What to Pack for a Yacht Charter?
Packing for your dream sailing holiday is an exciting time for many people, but it also raises a lot of questions. Space on a yacht is a different matter altogether – it’s limited, and the nature of a sailing trip requires a slightly different approach to a standard hotel holiday. To help you get ready, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to ensure you take exactly what you need and avoid unnecessary baggage.
1. What should you leave at home? (Because it’s already waiting for you!)
At Charter Team, we value your comfort and are committed to providing the highest standard of service, so that you can travel light. When packing for our yachts, you can immediately tick many items off your list. A set of bed linen and towels is provided for every crew member on every yacht. We have also made sure the galley is fully equipped – on board you will find kitchen towels, a sponge, washing-up liquid, soap in every bathroom, and two rolls of toilet paper per bathroom.
You don’t need to worry about getting back to the mainland when mooring in secluded bays either. We guarantee that every yacht comes with a dinghy and an outboard motor included in the charter price.
2. Soft bags are an absolute must
The most important rule of packing for a sailing trip is: avoid hard, rigid wheeled suitcases. Yacht lockers and storage compartments have irregular shapes that are tailored to the hull. Once unpacked, a hard-shell suitcase will take up valuable space in the cabin and simply get in the way. The best choice is soft travel bags (preferably made of waterproof materials) or classic sailing bags, which can be rolled up and stowed at the bottom of the locker once the clothes have been removed.
3. Clothing “by the bunch” and suitable footwear
The weather in Croatia during the season is usually very sunny and stable, but conditions at sea can change, and evenings in the cockpit can be chilly. What should you pack?
- Footwear: This is an absolute priority. Bring comfortable shoes with flat, soft, light-coloured soles that won’t mark or scratch the yacht’s deck (so-called ‘non-marking’ soles). You’ll also need sturdy water shoes (to protect against sea urchins and rocky beaches).
- Protection from the wind: Even in the heat of summer, it’s a good idea to bring a lightweight, windproof and waterproof jacket (a so-called windbreaker) and a warm fleece for evenings and mornings or longer sailing trips.
- Summer essentials: shorts, your favourite T-shirts, swimwear (ideally at least two to change into) and light, airy clothing (such as linen shirts) for evening strolls through Croatia’s historic towns.
4. Sun protection (An absolute must-have on the water!)
The sun at sea tans you much more quickly because the rays are constantly reflected off the water’s surface and the yacht’s bright white laminate. Your toiletries bag should contain the following essentials:
- Sun cream with a high SPF (preferably waterproof and marine-friendly).
- Good sunglasses with a polarised lens that reduce glare from the water.
- Headwear: a baseball cap or a hat (preferably with a clip or a drawstring to prevent it from being blown off by a strong gust of wind).
- A moisturising lotion or aloe vera gel for after sun exposure.
5. Water sports equipment and relaxation on board
Croatia’s bays with crystal-clear waters are the perfect place for an active holiday. Please note that some of our yachts come with a free SUP. If the yacht you’ve chosen doesn’t include one as standard, we’ll be happy to arrange one for you – we offer SUP board hire for €100 per week or a two-person inflatable kayak, also at €100 per week.
Bring a good book, your own snorkelling gear (mask and snorkel) and a Bluetooth speaker with a playlist of your favourite tracks.
6. Documents and a personal first-aid kit
Before you set off, double-check that you have a valid ID card or passport with you. The skipper (if you are chartering a yacht without our skipper) must have the originals of the necessary qualifications: a sailing licence and a VHF radio operator’s licence. In addition to the standard, mandatory first-aid kit that comes on board every one of our yachts, bring your own regular medication, basic painkillers and travel sickness tablets if you are prone to seasickness.
A golden rule to finish with: When it comes to a yacht charter, the rule ‘less is more’ definitely applies. Focus on your own comfort, pack the clothes you feel most comfortable in, and get ready to create some amazing memories. We’ll take care of the rest, including ensuring the yacht is perfectly prepared!
