Bareboat charter sailing has become a popular way to explore tropical places for a small group.  It’s called “bareboat” because you’re hiring the yacht without a crew - that’s where you and your friends and family come in.  These are normally booked by sailors with experience (although not everyone on the boat has to have any) or there is also an option to add a skipper, hostess, or a combination of the two.  

The sailboat or catamaran typically comes fully-loaded with sheets, towels, and kitchenware, but you are responsible for provisioning food, beverages, and other personal items.  Other items for fishing, diving, paddle boards, and more are sometimes negotiable for a price.  

The big difference between heading out for a day sail - or even a weekend trip - on a boat versus chartering a boat for a week or more, is that you’re going to be living and playing closer to the elements than you normally do when you’re at home.  Sun, humidity, heat, rain, sand… they all become a part of your daily movement and having some comfort items will help the trip be more enjoyable all the way around.  

We’ve had a lot of time on our boat in many different conditions to come up with 22 items we include to make our sailing adventures more comfortable and more fun.  And if you have room in your bag to bring these items from the mainland, they’re much more affordable than purchasing them in the islands.  Here we go:

1. Body/Shower Wipes by Yuni. These are amazing. Fresh water is a limited commodity and showers become short. For getting by with a quick wipe-down after an easy day, we recommend the Yuni Shower Wipe - they smell great, too!

2. USB Rechargeable Fan. Many charter boats these days have air conditioning, some don’t. Plus, even on a pleasant night, it’s nice to have some air movement in a humid environment. Beskar makes a bunch of different small, travel-friendly options for this.

3. Travel towel by OlimpiaFit. These are made of a microfiber that holds many times their weight in water, dry really quickly, pack very small, and don’t hold on to the musty smell as easily as cotton does.

4. Reef-friendly Sunscreen. That’s a given any time you’re in a sunny locale, but make sure to choose a reef-safe option if you’re going to get in the water! We like Sun Bum for ease of availability, but there are many other, smaller companies that make reef-friendly sunscreens these days.

5. A Sun Shirt with sleeves and a hood. Check out Title Nine or REI for some wonderful options. Or some similar type of cover up. Actually, make that two of these because even when you plan on living in a swimsuit, you’ll likely reach a point each day when you’re ready to give your skin a break from the sun’s intensity.

6. Motion sick medications and ginger tasties. You just never know and why suffer while searching for a place to find these items in a new, strange place while feeling less that chipper? Dramamine, Meclazine, Bonine, the wrist acupressure bracelets, or even a prescription from your doctor for Scopolamine patches (if you know you have a tendency to get motion sick) are options. The medications can help prevent the motion sickness; the ginger items can help relieve the symptoms if they occur.

7. Sunglasses. Again, maybe two pair. Give your eyes a break. Backcountry has a great variety and good deals!

8. Hydration tablets or powder. Something like the individual serving pouches of Propel or Nuun tablets to help you rehydrate on the really hot days. Water comes first, but you’re likely more active than usual in the heat/humidity of the tropics and your body will crave that sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Plus, something besides water tastes good, too.

9. Lotion/After Sun Moisturizer/Lip Balm. You’re rehydrating yourself on the inside, but don’t forget the outside! Regardless of the humidity you’re in, the sun and salt will begin to make your skin feel dry. Add wind to that equation and you’ll enjoy some daily self-care with these items.

10. A Buff and/or hair clip. Speaking of humidity… your hair will take on a new level of freedom in this environment, especially with the wind! It’s going to be big. Keep it out of your eyes and off your neck with these items… they also help avoid the dreaded and painful part-sunburn. Ow.

11. A ball for your feet. What? Why, yes. This is purely a pamper item. If your feet have been encompassed by shoes and socks for months, transitioning to sandals full-time, or barefoot while you’re onboard, is going to take some getting used to. We keep a couple of tennis balls onboard for some relief to our feet for that first week of soreness. If you want to go full-pamper, check out this set of foot heaven and choose what you’d like to take!.

12. A packable bag. We love our Chico Bags. We use them for everything: groceries, going to the shower house, going to the beach, souvenirs, laundry day, and so much more. It packs down smaller than a baseball and hides in a purse or pocket.

13. A USB battery pack charger. Charters will have the ability to charge electronics you bring, but it’s nice to have a backup in case something doesn’t go as planned. That does happen when traveling, after all. With this small item, you’re adaptable.

14. Bug wipes. Mosquitos are always a possibility and no-see-ums are their aggravating little cousins. Lemon-eucalyptus spray is also a great option, but if traveling with a liquid is tricky, one option is OFF wipes. They work!

15. Swimsuits. This is a given, of course, but what we want to add is bring two. That could be two one-pieces, two bikinis, a combo, or one of those and an alternate type of swim outfit that has more sun coverage like swim shorts and a long-sleeved rash guard. Plan to not get sunburned while snorkeling, but prepare for a the chance that you could be and still want to get in the water the next day.

16. A dry bag. Sea to Summit has a long history of fantastic products and their light-weight dry bags are our go-to. They pack small and keep things dry as a bone during the splashiest or rainiest dinghy rides.

17. A rain jacket. Speaking of rainy times… it happens sometimes. Depending on the season, you can almost time the brief rain shower you might encounter each day. But despite the obvious, a rain jacket is also a nice break from wind when it feels cool out. If confronted with a cold front, it’s easy to throw on an extra layer of clothing and your rain shell and feel perfectly comfortable. Outdoor Research’s Helium II Jacket is a great option that’s affordable and very packable.

18. Body Glide. Many, many people have bodies with parts that rub: thighs, arm pits, and so much more. Body Glide simply helps these parts slip past each other without the added friction that sweaty, humid conditions provide that can get painful. No more thigh rash in that cute skort; no more sore spots under the arms while hiking to that cool beach bar someone told you about. It’s amazing stuff that endurance athletes swear by, too.

19. A hat. This could be an option to purchase on your trip. One of those nice, wide-brimmed straw hats would be lovely. Or, something from Outdoor Research’s variety can pack into small spaces and give your face some shade.

20. A sarong. Yet again, another option to purchase on your trip. These are so diverse because they can be cover-ups, something to sit on when at the beach, a light weight wrap-skirt, even a carry-all. If you’d rather come prepared, these sarongs from Back From Bali are ethically made by women and family-owned businesses in Bali.

21. A headlamp like this one from BioLite. Anytime we travel out of the norm - adventure-travel, developing countries - we take a small headlamp. Not only is it nice to have a little added light to read by if the rest of your crew went to bed, but walking on new streets at night can be an exercise in balance and ankle strength without a light. Just something to think about.

22. Snacks. Pack ‘em if you’ve got ‘em! Look, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to purchase food, but if you have a favorite chocolate that you really want to enjoy with a glass of wine one night under the stars on the yacht you are hanging out on… do it! All kinds of food and beverages will be higher priced because of what it takes to get the resources all the way out to the islands. It’s a necessary part of island life and an adventure in new culinary opportunities (try some guava items!).

23. BONUS: A good book. Or notebook and pen. Or sudoku puzzle book. Or a pack of cards. Or how about a good story about sailing? Bring something that you can pass a quiet moment without the aid of electronics. Let your mind relax and enjoy the setting, the sounds, and the multi-sensory bath you’re getting to dip in without much distraction.

Throw some clothing and toothbrush in and you’re nearly packed!  How does our essentials list fit for you?  Is there something you would add for your sailing adventure?

Fair winds and following seas on your journey!

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