What should you pack for a yacht charter?
Pack light and soft: swimwear, casual resort clothes, a warm layer for evenings, plenty of reef-safe sun protection, a hat and sunglasses, soft-soled or deck shoes, and any personal medication. Use soft holdalls rather than hard suitcases, as cabin storage is limited. Towels are provided and formal wear is rarely needed.
Key facts
- Soft bags only — hard suitcases don't fit cabin storage.
- Swimwear, light layers, and one warmer layer for breezy evenings and passages.
- Reef-safe high-SPF sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and lip balm.
- Soft-soled deck shoes or bare feet — dark hard soles mark the teak.
- Towels are provided; bring personal medication, chargers and travel adapters.
Clothing
Daywear on board is swimwear and light cotton or linen — relaxed and minimal. Add a couple of smarter-casual outfits for dinner ashore and one light jacket or fleece for cool evenings and passages.
Formal wear is almost never needed on a charter, even a luxury one. When in doubt, pack less: you'll live in swimwear and a cover-up most of the week.
Sun and sea
The sun is stronger on the water. Bring high-SPF reef-safe sunscreen, after-sun, a hat and polarised sunglasses, and lip balm with SPF. If you're prone to motion sickness, pack your preferred remedy for longer passages.
A light rash vest is worth it for children and long snorkelling sessions.
Footwear and bags
Soft-soled deck shoes or bare feet only — dark or hard soles can mark and damage the teak deck, so most guests go barefoot on board and keep shoes for going ashore.
Pack everything in soft holdalls that stow flat, and bring a small dry bag for tender trips to the beach.
The little things
Bring personal medication, phone chargers and travel adapters, a good book and reef-safe insect repellent. The crew supplies bath and beach towels, and most yachts carry snorkelling gear — check specifics, including toiletries, with your broker before you go.
Common questions
Do I need to bring towels on a yacht charter?
No — bath and beach towels are provided on crewed yachts. Bring personal items, medication and sun protection instead; snorkelling gear is usually on board too.
What shoes should I wear on a yacht?
Soft-soled deck shoes or bare feet. Hard or dark soles can mark and damage the teak deck, so most guests go barefoot on board and keep shoes for going ashore.
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