This is a question we get from just about all of our guests before they come on board Wild Rose. This is also great information if you are chartering a catamaran for a week, you basically will need all of the same gear.
We tell them please pack as lightly as you can. Most of our guests wear only a fraction of what they bring! All you really need are shorts, tee shirts and beachwear – and possibly a light wrap or sweatshirt for the evening.
A sailboat is a damp environment. The faster your clothes dry, the more comfortable you will be. Ideal clothing should be quick-dry (no denim) and wrinkle resistant (no 100% cotton).
Most of the time we wear swimsuits and t-shirts on the boat. And on land we use flip flops. Pack your items in a water resistant or waterproof duffel bag if possible. Even a large contractor bag inside of your duffel is a great solution. It could be raining on the way to or from the airport. Please do not use hard sided luggage, space is at a premium on a boat, duffel bags can be rolled up. If you bring a hard suitcase you may have to sleep with it. Unless you are bringing boat supplies, then I will sleep with it.
- Swimsuits (2-3) – This is pretty obvious, but you will likely be in and out of the water a lot. Sometimes we wear our swimsuits all day, even out to dinner.
- T shirts (5) – Five T-shirts should be plenty to get you through the week.
- Flip flops or sandals – We are in and out of the boat and dinghy a lot. Having footwear that can get wet and are easy to slip on and off is essential.
- Lightweight long sleeve shirt – It is really sunny in the tropics, often it is nice to get the sun off of your arms for a while.
- Recipes/ideas for making dinner on boat (everyone needs to bring at least 1 idea for a dinner to make)
- Sarong – For the ladies.
- Cell phone and waterproof or water-resistant case if you plan on having it outside. Stuff gets wet on a boat.
- Consider downloading Whatsapp for the Caribbean, cell service is spotty and Whatsapp works often when cell service doesn’t
- USB Charging cord for phone or other electronics and spare
- External charging battery – This is good for airport travel as well if you are off the boat all day it’s easy to toss in your backpack in case you need a charge.
- Backpack for walking around or day adventures – A dry bag that is a backpack works great for this. Often we need to tote groceries and beer back to the boat. 40 litres is a good size.
- Reef friendly sunscreen
- SPF lip balm
- After sun lotion or aloe vera
- Books or books on kindle or tablet
- Ballcap or visor or wide brimmed hat – Again, it is sunny and it’s better to keep sun off of you as much as possible instead of getting burnt and ruining your vacation.
- Sunglasses and strap – so they don’t fall in the water
- Tennis shoes if you want to go hiking
- Boat shoes (optional) – we sail with bare feet, but some people like to wear shoes. We only allow non marking shoes on deck, so pack appropriately.
- Snorkeling gear – If you don’t already have this, it might be a good time to purchase a good set if this is something you are interested in, a set should last your entire life. These Mares fins are the best for the money and will last your entire life.
- Rash guard or synthetic shirt to keep the sun off when snorkeling.
- Wetsuit if you plan on diving or snorkeling for long periods, check water temperature.
- Local currency – check with us on this, some places take dollars, some places it is better to get local currency before you come. Do not assume you will have access to an ATM machine, many times they are unavailable or broken.
- Thin beach towel, we have towels to use after showering, but we like those to stay in your head. A thin beach towel dries easily. Must have item
- Bug repellant
- Lightweight rain jacket, sometimes it rains a lot in the tropics
- Headlamp and batteries, preferably with a red bulb for night vision
- Camera, underwater camera or Go Pro
- Water bottle Must have item
- Toiletries and prescriptions
- Consider adding some melatonin if you are a light sleeper, the boat is usually gently rocking at night.
- Seasickness implements – Bonine, wrist bands, etc. if you are prone to seasickness
- Passport and copies
- Credit card, Visa or Mastercard, American Express is usually not taken
- Consider travel insurance
- Special note: Our boat runs on 220v AC, which means we have the same plugs as in Europe. We do have an adapter, but we also have several USB ports throughout the boat and in the cabins. So plan accordingly. If you are chartering a boat, make sure you know what electrical systems are on the boat if you are bringing electronics aboard. Nearly all boats will have USB ports aboard.
Don’t bring:
- Fancy jewelry
- Do not bring any items that have been dyed. For example, plastic mesh shower scrubbers stain gelcoat in the showers.
- Do not bring any items that have been dyed. For example, plastic mesh shower scrubbers stain gelcoat in the showers.
- Dress clothes – even if we go out to eat, shorts and a t-shirt are fine. Fancy clothes are easily ruined on a boat.
- Hard sided luggage
- Hair dryers, straighteners and curlers
- High heels or any shoes that mark the deck
- Clothes with buttons or hard gemstones on the back pockets, these can put a hole in the dinghy or scratch the gelcoat
- Toe and fingernail polish – this transfers easily to the deck, if you have to get your nails done, please use gel coat.
Other Items to Consider:
- There is a limited supply of fresh water on the boat, water conservation is mandatory even if there is a watermaker on board.
- Head usage – Marine toilets are very finnicky, nothing except what comes out of your body should to go into the toilet, plus a sparing amount of toilet paper. No hair, tampons, floss or anything else may go into the toilet. If your toilet clogs you get to help the skipper unclog it. It will not be pleasant.
- Rings generally should not be worn on a boat. If they get caught by a line it could take the skin off of your finger, or worse – it could take the whole finger. On a working sailboat, there are dozens of lines on board.
- Hatches need to remain closed during sailing and when away from boat. Pay special attention to the mushroom vents, these need to remain closed at sea. Even if you are just going for a swim or a snorkel close your hatches, rain showers often pop up in the tropics.
- Cooking – It’s always better if everyone pitches in to cook and clean after meals. Our general rule is that if someone is in the galley cooking ask if you can help. If it is your turn to cook, then it is also your turn to clean after the meal. You are welcome to use all of the dishes, pots and pans for your meal, just realize you will be cleaning them afterward. Please feel free to volunteer to cook in the galley. If you see dirty dishes in the galley please assume they need to be cleaned.
- When chartering a boat I always like to bring a fridge or freezer thermometer. It’s difficult to tell how cold the fridge is, and for a few dollars it’s worth it to have a thermometer.
Please Note: It is a good idea to change into shorts and a t-shirt when you get off the plane, or immediately after disembarking the plane. It is hot and could take a while to get to the boat. You probably want to stay as cool as possible getting from the airport to the boat.