast Guard or other boaters close to your area. You can either have a traditional VHF radio installed on your boat, or buy a handheld one. It's entirely up to you, all that matters is that you have some way of getting a hold of help in times of distress.

GPS Tracker

Another good idea for boat equipment (and this may be obvious to some), is to have a GPS tracking device installed. This will make it easier for the Coast Guard to find you after you contact them with your VHF marine radio. A GPS device will alert the Coast Guard to your exact position so that they can find you as quickly as possible. If you purchase a case that allows the GPS device to float in the water, that would be a bonus. 

Radio Beacon

An Emergency Position Indicator Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a piece of extra safety boat equipment you need onboard. If your boat begins to capsize or sink, the EPIRB will alert the Coast Guard. They will then make you their top priority and will use all of their resources to get to you. It will transmit a beacon to the Coast Guard, and they will pick it up as quickly as possible for rescue.

Multipurpose/Leatherman Tool

Leatherman Hand tools come in truly handy at some point on your charter. Pack this item in your carry on /check-in baggage to avoid confiscation by airport security.

bottom of page