What to Bring on a Yacht Charter: Packing List for a Week

For a week on a charter yacht, bring a soft bag (not a hard suitcase), passports and the charter documents, your licence and VHF certificate if you skipper yourself, a credit card for the deposit, light clothes plus one warm layer and a windproof jacket, non-marking shoes, strong sun protection, seasickness remedies and a 12 V or USB charger. Safety gear, a dinghy and usually bed linen are on board.

This list is for living aboard for 7 nights, typically Saturday to Saturday in Croatia, Greece or Italy. Renting a boat for a few hours or a day? Use our packing list for a day trip by boat instead.

Soft bag, not a suitcase: what not to bring

A charter yacht has no room for hard luggage. Cabins have small lockers and shelves, and an empty suitcase cannot be folded away, so it ends up on your bunk all week. Pack in a soft duffel bag or a backpack that you can flatten and stow.

• One soft bag per person that folds flat when empty
• A small dry bag for trips ashore in the dinghy
• A day bag or tote for beach and town
• Packing cubes, which work well as drawers in a locker

Leave these at home:

• Hard suitcases
• High heels and shoes with black soles that mark the deck
• A hair dryer or other high-power appliances
• Valuables and jewellery you would hate to lose overboard
• Too many clothes: most people wear half of what they pack

Which documents do you need for a yacht charter?

Keep all documents together in a waterproof pouch. Charter companies want originals, not copies.

• Passport or ID card for everyone on board. Before arrival you normally send a crew list with full name, date of birth, nationality and passport or ID number.
• Charter contract or booking confirmation, with the base address and check-in time.
• Skipper's licence if you charter bareboat, often an ICC. Read our ICC guide to see whether your home licence is accepted.
• VHF radio certificate (for example SRC) if you skipper yourself. In Croatia, the skipper or one crew member must hold one. Other countries and companies may ask too, so check.
• Credit card for the security deposit. It is often blocked on a credit card at check-in. Ask whether a debit card or cash is accepted.
• Travel insurance that covers sailing. Many charter companies and insurers also sell deposit insurance, which covers most of the deposit if something gets damaged. It is a common optional product; read what it covers before you buy.
• Some cash in euros for mooring buoys, small harbours and island tavernas that do not take cards.

What clothes should you pack for a week on a sailboat?

Less than you think. You will live in swimwear, shorts and T-shirts, and there is a washing line (bring clothes pegs), not a wardrobe.

• 2 to 3 swimsuits, so one is always dry
• Quick-drying shorts and T-shirts, plus a thin long-sleeved shirt against the sun
• One warm layer (fleece or wool) and a windproof, water-resistant jacket. Evenings can be cool, and strong winds such as the meltemi in the Aegean or the bora in the Adriatic make it cold on deck even in summer.
• One casual outfit for dinner ashore
• Non-marking shoes with light soles for the deck, plus sandals or water shoes for rocky beaches and sea urchins

Sun, health and seasickness

The Mediterranean sun is reflected by the water and the white deck, so you burn faster than on land.

• High-SPF sunscreen, preferably reef-safe, and lip balm with SPF
• A hat with a chin strap (or a spare hat, as they blow away)
• Polarised sunglasses with a cord
• Seasickness remedies you have tried before. Ask a pharmacist which suits you, and take them before you leave harbour.
• Your own medicines in your hand luggage, with enough for the whole week
• A small first-aid kit: plasters, blister plasters, painkillers, after-sun, insect repellent
• Earplugs, as halyards and neighbouring boats can be noisy at night

How do you charge phones and laptops on a yacht?

Most yachts run on 12 V batteries. The 230 V sockets usually only work on shore power in a marina or with a generator or inverter, so a hair dryer is rarely an option.

• A 12 V car charger with USB ports, and your usual cables
• A power bank for the dinghy and days at anchor
• A travel adapter if your plugs are not European (UK visitors need one)
• A waterproof phone case and a dry bag
• Offline maps and apps downloaded at home
• A head torch, ideally with red light for night use

Need to stay online? Read how wifi and Starlink on a yacht charter work before you rely on it.

What is on board, and what should you ask about?

Charter yachts come equipped for living aboard, but the details vary between companies and listings. Check the listing and ask before you pack.

• Usually on board: a dinghy, life jackets, safety gear, pillows and duvets or blankets, a galley with cookware and plates
• Often included, but check: bed linen and towels (sometimes part of a mandatory package), an outboard for the dinghy
• Ask about: beach towels, snorkelling gear, SUP boards, wifi, children's life jackets in the right size, and whether bedding is changed during the week

Your own snorkel mask is worth bringing, as a good fit makes a big difference.

Packing list: bareboat vs. skipper vs. crewed

What you need to bring depends on how you charter. On Ship O'Hoi, charter yachts can be booked bareboat, with a skipper or fully crewed, where the listing offers it.

Bareboat: you are skipper, cook and navigator. Bring the licence documents, a good pilot book or app, and plan provisioning. Browse bareboat yachts in Croatia or sailboats for charter.

With a skipper: no licence needed. The skipper usually needs a berth on board, and you normally pay for the skipper's meals.

Crewed: the crew handles sailing, cooking and towels. Pack just clothes and personal items, and fill in the yacht charter preference sheet so the crew knows your food and drink wishes. Some crewed yachts charge an advance for food, drinks and fuel on top of the charter fee, so ask. See crewed yachts in Greece.

Food and provisioning for a bareboat week

Yachts have water tanks, but many crews buy bottled water for drinking. Plan meals for breakfasts and lunches on board and eat out in the evenings.

• Shop at a supermarket near the base on arrival day, or ask whether the charter company offers provisioning delivered to the boat
• Buy basics first: water, coffee, oil, salt, washing-up liquid, toilet paper, rubbish bags
• Fridges are small, so buy fresh food often in port
• A cool bag helps for beach days by dinghy

Catamarans for charter often have more galley and fridge space, which helps when a large group cooks on board. For more destinations, see boat rental in Italy.

FAQ

Can I leave my suitcase at the charter base?

Some bases can store luggage, but not all. Ask the charter company before you travel; if they cannot, bring only soft bags.

Do I need to bring bed linen and towels?

Usually not, as they are normally on board or part of a package. Check the listing, and bring or ask for separate beach towels.

How much cash should I bring?

There is no fixed amount. Bring enough euros for mooring buoys, small harbours and places without card payment, and use cards where you can.

Is a week's packing different in spring and autumn?

Yes. In May and October, nights are colder and the sea is cooler, so bring an extra warm layer, long trousers and a proper rain jacket.

Do I need a life jacket for my child?

Charter yachts carry life jackets, but not always in children's sizes. Ask the charter company in advance, or bring your own that fits.