A sailing vacation in the Caribbean is a wonderful adventure that combines the thrill of sailing with the beauty of tropical destinations. Here’s a comprehensive packing list to ensure crew members are well-prepared for the journey. Remember, if you are on a long distance offshore passage from the Caribbean, the temperature will change considerably and you will need to bring much warmer clothes too!
Clothing
- Quick-dry Shirts and Shorts: For day-to-day activities on board and ashore. For a 12-day trip, we’d suggest 3-4 sets.
- Swimwear: Bring a couple of sets for frequent swimming and snorkeling.
- Lightweight, Long-Sleeved Shirts and Pants: For sun protection. You’ll be pleased you did.
- Fleece or light jumper: For evenings when the temperature drops a little
- Rain Jacket or Windbreaker: For protection against occasional rain and sea spray.
- Sailing Gloves: To protect hands while handling ropes and equipment.
- Cap or Hat: For sun protection.
- Sunglasses with UV Protection: Preferably polarized to reduce glare from the water. See our guide here.
- Footwear:
- Slip-resistant boat shoes or trainers. Open-toed shoes are not suitable
- Water shoes for rocky or coral beaches.
- Flip-flops or sandals for casual wear ashore.
Sleeping
- Bed sheets: Bring two single bed sheets – one to sleep on and one to sleep under. If you bring two sets, you can refresh them half way through. Some crew like to have a very light sleeping bag.
- Pillow case: Bring two, allowing you to refresh it half way through.
Personal Gear
- Sunscreen: High SPF, water-resistant.
- After-Sun Lotion or Aloe Vera: For soothing sunburn.
- Insect Repellent: Especially for evenings ashore.
- Reusable Water Bottle: To stay hydrated.
- Personal Medication and small First Aid Kit: Including motion sickness remedies.
- Toiletries: Biodegradable soap and shampoo for environmentally sensitive areas.
- Dry Bag or plastic bags: To keep personal items dry and safe.
- Snorkeling Gear: We provide some, but if you’re keen you may well want to bring your own
- Towel: For showers and the beach.
Navigation and Communication
- Waterproof Phone Case or Bag: To protect your devices.
- Portable Charger or Power Bank: For charging electronic devices. Your bunk has a USB port
- Headlamp or Flashlight: You are unlikely to need this unless on an offshore passage, but they can still be useful. Bring extra batteries.
Miscellaneous
- Travel Documents: Passport and driving license.
- Cash and Credit Cards: Cards are fine almost everywhere, but some cash is useful where digital payments may not be accepted. Here’s a list of the currencies for the places we sail to:
- Grenadines: The Grenadines span multiple territories including part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where the currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), and part of Grenada, which also uses the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD).
- St. Lucia: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Martinique: Euro (EUR) – Martinique is an overseas department of France.
- Dominica: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Guadeloupe: Euro (EUR) – Guadeloupe is an overseas department of France.
- Antigua: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)
- Bahamas: Bahamian Dollar (BSD), U.S. Dollar (USD) is also widely accepted.
- Jamaica: Jamaican Dollar (JMD)
- Cuba: Cuban Peso (CUP), and for tourists, the Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) was used, but it’s advisable to check the latest because Cuba has been undergoing currency reforms.
- Bermuda: Bermudian Dollar (BMD), U.S. Dollar (USD) is also widely accepted.
- Books or E-Reader: For leisure time.
- Headphones: for podcasts and music
- Compact Binoculars: For wildlife watching or distant viewing.
- Waterproof Backpack or Daypack: For shore excursions.
- Sarong: For cooler evenings on deck.
- Earplugs and Eye Mask: For sleeping more comfortably.
Optional (But Recommended)
- Underwater Camera or GoPro: For capturing underwater and action shots.
- Notebook and Pen: For journaling or taking notes.
Remember, there is lots of personal storage space on the boat, but it is not unlimited, so pack efficiently, focusing on multi-purpose items and leaving non-essentials at home. Always check with us if you have any questions.
