A holiday on the water follows its own set of rules. When you spend several days living on a sailboat, add diving into the mix, and constantly move between sun, wind, salt, and sea, you quickly realise: your packing list looks very different from a classic beach vacation. To make things easier, here’s our tried-and-tested list for relaxed days at sea.
Clothing
Life on a boat follows a simple truth: less is more. During the day, we practically live in swimwear—jumping in the water, drying off in the sun, and only putting on “proper clothes” in the evening. A few light outfits for going out are more than enough. Instead, pack pieces that protect you from the sun: airy blouses, linen trousers, or a hat can make all the difference.
- Underwear
- Socks
- T-shirts
- Sweater
- Trousers / skirts / shorts
- Blouses / shirts
- Sports trousers
- Sport tops
- Shoes / sandals
- Belt
- Hat or cap
- (Rain) jacket
Swimming and Snorkelling
If you love being in the water, a sailing trip will make you endlessly happy. We often swim several times a day. To always have something dry on hand, it’s best to bring multiple swim outfits. Once again, sun protection is more important than style—UV tops and leggings help prevent sunburn in unexpected places, and water shoes protect you from sea urchins or sharp rocks.
- Beach towel / swim poncho
- Swimsuit / swim trunks / bikini
- Swim goggles
- UV protection
- Dive mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Water shoes for sea-urchin protection
- Waterproof phone pouch
Diving
Every diver has their own preferences, but this list gives you a good overview of equipment that can be useful. Tanks and weights are provided by the local dive centre—everything else depends on comfort and habit. If you bring your own gear, make sure it’s serviced, complete, and functioning properly.
- Rashguard
- Wetsuit
- Boots
- Gloves
- Hood
- Dive computer
- BCD
- Weight pockets / weight belt
- Regulator
- Dive torch
- Compass
- Spare mask
- DSMB + reel
- Dive knife
- Slate
- Underwater camera / housing / batteries / memory cards
- Certification card, logbook
- Proof of dive accident insurance
- Save-a-dive kit (spare parts, O-rings, etc.)
Sailing
Those who sail regularly often have their favourite pieces of gear like foul-weather clothing or sailing gloves. Guests, however, need very little—except non-marking shoes with light soles, which keep the deck clean and help you stand securely. Everything else is simply a comfort recommendation. Out on the water it can get chilly surprisingly fast, even in the sun.
- Sailing jacket / foul weather gear
- Rain trousers
- (Sailing) rubber boots
- Sailing shoes (light soles)
- Sailing gloves
- Retainers for hats or glasses
- Beanie
- Seasickness remedies
- Waterproof bag / dry bag
- Small torch / headlamp
- Logbook
Electronics
On board you’ll find both 220V outlets and 12V USB ports, so charging most devices is no problem—whether you need to stay reachable for work or just want to use your eReader and camera. With onboard Wi-Fi, you can choose exactly how much digital downtime you want.
- Phone
- Headphones
- Charging cables
- Power bank
- USB / 12V adapters
- Travel adapter
- Camera
- Tablet / eReader / laptop
Miscellaneous
Small everyday items can make life on board much easier. Travel documents, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, and a small backpack for shore trips are all essentials. Most importantly: personal medication, especially for allergy sufferers. Medical assistance is not immediately accessible at sea, so make sure you have everything you need.
- Passport / ID / visa / driving licence
- Vaccination card / insurance documents
- Sunglasses
- Earplugs
- Water bottle
- Backpack
- Travel pillow / soft toy / neck pillow
- Books
- Hiking shoes
- Snacks
- Personal medication
- Lighter / matches
Hygiene
Sun protection is non-negotiable on a boat. Because we’re in and out of the water all the time, waterproof and reef-safe sunscreen is the best option. Sprays and oily products can make the deck slippery—so better avoid them.
- Sunscreen (waterproof and reef-safe, no oils or sprays)
- Insect repellent
- Toothpaste / toothbrush / floss
- Shower gel / shampoo
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush / comb
- Hair ties
- Tweezers / nail kit
- Jewellery (not during sailing)
- Glasses / contact lenses
- Tissues
- Razor + charging cable
Special Notes
Our catamaran Katja comes with a few special conveniences that make packing easier. We provide towels and bed linen, which already reduces luggage significantly. Life jackets are also on board. Hard-shell suitcases, however, don’t fit well in the cabins and are difficult to store, please bring soft bags instead. Fishing and spearfishing equipment is not permitted.
- No need to bring towels / bedding
- No hard-shell luggage
- No life jackets needed
- No fishing or spearfishing gear
If you have questions about preparing for your sailing and diving holiday in Greece, feel free to get in touch.