What to bring on a boat trip: the complete checklist for a worry-free day

You have the booking confirmed, the group sorted and the excitement through the roof. But a few hours before boarding comes the eternal question: what do I bring on the boat? It is simpler than it seems — but packing right makes the difference between a perfect day and one with sunburn, feet slipping across the deck or your phone at the bottom of the sea.

This checklist is based on over ten seasons of real experience on the Mediterranean. After hundreds of trips from Alicante harbour, we know exactly what works and what is unnecessary. So take note, send the list to the group chat and forget about improvising.

Clothing and footwear for a boat trip

Boat clothes do not need to be technical or expensive — they just need to be practical.

Proper boat footwear: flip flops and white-soled shoes on a teak sailboat deck

What works:

Swimsuit underneath your clothes. It is the first thing you will need. Do not waste time changing on board.
Light T-shirt or long-sleeve rash guard. Protects from the sun without overheating. If you have a UV-protection rash guard, even better.
Flip flops or shoes with white soles. This is the point most people miss: dark soles leave marks on the boat deck that are very difficult to remove. Beach flip flops, water shoes or simply barefoot.
Light hoodie or windbreaker. Even in mid-July, the sea breeze cools things down in the late afternoon. If you are going on an 8-hour trip or longer, an extra layer is essential.
Towel. Bring your own. It is the most convenient for drying off after every swim and for lying on the deck.

What does NOT work:

Heels, wedges or street shoes — guaranteed slipping
Clothes that cannot get wet — splashes are part of the deal
Too much luggage — on a sailboat space is limited, a small backpack is enough

What to bring to eat and drink on a boat trip

Before packing the cooler, check with your charter company what is included in the trip price. Many organised sailboat excursions along the coast of Alicante already include cold drinks throughout the day — water, soft drinks, beer or tinto de verano are common options in the area. If your trip does not include beverages, bring a portable cooler with ice and enough cold drinks for the whole group. Either way, extra water is never a bad idea: dehydration at sea goes unnoticed until it is too late.

Picnic spread with fruit, sandwiches and cold drinks on a sailboat table in the Mediterranean

For food, it depends on the duration:

4-hour trips: a few snacks will do. Fruit, nuts, crisps. Nothing fancy.
6-hour trips: it is worth bringing something more substantial. Cold sandwiches, a charcuterie board, hummus with carrot sticks. Everything cold and easy to eat with your hands.
8-11 hour trips: on longer routes like the one to Tabarca there is a stop for lunch at a restaurant on the island. You can bring nibbles for the boat and eat a hot meal on land. If you are organising a party on a boat, arrange the catering in advance.

Tip: avoid hot meals, tupperware that needs cutlery or anything that smells strong in an enclosed space. Cold picnic-style food is the way to go.

Sun protection and seasickness

These two points are the most underestimated — and the ones that ruin a boat day the most when ignored.

Sun protection

At sea, the sun hits twice as hard. UV radiation bounces off the water and reaches you from below as well as from above. According to AEMET, the UV index on the Mediterranean coast can reach extreme values between June and September, especially in open sea without shade. An overcast day on deck burns more than you expect.

SPF 50 sunscreen. Water-resistant. Apply it 20 minutes before boarding and reapply every 2 hours.
UV-protection sunglasses. Preferably with a strap or cord so they do not end up at the bottom of the sea.
Cap or hat. Non-negotiable. Sunstroke is real and it happens fast.
Lip balm with SPF. A small detail you will be grateful for after 4 hours of wind and sun.

Seasickness

A large sailboat like the Peggy (19 metres) has much less tendency to roll than a speedboat or motorboat. Most people do not get seasick. But if you know you are sensitive to motion:

Motion sickness tablets, 30 minutes before boarding. Once the nausea starts it is too late.
Look at the horizon if you feel off. Do not read your phone or go below deck.
Eat something light before departure. An empty stomach makes it worse.
Ginger. Ginger sweets or a ginger tea before boarding. A natural remedy that works for many people.

What to bring based on the type of trip

Packing for a half-day swim is not the same as gearing up for a full day of sailing. Matching your bag to the actual plan saves you from overpacking while making sure nothing important is left behind.

Short family outing (4 hours)

If you are going with young children, prioritise children's sunscreen (specific SPF 50+), long-sleeve UV shirts and snacks they actually enjoy. Pool noodles or armbands are essential if they are not confident swimmers — the boat's life jackets are for emergencies, not for recreational swimming. Add snorkel masks, crab-catching nets or buckets: the anchoring stops in coves near the harbour are the moments the little ones enjoy most. If you are planning a birthday party on a boat, let the skipper know so they can adjust the route with more swimming stops.

Day out with friends (6-8 hours)

A large group needs coordination. Split the cold food between several people: charcuterie boards, hummus, sliced fruit. A bluetooth speaker is usually unnecessary because most charter sailboats have an onboard sound system — ask before bringing your own. Bring individual towels, extra sunscreen (someone always forgets) and a rubbish bag to collect everything at the end.

Full day to Tabarca (8-11 hours)

For routes to Tabarca Island you will need comfortable walking shoes for the island in addition to your boat footwear. A small backpack to go ashore with your wallet, phone and some cash for the restaurant. If you enjoy snorkelling, the posidonia meadows in the marine reserve offer visibility that sometimes exceeds 15 metres — it is worth bringing your own gear if you have it, although many boats include it.

Romantic sunset (2 hours)

The shortest trip and the one that needs the least packing. A light layer for when the sun goes down, sunglasses and your camera. The sunset light in front of the Castle of Santa Bárbara is probably the most photogenic on the entire coast.

Electronics and documentation

Flat lay of boat trip essentials: white flip flops, sunscreen, sunglasses, waterproof phone pouch and towel on a wooden dock

The sea and electronics are not the best of friends. But with a couple of precautions, you can capture the whole day without drama.

Waterproof phone pouch. A small investment that can save you a very expensive headache. Photos from the boat are spectacular, but salt water is lethal for any device. Zip-lock style pouches work perfectly.
Power bank. If you are going to take photos and videos all day, the battery will not last. A small power bank solves the problem.
GoPro or action camera. If you have one, this is the time to bring it out. Underwater snorkel shots and bow-mounted sailing footage are incredible.
Basic ID. Passport or national ID always on you. You do not need a sailing licence to board (the boat always goes out with a professional skipper), but having ID is recommended.

Tip: leave valuables you do not need in the car or at the hotel. The less you have to protect from the water, the more relaxed you will be.

What NOT to bring: common mistakes

After hundreds of trips, these are the mistakes we see time and again:

Suitcases or rigid bags. They do not fit well on a sailboat. Use a soft backpack or beach bag.
Heels or dark-soled shoes. Heels are dangerous on a wet deck. Dark soles mark the teak and are impossible to clean.
Enormous hotel towels. They take up unnecessary space. A normal-sized towel is enough.
Giant bluetooth speakers. The boat already has a sound system. If you want to play your playlist, connect via bluetooth to the onboard system.
Too much hot food. Tupperware with potato salad and omelette in the sun is not a good idea. Cold food, always.
Expectations of phone signal. In cove areas and open sea, coverage can be patchy. Disconnecting is part of the experience.

Your quick copy-paste checklist

Essential:

Recommended:

Optional:

GoPro / action camera
Camera with strap
Ginger sweets

With children (add):

Summary: pack smart, enjoy more

With this list sorted, the boat day starts before you even reach the harbour. The essentials fit in a small backpack and the difference between a good day and a perfect one comes down to the details: sunscreen applied on time, proper footwear and food that does not need cutlery. If you want to compare options and prices for your trip from Alicante, check our boat rental prices guide for Alicante. And if it is your first time sailing, you might want to know why hiring a skipper is the best decision for a worry-free experience.