The Perfect Packing List for a Catamaran Charter

Going on a Catamaran Soon? Here is the Perfect Packing List

Have you just booked a Catamaran Charter and wondering what to pack? If so, you will want to read this article.

I was in the same boat like you. It was my bucket list dream to travel the British Virgin Islands by a catamaran. Once the trip was booked it was time to start thinking of packing and buying some new clothes. If you are like me, you have a tendency to overpack. This was one of the first trips I actually wore almost everything I packed. Once on the trip, I learned what I would bring and what I would not.

First things First- A Rolling Duffel Bag

I don’t even own a rolling duffel bag! One week prior to the trip I was convinced I would bring a suitcase. Two days prior to the trip I was convinced I needed a rolling duffel bag by all the packing lists I read. My friend going on the Catamaran strongly suggested not to bring a suitcase. Turns out everyone was right! I would have been sleeping with that suitcase! There isn’t any room onboard to store large bags in a catamaran stateroom.

My wonderful husband took his motorcycle parts out of the only rolling duffel bag that we own the night before our departure. He had to clean it because it smelled of oil and gas. TSA loved my bag! I had a TSA card in the bag when I arrived in Fort Lauderdale and my outfits were not in the order I had packed them in. At the St. John airport five TSA personnel were surrounded all around my bag. My husband used a duffel bag to pack but it didn’t have wheels. He threw his back out and had to book a Massage prior to getting on the boat and a chiropractor once he got back. Lesson learned, buy a rolling duffel bag!

I laid out all the outfits out on my bed. How am I going to bring all of this? Here is what you really need.

Packing List

• Swimsuits- We had a seven-day charter so I packed 3 swimsuits. You will spend a lot of time in the water snorkeling and swimming. 3 swimsuits were the magic number. My husband packed two.
• Rashguard for sun protection- when you spend a lot of time in the water and sun a rashguard will offer sun protection and dry quickly.
• UPF Light Weight Sun Shirt- My favorite one is the Hanalei Full Zip Hoodie from Title 9. I had never ordered from them before and I lived in this lightweight sun shirt every day.

• Another Favorite Item, I wore almost every day and wish I had purchased a second one is the Dream Skort from Title 9  The material is lightweight and dries fast if it gets wet. It is so comfortable you will want to live in it which I did. Sports bras, sports tops from Title 9 or Athleta that dry quickly are the clothes you will want to wear. I did bring yoga pants but it was too hot for them to wear. Stick with the skorts instead. The key is lightweight and breathable materials that dry fast.
• Sundresses- Sundresses are perfect for the evenings whether you visit a restaurant, bar, or stay onboard for dinner. I packed three since we had three dinner nights ashore.
• Hair Ties- It can be windy in the Virgin Islands.  I like the No Crease ones on Amazon and they are more decorative.
• A Book- If you like to read bring a good book to read. I only had time to read one but if you enjoy reading you may want to bring two just in case. Check out the best seller list of new reads from Amazon
• Sunscreen- A high SPF & facial sunscreen
• When it comes to make up keep it light. You won’t wear as much as you think you will. Lipgloss, eyeshadow, blush, waterproof mascara, and a tinted moisturizer with SPF is all you need.
• The salt water dries out your skin- bring a travel size skin moisturizer.
• You can not bring hair curling irons or hair dryers. Just pack a styling gel or trial hotel sizes of shampoo & conditioner. A coconut hair oil spray helped get the tangles out when I couldn’t wash my hair. Your cute hair ties come in handy with pony tails and braids with wet hair. Tip- put your wet hair in a loose braid and once it dries you have natural, wavy hair.
• Snorkeling Equipment – Check with your charter and see if they supply snorkel gear. I like to bring my own. This is what I travel with.

 

• Do you have a themed planned? We had a Hawaiian Night, a Colorado Night, and a Nautical Themed Night for the dinners on board. Themed nights create a fun photo opportunity. Pack outfits accordingly. Nautical wear is always perfect for a boat cruising.

• A swimsuit cover- up to wear on the islands or on the boat after swimming. Pack one or two.
• A tank top and shorts to sleep in. It can be hot at night all I wanted to wear was a tank top and shorts. I buy mine from Victoria’s Secret. Bring two or three pairs of pajamas for a week long excursion.
• Two pairs of inexpensive sunglasses with a sunglass Croakie cord. You will have a back up pair in case you lose a pair in the water.
• Check to see if your Charter provides Beach towels. If not buy one as a souvenir in St. John or bring one. I didn’t need to bring mine, one less thing I could have packed.
• Shoes- Flip flops and a sturdy water shoe. You will not need gym shoes or high heels. I did not bring water shoes and I wish I did. We hiked rocks and wet rocks and I did it in blingy flip flops. They were definitely the wrong shoes!

• I seldom wear shorts so I often opt for a skort instead. However, I packed one pair of linen shorts and a t-shirt. It’s a good outfit for day onshore shopping or going to a bar.
• Check the weather, I packed a long sleeve Athleta Beyond Soft sweatshirt for the evenings. I never wore it because it was too hot.
• Wet Wipes- Water is precious onboard. I love showers but wet wipes were easy to use as a substitute shower and to stay clean. Just don’t flush them down the toilet.
• Ziplock bags- aka A Sailor’s Wallet. My friend recommended packing each outfit in a Ziplock bag. This was a great idea. Our clothes stayed fresh. In the case of our friend’s cabin- they forgot to latch their window and their cabin was soaked. Luckily they had packed their outfits in plastic bags so their clothes were dry. You can use these for wallets and cameras when going ashore.
• Go Pro Camera- the best camera for underwater and bringing ashore. I used my DSLR, Drone, and iPhone too but that was overkill for the trip and a lot to pack. 
• Pool Floatie – A boating trip is the best excuse to float on the water. Check with your Charter company and see if you can Amazon Prime your float directly to them. I shipped my Gold Swan directly to Soulshine Charters in St. John via Amazon.

• If you are a light sleeper pack ear plugs. I actually had a hard time sleeping because of the waves and new sounds I was not used to.
• Don’t forget your passport!
• Every restaurant and bar in the Virgin Islands took Visa. American Express not so much.
• The British Virgin Islands will accept US $$. I used my Visa card for the majority of my purchases. Bring cash to tip your crew.
• Your favorite high-end Champagne or wine. Check with your charter on what is included. I knew I wanted to have a Veuve Champagne moment onboard!
• Sun Hat with tie string- It can be windy so bring a sun hat with tie string to tighten it. My favorite brand is Wallaroo. The Julia sun hat is UPF 50+ too. It is worn in the above photograph.
• Games- Our charter had many games onboard to play. Check which ones they have onboard before your trip.
• Sea Bands and Bonine- Everyone swore the Bonine works the best. I wear the Sea bands and I haven’t gotten sea sick wearing them.

After our charter, these are the items I would pack again on a future charter. It’s not fun to pack too much and not wear it. In the case of a Yacht vacation, less is more. Hope this helps. Don’t forget to take a ton of photographs so bring your waterproof camera.

Have you chartered a Catamaran before? What would you add to this list?

Bonnie

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