Yacht Charter Packing List: What to Pack and What to Wear
Quick answer
Pack for a yacht charter in a soft, collapsible bag, not a hard suitcase, because cabin storage is tight. Bring light layers, swimwear, one smart outfit for dinners ashore, reef-safe sunscreen and a hat, and expect to go barefoot on board. Add your passport, travel insurance details and any motion sickness medication your doctor recommends.
What should you pack for a yacht charter?
Pack light, in soft bags, for warm days, breezy evenings and a barefoot life on board. A crewed yacht supplies towels, toiletries, snorkel gear and water toys, so your bag is mostly clothes, sun protection, medication and documents.
The biggest mistake first-time charterers make is packing for a hotel. A yacht cabin on a 30–50m motor yacht typically has a small wardrobe and a few drawers, and the crew needs to stow empty luggage somewhere in a vessel where every cubic foot is planned. If you are new to charter, our first yacht charter guide covers the rest of what to expect.
Why should you use soft bags on a yacht?
Soft, collapsible bags can be folded flat and stowed; hard suitcases often cannot. Crews will find room for a hard case if they must, but it may end up in a crew area or lazarette for the week.
Choose a duffel or a soft roller with a collapsible frame. One medium bag per guest plus a small day bag for the tender is a sensible limit. If your trip includes a hotel stay before or after the charter, leave formal wear and extra luggage at the hotel, or ask your broker whether the yacht can hold bags for a later port.
Shoes on a yacht: why is everyone barefoot?
Most charter yachts are barefoot on deck and inside. Teak decks and pale interior carpets mark easily, and shoes carry grit that scratches them, so guests leave shoes in a basket at the passerelle.
What that means for packing:
- Bring: flip-flops or slides for tender trips and beaches, one pair of soft-soled, non-marking deck shoes or sneakers in case the yacht allows them, and water shoes for rocky coves in Croatia or the Greek islands.
- Leave behind: heels of any kind, stilettos especially, and shoes with dark rubber soles that leave black marks.
- For evenings ashore: pack wedges or flat sandals and carry them off the yacht in a bag, putting them on at the dock.
What should you wear on a yacht?
Wear swimwear and light, breathable layers by day and smart-casual by night. Charter dress is relaxed on board, but restaurants and beach clubs ashore in the Riviera, Amalfi and St. Barths are dressier.
- Daytime on board: two or three swimsuits, cover-ups, linen shirts, shorts, a light dress or two, and a long-sleeved sun shirt or rash guard.
- Evenings on board: linen trousers or chinos, sundresses, a light knit or wrap. Wind on deck after sunset feels cooler than the air temperature suggests.
- Dinners ashore: one or two smarter outfits, such as a blazer or collared shirt for men and a dress for women, for places like Saint-Tropez, Capri, Porto Cervo or Gustavia.
- Wind and spray: a packable windproof jacket. In the Cyclades the summer meltemi wind is strongest in July and August, and an evening tender ride across open water can be cold and wet.
Darker colors hide sunscreen marks; white looks wonderful but shows everything.
What sun protection do you need?
More than you think. Reflection off the water and long days on deck mean steady sun exposure, so pack a high-SPF, reef-friendly sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat that ties on, polarized sunglasses with a strap, and after-sun lotion.
Choose mineral or reef-friendly formulas where you can. The US Virgin Islands has banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene since 2020, and many Caribbean and Med marine areas encourage reef-safe products. Spray sunscreens are unpopular with crews because they leave a slippery film on teak, so lotion is better on board.
How do you handle motion sickness on a yacht charter?
Talk to your doctor before you travel about the right medication or patches for you, since some options cause drowsiness or do not suit certain health conditions. Then plan the itinerary to reduce motion in the first place.
Practical, non-medical steps that help:
- Pick sheltered waters. The Ionian Sea, the Croatian islands and the BVI offer short hops between protected anchorages. The Cyclades in July and August are rougher.
- Choose a steadier platform. A catamaran rolls less at anchor than a monohull sailing yacht, and many larger motor yachts have stabilizers that work at anchor.
- Tell the captain early. Captains can schedule passages for calmer morning hours and pick anchorages protected from the swell.
- On board: stay on deck, look at the horizon, avoid reading below while moving, and keep light snacks and water handy.
Ginger sweets and acupressure wristbands are popular, though evidence for them is mixed. Ask your doctor what is sensible for you.
What documents do you need for a yacht charter?
Bring a valid passport for every guest, plus copies of your charter contract, travel insurance and any medical details the crew should know. Your broker will ask for passport details in advance to prepare the crew list required by port authorities.
- Passport validity: check the entry rules for every country on the itinerary. A BVI and USVI combination crosses an international border with customs and immigration, even for US citizens.
- Europe: the EU's ETIAS travel authorization for US visitors is scheduled to begin in late 2026. Check the official EU guidance before you fly.
- Payments: a credit card for any APA top-up and for shore spending, and a plan for the crew gratuity. See our tipping guide for how to handle it.
- Medication: carry prescriptions in original packaging, with enough for the trip plus a few days.
What should families add?
Children need their own sun kit, any comfort items, and properly fitted life jackets. Ask your broker to confirm the yacht carries child-sized life jackets for each child's weight. Our family yacht charter guide covers safety and toys in more detail.
Yacht charter packing checklist
The table below is a printable, one-glance list. Quantities assume a 7-night charter.
| Category | Pack | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luggage | 1 soft duffel + 1 small day bag per guest | Cabin storage is tight | Hard cases may be stowed out of reach |
| Swimwear | 2–3 swimsuits, cover-ups, rash guard | Daily swimming and toys | Rash guard doubles as sun protection |
| Day clothes | Linen shirts, shorts, light dresses | Hot days on deck | Breathable fabrics dry fast |
| Evening clothes | 2–3 smart-casual outfits | Dinners on board and ashore | One dressier look for Riviera or St. Barths |
| Layers | Light knit, windproof jacket | Cool evenings and tender rides | Essential in the Cyclades in summer |
| Footwear | Flip-flops, non-marking deck shoes, water shoes, flat sandals | Barefoot on board; rocky coves ashore | No heels or black soles on teak |
| Sun | Reef-friendly SPF lotion, hat with strap, polarized sunglasses, after-sun | Reflected glare off the water | Avoid sprays on deck |
| Health | Doctor-recommended motion sickness remedy, prescriptions, basic first aid | Motion at sea; remote anchorages | Carry medication in original packaging |
| Documents | Passports, insurance, contract copy, crew-list details | Port authority checks and border crossings | Check every country on the route |
| Money | Credit card, cash or transfer plan for the gratuity | APA top-ups, shore spending, tips | Confirm the tipping method with the captain |
| Tech | Phone, waterproof pouch, universal adapter, power bank | Photos on the tender, charging | Most yachts have Wi-Fi; coverage varies |
| Skip | Towels, snorkel sets, toiletries, beach toys | Usually supplied on crewed yachts | Confirm with the yacht's specification |
The short version
Pack half what you would for a resort, in soft bags, and lean toward layers, sun protection and barefoot comfort. Then ask your broker for the yacht's specifics on shoes, storage and supplied gear before you zip the bag.
Frequently asked questions
What should you not bring on a yacht charter?
Leave hard-shell suitcases, heels and dark-soled shoes at home. They are hard to store and can damage teak decks. Skip packing towels, snorkel gear and beach toys too, since most crewed yachts supply them; check with your broker.
What do you wear on a yacht?
Days on board are swimwear, cover-ups, linen and light cotton, mostly barefoot. Evenings are smart-casual: linen trousers or chinos, sundresses, a light knit for wind. Pack one or two dressier outfits for restaurants ashore in places like Saint-Tropez, Capri or St. Barths.
Can you wear shoes on a yacht?
Most charter yachts ask guests to go barefoot on deck and inside, leaving shoes in a basket at the gangway. Some allow clean, non-marking deck shoes or soft-soled sandals. Heels and black rubber soles are almost never allowed on teak.
How do you prevent seasickness on a yacht charter?
Ask your doctor before travel about the right medication or patches for you, since some cause drowsiness. Choose sheltered cruising grounds, ask the captain to plan short passages, and stay on deck looking at the horizon when moving. Catamarans and stabilized motor yachts tend to roll less at anchor.
How much luggage can you bring on a yacht?
Plan on one medium soft bag per guest plus a small day bag. Cabin wardrobes on most 30–50m yachts are compact, and the crew stores empty bags out of the way. If you need more, ask your broker about the yacht's storage before you pack.
Do I need towels or snorkel gear for a crewed charter?
Usually not. Crewed yachts typically provide bath and beach towels, snorkel sets and the water toys listed on the specification. Bring your own mask only if you need a prescription lens or prefer a personal fit.
Charter rates, APA, VAT and fees quoted are approximate, vary by yacht and season, and change often. Confirm current figures with your broker at booking.