Sailing around the Greek islands has always been a bucket list dream of mine, however there are many places around the world where you can enjoy a yacht trip. The Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida, Australia, Croatia, French Riviera, Turkey, Thailand, all of these destinations regularly feature in the “top 10 places to sail”.
Taking a yacht trip is exciting. Sailing around beautiful islands, feeling the sun on your face and a gentle breeze, listening to the sound of the waves gently kissing the boat, surely this is what dreams are made of?
However, before you board the boat, whether you are going on a day trip or for a few days, you need to make sure you have packed the right things!
Feet Do Travel share packing tips for a yacht trip.
Taking a yacht trip is exciting. Sailing around beautiful islands, feeling the sun on your face and a gentle breeze, listening to the sound of the waves gently kissing the boat, surely this is what dreams are made of?
However, before you board the boat, whether you are going on a day trip or for a few days, you need to make sure you have packed the right things!
Feet Do Travel share packing tips for a yacht trip.
Don’t over pack!
It’s always too easy to over pack. Throwing a few last minute items into your bag thinking you may need it “just in case”, we have all done it.
There will be limited space on a yacht, and there may be weight restrictions, so you only need to pack essentials. Some yachts may be spacious, especially if you are travelling for a few days, but you will be surprised how little you actually need or use when you are on the open ocean.
The bag you carry is also important. If you have a dry bag, this is best for a yacht, but if not, a small duffle bag or back pack with a separate dry-liner will be fine. The dry liner is important, just in case your bag becomes wet for any reason, at least the contents will remain dry.
Essentials to pack: Bikinis, swimwear, board shorts, sarongs, wide-brimmed sunhat or scarf, sunglasses, quick-drying clothes, lightweight cardigan (in case it becomes chilly at night), lightweight rain jacket (in case of bad weather), flip-flops, sunscreen, after sun, light-weight toiletries, mosquito repellent, micro-fibre towel, re-fillable water bottle – staying hydrated is very important!
What not to pack: Denim (it takes too long to dry), stiletto heels, anything valuable (including jewellery) that you don’t want to lose, electronic gadgets (leave the hair straighteners and gaming devices at home)
It’s always too easy to over pack. Throwing a few last minute items into your bag thinking you may need it “just in case”, we have all done it.
There will be limited space on a yacht, and there may be weight restrictions, so you only need to pack essentials. Some yachts may be spacious, especially if you are travelling for a few days, but you will be surprised how little you actually need or use when you are on the open ocean.
The bag you carry is also important. If you have a dry bag, this is best for a yacht, but if not, a small duffle bag or back pack with a separate dry-liner will be fine. The dry liner is important, just in case your bag becomes wet for any reason, at least the contents will remain dry.
Essentials to pack: Bikinis, swimwear, board shorts, sarongs, wide-brimmed sunhat or scarf, sunglasses, quick-drying clothes, lightweight cardigan (in case it becomes chilly at night), lightweight rain jacket (in case of bad weather), flip-flops, sunscreen, after sun, light-weight toiletries, mosquito repellent, micro-fibre towel, re-fillable water bottle – staying hydrated is very important!
What not to pack: Denim (it takes too long to dry), stiletto heels, anything valuable (including jewellery) that you don’t want to lose, electronic gadgets (leave the hair straighteners and gaming devices at home)
Dress appropriately
Make sure you pack clothes appropriate for your trip, and don’t take everything from your wardrobe. Leave the high heels, evening gowns and dinner jackets at home, and think “light”.
In my “what to pack” section above, these items will probably be worn the most during the day. Thankfully they are all lightweight and small so won’t take up a lot of space in your luggage, leaving you room to glam it up if you are spending an evening or two on the yacht.
Evening wear for ladies can be a simple sundress with a pair of wedges if you don’t want to wear flat shoes, then accessorise with fashion jewellery and hair clips. Men will look cool and smart in a loose cotton shirt with smart light-weight tailored shorts. Just because you are packing light, it doesn’t mean you can’t look gorgeous, so make sure you pick matching colours to complete your aesthetic look.
Make sure you pack clothes appropriate for your trip, and don’t take everything from your wardrobe. Leave the high heels, evening gowns and dinner jackets at home, and think “light”.
In my “what to pack” section above, these items will probably be worn the most during the day. Thankfully they are all lightweight and small so won’t take up a lot of space in your luggage, leaving you room to glam it up if you are spending an evening or two on the yacht.
Evening wear for ladies can be a simple sundress with a pair of wedges if you don’t want to wear flat shoes, then accessorise with fashion jewellery and hair clips. Men will look cool and smart in a loose cotton shirt with smart light-weight tailored shorts. Just because you are packing light, it doesn’t mean you can’t look gorgeous, so make sure you pick matching colours to complete your aesthetic look.
Always pack a Medicine Kit
No one wants to be sick when on holiday, so a basic medicine kit is essential. You can pick up a pre-packed medicine kit containing the standard plasters, bandages etc, but there are just a few more items you will need to include for the ocean.
Make sure you take sea sickness tablets or anti-sickness travel bands. They may have sea sickness tablets available on the yacht, but it’s best to be prepared in case they don’t. Trust me when I tell you that sea sickness in the middle of the ocean isn’t much fun!
Rehydration sachets such as dioralyte are essential in case you are sick or have had too much sun.
Don’t forget the headache tablets – you may need them for headaches, hangovers, and if you have had too much sun.
No one wants to be sick when on holiday, so a basic medicine kit is essential. You can pick up a pre-packed medicine kit containing the standard plasters, bandages etc, but there are just a few more items you will need to include for the ocean.
Make sure you take sea sickness tablets or anti-sickness travel bands. They may have sea sickness tablets available on the yacht, but it’s best to be prepared in case they don’t. Trust me when I tell you that sea sickness in the middle of the ocean isn’t much fun!
Rehydration sachets such as dioralyte are essential in case you are sick or have had too much sun.
Don’t forget the headache tablets – you may need them for headaches, hangovers, and if you have had too much sun.
Skin Care Essentials
Taking care of your skin during a yacht trip is vital, being sunburt at any time can spoil your day but on a yacht it can ruin your entire trip. You will be exposed to sunlight, and because of the gentle ocean breeze, you may not realise you are burning. Wearing a high SPF reef safe sunscreen applied liberally and regularly will protect your skin against harmful UV rays. Reef safe is the key word here, and avoid any sunscreen containing Octinoxate and/or Oxybenzone, which are two reef bleaching chemicals found in some sunscreens. As an added precaution, wear a ride brimmed hat or scarf to protect your head.
Part of a healthy skincare routine is to apply moisturiser to ensure your skin is soft and nourished. If you are in a hot, sunny country, you may not realise the strength of the sun and despite your best efforts you end up sunburnt. This is when moisturiser is most needed, so make sure you pack after sun, or a moisturiser containing aloe vera which will help with any feelings of discomfort or soreness.
For your other toiletries, ditch the plastic bottles and take a shampoo/conditioning bar instead! They are lightweight, take up less space and easy to carry. If you don’t already use a shampoo bar and/or conditioning bar, invest in one today and you will be amazed how awesome they are!
Taking care of your skin during a yacht trip is vital, being sunburt at any time can spoil your day but on a yacht it can ruin your entire trip. You will be exposed to sunlight, and because of the gentle ocean breeze, you may not realise you are burning. Wearing a high SPF reef safe sunscreen applied liberally and regularly will protect your skin against harmful UV rays. Reef safe is the key word here, and avoid any sunscreen containing Octinoxate and/or Oxybenzone, which are two reef bleaching chemicals found in some sunscreens. As an added precaution, wear a ride brimmed hat or scarf to protect your head.
Part of a healthy skincare routine is to apply moisturiser to ensure your skin is soft and nourished. If you are in a hot, sunny country, you may not realise the strength of the sun and despite your best efforts you end up sunburnt. This is when moisturiser is most needed, so make sure you pack after sun, or a moisturiser containing aloe vera which will help with any feelings of discomfort or soreness.
For your other toiletries, ditch the plastic bottles and take a shampoo/conditioning bar instead! They are lightweight, take up less space and easy to carry. If you don’t already use a shampoo bar and/or conditioning bar, invest in one today and you will be amazed how awesome they are!
Other Accessories
If topping up your tan or taking Instagram photos of the gorgeous surroundings aren’t your main purpose of your yacht trip, make sure you pack a few fun activities to pass the time.
Packing a snorkel, fins, mask, GoPro, waterproof camera/underwater camera will help you capture your ocean memories. An e-reader or good book, music on your phone are also ways to help you enjoy your time on the yacht during the day, and take a pack of cards for the evening.
Other accessories to pack are a power bank, battery charger and torch.
If topping up your tan or taking Instagram photos of the gorgeous surroundings aren’t your main purpose of your yacht trip, make sure you pack a few fun activities to pass the time.
Packing a snorkel, fins, mask, GoPro, waterproof camera/underwater camera will help you capture your ocean memories. An e-reader or good book, music on your phone are also ways to help you enjoy your time on the yacht during the day, and take a pack of cards for the evening.
Other accessories to pack are a power bank, battery charger and torch.
Recommended Yacht Charters
Our yachting friends Trippin Turpins are currently enjoying life sailing around Thailand and Phuket. Phuket is a favourite destination of theirs, and they have visited many times. If you want to follow in their footsteps, Isabella Yachts can help you provide an itinerary, have yachts for hire in different sizes to accommodate different group sizes. Each luxury boat is managed by a professional captain and crew, who will look after your every need so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
Our yachting friends Trippin Turpins are currently enjoying life sailing around Thailand and Phuket. Phuket is a favourite destination of theirs, and they have visited many times. If you want to follow in their footsteps, Isabella Yachts can help you provide an itinerary, have yachts for hire in different sizes to accommodate different group sizes. Each luxury boat is managed by a professional captain and crew, who will look after your every need so you can relax and enjoy your trip.
